Spring Camp this year was marked by an unexpected twist: heavy rain. But according to Brad Wood, our youth enabler, not even the weather could dampen the spirits of the rangatahi. 

“Even though it was raining most of the days, people just got into it,” he reflected. “They created some really positive spaces of connection and fun, especially in ways that were youth-led.” From impromptu board games to rounds of Mario Kart, youth took the initiative to have a good time.

Unafraid of the rain, some youth spent time outside playing basketball or swimming in the pool. 

Sunday offered reprieve with a break in the clouds, when games and activities could be resumed as usual. The one downpour of the day just happened to occur at the same time as the ice cream bus arrived! I’m told there was still a long line of shivering bodies eager for a cone.

I love the high ropes. It was really fun and really scary at the same time. And the luge is really fun. I raced my friend Oliver and he won… I'm not going to talk about that.
_{Nathan, youth from Victory}

Campers were split into three teams. Greymouth and Westport made up Māwhero (pink), St Barnabas, Victory and Hills youth combined in Karaka (orange) and All Saints, Golden Bay and Marlborough were in Kikorangi (blue). The coveted Bishop’s Log trophy made its return, with Karaka clinching the victory by a narrow margin!

This year, all the keynote speakers were from our diocese: Marzi van der Mark, Spanky Moore and Bishop Steve. It was the first time – in Brad’s memory, at least – that speakers weren’t outsourced from other denominations or regions.

“I was really proud of Marzi in particular,” Brad said. “It was great to watch someone who's grown to be a youth worker in our own community step into a place of speaking to a group of young people at a large camp. She smashed it.”

We were just sitting together, having a little moment, and then Doug and Marzi came and prayed for us. It was really amazing. The stuff that Marzi was praying about – she was saying things that you'd have to know me to be able to say, and I was amazed. I was shocked. It was a really heartfelt, touching moment. I really want to deepen my connection with God. I don't have a relationship with God. I've been to Spring Camp before, this is my fifth year. But last night, the words that were spoken – he's willing. He's here. He wants to be my friend. And I want to be his.
_{Taylor, youth from Greymouth}

Brad also noted that this year’s Spring Camp had an especially broad representation from all across the diocese: Greymouth, Westport, Motueka, Golden Bay, Atawhai, Māpua, Blenheim, Renwick and more. “It was the first time we had such a spread.”

This year’s camp theme was “anchored in hope” from Hebrews 6 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” 

Spring Camp has been really cool. But the most spiritually cool thing that I had with God was when Spanky was praying for the people who felt rejected by God. I've had an on and off relationship with God and I don't really know why. But then I opened my heart to the Holy Spirit and as that happened, I got the tingles, you know what I mean? It was really interesting. I think that was God showing that he's always with me.
_{William, youth from Māpua}

It was evident that for many, camp was a turning point – a place where moments of connection with God felt natural.

I had communion for the first time. It was very interesting. I could feel the presence of God quite a lot. It was a little bit strange but I got used to it as it went on.
_{Noah, youth from Māpua}

If you’d come into the main hall at Bridge Valley over the weekend, you’d have seen an impressive exhibition of paintings on pieces of ply. And later, an assortment of little clay sculptures drying near the firepit. Nicki Mora led the creative activities at camp, and there was something for everyone.

There is a gentle wairua here that's really unique. And because it's your own culture you might not realise it. But there's a gentleness that leaves a sense of safety for the kids. It’s really beautiful. I love that you can walk in here and there's a sense of people just being who they are.
_{Lorna Gray, national youth enabler}

Camp also offered opportunities of growth for the older youth stepping up into leadership roles and responsibilities. The worship band was organised by a new face – Sam Oomen, leader of All Saints youth – and comprised musicians from All Saints, St Barnabas, Victory, and even St John’s in Westport on one evening.

There were four MCs from St B's youth.  Two were really fresh, but I saw huge potential in them. Over camp, they just grew and grew. It's been really rewarding teaching the MC team how to do it confidently, but also how to do it in a way that reflects their personality as well. MCing is about creating culture – when you've got someone up the front who's confident and clear, it helps everyone to relax and lean into whatever's going on. MCs in a way help set the scene for the worship and for the speaker.
_{Georgia, leader from Stoke} 

Spring Camp was clearly a mountaintop moment for many of our youth.

Now that it’s over, the challenge is to unpack those moments and continue the slow and steady walk of discipleship.

The hard thing is always that they come away from camp and get back home to reality. So for leaders it's about helping those young people cement the steps that happened here. It's about being intentional, making sure you have a coffee or a coke with them and talking about what they’re doing.
_{Tim Mora, leader from Greymouth}

So keep an eye out for the youth returning from Spring Camp at church this week! You might want to take a moment to ask them about it – there are plenty more stories to be shared.