Forever Young – Summer Camps 2025
Naomi Janmaat
Published
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
In 2025, VicYouth saw record-breaking attendance at our Summer Camp programs. While we always aim to break records, this year was especially significant as it marked the 100th anniversary of Adventist Summer Camps in Victoria and worldwide!
The first Adventist Summer Camp was held in Victoria in 1925, with just 20 campers in attendance. Fast-forward a century, and the VicYouth Summer Camp program is thriving, with over 200 campers participating in three vibrant camp sessions across three weeks.
Each camp offers a dynamic mix of activities—ranging from water sports and mountain biking to cooking challenges and scavenger hunts. But it's not just about fun and adventure. Our daily worship sessions create an environment where spiritual growth is as central as the activities.
From learning about God's love for us to understanding that everyone has a special purpose, worship aims to plant the seed that everyone is valued no matter what happens in their lives. This year, our camps were blessed with encouraging messages from Michaela Truscott, Natasha Su'a, and Daniel Matteo, for their respective weeks, each of them shared a new perspective on what it means to be "Forever Young" and how God makes "Everything beautiful in its time" (Ecc. 3:11).
Whether they've been part of the church community for years or are attending for the first time, Summer Camp has consistently proven to be a time of profound spiritual growth and connection.
"I first came to summer camp after a friend told me about it, and I loved it as a camper. The next year I came back as a staff member for Junior and Teen Camp; it was so much fun, and you really get to see God working!" - Mia, 18
"My time at Summer Camp was truly a perspective-changing experience. As a camper, I enjoyed the exciting activities like water sports, and the supportive, Christ-centred staff helped foster an amazing atmosphere. Later, as a counsellor, I found joy in leading my cabin in nightly devotions, playing in the worship band, and creating a personal connection with each child that I interacted with." - Amish, 17
We can confidently say that these camps are transformative. They provide young people with the space to make life-changing decisions about their future and their faith. With the 2025 camps concluded, over 100 campers chose to further their commitment to God by declaring they wanted to get baptised!
It's inspiring to see the culture that has developed over the last century through the dedication of our staff, the strength of our programs, and the relationships built at camp. As we celebrate the impact of the past 100 years, we eagerly invite you to join us in praying for the memories, commitments, and adventures yet to come. Here's to another 100 years of fun, faith, and transformation!
