Young people commit to baptism and Bible study across camps
As summer temperatures climbed across Australia, thousands of young people ditched screen time to spend their holidays outdoors, making new friends, trying new activities and exploring their faith.
Run by conference youth departments, summer camps once again brought together children and teenagers from around the country for age-specific programs combining outdoor adventure with worship, discussion and mentoring.
Across Australia, 18 camps gathered more than 1800 young people over December and January, supported by 767 volunteers who served as counsellors, activity leaders and mentors.
With a spiritual focus that blends with fun and creative activities, summer camps are among the Church’s most important evangelistic opportunities for young people. This summer, more than 600 campers made a commitment to baptism and 800 requested Bible studies.
“The summer camp program continues to be a platform in which Adventist young people can have a great time in the outdoors, make new friends and grow spiritually as well,” said Australian Union Conference youth director Pastor Rick Hergenhan.
A participant from the Northern Australian Conference (NAC) reflected on the program’s impact, describing it as an experience of a lifetime. “From being a counsellor, and hanging out with my friends, to the activities and being a part of the praise and worship team. Throughout the week the messages from the speaker were really powerful and it was beautiful to see so many young people like myself have an encounter with God through the messages and worship,” the participant said.
The initiative also presents an opportunity for reaching children who might not be familiar with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “It is a place where young people feel comfortable inviting their friends and they can be introduced to the gospel and the uniqueness of Adventism in an appealing way,” Pastor Hergenhan explained.
This summer, at least 170 attendees were young people from the wider community. One of those who attended the Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) Jets camp is excited to come back. “I’m so glad my friend invited me to come to learn more about your faith, make friends and experience these amazing activities. Next year I’m bringing my siblings,” the participant said.
Among the highlights of this summer’s camps were baptisms. In South Australia, families and the local church community visited the campground to celebrate the baptism of two young people—a camper and a cabin leader. “It was a wonderful way to close out an amazing camp,” said youth director Tim Ah Sam.
In Greater Sydney, campers witnessed the baptism of Noah Depaz at Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre (Galston, NSW).
Learning how to follow Jesus’ example in a practical way was one of the spiritual highlights in North New South Wales (NNSW). After learning about Jesus’ life through the main message, campers experienced communion in their cabins, guided by their cabin leaders. “They washed one another’s feet, drank grape juice and shared unleavened bread,” said youth administrative assistant Shanna Walters. “For some, this was a first-time experience, and it was a privilege to help facilitate it and to watch the story of the cross lead young people to reflect on what God had personally done for them.”
In Western Australia, summer camps reached more young people than in previous years, with organisers reporting their largest camps to date. “You know you’ve hit capacity when you have to put bunk beds in storage rooms to fit your youth directors in,” said youth director Pastor Sean Tavai. “There was no sight of an empty bed,” he added.
Recent upgrades to Mornington Adventure Camp (Wokalup, WA) supported camps in operating at full capacity. According to Pastor Tavai, the camp setting played an important role in shaping the spiritual experience, particularly through outdoor worship held in an amphitheatre beside the dam, which created space for reflection and connection. “We had the sunset as the backdrop and the stars as the house lights,” he said.
Even as camps across the country created space for spiritual growth and connection, the summer season also brought unexpected challenges. Bushfires in parts of Victoria and near the New South Wales border disrupted programs in two conferences.
The South New South Wales Conference was forced to evacuate a teen summer camp on a Friday evening due to nearby fires. “We were able to get the majority of the campers to Canberra National Church where they slept the night, had our final message on Sabbath morning and then everyone left by lunch,” said youth director Huston Ford. “It was a shame that camp was cut short, but still had a good outcome, plus it’ll be a summer camp for the kids to remember.”
In Victoria, the Conference cancelled its GAP camp for 16 to 18-year-olds due to bushfires and evacuated campers and volunteers from Camp Howqua. Despite the initial uncertainty, the Conference proceeded with the junior camp after careful assessment with local authorities. “We were only delayed by a few hours, but went ahead despite the fires! We didn’t expect to be able to run it but God provided,” said youth director Pastor Jonathon Gillard.
Other camps across the country also faced challenges due to heatwaves and torrential rain that brought the risk of flooding. Reflecting on the season, Pastor Hergenhan said the challenges highlighted the commitment of those involved in delivering the programs. “Despite the challenges that were faced across our various conferences, our youth director team and their committed volunteers delivered excellent camps that were well attended and left campers wanting to come back for more next year,” he said.
Greater Sydney Conference youth director Pastor Dejan Stojkovic added, “even through extreme heat and sudden rain, God met our young people and faith took root, continuing to grow beyond camp”.
Reflecting on the season as a whole, youth leaders across Australia are excited about what they’ve seen take place in each campground. “We had an amazing summer, and it was a blessing to see God answer our prayers as young people made the decision to choose Jesus,” said NNSW youth director Pastor Ashley Smith.
“Lives were touched, friendships were formed, and faith was awakened,” added Pastor Stojkovic.
But, they emphasised, the work doesn’t end with the summer season. Pastor Hergenhan called on local churches to continue supporting those who attended camps, particularly those who made spiritual decisions. “I would like to call on all local churches who had young people attend summer camps to rally around them with support and encouragement to affirm their decisions for Christ,” he said. “I would also like to call on local churches to empower their young people by including them in the weekly functioning of the local church.”
“May what God began continue to grow in homes, churches, schools and communities as we walk forward, waiting for the soon return of Jesus,” said Pastor Stojkovic.
