DAVAO CITY—Thirty-two campers and 29 staff members from ten congregations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered here at Eden Nature Park from May 16 to 23 for the sixth annual United Youth Camp sponsored by the United Church of God, an International Association, in the Philippines.

The theme of this year’s camp was “Character Counts.” Before the start of camp, each camper was given “The UYC Camper Code.” Patterned after the Boy Scout Law, it was developed to remind them of twelve character qualities—that of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Each of the 32 campers (more than half of which were new) was assigned to one of four “dorms”—two boys dorms (1B and 2B) and two girls dorms (1G and 2G); a counselor and an assistant counselor were also assigned to each dorm. Each dorm of eight campers and counselors stayed in two five-man tents and was assigned their own two-burner gas stove and cooking utensils.

The day began at 5 a.m. with “Quiet Time,” a time for prayer and Bible study. Then at 6 a.m., campers would shower, get ready, and prepare breakfast. Each camper had an assigned duty such as cooking, washing dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning the restrooms, etc. The dorm acts like a family, doing their own chores, eating together, and developing an emotional bond with the other campers within the dorm. At other times, dorms would invite each other and would combine forces to help one another, share meals, and share the workload. Self-reliance, cooperation, and teamwork were evident as the dorms hustled to get ready for the activities of the day.

Each morning began with Christian Living sessions, tackling each of the top five issues relevant to the teens. Edmond Macaraeg, the camp director, introduced each day’s topic using a 15-minute role-play of two parts: the wrong way and the right way. This was followed by 45 minutes of discussion, and then a 30-minute lecture on the subject from the Bible. The five topics were on dating outside the faith; peer pressure on drugs, alcohol, and smoking; peer pressure on lifestyle choices, fashion, and music; Sabbath and Holy Day compromise; and responsibility. The staff did the first role-play, followed by each of the four dorms.

Following the Christian Living session, each of the campers moved on with their individual and dorm schedule for that day. There were eight workshops (Arts & Crafts, Carpentry, Cooking & Baking, Electricity, Flower Card Making, Journalism, Paper Card Making, and Public Speaking) and eight sports activities (Cycling, Inline Skating, Riflery, Softball, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Volleyball). There was also a First Aid class for everyone, and a challenging day of hiking, outdoor cooking using bamboo, and an obstacle course which included slushing one’s way through a 100-foot mud tunnel.

The evening activities were more relaxing: Orientation Night; Novelty Games; Career & Personality Discovery; Masculinity & Femininity Seminar; Fellowship Time; an Ice Cream & Pizza Night; a video showing of Pam Stenzel’s “Sex Has a Price Tag,” and a Variety Show & Dance. The Sabbath activities consisted of an Open Forum & Bible study, a Bible bowl, Sabbath services, and more fellowship time.

One night that was quite unforgettable by most was when each camper and staff participated in writing on a small book with 60 blank pages, with its cover decorated by the owner representing his/her own personality. Everyone sat around in a circle and passed the books around as each one wrote something nice and encouraging about the person whose book was in front of them. Only 90 seconds was given to write in each book, but there was some delay so it took more than three hours to finish, lasting an hour past midnight! When the books got back to the owners, there were tears and hugs—many felt closer and bonded together, and this lasted until the final day of camp, when, amidst the joyful yells came the tear-filled eyes.

Practically all of the campers and staff have said this was the best camp ever! Let us hear the testimony of two campers:

“On May 20, 2004, Thursday, at about 7:30 p.m., Mr. Edmond D. Macaraeg, our camp director, introduced us to the night’s activity, the Fellowship Time. He instructed each one of us to prepare our own booklet which was given to us earlier. Each booklet contained 60 leaves and was made up of coupon bond cut in one-fourth, stapled and bound. He told us to pass the booklet to our right seatmate and receive the other booklet from the left and write positive and honest comments about the owner of the booklet, then pass it again to the right until one eventually received his/her own booklet. The time limit for each booklet was one minute and 30 seconds.
With all the tiredness from the day’s workshops and activities, plus the distress added by the cool breeze slowly blowing on our skin, writing for each one was not an easy task. But thanks to the kitchen staff who helped us keep awake by serving hot drinks and biscuits. And of course, to the Almighty God who really inspired us in keeping on.

It took us about 4-5 hours to finish all the booklets. But one can clearly see tired eyes suddenly sparkle with joy when they began reading their own booklets. The sleepiness was gone! Many campers began hugging each other with their heartfelt thanks and others by simply shaking hands. Since it was already early in the morning, we were instructed by our camp director to take our rest and prepare ourselves for the next day’s activities which was Wilderness Skills and Confidence Course. Many of us slept very inspired and in “cloud nine.”

It was really great that the organizers of this camp came up with this idea. I think we had just fulfilled part of a commandment in Hebrews 10:24-25 which states, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The other part of the command applies to the one who received the encouragement. We should show the evidence of LOVE and GOOD WORKS toward our brethren.

And now, as we go on to the world full of misery, troubles, and discouragements to live each of our own mortal lives, let us not forget the ULTIMATE PURPOSE of our lives, why we are here. God is refining us for His coming Kingdom. And always remember that there is no refining that is not fiery. It is normal for us Christians to experience fiery trials. When we get discouraged and distressed, let us all encourage one another and go hand in hand at this period of refining so that at the end we may all emerge as PURE GOLD.”

—Aunell Ross R. Angcos
1B, Davao City

“Character Counts” and it really does! This is the theme of the camp this year. Character is the foundation of our life. This is the most important aspect in our life in which our future depends on. This is what the United Youth Camp emphasizes in our life.

The camp aims to develop and improve our character and sure it does! I have to admit that this camp had a huge impact and influence in my life. I never knew how discouraging my character was until I joined this camp. In fact, I’ve done bad things in my past days. I now realize life is worth living.

Every day in the camp was filled by spectacular experiences which was one of a kind. Every moment which I treasure added up to my knowledge in building up the foundation of my character. Indeed, this is the experience of a lifetime. It is not just an ordinary experience, but the type of getting along with friends and God. Together in developing character such as trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courtesy, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness, and reverence. Imagine life and every person with character… what a pleasant life we would have. This proves that character really counts.

I love this camp, as if I don’t want to go home and I am gonna do this forever. If I could describe it in one word, it would be “awesome.” But the truth is there’s nothing in this world that could explain what every camper feels. You have to experience it for yourself. Every activity involves mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects. I have never been fit in every aspect of my life but I know this will take me to another level and lead me to a better life under the inspiration of God.

As the camp ends, a new challenge is beginning, a challenge of doing what I have learned to make the most of everything through God’s ways. As I go home, I will cherish everything especially my friends who eventually became my family. Even though we may all take different roads, we all will be in one path and that’s the path of righteousness toward God’s Kingdom.”

—Joshua E. Infantado
2B, Kidapawan City

—Reported by Daniel Macaraeg

Editor’s Note: More articles related to this year’s camp will be covered in our upcoming United Teens Philippines 2004 issue