The Encounter reaches thousands of youth in a year’s time. Most of those youth don’t ever get out of the city and enjoy God’s creation. For the third straight year, the Encounter hosted Camp Encounter at the Bluewater Bible Camp in Grand Rapids, Minn. This year’s camp was a successful summer retreat for junior high and high school students.

The staff tries to provide the kids with typical camp experiences such as bon fires and chapel times. Interest in the camp program has grown by about 100 percent each year. Thirty-five students attended this year’s camp on Aug. 16-20, with junior and senior high camps being held during separate portions of the week. The Encounter staff maintains that separating the two age groups makes sharing the important Biblical messages of the week more effective.

Small-group time was a new addition this year as well, which added to the impact and understanding of the daily chapel time. This year’s theme was centered on distraction and looking into their own hearts to discover what distracts them from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as learning how being rooted in Christ can help them overcome those distractions. The story of Peter attempting to walk on the water, as well as various passages about being rooted in Christ during life’s “storms,” was central to the teachings of the week.

In addition to the dedicated times spent exploring key Biblical messages, the kids had the opportunity to learn and to try new outdoor activities, such as tubing, kayaking, rock climbing and hiking. The Encounter’s Traveling Skate Park also was brought out to make the kids feel a little more at home. Youth were asked to leave behind cell phones, games and music so that they could enjoy camp.

Staff said camp was a great chance for kids who normally don’t get to experience camping to unwind and try something new in a positive environment. It was also great to see the youth respond to the chapel times and share things they are dealing with in small groups. Feedback was positive from the campers as well, saying it was a blast and that they would be back next year. Camp also gave the youth a chance to unwind before school started.

Plans are in the works to hold the same camp next summer. The Encounter looks forward to these and other opportunities to challenge kids, while centralizing their lives on the hope found in Jesus Christ.