This camp experience will be remembered with joy and gratitude to the Almighty for the wonderful fellowship, activities, lessons, inspiring bonding and growth in the knowledge of His will for all in attendance.

There were various activities with each activity designed to pass on spiritual life lessons that can prepare the campers for a life of walking with God and growing in His knowledge and will. Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19 were well practiced as the Word of God was not only taught during compass check after breakfast, or in Christian living class after dinner, but during every activity and every opportunity throughout camp.

The theme of the camp was “Building Your Relationship With God,” with a sub-theme and action statement for each day. The sub-themes and action statements used were “God Is Calling—I Will Heed God’s Call,” “Building With Faith—I Will Build My Relationship With God Through Faith,” “Pray With Purpose—I Will Learn to Pray With Purpose,” “Learn From God—I Will Learn From God Every Day,” “Respond to God—I Am Committed to Having a Relationship With God.” The main theme and sub-themes were explained adequately with stories and practical life scenarios to help the campers understand that God is calling each and every one of them because their parents/guardians are called, and they need to value this and respond and start working to build their personal relationship with God.

The camp activity kicked off on Sunday with a ride to the lagoon pier where foru-powered fiberglass canoes/boats were used to ferry everybody on a 25-minute ride across the Lagos lagoon to the peninsula separating the river from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean that stretches across the West African region. 

Activities included archery, swimming, volleyball, kickball, leatherworks, team challenge, tyrolean traverse (rope bridge), ASL (American Sign Language), line dances and Christian living. Every activity provided a lesson and message to take home and apply daily in our walk with God, but in my opinion, a resounding message for everyone was in archery: “When we set goals and come short of achieving them, never lose focus, never stop trying to reach the goal or aiming for the high mark!” It turned out the best and most gifted archerer of the year, and since we have had archery at camp, was a 13-year-old girl, a first timer, shy and fearful, who at first did not even want to try.

The entire week was fun, educating, entertaining and inspiring. With a beautiful scenic environment at the location, camp had an atmosphere of pure joy, peace and tranquility with wonderful children of God. A movie night and a bonfire night respectively added even more to the joy of camp.

The Lagos congregation came across the lagoon to keep the Sabbath with the campers and staff. It was a wonderful Sabbath and provided opportunity for all the members to experience the serene and wonderful camp environment.

The camp ended with a banquet on Friday where campers had several presentations of dance, drama, music and a Bible bowl. No one wished for camp to end, and everyone, even the first-timers, became friends and closer to one another, bonded by our calling and love of God.

By 9 a.m. on Sunday, camp was broken down and everyone was taken back to the pier. All staff and campers were able to return back safely to their respective church areas.

We are immensely grateful to our heavenly Father for another successful camp. It would never have been possible without His presence, Spirit and love in all.

Mary Williams