Hants and Dorset Christian Youth Camps

60th Anniversary - Celebration Day 2004

Text from the presentation

I wonder if those men who first had the idea for a camp over 60 years had any inkling of what was to follow — it’s amazing what God can do with a willing heart and a step of faith — it’s amazing where the Lord will lead.

Our immediate future starts tomorrow with Inheritance camp, Discovery, then Explorer. Over the next three weeks this field, these tent walls will see 89 leaders — this field will see teams of people, some who know each other, also some new to Hants & Dorset, come together with the sole purpose of sharing Jesus with young people, who will be equipped and encouraged in their own walk with God as they witness to the campers.

This field will see 164 campers — some with church backgrounds, some not, some who know Jesus as their Saviour and will grow in their week at camp, some who for the first time will hear the Gospel and see Jesus living in others. We praise God for these opportunities — no-one is coming to camp by accident or by coincidence. God has a purpose and wants to touch each life.

What is going to happen in the immediate future in some of these lives will have an effect on eternity as souls are saved.

The next three weeks see God’s working and the fruition of the prayers and plans of many people over the last year. Soon after the summer the Trustees will meet again to look back over what God has done in order to look forward to camp 2005 as again we seek His face over leaders appointments and structures of camps as numbers increase.

We also face a few challenges over the next year. We want to add to our number as Trustees and our seeking God’s will in this matter and asking God to speak to those He would have serve with us.

We have also been working on a new constitution which is a legal requirement and at this time we have a document being examined by the Charity Commission. We seek with God’s help to create a workable document not just for the present but for future Trustees and leaders and we want to get this right.

Many of you will be aware of changes in the law under Child Protection issues and as Trustees we are pleased with our Child Protection Policy which many of you may have seen here this afternoon. Please have a look at a copy if you haven’t already. The next year will see the introduction of CRB checks for ALL leaders attending camp as we seek to protect our campers and leaders.

The next year will also see the expiry of our Activities Licence — as we register with AALA every three years and this will involve a comprehensive review of our Activities programmes for all camps and how we provide activities in the future.

Some of you may log in to the website from time to time and may have noticed that our A.G.M is taking place on 6th November so preparation will start for that shortly.

It’s good to look back — we need to because often it gives us the courage to look forward — we can look back and see God’s goodness to Hants & Dorset for 60 years and the foundations laid by those faithful to Him. God is the one constant in a changing world look how the world has changed in 60 years, camps change, leaderships change but God remains faithful and the glory of the past 60 years goes to Him. We here, Trustees, Senior Leaders and Spiritual leaders are only temporarily entrusted with the leadership of Hants & Dorset and we aim to bear that responsibility faithfully as many have done before us. An inheritance is not only something you receive but also something you pass on and so we seek God's will and leading in all that we discuss and aim to put into place.

Dawn Palmer, Trustee;

I attended Activities camp as a camper just over 20 years ago. I can’t say I felt particularly led to take up any of the activities I tried — dangling over a cliff face on a piece of rope over treacherous waters was a once in a lifetime experience for me! BUT I do have very clear memories of our Spiritual Leaders — a Jeff Ballantyne wonder what happened to him! — and just as importantly my tent officer — her name was Julie — and I do remember her taking time to talk with me and pray with me. Coming from a non-christian home, a week in camp where it was ok to read your Bible and ask for prayer was refreshing and I was encouraged to continue in my Christian faith when I returned to my youth group.

Although many modifications have been made on the practical side camp very much remains the same as it did 60 years ago — even when I m at home in my garden there is noise — traffic, aircraft, radios, televisions, mobile phones — but here there is quiet and calm and I believe the future of Hants and Dorset is to continue to provide a quiet place for young people away from a noisy world where the voice of God can be heard. This year both my children are campers and I know they will have a fantastic time with the activities but it s the spiritual truths they hear and see that will equip them for life.

As I was preparing this my son asked me what I was writing about and I said “The future” His reply with all the wisdom of a nine year old “Well that’s simple — we know the past but we don’t know the future — God does” and he’s right. We can have confidence in God and the future He has for us because of the past and His faithfulness. We need to seek His will and guidance. Whilst preparing this an old chorus just sang constantly through my mind — and I leave you with these words.

YESTERDAY,TODAY FOREVER, JESUS IS THE SAME ALL MAY CHANGE BUT JESUS NEVER GLORY TO HIS NAME.

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60th Anniversary - Celebration Day 2004

Text from the presentation

Dawn Palmer, Trustee;