Dunedin Easter Camp Doubles
Huge success for Dunedin Easter Camp 2017!
Many Easter camps around the country were cancelled or postponed because of Cyclone Cook.
Dunedin Easter Camp, however, pushed on as planned, but still had to battle its fair share of the bad weather.
The large amount of rain that Tirohanga campsite received over the few days leading up to Easter meant that the event began in the mud and the continuing rain meant that there was no chance for the mud [or the youth] to dry out. Did it matter? Not at all! Dunedin Easter Camp 2017 was incredible!
Registrations had doubled from 2016, jumping up from 70 to 140.
The campsite only has beds for 85. Therefore 50 youth and their leaders were forced to brave the elements in tents. The packed campsite and stormy conditions quickly brought all the youth together.
Preaching from Jordan Redding [local Presbyterian Minister], Scotty Young [Grace Vineyard Church, Christchurch], Dion Fasi and Krystle van der Salm [pastors at Elim Church Dunedin] brought the Easter message to life for the youth.
Worship was led by Logan Anderson [Kaikorai Presbyterian Church & Elim Church] and Fenella Christensen [Leith Valley Presbyterian Church] and the music team created an environment where not only were the decibel readings pushing the limits, but also young people could genuinely encounter God in a new and real way.
During worship we were seeing many youth praying for each other, praying for their leaders and even when camp leaders decided it was time to wind things up for the evening, the youth just sang over the top and continued to worship!
During the day when it was raining we were forced indoors, for quizzes, workshops, and movies.
Half way through the camp the rain eased up, so paintball, archery, air rifles, grass carting, sports, wide games in the forest, giant inflatable jousting and more were the order of the day.
Most importantly the food at Dunedin Easter Camp was as incredible as ever! Liz & Steve Christensen [Leith Valley Presbyterian Church & Inspired Pantry] continually provide the campers with 'not your average camp food' but with a genuinely incredible meal time experience. The food was so good! 140 youth and leaders have gone home from camp full. Full of good food and with full hearts, having connected with God in such a huge way.
Dunedin youth groups will be talking about this particular Easter Camp for a long long time!
To see a short highlights video of Dunedin Easter Camp 2017, click here.