The youth camp in Zambia was held from April 26 to May 1 at Nalubanda.

Fifty young people from six congregations, age 13 and up, attended camp. There were 32 boys and 18 girls.

Activities started at 4:45 a.m. with prayer at the playground. That was followed by a 3-kilometer jog for the boys and a 1.5-kilometer jog for the girls. The jog prepared the campers and staff for a cold bath in readiness for breakfast at 7:30.

Topics covered in the lectures included: proof God exists, the purpose of camp, communication skills, the value of education, health laws and dating. We ended lectures with a group discussion and a question-and-answer session.

The lectures ended at 11 a.m., in time for a rigorous physical education program lasting an hour conducted by skilled physical fitness instructors in the Church. By noon the campers were glad to move on to the next activity, enjoying a good game of football or netball, the only games at our camp.

The games finished at 1 p.m. in time for lunch. Lunch and dinner consisted of generous portions of nshima and rice, accompanied by game, goat or chicken and a healthy helping of cabbage with a large drink to rehydrate.

Afternoon activities started at 2 p.m. and included a youth speech club, bricklaying practice and yoking and plowing with animals. The young men also learned how to care for the animals by deworming them and administering vaccines and antibiotics through injections. The girls learned skills like sewing, cooking and house cleaning.

The evenings were occupied by a Bible quiz, a variety show, films and a dance. The campers were extremely pleased to retire to their dorms, pray and crawl into bed by 9 p.m.

The Sabbath was the highlight of the camp for two reasons. Campers got a chance to catch up on much-needed rest, plus they enjoyed the thrill of a combined church service of all the congregations in the Nalubanda area. The fellowship after the service was exceptional.

Camp finished with the presentation of prizes: Best Overall Campers, Sisi Mafhosla and Zere Phiri; Most Helpful Campers, Isaac Chimpepele and Mutinta Moonga; and Most Improved Campers, Owen Kasakabantu and Mwansa Mfula.

It was a day of mixed emotions as campers sorrowfully said their good-byes, but were eager to go home and put what they learned into practice.