This past week saw the new combined session of Basecamp and Wilderness take camp by storm! Basecamp had been added to the Beacon menu in 2017 as an in-camp focused session for 15- to 16-year-olds. Previously it taken place prior to Wilderness (formerly called “Coed”); however, in an effort to accommodate for a summer that was one week shorter than usual due to the 2019-2020 school year start, the Beacon board decided to have them run simultaneously.

Both groups had plenty of fun to fill their schedule. Basecamp enjoyed leisurely camp swimming time in the company of a variety of floaties, a sign-making craft, tree-top trekking, achery tag and laser tag, and a boat cruise on Lake Muskoka. Wilderness completed a whirlwind of out trip preparation clinics and then divided and conquered the Gibson River, Massassauga Provincial Park, and the French River. Both groups received solid teaching from a team of teachers on knowing Jesus through stories in the gospel of Mark.

A notable feature of this crew of campers was their gusto during singing sessions. This culminated in a singing and testimony evening down by the lake on the final day of camp. Not only staff but also many campers courageously shared their stories about God’s presence and faithfulness in their lives. It was a powerful time of praising God and encouraging faith, and the starry sky was the perfect backdrop.

This group of campers was certainly fun-loving and community-oriented; the trampolines in main camp and the lilypad in the deep end were often packed with chatting camper groups. It was encouraging to see all the relationships being built; these are often friendships that last a lifetime!

In summary, the session was an important reminder of the key heart-work that God is doing in this age and stage of life, and we pray that the lessons, conversations and experiences that the campers had will serve as effective tools in the hands of a loving God as He works on each of them!