Summer Student Camp 2024 for the Second Half of the Year

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have faced challenges in adapting to school life and forming interpersonal relationships. According to the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs’ 2023 in-depth survey on isolated and reclusive youth, interpersonal relationships were the most commonly cited cause (27.1%) of isolation among young people who had been isolated since their teens.

To address this, the Church of God holds annual student camps during the summer and winter vacations, offering elementary, middle, and high school students an opportunity to learn the value of cooperation and togetherness. This year, camps were held from mid-July to the end of August in Korea, while overseas camps took place in the countries, including the United States, the Philippines, and Nepal, during the second half of the year. Each camp was tailored to local needs and focused on providing educational and experiential learning for students.

Middle and High School Student Camp: Fostering Teamwork and Cooperation

Not only during the camp, but also through regular worship and education, the students of the Church of God cultivate good character through God’s teachings. Students from various local churches such as the Church in Dongtan, Hwaseong, and the Church in Sindong, Iksan, took their learning further by hosting Bible seminars based on what they had studied. From selecting topics to presenting and leading discussions, the students experienced the joy of working together, while also building confidence and public speaking abilities.

In the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple and the churches in Seo-gu in Gwangju, Euichang in Changwon, Cheongcheon in Incheon, and Jinju, special lectures were organized by professors, lawyers, members of congress, and other figures from various fields, as part of the “Good Student” project of ASEZ STAR, the Church of God Student Volunteer Group. Through lectures such as “Difference and Wrongness” and “Knowing Myself and Embracing Others,” the students learned the virtues of understanding, consideration, and humility, which form the foundation of healthy human relationships. They also raised awareness about the dangers of school violence and drugs. Various exciting programs such as field trips to an aquarium, arboretum, cave, and cooking contests broadened their horizons and awakened the joy of unity.

They also practiced God’s good teachings for their neighbors and communities. Students from various countries participated in ASEZ Star’s Good Neighbor·Green School·Green World Project, fostering a sense of cooperation and respecting the environment and neighbors.

In Yeongdong region, students assisted in the clean-up efforts at the campsite for the 3rd Korea Youth Safety Camp, held at the 365 Safe Town in Taebaek. In California, U.S., students volunteered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, packaging food for those in need. The students at the Gyeonggi Bucheon Church Association helped clean the Gulpocheon Stream by tossing EM mud balls¹ into the stream. Students in various locations, including Daeji High School in Yongin, Daegami Sports Park in Chungju, and Kossuth Playground in Bronx, NY, U.S., also participated in environmental cleanup activities to beautify their communities. In Brazil, students from the 12th Taguachinga Elementary School ran a campaign holding signs that read “No Future Without Nature,” raising awareness of environmental conservation.

1. EM Mud Ball: EM stands for Effective Microorganisms, which refer to beneficial microorganisms. An EM mud ball is a mixture of an EM solution, containing 80 types of beneficial microorganisms, and loess soil. When thrown into streams, it helps purify the water by removing bad odors and enhancing the water’s self-cleansing properties.

Hong Ji-yeong, Taebaek City Councilor, said, “It’s hard for children to be with others these days, but seeing them volunteering as one, I feel that our society is still bright. I believe that this meaningful experience will become a good foundation for their social lives.” Seong Min-gi from Bucheon, who participated in the Throwing EM mud ball, said, “Working together, we accomplished so much more than I could have alone. The sweat from doing something meaningful felt different from just sweating in the heat. It feels good to do something great.”

Elementary School Summer Camp: Making Happy Memories with Friends

The elementary school student camp mainly consisted of programs to cultivate good character by hanging out with friends. Through Bible role-playing and presentation sessions, students embodied the virtues of biblical figures, while also learning practical manners such as greeting others first and showing consideration.

Experiential activities for elementary school students added vitality to the camp. They worked together to create handprint posters, perform musical ensembles, and cook dishes like banana cheese toast and chicken breast kimbap, all while making lasting memories with their friends.

Before and after class, they had a check-in and check-out sessions, where they described their feelings using weather symbols, drawings, or emotion cards. It is to help elementary school students learn various vocabulary and express their emotions.

Parents expressed positive effects of the camp, saying that communication with their children increased through the camp. Park Hae-yeon from Yongin said, “The elementary school camp has acted as a bridge between parents and children. Although we spend time together at home, finding topics to talk about can be difficult. However, the camp has sparked more conversations—discussing what materials to prepare and the activities they participated in—which has led to deeper dialogue.”