Why Youth Camp Still Matters

SUMMER 2025 ISSUE | 6 minute read

Why Youth Camp Still Matters

The question why often comes up when, as a director, I am promoting and building excitement for the ministries we lead in Youth & Discipleship. Thankfully, it is a question that is seldom asked — but when it is, I am grateful for the opportunity to answer it.

Our theme this year is Vintage: “Vintage Faith, Victorious Students.” Just like a true vintage treasure, Youth Camp has never lost its value or impact. This year, the Church of God in Virginia proudly celebrates 70 years of Youth Camp ministry — seven decades of students encountering Christ, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and experiencing life-changing transformation. Youth Camp has stood the test of time because its power is timeless: the power to transform lives spiritually, build lifelong relationships, and ignite the calling of a new generation. In a world that constantly changes, the mission and impact of Church of God Youth Camp remain as vital today as ever.

One of the most compelling answers to why is rooted in the personal stories that emerge from camp each year. Sometimes, Youth Camp becomes a refuge for students who come from unsaved families or difficult home environments. Camp offers them an opportunity to experience the love of Christ and the peace of a caring community, often for the first time in their lives.

I remember one particular year when I served as a cabin leader. I had a student under my care named Jerry. Jerry had endured a difficult life and, as a result, carried serious developmental struggles for his age. Honestly, it was stressful and more than I felt prepared to handle that week. But when camp finally came to a close, Jerry came up to me, gave me a hug, and said it was the best week of his life. That is one answer to the why of Youth Camp — so students like Jerry can experience the love of Jesus Christ in a way that leaves a lasting imprint on their hearts.

Another reason Youth Camp matters is because we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit — not just to transform lives, but to fill students with the power they need to be overcomers and to accomplish the purposes God has for them. At Church of God Youth Camp, students are free to worship in an atmosphere saturated with His presence and to seek His face in the altar without hesitation. This kind of spiritual freedom is rare in most camping experiences, but it is the heartbeat of Church of God Youth Camp. For seventy years, we have witnessed God move mightily, stirring the hearts of students and empowering them for victorious living. And by the grace of God, we will see seventy more years of His Spirit poured out on the next generation.

Another powerful reason for Youth Camp is rooted in the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28:18–20:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Nowhere in this passage do we see an age limit mentioned. His command is clear: “make disciples of all nations,” and students are very much included in that call. At Virginia Youth & Discipleship, our mission has always been to Make Student Disciples, Mentor Student Disciples, and Mobilize Student Disciples. Youth Camp has played a critical role in fulfilling this mission and advancing the Great Commission in the lives of young people.

In conclusion, Youth Camp is far more than a fun summer tradition. It is a sacred opportunity for transformation, discipleship, and destiny. It is a place where the lost find hope, the broken experience healing, and the called find their purpose. For seventy years, Church of God Youth Camp has stood as a spiritual landmark where countless lives have been changed forever. And as we move into the future, the answer to why Youth Camp remains the same: because God is still using it to shape the next generation for His glory.

Bishop Chad Fickett
Youth & Discipleship Director
Virginia Church of God State Office