Between 19-22 June 2023, our congregation had our June camp at Le Grandeur Palm Resort in Malaysia. It was a combined camp with Eastside church of Christ, and was attended by a total of 96 participants. It was a highly anticipated event, given that we were not able to hold this camp since 2019, due to Covid. Having recently concluded the camp, let us discuss 3 reasons not to come back next year.
1. Because you hate fun.
The organizing committee had done a fantastic job to put the program together, and to include fun activities for the campers to do together. On Day 2, we had a mission to hunt down tokens around the resort, and the groups had the opportunity to explore the area and also compete with other groups to be the first to finish. Thereafter, we were quizzed on each camper’s fun facts, and through this eye-opening activity, we managed to get to know each other better. On Day 3, the finale night comprised of 6 different carnival styled stations, and the campers had a blast trying out each station game, and trying to break their personal high scores. Overall, we had so much fun that even the kids did not want to go home anymore.
If the organized activities were not fun enough, the facilities at the resort were an additional source of great fun for campers of any age group. There was an Olympic sized pool, swimming pools for kids, a football field, tennis courts, squash courts, pool tables, a gym, table tennis tables, a playground, bicycle rentals, jogging track, and a golf course. Everyone grabbed the opportunity to enjoy their favorite facilities during the free time.
If you are not a fan of fun, then this is the first reason not to come next year. Otherwise, this is an event that we can’t wait to join again next year!
“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
2. Because you hate fellowship.
There is no June camp without people. As much as the resort facilities are important, as well as the fun and activities, it is really the people who make the June camp a success. We are glad that we had a great attendance of 96 participants this year, and it was a great time of fellowship with one another. We studied God’s word together, we played together, we ate together, and we sang together. We are thankful that everyone was really participative for all the activities, and our Christian unity was on full display!
Although we do have fellowship activities throughout the year, the June camp will always be a special way for fellowship to be nurtured. Most of the time, we only meet one another for brief moments, and our engagement with each other is usually on a superficial level. On Sundays, the moments are even more fleeting, and often just a “hi” and “bye.” However, during the June camp, we get to spend 4 full days with each other; we get to see how others play; we get to see each other’s eating habits; we get to spend more time engaging with one another. It was indeed a great opportunity for Christian fellowship!
If you do not appreciate fellowship, you would not come for next year’s June camp. Otherwise, we are looking forward to another great opportunity for great fellowship next year!
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46)
3. Because you hate faith-building.
Ultimately, the primary purpose of the June camp is for faith-building. Hence, there will be lessons each day that are based on God’s word. It is God’s word that builds up our faith (Acts 20:32; Romans 10:17). We are thankful that we had teachers during the camp who were able to teach lessons that are biblical, practical, relevant, and engaging. Additionally, each lesson was accompanied by relevant activities to help the campers to be more engaged, and to absorb the lesson better.
In addition to learning God’s word, the mutual fellowship and love that we experience during the camp also helps in our edification and faith-building. If we had been feeling down in the faith, or if we have found ourselves in a rut, attending the June camp just might be the impetus that we need to kick-start our faith again. Indeed, I believed all the campers have come back from the camp feeling spiritually revived!
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
If you hate fun, fellowship, and faith-building, the June camp may not be for you. Otherwise, I believe all Christians need to join the June camp again in 2024! We thank God for a successfully organized camp in 2023, and we look forward to joining again next year!