Winter Student Camp · Elementary Winter Vacation Camp 2026
As Future Talents With Upright Character
In modern society, where AI (Artificial Intelligence) continues to advance and knowledge and information overflow, concerns are growing about what kind of education today’s youth truly need. Cultivating consideration, cooperation, environmental awareness, and altruism is just as important as acquiring knowledge and technical skills.
The Church of God’s “Winter Student Camp · Elementary Winter Vacation Camp 2026,” designed to help elementary, middle, and high school students develop upright character through a variety of programs, was held from early January to late February. Organized by local churches in countries including Korea, the United States, Argentina, and Malaysia, the camp ran for one to two weeks at each location, providing students with a meaningful and engaging vacation alongside their peers.
Student Camp: Building Upright Attitudes Step by Step
At the camp, students learned and reflected on God’s good teachings through programs based on the words of the Bible, including truth lectures and character education sessions. The curriculum covered practical topics relevant to adolescents, such as developing good habits and proper etiquette in speech. A special lecture for ISBA (International Student Bible Academy) leaders was also held at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple, delivered by General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol. He encouraged the students, saying, “Although it is difficult to predict the rapidly changing future, if you do your best in your present life within God’s good teachings and, above all, practice love, you can open the way to a great future.”
Visits to various sites such as safety experience centers, the Independence Hall, observatories, aquariums, and museums stimulated students’ intellectual curiosity. Recreational activities, including cooking competitions, also created enjoyable memories. Character programs independently organized by some local churches proved especially effective. These included the “50 Gratitude Project,” in which students write down 50 things they are thankful for in one day, and the “Best Greeting Contest,” which recognizes students who demonstrate exemplary manners in greeting others. Lee Jo-eun, from Seoul, said, “Through the camp, I learned practical ways to correct my bad habits, which was very helpful. I will try to put what I learned into practice right away.”
ASEZ STAR (Church of God Student Volunteer Group) activities were also actively carried out. Students worked in small groups to pick up trash in their neighborhoods and shared warm hearts with their communities through volunteer efforts such as mural painting and visits to nursing homes. So Seo-jin, from Gwangju, Gyeonggi, said, “At first, I was simply excited to volunteer, but when I actually saw the amount of trash, I realized how serious the pollution problem is. I will reduce waste in my daily life and participate in street cleanups more often.”
Elementary Camp: With a Heart That Embraces a Bigger World
The key theme of this elementary camp was the “environment.” Various environmental programs tailored to the level of elementary students were carried out, such as writing letters to the Earth and tracking the amount of trash they personally generated. Through these activities, students gained a deeper understanding of environmental concepts such as greenhouse gases and also learned practical ways to upcycle waste. They engaged in creative environmental activities that were both fun and educational, such as weaving toilet paper rolls to make cup holders and using egg cartons to create picture frames, often losing track of time as they worked.
Physical activities that stimulated the five senses, along with field trips and cooking experiences, also formed an important part of the camp. By visiting places such as national safety experience centers and upcycle art centers, students were able to see and experience the values of safety and environmental protection in everyday life, thereby broadening their perspectives.
At the same time, they developed cooperation skills in an enjoyable way by preparing simple dishes such as canapés and triangular tuna mayo kimbap together with friends.
Parent Kim Chang-seop, from Ansan, said, “When environmental awareness is cultivated, consideration for others and society also grows. It benefits both the environment and people. I hope my child’s inner character will continue to grow through the camp.”