SUNZ Adventure Magazine November 2012

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exodus 33:7Camping with God

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Inside

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EDITORIAL

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Wayne Fraser

WelcomeEighty years ago, the first SU NZ camps were held on the iconic Ponui Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

National Director

There were no showers, the oven was a pit of hot ashes, and the camps were strictly gender divided. For up to two weeks, Ponui campers enjoyed all the island had to offer.

Pat Chamberlin calls this island home. If you sit with her, she has some fantastic memories to share of the years of SU camping on Ponui Island. As she flicks through photo albums full of pictures of campers across the decades, it is clear that this place, and the camps held here, have a special place in her heart. She can tell you stories of the campers in each of the photos,what they were like and what was happening when the photos were taken. As the pages turn, she tells you a bit more of their story, and what they ended up doing with their lives after camping.

SU NZ camps are famously labelled ‘temporary communities’. A group of people from a variety of backgrounds, locations, and life experiences come together to share new and exciting experiences. These communities nudge boundaries of faith, enrich social experience, and stretch physical limits a little. All this is done in pursuit of figuring out the potential for life, and the image of God that is resident in every person.

Nobody can control how things will turn out on a camp. We do know, however, that during every holiday break, children and young people are becoming followers of Jesus, and many move further along in their understanding of following Him. And that is enough. Enough to keep leaders coming back each year. Enough to keep us developing the leadership skills of teams. Enough to keep us selling the vision to local churches and schools.

In this SU Youth Camp themed adventure, you will read more about these life changing experiences. We hope that you are able to join us in supporting this vital ministry in some way, and thank you for all your support.

Connect

ChallengeCommunity

november I 3

thr33 C’s

grow in their abilities to deal with life and its challenges. For some, the biggest challenge may just be coming to camp and being with a group of people they don’t know. For others, it may be to overcome a fear, or to overcome a physical challenge. Whatever the challenge, we try to create a safe, encouraging environment at our camps to help campers meet these challenges. Hopefully they succeed at them, and if not, we help them in dealing with that and moving forward. Life throws many challenges at us, and I think being a follower of Christ adds even more challenges. Because of this, I believe it is our duty to help young people to develop the right tools to meet these challenges.

The final C is Connect with God. The more we can help young people to develop current methods of connecting with God, and find new ways, the more chance they have of growing a deep, long lasting faith. I meet too many youth, in fact too many Christians,who struggle with their faith because they have not developed their ability to connect with God. They struggle because they don’t know God in a personal way, or how to connect with Him.We endeavour to create opportunities for young people to connect with God while on our camps. This is done by creatively engaging with scripture, and showing them how they can connect with God through the world, nature and the people around them. We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life, and give them a venue to experiment. A place

cripture Union has been active in Christian camping in New Zealand for over 75 years. The focus of Scripture Union’s

camping ministry is what I affectionately call the 3 C’s, and this combined with variety helps us to produce life changing camps. So what are these 3 C’s, and why are they important to the running of camps with youth?

The first C stands for Community. For teenagers growing, developing and discovering who they are, it is particularly important for them to know that they belong, and to know there are people who care for and about them. We feel safe and open up more when we are around people who we know care about us, and who we know we can trust. Therefore, for our camps to work effectively at impacting the lives of the young people who attend, we need to make sure that we create a loving, trustworthy community for our campers to be part of. I think we do this very well, but we are always looking for new and better ways to create this community.

The second C stands for Challenge. It is important for young people to

where there is no such thing as failure, just opportunity to grow. It is easy to run a camp and include one of the C’s.It is even reasonably easy to run a camp with two of them. However, it takes skill and dedication by our staff and volunteers to produce camps that fulfil all 3 C’s and, at the same time, are fun for everyone concerned. On top of that, we need to provide camps that attract a wide variety of campers. To do this we are branching out and running camps that not only appeal to those who like the outdoors, but also camps ranging from eco engagement through to performing arts style camps. Our two Eco-camps are already becoming a regular feature on our summer camps list, and the new camps will continue to roll out over the next 12 months. I think we do camping very well, and we will continue to strive to do it better. The next time you are praying for our camps, please remember to pray that the 3 C’s are fulfilled in the lives of the young people who attend. Maybe even dare to pray how else you may be involved. Maybe you can support a camper financially, or help sponsor bible reading guides for our campers. It could be that God is asking you to volunteer on one of our camps. Whatever it may be, please continue to seek God on behalf of our camping ministry.

