PYV West Camp 2016 - Day One

Convener Chris Angel begins the camp

West Camp 2016 has started with a magnificent day.

For those travelling from Melbourne, it felt like a very long drive with roadworks taking up most of the stretch between Beaufort and Ararat slowing us down. But, most importantly, we all arrived safely and happily at Norval in Halls Gap. A special shout out to the team from North Geelong, Warrnambool and Canterbury who arrived very early to get everything set up.

Our first session was an introductory session where our Convener, Chris Angel, was able to introduce the key leaders to the campers. It also gave Cam Griffiths, our speaker, the chance to give a brief overview of his talks. Then we divided into our study groups, which again gave the chance to meet together and ‘break the ice’ before we really started our studies. 

Starting camp in this way meant that when we did have a worship session and a study time we were able to really get down to business. This was a very good way to start. 

Setting up. It didn't take long with such a team.

Following afternoon tea, we had our first worship session. It is good to be in a room full of people who are singing together, even on a Tuesday afternoon. In our regional camps this year we are focussing on the Gospel of John, and today we opened our Bibles at John 1:1-18 where we get to meet The Word, we get to meet Jesus. 

The study groups met after dinner, but not to discuss what we heard in the talk. Instead we are looking at some of the “I Am” statements of Jesus and today we read John 6 where Jesus describes himself as the bread of life. There are some difficult statements in this chapter and it was good to be able to sit and discuss these verses together, and also to consider the personal implications from this chapter. 

Then it was time for our night activities, and there is nothing like running around in the dark to get the blood pumping! Playing “Capture the Olympic Rings” across the whole campsite was great fun. Clearly, some people are more competitive than others, and they were rewarded with capturing more Rings (Glow Sticks) than anyone else. For the record, I nearly scored a couple, but some of our teenagers are much faster than me – which is probably as it should be. 

Day One of West Camp 2015 has been a great day.