Student Camp for the First Half of 2023

The Church of God held the student camp in the first half of 2023 to cultivate good character and form a healthy peer culture among students who are the leaders of the future generation. It was held by each local church or by region in Korea, the United States, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, etc. from January to February. From 6th grade students who are about to enter junior high school to 12th grade students participated in various programs such as Bible seminars, education on character change, volunteer activities, and field trips, through which they could strengthen their friendship.

Student Camp Helps Students Grow Mature

The basic and core program of the student camp is the Bible education. The students, who studied the Bible in-depth and understood the truth correctly, participated in the Bible Preaching Contest, so that they could reflect on what they had learned, practiced their preaching, and built their confidence. They also hosted a Bible seminar and shared the truth with their friends.

In addition to the Bible studies, various subjects such as etiquettes and manners, prevention of cyber school violence, fire safety, and proper use of the Internet were provided. Particularly, the lectures by experts from various fields such as police officers, doctors, and professors were greatly appreciated by students and parents.

The students had an opportunity to realize parents’ love and engrave it in their hearts, and expressed their gratitude to their parents. Students attended the writing and photo exhibition, “Our Mother,” and “Father’s True Heart,” and wrote postcards to express their gratitude to their parents who raised them with sacrifice and love. At a cooking contest, they served their parents with dishes that they themselves made or delivered snacks they made after wrapping nicely although they were clumsy and inexperienced yet. Student Heo Min-seo made a video letter to her parents, and said, “I’ve realized how much I love my parents, and it was an opportunity to express my love to my parents.”

Students Share Love With Neighbors Through Student Camp

As part of the Love School Campaign, the students cleaned up the streets around their schools, and collected trash such as soda bottles and snack bags on the streets, which they would usually have just passed by. In some areas, they cleaned up the parks, which are great recreational areas for the communities, so that the neighbors would enjoy a pleasant environment. The students in San Francisco, U.S., planted 30 trees in a park in Stockton City and beautified the entire park. Student Jeong Seo-jin, who participated in the cleanup at the coastal pier in Jung-gu, Incheon, said, “Those who’ve cleaned up the streets as well as those who see the clean streets feel refreshed after the cleanup. I realized I should not do a volunteer work only through a volunteer service gathering but also in my daily life.”

There were also activities for senior citizens in local communities. Students in Gwanak-gu and Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea, visited senior centers and cleaned them. In Faucett, Peru, students cleaned the facilities of a nursing home and gave a massage to the elderly. They also delivered the gifts that they prepared wholeheartedly, which brought so much joy to the elderly.

Student Camp Helps Them Dream Big

The student camp program included various field trips, which helped them have new experiences. The students who visited the Safety Experience Center raised their awareness of safety by learning how to cope with various disasters and how to use fire extinguishers. Those who visited the Independence Hall, Seodaemun Prison History Museum, and War Memorial Hall, watched movies about independence activists. By doing so, they learned the historical background and were reminded of the mindset of independence activists. At the Gwacheon National Science Museum, the Sacheon High-tech Aerospace Science Museum, the Anseong Matchum Astronomical Observatory, and the Chilgapsan Observatory, students learned how to develop scientific thinking and dreamed to work in the field of aerospace in the future.

Additionally, the students were filled with bright and positive energy through various recreational activities such as the Bible Quiz, a cooking contest, and traditional Korean games. Older students helped younger students to adapt to the church student group. Student Guidance Teacher Kang Young-eun said, “Students learn to be united through the student camp and become mature spiritually, so that they will fill their school life with joy and gratitude in God.”

Through the student camp, the students of the Church of God developed capabilities as future leaders by building a good character and raising environmental awareness and community spirit. They prepared a new semester, which began in spring, with excitement and joy.