We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life

thr33 C’s

The second C stands for Challenge. It is important for young people to grow in their abilities to deal with life and its challenges, and learn how to overcome these challenges. For some, the biggest challenge may just be coming to camp and being with a group of people they don’t know. For others, it may be to overcome a fear, or to overcome a physical challenge. Whatever the challenge, we try to create a safe, encouraging environment at our camps to help campers meet these challenges. Hopefully they succeed at them, and if not, we help them indealing with that and moving forward. Life throws many challenges at us, and I think being a follower of Christ adds even more challenges. Because of this, I believe it is our duty to help young people to develop the

The final C is Connect with God. The more we can help young people to develop current methods of connecting with God, and find new ways, the more chance they have of growing a deep, long lasting faith. I meet too many youth, in fact too many Christians, who struggle with their faith because they have not developed their ability to connect with God. They struggle because they don’t know God in a personal way, or how to connect with Him. We endeavour to create opportunities for young people to connect with God while on our camps. This is done by creatively engaging with scripture, and showing them how they can connect with God through the world, nature and the people around them. We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life, and give them a

cripture Union has been active in Christian camping in New Zealand for over 75 years. The focus of Scripture Union’s camping ministry is

what I affectionately call the 3 C’s, and this combined with variety helps us to produce life changing camps. So what are these 3 C’s, and why are they important to the running of camps with youth?

The first C stands for Community. It is important for us allto feel like we belong. For teenagers growing, developing and discovering who they are, it is particularly important for them to know that they belong, and to know there are people who care for and about them. We feel safe and open up more when we are around people who we know care about us, and who we know we can trust. Therefore, for our camps to work effectively at impacting the lives of the young people who attend, we need to make sure that we create a loving, trustworthy community for our campers to be part of. I think we do this very well, but we are always looking for new and better ways to create this community.

venue to experiment. A place where there is no such thing as failure, just opportunity to grow.

It is easy to run a camp and include one of the C’s.It is even reasonably easy to run a camp with two of them. However, it takes skill and dedication by our staff and volunteers to produce camps that fulfil all 3 C’s and, at the same time, are fun for everyone concerned. On top of that, we need to provide camps that attract a wide variety of campers. To do this we are branching out and running camps that not only appeal to those who like the outdoors, but also camps ranging from eco engagement through to performing arts style camps. Our two Eco-camps are already becoming a regular feature on our summer camps list, and the new camps will continue to roll out over the next 12 months.

I think we do camping very well, and we will continue to strive to do it better. The next time you are praying for our camps, please remember to pray that the 3 C’s are fulfilled in the lives of the young people who attend. Maybe even dare to pray how else you may be involved. Maybe you can support a camper financially, or help sponsor bible reading guides for our campers. It could be that God is asking you to volunteer on one of our camps. Whatever it may be, please continue to seek God on behalf of our camping ministry.

We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life

4 I sunz.org.nz

THR33 C’S

connect

community challenge

grow in their abilities to deal with life and its challenges. For some, the biggest challenge may just be coming to camp and being with a group of people they don’t know. For others, it may be to overcome a fear, or to overcome a physical challenge. Whatever the challenge, we try to create a safe, encouraging environment at our camps to help campers meet these challenges. Hopefully they succeed at them, and if not, we help them in dealing with that and moving forward. Life throws many challenges at us, and I think being a follower of Christ adds even more challenges. Because of this, I believe it is our duty to help young people to develop the right tools to meet these challenges.

The final C is Connect with God. The more we can help young people to develop current methods of connecting with God, and find new ways, the more chance they have of growing a deep, long lasting faith. I meet too many youth, in fact too many Christians,who struggle with their faith because they have not developed their ability to connect with God. They struggle because they don’t know God in a personal way, or how to connect with Him.We endeavour to create opportunities for young people to connect with God while on our camps. This is done by creatively engaging with scripture, and showing them how they can connect with God through the world, nature and the people around them. We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life, and give them a venue to experiment. A place

cripture Union has been active in Christian camping in New Zealand for over 75 years. The focus of Scripture Union’s

camping ministry is what I affectionately call the 3 C’s, and this combined with variety helps us to produce life changing camps. So what are these 3 C’s, and why are they important to the running of camps with youth?

The first C stands for Community. For teenagers growing, developing and discovering who they are, it is particularly important for them to know that they belong, and to know there are people who care for and about them. We feel safe and open up more when we are around people who we know care about us, and who we know we can trust. Therefore, for our camps to work effectively at impacting the lives of the young people who attend, we need to make sure that we create a loving, trustworthy community for our campers to be part of. I think we do this very well, but we are always looking for new and better ways to create this community.

