Taking a leap of faith

Winner of "People's Choice" from Memory Verse Challenge

When the ISCF Camps Committee came up the plan to have Camp 2020 online, there were a lot of doubts about whether it would work. Many youth leaders reported that they were struggling to attract their young people to online youth meetings. Past campers expressed their unwillingness to consider a camping option which, in their opinion, could never be as fun as "real" camp. We were not sure that we would be able to get the campers to feel comfortable to open up about issues they were facing, giving that we were "meeting" the majority of them for the first time. Two weeks before Senior camp was scheduled to start, we only had 3 confirmed male counselors, and 36 campers in total registered. But we were convinced that this was a God-ordained idea, so we continued our planning in faith believing that God would bring those who needed to come, and that we would be sufficiently staffed to minister effectively to them. 

Counselors meeting for prayer before the start of camp

One week before Senior camp began, God opened my eyes to two persons I could ask to serve as counselors for Senior camp, and they said yes! One of them was hesitant initially, because of work commitments, but he was able to serve for almost every day of camp :) In addition to these, we received a request for someone from St. Lucia who was involved with ISCF over there in the camping ministry, who wanted to come to our camp as an observer. Not only was he able to function  as a counselor in the dorms, as well as bring a whole Lucian contingent with him, but he also initiated an idea that we did not conceive would work via Zoom - worship before chapel! It was so encouraging to see the campers singing alongside 'A Minor' as he led in songs of worship. We also thank God for 'Prarie Dawn' and 'D Las Ting' being able to join us for a few days from Australia and New Jersey, USA respectively - it was so lovely having them back as a part of the counseling team :)

A Minor leading in worship

By the time camp started, we had approximately 65 campers showing up every day, the majority of whom had never been to an ISCF camp before. They came from schools all over Trinidad (from Diego Martin Central to Guaico Secondary School, from ASJA Girls College to Chaguanas South Secondary, from Point Fortin West Secondary to Rio Claro West Secondary) and Tobago (from Bishops High School Tobago to Speyside High) We also had campers from 3 different schools in St. Lucia joining us, and it was wonderful to have that connection with our Caribbean brothers and sisters! Our camp speakers were very engaging and relevant to the youths - they were able to speak to issues which were very real, so by the time they got into their dorms for the break out sessions, the campers were sufficiently pumped and ready to share. For this, we give God all the credit, because it is an openness that only He could have brought, in such a short period of time.

Campers were encouraged to respond to the speakers' message
using the Chat feature of Zoom - probably the first time they
were allowed to "talk" while a message was being presented :)

You know the campers were sufficiently engaged when, during the "Hot Topics" segment in their dorms where they were free to bring up any topic or ask any question, the Administrators had to leave the Zoom call open for over an hour after the camp session officially ended! We really thank God for providing this avenue for so many of our young people, the males in particular, to share about their struggles and to receive godly counsel from our counselors who drew from their own experiences. Topics covered included:

• Effects of being on lockdown due to covid 19
• Racism in T&T
• Identity, comparison of self against others
• Self pity
• Having a new body in Heaven
• Transitioning to adulthood- what is needed to positively transition?
• Knowing your self worth, finding out your purpose
• How to heal rejection 
• Dating/relationships. What is the appropriate age for dating?
• Sexual sin - what does the scripture say and practical ways to overcome it 
• Finding your purpose 
• Recognising the need to cut off negative influences in our lives
• Recognising that God saves us with a purpose in mind. 
• Building a relationship with Jesus through reading his word, prayer, and telling other about him

ISCF Senior camp 2020 - the online experience!

We knew the Senior campers would have loved the games and baking and Memory Verse Art and Video challenges that we had done in Primary Camp. Some of us were not too sure about how they would receive the Fancy Hat Challenge - would they be interested at all, or would they think it was too childish. Let me tell you that we were BLOWN AWAY by the creativity expressed by these young people! From a hat with a lighted candle, to a hat which contained LED lights spelling out the word LIT, to a t-shirt and earring designed to match the hat, these campers certainly took the Fancy Hat Challenge to another level. The amount of vibes that was present as each of them presented their creations just made it even more enjoyable.

This camper took the "Get Lit" theme literally :)

Based on the campers feedback, many of them enjoyed the interaction and the general vibes of the meetings. One of them stated that "Camp brought life to the at stay home lockdown." One said that they appreciated that fact that everyone was so welcoming, and that they could freely express themself because they could be shy sometimes. Others expressed that the mentors were funny, and that everyone was nice to each other no rude comments or mean attitudes. One parent said that her daughter was very skeptical to join, not knowing what to expect, and she thanked us for making the camp such a fun and memorable experience. 

A sample from the creations of our budding bakers

On sharing what they had learnt from the camp, one camper said they learnt that the key thing is to tell your friends about God even if you can lose them. Some stated that their relationship with God has grown stronger. Others benefited from listening to what was said and looking at themselves and seeking how to apply the principles taught to their lives. One camper was grateful for the opportunity to make new friends from another country, and to learn more about following in God's footsteps. Others learnt new bible verses. We are so grateful to God for His faithful provision for this camp, both in terms of counselors and campers, and for allowing us to see the outcome of this leap of faith which was ISCF camp 2020 - the online experience.

One of the entries from our Memory Verse challenge