ICYMI – Uniting Youth Camp 2022!
In case you missed it, we finally had our very first Uniting Youth Camp (UYC)!
Campers and leaders gathered from across the Synod to Vision Valley at the end of September for UYC22. Although it was raining on and off all week, we still had a blast!
The program was jam packed from Tuesday’s registration. Camp started off strong with worship, speakers and small group time to unpack together big questions on who r u?, identity, and faith.
There were fun outdoor activities including crate stacking, rock climbing, canoeing and archery as well as lots of free time for the kids and leaders to bond over basketball, volleyball, swimming, board games, and the camp puzzle!
The evenings were filled with competitive trivia and youth games, and then time to wind down with supper and a group bedtime story!
Thursday night was super special as we had an All Camp Worship “This is me” where all campers and leaders were invited to participate in the worship in any way they wanted. Some campers organised themselves with new friends they made to lead the camp in a worship song, some read a bible reading that is special to them, some prayed. One of the campers, Timmy, played a moving piano piece “River Flows In You” and shared that this piece always made him emotionally. The Tongan youth, from across different churches and presbyteries, sang a beautiful hymn together. And sprinkled throughout the worship, campers and leaders shared their testimonies. It was truly one of the highlights of camp, where we all felt the Spirit at work.
Uniting Youth Camp 2022 was filled with so many experiences and heaps of new friendships.
Although the camp had to come to an end, we are all looking forward to UYC 2023!!
If you unfortunately missed out on this year’s camp, definitely come along next year!
And if you’re a leader and keen to be part of the planning team for UYC23, get in touch with Ofa!
Remember you can keep in touch with PULSE by signing up for our monthly newsletter, or for further information contact our team via email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.
Ofa Foiakau is the Youth/High School Ministry Lead and Field Officer (Central/West) within the PULSE team.
