A youth camp in Zambia was held from Wednesday, April 26, to Thursday, May 4, at Tina Trust School in Lusaka . Fifty young people from age 13 and up attended the camp. There were 32 boys and 18 girls from various parts of Zambia: 19 from Nalubanda, 19 from Kasumpa, four from the Copper Belt area and eight from Lusaka.

Activities started at 5 a.m. with a group prayer in the dorms. That was followed by a 2-kilometer jog, which prepared the campers and staff for a cold shower in readiness for breakfast served at 7:30 a.m.

After breakfast, lectures commenced at 9:30 a.m. The lectures were designed to equip campers with skills to help them live productive and fulfilling lives as they prepare for life in the Kingdom of God . We used lecturers who were experts in their fields. These included a secondary school teacher, a social worker, a businessman and a senior civil servant.

Topics covered included the purpose of camp, proving God exists, communication skills, the value of education, health laws and dating. Lectures ended with a group discussion and a question-and-answer session. These proved to be the most popular and were very effective teaching and learning tools.

The lectures ended at 11 a.m., in time for a rigorous physical education program that lasted for an hour. We hired two professional physical education trainers who stretched the camper's stamina. Then they enjoyed good games of football, net ball and volleyball. We were blessed to have the same expert trainers take this session as well.

The games finished in good time for lunch at 1 p.m. Lunch and dinner consisted of an unlimited helping of starch in the form of nshima, rice or potatoes, accompanied by either fish, beef or chicken and a helping of vegetables with a large drink to make up for the rigorous physical exercise.

Afternoon activities started at 2 p.m. and included a trip into the city, a visit to a township near Tina Trust School, a youth speech club and a moving and emotional visit to an orphanage to see the reality and the effects of HIV/AIDS on innocent children. There was a cookout on the last Wednesday.

The evenings were occupied by a Bible quiz, a variety show, films and a dance. The campers were pleased to retire to their dorms, pray and crawl into bed by 9 p.m.

The Sabbath was a highlight of the camp for two reasons. Campers got a chance to catch up on some much-needed rest, and some parents came to join us for services, learn about camp and visit with the campers. The fellowship after the service was exceptional.

Camp finished on Thursday with presentation of prizes as follows:

Best Overall Camper: boy—Bevin Momba, girl—Mutinta Moonga; Most Helpful Camper: boy—Gideon Ngulube, girl—Mwansa Mfula; Most Improved Camper: boy—Joseph Banda, girl—Sharon Katapya.

Thursday was a very sad day for all of us, because campers were saying their good-byes. All in all, the staff found the experience very valuable and hope that the investment in our youths bears good fruit as the years go by. UN