From Dec. 21–29, 27 campers and 12 staff converged together at Moolmanshoek Leadership Development Center in Free State, South Africa, for the United Youth Camp South Africa program for 2022.

The theme, “Becoming Sons and Daughters of God” was well received, and inspired many good discussions about the plan of God, our common calling, and how we can continue to live in “the Zone” as we move forward from the camp program back into the world around us.

The campers enjoyed numerous activities such as hiking, abseiling (rappelling), soccer, volleyball, swimming, arts and crafts, and newsletter. They participated in groups in a cooking competition known as a potjiekos, and enjoyed a delicious braai together one evening among the rolling thunderstorms in the valley. They also had opportunities to hike back among the wild game on the Moolmanshoek preserve seeing many South African animals such as springbok, eland, sable, waterbok, zebra and countless birds.

This year, the United Youth Corps provided two counselors, one from the United States, Josh Cook, and one from the Philippines, Wrestley Cinco—who served the boy and girl dorms, respectively, and helped to train the next generation of counselors, while Ben Light, a camp director from the United States, came as a consultant to assist the South African camp director Vivien Botha and his administrative staff as they work to build up their camp program.

There were numerous opportunities for shared fun and building of positive relationships between the participants and the staff. While we may have begun the week as strangers, we ended the week as family.

We are thankful to God for the great success that the 2022 United Youth Camp program in South Africa experienced this year. If you’re interested in attending the South African camp, or interested in serving in the United Youth Corps either in South Africa or another location, keep an eye on our publications and communications for the various opportunities to serve.