The Best Camp Ever

A few weeks before youth camp 2023, I was brainstorming the best possible way to capture the essence of camp in a clear and concise format, without overextending our already busy team of volunteers. Then I had the idea to have an official “camp historian/journalist” of sorts. The following is the result of that idea coming to life. This essay was written by Adalia Garza.

-Aaron Davis, SCTX Youth President

For every call, a response is anticipated. This year at South Central Texas Youth Camp 2023, the students of our fairly new district responded with humility, with unashamed boldness before the throne, and with exuberant praise.

Day one, campers arrived on the campgrounds eager. Chaotic joy filled the tabernacle as friends reunited, jokes began, and youth pastors herded their groups to their respective locations. The SCTX youth committee was prepared and ready to ensure this camp week was a success. Every member of the committee was there to serve and welcome this group of campers with gladness and commitment. Their hard work was evident in their organization, involvement on a platform, behind the scenes, and in every conversation with the campers. 

Night one, students flooded the tabernacle, saving seats with bibles and purses. Worship began and the moment was suddenly familiar. The youth of the South Central Texas district had gathered once again for one purpose, and it was a beautiful sight. The theme for this year was “Called.” Youth President, Aaron Davis, kicked off the week with an address to the youth. He recounted the story of Peter and John, whom God used to perform a public miracle. He noted that before that moment, there was a call that both Peter and John had to respond to, a moment where God “called them out of the life that they were living and called them into ministry with him.” For many of our youth, that moment transpired on a humble campground in Palacios, TX. 

Our guest speaker, Pastor Aaron Soto from Wisconsin came to meet the youth of our district and delivered an anointed and appointed word night after night. That night, his pressing question was “What are you forging on the anvil of time?” The answer is either “chains or a crown.” There was a moment of reflection during altar call as Pastor Soto led us in prayer. That night, a student from New Life Brownsville, named Miley Chapa, was filled with the holy ghost for the very first time. 

Students worship on opening night of SCTX Youth Camp, 2023.

Every morning, sleepy smiles were seen as many gathered at 7:30 a.m. for a time of devotion at the amphitheater by the water. Though there was nowhere to hide from the sun, the waters were still and so were we as we prepared our hearts for the sessions and services to come. After being served breakfast by the awesome team of campground workers from Texas Baptist Encampment, students gathered for worship and attended the session that corresponded to them (Jr. High, Senior High, or Hyphen). Guest speaker and national director for Project 7 Bible Clubs, Seth Boyte, spoke to the students in the Jr. High session with passion and understanding. Every message he delivered to them was relevant and it was evident that the students were engaged. That first day he presented this statement “You can grow.” He taught that our apostolic foundation matters. Lifelessness can surround us, but so long as we are founded on the right foundation, we can grow. 

SCTX District Youth Secretary, Chris Arias, delivering morning devotion by the bay.

Pastor Aaron Soto, with help from 2 campers, along with Pastor Melvin Reddy and Presbyter Robert Esquibel.

Lunch time was always amusing. The campground staff was consistently welcoming and ready to serve. After, campers had the opportunity to join the camp choir and practice with experienced and inexperienced singers. Camp choir provided an avenue to meet new people, learn vocal parts, experience singing together with a live band, and to be used in a way they maybe haven’t before. The students had a great time and both times they sang live, they prepared the room for the presence of God to move. 

2:00 p.m. struck and tribe wars came into effect. Each tribe played a total of three games a day, ranging from gaga ball, kick ball, human foosball, and many other games. Loud hoorahs and chants from every tribe echoed around the campground and red tribe began to take the lead. At the end the end of the week, the red tribe came in first place with the most points and was crowned with victory. Tribe leader, Eric Sanchez claimed that “the blood of Jesus always wins.” Absolute truth. What purple tribe lacked in points, they excelled in team spirit. They were honored with the “most team spirit” award, a well-deserved win as they chanted with wholehearted passion- they made everyone want to be a part of the purple tribe. Lastly, the green machine, green tribe won the “most holy spirit” award, they gave their all in every game and walked with integrity everywhere they went. 

Dreading students look on, as they learn about the disgusting task that awaits them in this tribe game.

Bonds were made and solidified-during girls’ activities, supervised wrestling matches, water wars and basketball tournaments where no mercy was shown-but most importantly at the altar. Tuesday night, Pastor Aaron Soto preached a powerful message “I declare war on the devil.” That night, we were called out of our seats to partake in radical worship, as “an act of war on the enemy.” Sarah Castongue, from the Austin Metro Section, said her most memorable moment was “having to see all the different youth that ran around the sanctuary, doing laps for Jesus. I think that was a beautiful representation of our generation and we can have hope because we have another generation to be apostolic and to love God.” That night, barriers were broken; youth president, Aaron Davis, said “after we broke through on that Tuesday night there was no looking back.” 

Tuesday night was unexplainable. You had to be there.

The next night, youth were instructed to bind with their youth groups and pray fervently for each other. Pastor Aaron Soto stated that “Healthy youth culture never happens by accident,” student, Azael Segovia from New Life Brownsville caught the message and understood that “it’s really a decision we make.” For Sadie Martinez, campus minister at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, her favorite moment was when every group joined “and prayed together… I think it really solidified our bond,” she said. 

This camp, many calls were made. At Wednesday’s hyphen session led by San Antonio section leader, Alex Green, there was a call to surrender and humble ourselves. At the last Senior High session, led by district youth president, Aaron Davis, there was a call to “pivot from good enough, to the excellent things that God has” for us to do. This week, the youth of our unique district were empowered to answer each call. 

SCTX Youth President, Aaron Davis, during Thursday’s senior high day session.

We are thankful for guest speakers, Pastor Aaron Soto, and Pastor Seth Boyte. They connected with our youth not only from behind a pulpit, but in daily activities, joining tribes, and engaging in conversations with our youth. Pastor Aaron Soto went out of his way to serve food on Thursday night with the campground workers. True servanthood was embodied by these two individuals, every camp worker, and every member of the South-Central Texas District committee. We express our gratitude to the staff at Texas Baptist Encampment, our camp director, and our district for making camp week a success. Every role was vital in creating the best camp ever. 

Adalia Garza is from Weslaco, TX. She studied Mass Communications/Journalism at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She currently serves as a writer on the District Youth Social Media team, and on the District Campus Ministries Committee. You can connect with her on Instagram.