Over the summer break, 431 wonderful CRU Camp leaders ran 27 activity camps, day camps and study camps for nearly 1,300 campers. Every season, we thank God for His provision of faithful volunteers who dedicate time and energy to serve Him on camps. Let’s hear from a few who served in different roles, but were equally encouraged by how God worked through their particular summer camp.
Ethan Harithupan, Leader on Getaway
Ethan didn’t have the opportunity to attend a CRU Holiday Camp as a camper, but this past summer he had his first CRU Camp experience as a leader on Getaway, an activity camp for primary school kids.
Why did you decide to lead on camp?
I wanted to show the love of Christ to children and serve in a way beyond my church. I heard from a friend that there was an opportunity to serve on Getaway, and it was a no-brainer!
What were the highlights?
There were so many highlights, so I’ll just share my top three. The first would be seeing one of the girls realise that she wanted to make Jesus Lord of her life! Secondly, seeing one of the boys face his fear of heights, reach the top of the leap of faith and jump off. And thirdly, seeing another boy learn how to ride a bike without training wheels on the BMX track.
What were the challenges?
I was really challenged by the complex pasts that some of the campers had. I could resonate with them and I remember praying on day one asking God to guide me in how to support these children. It struck me that all I had to do was show Christ’s love to them through genuine care. By the end of the week, we had a ball of fun. Many of the campers had begun to battle their complex pasts and fears, and they all went home knowing that Jesus loves them through the good, the bad and the mess.
How do the activities on camp enable connections and conversation?
Not only are they heaps of fun (the campers loved the BMX track, and I actually had to convince them with food to leave the track at the end of the session!), the activities provide opportunities for gospel conversations. Many activities required them to step out of their comfort zone and consider what they have faith in. This allowed for safe and open conversations about faith in Christ.
Why do you continue to support CRU and its ministry?
I strongly believe that children should grow up in safety and surrounded by the love of Christ. CRU’s values align with this and give me the humbling opportunity to serve as a leader to support these children in their discovery of who Jesus is.
Tiana Hazlewood, Co-Director on Extreme Games
Tiana’s CRU Camp journey started in primary school when her parents served as camp parents and gave talks on Extreme Games. In high school, she attended several camps and appreciated the experience of going on camp with friends and meeting other Christians. She has since served as a leader, co-director and director on Extreme Games for the past nine years!
Why did you decide to lead on camp?
Attending camp as a camper and seeing how awesome the leaders were made me want to become a leader when I was young. Now I have found a real passion for camp ministry. We have the opportunity to share the greatest gift with these campers (the good news of Jesus!) and have lots of fun. Getting to lead a group of leaders to have this same passion and desire is something I love to do.
What were the highlights?
As I’m not always in a discussion group with campers, it’s great to hear from the leaders about how the campers are travelling and the different questions and thoughts they are wrestling with. Another highlight is mentoring the younger leaders and seeing them challenge themselves. This year, we had one of the youngest leaders we have had. I watched her get alongside the campers so quickly, saw the joy on her face from interacting with the campers, and saw her challenge herself to step out of her comfort zone. It is so awesome to see this in the next generation of leaders.
What were the challenges?
The challenges that happen on camp change every year. Sometimes it is navigating other camps onsite, and sometimes it is managing campers and the different things that can bring. At other times the leadup can be quite difficult, needing to find and source leaders. This year, we had one of the strongest teams of leaders I’ve ever had, which meant my job was pretty easy while I was on camp. I have a lot of faith and trust in my team to do what they need to, which means camp runs smoothly.
How do the activities on camp enable connections and conversation?
Often, we get campers coming on camp just for the activities so having new or upgraded activities increases the excitement levels of these campers. Quite often, the campers who didn’t want to hear anything about Jesus at the start are the ones who have hearts and ears ready to listen and learn as days pass and they enjoy the different activities and camp community.
Any encouraging stories from camp?
We had a camper who didn’t want to engage in any of the activities on camp - she didn’t want to participate in any of the games, talks or discussion groups. The leaders were finding it really challenging, but they persevered and constantly made an effort to try and get her involved. By the end of camp, she had decided to follow Jesus but was trying to work out how to be fearless and bold at home. She was wrestling with how she would share the news with her parents and how she would ask them about attending a local youth group. It was amazing to see God at work throughout camp, not only in this camper’s life but also in the perseverance of the leaders.
Why do you continue to support CRU and its ministry?
I love CRU’s ministry and getting to serve on camp each year. It gives me the opportunity to serve and meet a new bunch of kids that I open the Bible with every year – some may never hear about Jesus again. Serving alongside friends as leaders and serving God for His Kingdom is an awesome way to spend a week in the holidays!
Matthew Hill, Camp Parent on Survivor Junior
Growing up on the CRU Galston Gorge campsite and riding BMX bikes every day was part of Matt’s childhood. He’s attended, led, cooked for, spoken on, directed and been a camp parent on many camps over many years! This summer, he and his wife, Elise, served as the camp parents for Survivor Junior at CRU Galston Gorge. Joined by their young children (3 and 6), they acted as camp “mum and dad” to the amazing leadership team and a group of wonderful campers.
Why did you decide to lead on camp?
We love sharing our family life with the whole camp community as one big family for the week. We are so impressed by what the leaders are doing every hour of every day and are keen to support them. I want to share the same blessing that I was able to experience as a camper from my own leaders with the next generation, and I am so pleased that my kids get to be a part of that as well.
What were the highlights? A highlight was serving alongside two excellent junior leaders who are students from Barker College where I work, and seeing students from the school attend as campers. I loved the overlap of being able to serve as leaders together even though we take on different roles at school.
What were the challenges? Some campers were there for the first time and were a bit anxious, so I enjoyed being able to chat with various parents throughout the week. It is a privilege to be entrusted to care for a group of young people away from home, and it is also a joy to help them have a great time being challenged and growing in many ways throughout the week.
Any encouraging stories from camp?
I’ve always loved BMX at Galston – I was riding on the old 1980-90s track since I was five years old! The new BMX track is incredible and designed really well. Going fast around the track is a lot of fun, but I also love teaching campers to ride a bike, some for the very first time. It does involve a lot of running alongside them, but watching their fear turn to the joy on the bike is amazing.
Why do you continue to support CRU and its ministry?
I am incredibly grateful for all those involved with CRU, especially those who have cared for me, prayed for me, and supported me over so many years. Watching the campers and even my kids be cared for in the same way by this next generation of leaders makes any form of support thoroughly worthwhile.
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