DNA OF SUCAMPS

Many thousands of young people have attended Scripture Union camps since our first camp in 1931. They have had fun and adventure, built life-long friendships, and grown in their walk with God. But what is it that makes our camps different from any other camp? Is it the amazing volunteer leaders? Is it the incredible locations? Is it the amazing activities? Is it the amazing times with God? Is it the people they get to know and create lasting friendships with? Actually, it is all of these things that make our camps so memorable and keep people coming back for more. Many of our amazing volunteer leaders have been campers themselves, and they want to make sure that today’s young people have the opportunities to attend the life-changing camps just as they did. These leaders bring fun, friendship, and love to the camps to create a safe, enjoyable time for all involved. Their passion to help campers connect with each other and build life-long friendships is second-to-none. Their desire to provide opportunities for young people to connect with God in life-changing ways is beyond description. These leaders make things happen and they do it with a big heart for God and for the campers. The locations of our camps are some of the most beautiful places on earth: from venues such as Queenstown, Te Anau and Kaikoura in the South Island through to Mt Ruapehu, Raglan and Ponui in the North. The locations create an opportunity to explore God’s wonderful creation and connect with Him in ways that many young people do not experience in their usual lives. The settings provide wonderful places to create shortterm, loving, caring and safe communities where everyone involved can be open to God and build friendships with people from around New Zealand. Many of our locations are not traditional campsites and this adds to the specialness of our camps. The communities we create during our camps are a vital part to the success and longevity of our camping ministry. We work hard to create an environment that is safe, welcoming and fun In these temporary communities

BY NEVILLE BARTLEY National Youth Ministry Leader, SUNZ

where young people can feel safe, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. Safe to ask questions about faith and about life in general. Many of our campers comment on how much they feel loved and cared for, and often they don’t want camp to end. Our community is something very special that you don’t often find elsewhere. Our God times and Bible engagement are key things that separate SUCAMPS from many other camping experiences. We work very hard to create opportunities for young people to openly and safely explore the transformational message of Jesus Christ and to discover the amazing truth within the pages of scripture. We train our leaders well so that they can facilitate opportunities for young people to connect with God outside of set Bible engagement times. We use the surroundings and the free-time conversations to help young people to grow in their faith or to take a step closer to God. That really does make SUCAMPS very unique. It is obvious that each of these aspects helps make SUCAMPS a place that people want

MANY OF OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEER LEADERS HAVE BEEN CAMPERS THEMSELVES, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT TODAY’S YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND THE LIFECHANGING CAMPS JUST AS THEY DID. "

to return to time and time again. However, I truly think it is the combination of these things along with one final aspect that truly makes our camps unique. The final aspect that ties all of these things together is prayer. We have people all across New Zealand praying for our staff, our leaders and our campers. They pray all year round and particularly during the running of our camps. This prayer along with all the other amazing aspects make SUCAMPS a lifechanging experience for campers and leaders. So if you have a young person who hasn’t experienced one of our camps, then jump online and see what camps are available over summer—and get them booked in! If you are a youth pastor or youth leader and you aren’t already involved with SUCAMPS then get in touch and we will drop by and discuss the benefits for you, your leaders and your youth. SUCAMPS will add another dimension to your current youth ministry and we can guarantee you will be blessed.