Why I go for camp

Youth camp is held each year, around late November or early December. Note the phrase “each year”. Many people do ask me why I go for camp every single year, even if it means missing out on things like family excursions to Penang (oh, the food!) or something like that. Even if it means forking out about a hundred ringgit. Even if it means skipping pre-prom shopping trips. Even if it means that I have to stand up to people and firmly say that this is something that I want to do.

Let me tell you why.

Someone once said this to me; “Going for camp ignites the fire for God, but when you come back, after a few weeks or so, it fizzles out, so I don’t see much point of going.”

While this may be partly (or very) true, I really do believe that camp is a time that we put aside for God. To inject a boost and a zest in our walks in Him, to renew this relationship, and maybe even to begin it. It’s like hitting the ‘refresh’ button on your browser. Camp is a few days that we specifically set aside to have ‘quality time’ with our Father in Heaven, away from the ‘real world’. Believe that this is a time that God can directly minister to us individually, and that He has something for each person who comes with expectance, genuinely seeking Him. Away from our other responsibilities, away from distractions, we can soak in His impartations, and even let it rest in our hearts so we’re ready to return to and tackle the ‘real world’.

Ah, then there’s fellowship. I mean, what other time do you have the opportunity to hang out with your church buddies for so many days at a time? When else can you meet super and amazing new people? The awesome experience of dwelling in God’s presence, exhilarating (though sometimes lame and hilarious) games, concentrating on learning His Word, and sometimes even breakthroughs, when shared with friends, can bring friendships to a deeper and more meaningful level.

We’re always encouraged to invite our non-Christian friends for camp. Personally, I invite my friends who don’t attend church so they can experience for themselves this vital part of my life. So I can show them that youth camp, or my faith in general, is not about long and boring irrelevant lectures, stringent rules, pious facades, and what not. This also includes creating an opportunity for them to meet those Christian friends of mine that I mention so often.

All in all, I’m all for going for camp. (No, I’m not saying this just because I’m part of the camp committee!) And I’ve been to more than enough camps to know for sure that indeed, God does work through and in them.

~Su-lyn.

PS: Itching to sign up yet?