Youth Share Camp Experience

From July 20 to 23, six Broadway Student Life Ministry youth, Shane, Broadway’s Direct of Student Life Ministries (SLM) and Chrys Smith, a volunteer sponsor with SLM attended Wesley Games at Wesley Woods Camp. After returning, the group shared their experience with a report during July 26 worship. We have gathered most of that conversation for you below.

Shane: Wesley Games summer camp was different from what these students are used to at past summer games . They're used to a very, very large camp with 400 plus students. And we rocked out with 50 kids. Some Summer Games staff members decided to step away from one camp and created Wesley Games based on what the campers wanted;  a camp being as inclusive as possible. After a year of worry and stress on how this camp was going to go and perform for these students, and wanting it to be something special for them, on the first night, with the first song, we knew it was right and it hit perfectly.

Dorian: The most memorable part of my week was worship because I love worship and then the alter call ‘cuz I get to dump all my stuff on my dad [laughter] and it has been a year this year so that man gets to hold all of my stuff then too. 

Rozie: Oh hi guys. Mine was the first day when we met our huddles and made friends and worshiped because just learning all the new songs and singing them with all the people that I met and love was really meaningful. 

Josie:I loved Alter Call and the music. I loved how we danced with each other and then also the prayer that was said for me was really meaningful. 

Lily: My most meaningful part of the week was either the fact that there weren't many of us so, I knew like all of the people even though they weren't in my huddle. I also liked Alter Call because I also get to dump all my stuff on Shane. And, I also left early on Thursday and hearing all the people that I talked to for maybe five minutes actually cared that I was leaving was actually really meaningful. Thanks.

Alexandria: My favorite part was the community because the camp was so small that everybody knew each other and since we all knew each other, we had a great community and nobody was really mean to each other and I really liked that. 

Chrys: It's hard to put into words the spiritual experience Wesley Games offered my fellow huddle leaders, campers, pastors, and me. I think the verse from Isaiah 6:8 captures it best: "Here I am; send me." 

I had the privilege of serving as the leader of Huddle #5, and from the very first day I watched God move among us. Whether we were playing GaGa Ball, laughing together between activities, or dancing during worship, God was present in every moment. Being a huddle leader gave me a firsthand glimpse of God's redeeming love, much like Hosea's love for Gomer (Hosea 1-3). I watched campers rediscover the spark that ignited their faith. As we stood arm in arm, swaying together during worship like one heartbeat, I saw guarded hearts begin to open. Every camper had a unique story, yet through fellowship we became one family. Wesley Games reminded me that God's love has no filter—it reaches every person exactly where they are. It also taught me to recognize the joy God places in ordinary moments and how that shared joy through fellowship strengthens our faith in one another and draws us closer to Him.

One of the greatest gifts of Wesley Games is seeing how the experience doesn't end when camp does—it goes home with the campers, and I know it has with me. I've learned that no problem is too great when I remember that our true finish line is found in Christ. Since camp, I've found myself praying more often—before meals, while driving, or simply talking with my Heavenly Father about my day before bed. As a youth leader at Broadway, Wesley Games reaffirmed the importance of leaving the ninety-nine to seek the one. We may not be able to solve every problem or reach every person, but we can make an eternal difference in the life of one. Like the Good Shepherd, we're called to seek the lost sheep with love, patience, and grace. That is the lesson I want to carry into my everyday life: to find joy in serving others, to cherish the fellowship that strengthens our faith, and to answer God's call with a willing heart by saying, "Here I am; send me."

Shane concluded the report with this: The first dance was pretty good. We were doing Just Dance. It was great, but it was so much. And yeah, so the beds were a little uncomfortable. The food wasn't the greatest, but the worship and the fellowship and the community was more than I could have ever expected. It was perfect.

For those who supported sending our middle and high school youth to Wesley Games this summer, we are grateful for your help. We encourage you to learn more about their experience by speaking with them personally.