The second C stands for Challenge. It is important for young people to

where there is no such thing as failure, just opportunity to grow. It is easy to run a camp and include one of the C’s.It is even reasonably easy to run a camp with two of them. However, it takes skill and dedication by our staff and volunteers to produce camps that fulfil all 3 C’s and, at the same time, are fun for everyone concerned. On top of that, we need to provide camps that attract a wide variety of campers. To do this we are branching out and running camps that not only appeal to those who like the outdoors, but also camps ranging from eco engagement through to performing arts style camps. Our two Eco-camps are already becoming a regular feature on our summer camps list, and the new camps will continue to roll out over the next 12 months. I think we do camping very well, and we will continue to strive to do it better. The next time you are praying for our camps, please remember to pray that the 3 C’s are fulfilled in the lives of the young people who attend. Maybe even dare to pray how else you may be involved. Maybe you can support a camper financially, or help sponsor bible reading guides for our campers. It could be that God is asking you to volunteer on one of our camps. Whatever it may be, please continue to seek God on behalf of our camping ministry.

connect

community challenge

The second C stands for Challenge. It is important for young people to grow in their abilities to deal with life and its challenges, and learn how to overcome these challenges. For some, the biggest challenge may just be coming to camp and being with a group of people they don’t know. For others, it may be to overcome a fear, or to overcome a physical challenge. Whatever the challenge, we try to create a safe, encouraging environment at our camps to help campers meet these challenges. Hopefully they succeed at them, and if not, we help them indealing with that and moving forward. Life throws many challenges at us, and I think being a follower of Christ adds even more challenges. Because of this, I believe it is our duty to help young people to develop the

The final C is Connect with God. The more we can help young people to develop current methods of connecting with God, and find new ways, the more chance they have of growing a deep, long lasting faith. I meet too many youth, in fact too many Christians, who struggle with their faith because they have not developed their ability to connect with God. They struggle because they don’t know God in a personal way, or how to connect with Him. We endeavour to create opportunities for young people to connect with God while on our camps. This is done by creatively engaging with scripture, and showing them how they can connect with God through the world, nature and the people around them. We try to give them tools they can use for the rest of their life, and give them a

cripture Union has been active in Christian camping in New Zealand for over 75 years. The focus of Scripture Union’s camping ministry is

what I affectionately call the 3 C’s, and this combined with variety helps us to produce life changing camps. So what are these 3 C’s, and why are they important to the running of camps with youth?

The first C stands for Community. It is important for us allto feel like we belong. For teenagers growing, developing and discovering who they are, it is particularly important for them to know that they belong, and to know there are people who care for and about them. We feel safe and open up more when we are around people who we know care about us, and who we know we can trust. Therefore, for our camps to work effectively at impacting the lives of the young people who attend, we need to make sure that we create a loving, trustworthy community for our campers to be part of. I think we do this very well, but we are always looking for new and better ways to create this community.

venue to experiment. A place where there is no such thing as failure, just opportunity to grow.

It is easy to run a camp and include one of the C’s.It is even reasonably easy to run a camp with two of them. However, it takes skill and dedication by our staff and volunteers to produce camps that fulfil all 3 C’s and, at the same time, are fun for everyone concerned. On top of that, we need to provide camps that attract a wide variety of campers. To do this we are branching out and running camps that not only appeal to those who like the outdoors, but also camps ranging from eco engagement through to performing arts style camps. Our two Eco-camps are already becoming a regular feature on our summer camps list, and the new camps will continue to roll out over the next 12 months.

I think we do camping very well, and we will continue to strive to do it better. The next time you are praying for our camps, please remember to pray that the 3 C’s are fulfilled in the lives of the young people who attend. Maybe even dare to pray how else you may be involved. Maybe you can support a camper financially, or help sponsor bible reading guides for our campers. It could be that God is asking you to volunteer on one of our camps. Whatever it may be, please continue to seek God on behalf of our camping ministry.

Neville Bartleynovember I 5

THR33 C’S

readings on it. Martin’s experiences after that were mainly of leading weekend camps for the Napier Boys High School Crusader group. Vine Martin, SUNZ’s travelling secretary, was often involved. Martin would write to all the 3rd form boys and invite them to the group. The camps were set in winter in the Kaweka and Ruahine ranges, and they all hoped for snow while Desiree (Grandma) stayed at home and prayed for fine weather. Desiree was involved in Crusaders at Takapuna Grammar but married into the camping scene!

