2011 Youth Camp
Theme - "So Much More"

Being with 23 teenagers is never boring and always sure to be a fun time. This year's Youth Camp did not disappoint.  It was full of great campers that were a joy to be around and we all declared it to be a success!

Camp started on Sunday, June 19th, with campers coming in cars, buses and planes from Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania.  Of the 23 campers, we had 11 new people and 12 that were returning for a second time. They were in for a treat because we had LOTS of exciting things planned for them.

The theme of this year's camp was, "So Much More." We wanted everyone to realize that Yahweh can give them so much more than the world can give them and also that we need to give Yahweh so much more than we have been giving Him. We used music and discussions to get that message across. We learned about improving our lives, focusing more on Yahweh and Yahshua and growing spiritually. Also, the girls and guys separated one day. The guys discussed respect and responsibility and the girls learned about purity and the important symbolism of a white wedding dress and went to try on wedding dresses. It was a highlight of camp for many of the girls.

Games were many as we went throughout camp. Yahweh blessed us with perfect weather to enjoy our days. We had a snowless snowball fight (made with flour inside of nylons), volleyball, water games, bunko, and some other great group games. "Minute to Win It," based on the TV show, was so much fun as some had to blow bubbles across the room or get a playing card stuck inside a watermelon.  Some won it, some didn't, but everyone had fun trying.

We all won when we went on a float trip down the Niangua River. It was the perfect day and everyone did not mind getting a little wet.  It was great fun jumping off trees into the water, trying to battle the current and going into freezing cold spring water.  We also went to Flipz, a gymnastics arena, and had fun climbing ropes and rock walls, jumping on trampolines, and playing in the mat pit. Laser tag was another outing and we had much fun trying to see who would score more points on the opposing team.

Campers were able to take a bit of camp home with them as they made a few crafts. They made leather bracelets, wire picture frames and drip paintings. They are certainly a creative bunch and all the things they made turned out great!

No camp is complete without a few campfires and hayrides, so we threw in some of that, too.  Of course, hot dogs and s'mores were on the menu. Then again, no camp is complete without a few pranks, but you'll have to talk to someone who was there to see exactly what those were and who won. I will say that frozen clothes, alarm clocks and water hoses were involved in some of them.

The last Saturday night ended with a newscast performed by the youth for the parents and assembly and as always, they shined like stars. But then Sunday morning came too early. Sad campers and counselors had to say their farewells as they went off for their distant homes.

The 2011 Youth Camp was one of the best camps yet.  It seemed as if Yahweh was looking out for us and gave everyone great attitudes, wonderful weather, perfect outings and a complete lack of disasters.

All glory goes to Him as we try to give Him SO MUCH MORE! To see pictures from camp, click HERE.

HalleluYah!