2022 Summer Camps, well, 2022 Summer Camp – almost! It was with an air of anticipation and apprehension that the staff met the night before GAP camp (16–18-year-olds). As we got to know each other and discuss our roles and responsibilities, I realised that the fact we were all standing there, at Camp Howqua, less then 24 hours before the youth arrived was a miracle in and of itself.
While we had COVID check ins and masks to be worn inside, as the kids started to trickle in, and the noise in the Camp Howqua lodge started to rise so did our sense of excitement. Things almost felt normal, maybe we would get through the camps, maybe we would be able to disconnect from the world for a few weeks and just get to focus on our relationships with the kids and youth that rolled through the doors. For those that know Camp Howqua and have ever visited it during the summertime, you will know that it has a reputation for being HOT! The waterslide and the river are your best friend. Well, this Summer Camp was different, with rain and thunderstorms that affected us from our first afternoon. As the kids arrived so did the clouds.
We started our Thursday afternoon with get-to-know-you games inside because of the threat of rain. (With masks on arghhh) Normally after games, everyone heads to the waterslide/river to cool down, but with looming thunderstorms this was curtailed. (This became a common theme throughout our short stay at Howqua). Instead of jumping in the water, it was free time and very quickly the beloved ping pong tables were in use, the beach volleyball court, which is usually a 2v2 game, had about 10 people playing per side. Along with footy, soccer and Kubb, the thought of the water seemed to wash away, along with the initial awkwardness of meeting new people or seeing your ‘Summer Camp’ friends for the first time in a year. As the afternoon turned into evening, everyone settled into their cabins and had dinner before making their way into the lodge for the much-anticipated night meetings.
The theme for 2022 Summer Camps was Survivor, Out give – Out serve – Out love, and we had the wonderful Pr. Moe Stiles as our speaker. She challenged us throughout our time together, telling us about some of the refugees in our country and their stories of survival. Then she opened the Bible and blew the campers and staff away. She explored the stories of Abraham and Sarah but from the perspective of Hagar, David’s brave men and the story of Judah and Tamar. All stories and people that are often overlooked when we open our Bible’s, but all great examples of true survivors. If you want to be challenged and have your perspective changed, get in contact with Pr. Moe and ask her about the stories above, I had one camper tell me he had never heard such on-theme, challenging messages before. It was a true spiritual blessing.
Day 2 started with the biggest clap of thunder during staff worship, which meant that watersports were cancelled for the morning. However, that did not dampen the spirits of the campers even in the slightest. There was a positive attitude the whole camp by both campers and staff and activities were quickly created. We had ‘Raya’s Kitchen Rules’ hosted by Raya Rantall, which saw the campers create the most indulgent, chocolate stuffed and covered cookies! Then there were indoor games, board games and a movie set up. Oh and of course, the beloved ping pong tables were in use. After an early lunch the weather had cleared, and everyone bundled into the buses and headed to the lake for an afternoon of water sports. The joy on the faces of the campers as they came back in from the water, especially for those who had a joy ride on the Jet Ski was enough to make the whole camp worth it. Then back on the buses, avoided the kangaroos jumping across the road, dinner, evening worship and just like that 2 day was done.
Day 3 we woke up to beautiful sunshine, it was one of those Sabbath mornings that just made you grateful to be alive. After breakfast we loaded everyone back into the buses to go to Mount Timbertop for what I was told was going to be a ‘walk.’ In short, it was not, it felt like we were climbing a vertical cliff wall. I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, but it made me, and many others have the uncomfortable realisation of just how unfit we were. However, everyone pushed through it and made it to the top, and it was a spectacular view. There is something about getting to sit and gaze out into a spectacular panorama of God’s creation. A much easier trip down the mountain, lunch at the bottom and back to Camp Howqua for a far more relaxing afternoon that ended with a swim in the river and a BBQ. A quick reshuffle of staff after the men’s staff cabin went into isolation as the first COVID case reared its ugly head at camp. However, we thought it was contained and had an incredible worship. Just like that day 3 was finished and the campers were filled with great anticipation for the following day of activities (especially paint ball!).
I woke up quite early on day 4, I decided rather than lying in my bed I should get up and have a shower before everyone else woke up. I had been in the shower no longer than 30 seconds before there was a loud knock. I thought it was one of the boys in my cabin trying to be annoying so I told them to leave me in peace and I would be out in a moment. 10 seconds later there was a knock on my shower window, it was one of the staff, He tells me that he has my wife, the beautiful Hayley on the phone and that she’s tested positive to COVID. “Here we go,” I thought. Within a few hours, almost every cabin had a positive case, which meant all, but 1 or 2 cabins were in isolation. After a negative RAT test, I walked round with the other staff that were unaffected making sure that cabins had enough food, toilet paper and water. Just like that, instead of paintball, that was the end of camp. We had a final message from Pr. Moe given over the intercom and by the end of the day all the campers had made their way back home to begin isolation.
While we only got 2 full days of Summer Camp this year, the fact we got any was a miracle. I believe that even for the short time that it was, the campers got to have a small dose of normalcy and a large dose of Jesus. Between the relationships that were built with the staff, the incredible praise and worship and the challenging talks from Pr. Moe, I pray that every camper got to either meet Jesus or grow their relationship with Him. Between COVID and the weather, it was a very different Summer Camp than what was expected. But I know from the conversations I have had with campers, they all had so much fun. It is a testament to the youth that came to Summer Camp, that no matter the circumstances they found themselves in they held a positive attitude and decided to have the best time no matter what. It made me realise that it’s not the activities that make or break a good Summer Camp, no, it’s the people. Coming from all over Victoria, leaders and campers alike, to connect with each other and most importantly Jesus.
As we look forward to Summer Camps in 2023 and what incredible experiences they will bring, pray for this vital ministry. Pray for those campers who had their camp cut short, pray for the Juniors and Teens who missed out completely and are so bitterly disappointed. Pray for the planning as our youth leaders in Victoria navigate how to provide a space where our young people from throughout the state can come together for a few days, forget about everything that is happening in the world, make new friends and most importantly meet Jesus.
If you want to see more about Summer Camp 2022, I encourage you to head to the VicYouth Facebook page and you will find some highlight videos from our time together.
Jayden Croft
