Growing with God at CLW camps
‘The Promised Land’ – Barossa Valley Christian Life Week camp
by Rachael Golder, camp director
Barossa Christian Life Week was held at Cornerstone College in Mount Barker from the 11-15th July. We had over 50 campers in attendance, with a leadership team of 30 people. We were blessed to be supported by local pastors, Pastor Adrian Kitson and Pastor Rob Borgas.
The theme for camp this year was ‘The Promised Land’ where we explored God’s promises to people through the covenants, and how Jesus is the ultimate promise through his death and resurrection. We talked about what the promises mean for us in our everyday life and how these promises are a reminder of God’s faithfulness, love, care and guidance for his people which continues to apply to us today.
We had a great week of fun and games such as a Viking amazing race, a game show, a trivia night and family picnic afternoon. There were a range of electives that taught us about Christian living in today’s world, including sports, arts, worship, guy/girl time, Q+A sessions and a cooking elective. One of the biggest highlights was the incredible Christ-centered relationships and friendships that formed over the week, particularly as we had many first-time campers.
We want to thank all people who supported us financially, by prayer, by leading or by encouraging our young people to attend camp. It was incredible to be back on camp, and we can’t wait for 2023!
‘Golden Oldies’ – Hills Christian Life Week camp
By Hills CLW camp directors
After a two-year hiatus, our July camps were able to return in style and the passion for camping ministries was reignited for campers and leaders alike. These weeks were filled with games, awesome food and fun as we worshipped Jesus through music, small groups and listening to messages from our pastors.
On Hills CLW, our theme was the Golden Oldies where we delved into historical figures of the Old Testament, how God used them, how they relate to Jesus and how they relate to our lives today.
We are already missing our time on camp so much but hope to stay connected through our church communities, youth groups and friends that we have established on camp as we eagerly await the next camp season. We are extremely thankful to all of those who helped our camps happen. We could not have run our camps without our campers, leaders, cooks, techies, chaplains, pastors, and most importantly, Jesus Christ!
Please check out our Facebook page to find out more information about how you can get involved next year.
“Camp was really good this year! It was great to learn more about God and build my relationship with Him and His people” – Camper
‘Upside Down Kingdom’ – Lower Murray South East Christian Life Week camp
By Bethanie Mann, camp director
We welcomed our campers to Tarooki campsite, Robe, on Monday and began camp in God’s name in a time of worship. This was followed by ice-breaker games, giving leaders and campers the opportunity to meet new people and say g’day to old mates. It was fantastic to see the campers get straight into the activities and making themselves at home on camp and evident that an amazing camp culture and community had been established.
Small groups were soon buzzing with campers diving into this year’s theme of ‘Upside Down Kingdom’, looking at how Jesus and His kingdom looks upside down and isn’t what people expect. This provided great questions and interaction between our campers, leaders, pastors, and camp grandparents as we explored God’s Word together. With this theme our games coordinators created a story line of a dragon who had turned camp upside down and our campers were given numerous challenges to make things right. Playing further into this theme, we had our meals backwards (dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner), leaders wore their clothes backwards and the dining hall got turned upside down.
This year we also welcomed a CLW first of camp grandparents, who were not shy to get in among all aspects of camp culture, but also provided great support for the leadership team and were our prayer warriors.
We thank friends, family, churches, Blueprint Ministries, the LLL and all those who have in some way supported the LMSE CLW. Without your prayers and help, we could not have organized and run such an incredible week that created so many special memories and a space for the young people of our district to come together and grow in their relationship with God.
‘GLOW’ – Metro Christian Life Week camp
By Nicole Pfieffer, camp director
After 3 years of planning, we finally got to run Metro CLW and we were GLOWING for Jesus! Our theme this year was GLOW based on the Matthew 5:14-16 passage. Camping up at Ankara at Walker Flat, our mornings were chilly, but we soon warmed up with some fun ‘praise parties’ to kick off our morning.
We were well-fed all week with the amazing Carol and Peter Voigt cooking up a storm in the kitchen and treating us with some really yummy food, including their famous ice-cream sundae bar! We were very fortunate to have Pastor Stephen Schultz share the message for us; looking at how Jesus is the light of the world, but we are also the light of the world and how we can shine to others in all that we do.
There were a few walks up to the lookout, many fun games, including an epic night game and a thrilling leaders vs campers ‘capture the flag’. Our Thursday night our glow party lit up the sky, with a big fairy-light cross placed on the side of the cliff, lots of UV lights and glow sticks and a glow-in-the-dark dance competition.
Both our campers and our leaders had an awesome time, and we cannot wait to do it all again next year!
‘Unlikely Heroes’ – JC Life camp
By Jordan Schaefer, camp director
Our theme this year was ‘Unlikely Heroes’. Quite often children are told they are too ‘young’ or ‘small’ to make an impact, or told to stay silent and hide in the background. As Christians we are God’s disciples called to be missionaries for Christ. Our bible study focused on different individuals in the bible, including David, Esther, Jonah, Jesus, Moses, Mary, Paul/Saul. Through the case studies, Campers were reminded that God uses a range of people no matter their status, age etc. for His purpose, highlighting to campers that just as God used each of these unqualified individuals, God can use them. The theme verse for camp was “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37) which emphasises to campers God’s power and His ability to work through them as discussed in small group sessions.
Between small group sessions, leaders lead several bootcamp activities, ranging in low/high exercise. Leader Lachie ran Aussie yoga, turning classic Australian things like driving a ute, starting the lawnmower, fishing, or cooking barbie, into stretches. The most well received bootcamp activity was the walk along the lake front with leader Josh. Campers learnt all about the ‘polyius snake’ (don’t worry, it was just poly pipe!) and its exoskeleton which they collected and disposed of.
On the Tuesday of camp the director gave each small group a challenge; to build a raft that can hold the most amount of weight out of the supplied materials in the span of 30 minutes. Using wooden spoons, plastic cups, pop sticks, plastic straws, sticky tape and rubber ducks a number of logistical and creative rafts were produced.
Tuesday night leaders Emilie and Aleida ran a hero/villain themed Cluedo. Somebody had stolen the tesseract and campers were tasked with the challenge to find the culprit. Campers and leaders had to complete the activities and challenges in groups to receive clues as to who had stolen the tesseract and from what location.
Leader Smiley ran kite building as a craft between activities. This was a highlight for many campers, unfortunately there wasn’t a strong enough wind to fly the kites across the three remaining days on camp, but the activity itself was incredible fun.
The Wednesday outdoor game required Campers and Leaders to assemble in their small groups, with their running shoes on. In their groups, they had to run around the campsite completing minute-to-win-it-style mini games such as coin stacking, card sorting, cup stacking, bottling flipping and more, to earn tokens. Later in the game, these tokens allowed groups to upgrade their ‘hero’s’ traits. The more upgrades the better chance their hero would have when pitted against monsters in the final round.
Sticking to our superhero theme, we held a banquet on the last night of camp, with the dress up theme ‘Superheroes & Supervillains’. The hall was decked out with an array of colourful balloons, bang-pop-pow signs and fairy lights. Campers, leaders and cooks were all excited for the evening and their enthusiasm showed through the brilliant costumes they donned. DC, Marvel and Star Wars characters made an appearance, along with Cruella de Vil and Ladybug & Cat Noir. Following the feast, a dance party started, raging well into the night for those bursting with energy. The party-goers were line dancing and popping out to the YMCA while campfire stories were shared outside around fire pits as a more relaxing option.
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