Camp was held at Eden Nature Park in Davao City from July 21-28, drawing 52 campers, 40 staff members and seven mini campers from across the Philippines, Malaysia and Canada. The week-long camp featured Christian living classes (CLC), team-building activities, outdoor sports, skill workshops and career guidance, all anchored in the year’s theme “Stand Strong,” within the peaceful greenery of the park.

Every morning, one of the six dorms would serve breakfast. After breakfast, the CLC sessions encouraged the youth to stand strong, using the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). Counselors provided enriching activities in between lessons.

Competitive outdoor sports, including soccer, kickball and basketball challenged the campers to win while practicing teamwork, camaraderie and sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship lingered in campers’ smiles, whether they won or lost.

Afternoons featured team-building activities such as riding the sky cycle, zip line, sky wheel and big swing, leaving participants with important lessons on courage and enthusiasm. Campers were also tested in their wilderness skills by trekking on a mountain trail and cooking “sinugba” and “sabaw” native chicken and steamed rice using only bamboo. Adding to the challenge, each camper was given an egg and tasked with protecting it from cracking. Their efforts were rewarded with a bountiful “boodle fight” (a famous Filipino way of preparing a feast) that they prepared themselves.

Many campers were incoming senior high school and college students, so career guidance sessions were held to help them with their chosen programs, guide them in overcoming academic stress and prepare them for facing pressures of adulthood.

Meanwhile, the campers enjoyed workshops that matched their interests. Campers could enroll in two workshops out of eight. This initiative, continued from last year, catered to each camper's strengths.

On Friday night, Mr. Rey Evasco, the camp director, conducted a Bible study answering campers' queries about social issues, including romantic love, troubles in the academic world with keeping the Sabbath and the Feast of Tabernacles and how to approach the Scriptures with a godly worldview.

On Sabbath morning, campers shared their Bible knowledge in a “Bible-lympics” tournament that included questions from the CLC lessons. Later in the afternoon, Sabbath services were held with the Davao City congregation. After the Sabbath, talents from every dorm were showcased in a variety show culminating with a dance number that everyone performed.

Camp concluded with a program that acknowledged campers and dorms who excelled in sports, workshops, individual development and dorm cleaning and cooking contests. Camp was indeed a delightful, memorable experience, and we look forward to next year’s UYC!

Nevlim Baldelovar