Camp Ministries

Throughout my years in bible school, I had many opportunities to be involved in camp ministry. I was involved in winter weekend camps for youth groups, as well as week-long summer camps. It can be very tiring, and even stressful at times, but overall, it is a blast.

Camp is a time where kids get away for a few days or a week and get to have a lot of fun while learning about God. There is a feeling of safety to open up to your counsellor and ask hard questions. Camp is a time where God's love is put on display in a special way through counsellors, as they participate in games with the kids but also counsel them in their walk with God. I am thankful for the counsellors I had and their genuine care for me as I grew up. I am also thankful for the time that I was able to be involved in camp as I got older, to see how God worked through the camp program to draw kids closer to Him. I can remember so many conversations I had with youth at camp after some of the sessions.

One of my favourite parts of the camp I worked at, was a session at the end of the week that we called the "Say So" session. It was based on Psalm 107:2a which says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." It gave students the opportunity to share what they learnt that week at camp. Week after week I saw kids as young as eight and as old as 18 stand up and say things like, "I didn't know I could actually be forgiven," and, "I realized that God is with me through everything I go through." Some of their biggest struggles were answered through a week of fun, games, biblical teaching, and a counsellor that cared for them.

For our youth group here at SDBC, we spend a week every summer on Salt Spring Island where we see the same things happen. It is our own little week of camp, centred around serving others in the community. Throughout the year, students speak about the memories made on Salt Spring Island and all the things God taught them during the week. We also see many students head over to Camp Qwanoes for a week and come back excited about what they learned about God and how they have been inspired to live for Him. This coming Sunday, Camp Qwanoes will be visiting us and sharing about the power of camp ministry and how God is changing lives through Qwanoes. Make sure to stop by the Spotlight Table for more information on the camps that are available this year.