NZ’s first Life Teen Summer Camp
Isabella McCafferty and Angela Wyatt
For five summer days in January 2015, Forest Lakes Park, just north of Otaki, was home base for 150 teenagers, adult leaders and 40 volunteers as part of New Zealand’s first Life Teen Summer Camp experience.
Life Teen began as youth ministry in the USA to bring teenagers to Christ in the Eucharist, gathering in a camp environment to form in Catholic faith. As a Eucharist-centred movement Life Teen leads teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Church.
The theme ‘inspire’ at the Forest Lakes camp emphasised our lives are stories to be told. Chris Turner, a Youth Minister from the United States, led sessions to challenge teens and adults alike to deepen their faith.
Central to Life Teen Summer Camp programme are the Sacraments. The Eucharist was celebrated both at the opening by Cardinal John Dew and at the closing by Bishop Charles Drennan, Fr Tony Alex and Deacon Nathaniel Brazil.
Daily Mass, Reconciliation, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament were powerful experiences for many. They set the camp foundation so a truly sacramental experience could be felt throughout each day.
Daily activities included low ropes, team-building activities, a carnival, ‘messy games’, a mud slide, sports, swimming, art activities, small-group discussions, prayer and journaling – all adding to encounter with Jesus Christ. The obstacle course ended at a bonfire with a dance party that moved into worship and Adoration. It illustrated ‘God doesn’t care how ‘messy’ you are, but loves you just as you are’.
Thanks to all those who supported the camp – financial sponsors, prayer support staff, adult leaders, parishes, and teenagers who helped make it happen. And thanks to Life Teen America, and Chris and Molly for their advice and support.
In the words of a young participant, ‘Life Teen Summer Camp was the best – it gave us the place and time where we could experience God’s love and presence, and have so much fun. All the Masses, praise and worship, adoration, disco parties, music, bonfires, games, mud, slides, pools, activities, food, people, Chris’ talks…everything, is something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives’.
The next Life Teen Summer camp will be in 2016.
Isabella McCafferty is Youth and School Ministry Co-ordinator for the Archdiocese of Wellington. Angela Wyatt is a Palmerston North student and part of the Service Crew at Life Teen Summer Camp NZ 2015.