11/02/02

Report on the UYC 2002 Philippines Goes Higher

DAVAO CITY—Thirty campers and 27 staff members from 11 congregations nationwide gathered here April 14-21 to attend the annual United Youth Camp.  Due to the increase in church membership, about half of the campers and some of the staff this year are new.

Camp was held at Eden Nature Park—a cool and beautiful 80-hectare mountain facility cradled 2,630 feet up the slopes of Mt. Talomo and located between two breathtaking views: Davao Gulf below and the majestic Mt. Apo behind.

Now on its fourth year, UYC continues with exciting challenges, learning opportunities, and fun-filled activities designed to impart principles for character-building based on God’s laws and way of life.  The theme this year was “Go Higher!”

Day activities this year featured badminton, confidence course, campus service, cycling, first aid, fishing, hiking, mountaineering, riflery, softball, in-line skating, swimming, table tennis, and volleyball.

Besides sports activities, campers participated in various workshops such as art illustration, culinary arts, electricity, journalism, kite-making, and public speaking.

In the evenings, campers and staff enjoyed an orientation night, bonfire, Bible studies and forums, a buffet banquet with after-dinner speeches, and a talent show.  Sabbath activities included a Bible bowl, fellowship, and Sabbath services.

Due to a donation from LifeNets, a non-profit organization co-founded by Victor Kubik, we were able to expand and conduct five new activities this year: badminton, cycling, softball, in-line skating, riflery and swimming.

Here are some comments from the campers and staff:

 

Meryl  Lynn Macaraeg, Dorm 2G: “The camp went great!  It definitely was a blast!  I’ve been attending camp for four years now but this year was one of a kind.  I really enjoyed it and learned a lot of lessons.  God protected me even when I fell down a 12-foot ravine.  I wasn’t cautious enough then on what I was sitting on, but it was a miracle that nothing happened to me.  Indeed God blessed this camp and made it a successful one.  And I thank Him for that.  So, all I can say is… Thank you very much!”

 

Gino Dizon, Dorm 1B: “This year’s camp taught me many new things that I had never known before.  Some of the things that I learned are how to swim better, play table tennis, volleyball, badminton, and others too.  Camp also added spiritual analogies in every activity which I can apply in my daily life.  If I would have an opportunity to join the camp next year, I would be very happy.”

Cheryl Igloria, volleyball and swimming instructor: “This year’s camp was really great!  We experienced new challenges… memorable hiking experiences, with loud chants and singing along the way to each activity.  Even though it tiring, we still enjoyed the hike.  Serving as a staff for the first time, it was a new challenge sharing my talent with the campers… And I don’t regret being a staff this year… It really was a good camp!”

 

Because of God’s blessings including excellent weather all throughout, campers and staff unanimously consider this year’s camp to be a vast improvement over last year and a very memorable one at that.—UTP

2001 Canada Youth Camp