OF SU NZ CAMPINGTHREE GENERATIONS

“I went to camp as soon as I could go on them!” That statement is echoed by all 4 of the Yeoman kids, who are now enjoying their teenage years as campers on SU camps. They have been on a range of SU NZ camps, from horse riding, to eco adventure to snow camps!

It all started with Dr Laird bringing SU camping to NZ. Martin Yeoman (Grandpa) went on the first camp in an old school outside of Wellington. It must have been in the early 1940’s. He recalls being given a SU card with a year’s worth of Bible

One memory Martin has is of the hut, Domini Bivy, in the Kaweka ranges (pictured). 30 boys put on a camp concert one evening, which was a bit of a squeeze!!

Kaweka Ranges1964

Martin and Desirees’ family were intro-duced to SU camping, and have had a huge involvement over the years with the Crusader Lodge. Built in 1965 on Mt Ruap-ehu, Martin was the lodge’s architect. The family did the annual Easter working bees for years, and it became a second home to their son Neville. Many of their children went on a number of different SU camps through their teenage years

Neville’s firstcamp was Ponui Island which was also Penny’s (his wife). Both went on horse riding camps led then, and 30 years later by Val Riches. Their daughter Greta now loves to go on these, travelling up from the South Island to attend.

Neville and Penny feel SU NZ camps are hugely relational. Friendship and encour-agement are the highlights. They have lead on many, and have supported camps working groups since. “It is exciting to see

camps starting up again that our children can enjoy going on”.

Ask their kids what makes SU camps good,

and they have a wide range of answers. The leaders are nice and friendly…camps are personal…you do cool things…you make awesome friends.’ At least one of them is planning to lead on a camp at the end of next year.

Observing the 3 generations of SU camp-ing and what encourages them to be involved, there are a number of things that stick out. Camps are interdenomina-tional, and campers can all meet a melt-ing pot of beliefs and traditions. They encourage a love of creation and Gods world, and they are life changing. They see so many campers and leaders whose early camp experiences have formed leadership skills, and a love of people that will lead them into the present day occupations. They are life forming.

ings on it. Martins’ experiences after that were mainly of leading weekend camps for the Napier Boys High School Crusader group.. Vine Martin, SUNZ’s travelling secretary, was often involved. Martin would write to all the 3rd form boys and invite them to the group. The camps were set in winter in the Kaweka and Ruahine ranges, and they all hoped for snow while Desiree (Grandma) stayed at home and prayed for fine weather.Desiree was involved in Crusaders at Taka-puna Grammar but married into the camp-ing scene!

OF SCRIPTURE UNION CAMPINGTHREE GENERATIONS

“I went to camp as soon as I could go on them!” That statement is echoed by all 4 of the Yeoman kids, who are now enjoying their teenage years as campers on SU camps. They have been on a range of the SU NZ camps, from horse riding to eco adventure to snow camps!

It all started with Dr Laird bringing SU camping to NZ. Martin Yeoman (Grandpa) went on the first camp in an old school outside of Wellington. It must have been in the early 1940‘s. He recalls being given a SU card with a years worth of Bible read-

One memory Martin has is of the hut, Domini Bivy, in the Kaweka ranges (pictured left). 30 boys put on a camp concert one evening, which was a bit of a squeeze!

Kaweka Ranges1964

Martin and Desiree’s family were introduced to SU camping, and have had a huge involvement over the years with the Crusader Lodge. Built in 1965 on Mt Ruapehu, Martin was the lodge’s architect. The family did the annual Easter working bees for years, and it became a second home to their son Neville. Many of their children went on a number of different SU camps through their teenage years

Neville‘s first camp was Ponui Island which was also Penny’s (his wife). Both went on horse riding camps led then, and 30 years later, by Val Riches Their daughter Greta now loves to go on these, travelling up from the South Island to attend.

Neville and Penny feel SU NZ camps are hugely relational. Friendship and encouragement are the highlights. They have lead on many, and have supported camps working groups since. “It is exciting

to see camps starting up again that our children can enjoy going on.”


and they have a wide range of answers. “The leaders are nice and friendly…camps are personal…you do cool things…you make awesome friends.” At least one of them is planning to lead on a camp at the end of next year.

Observing the 3 generations of SU camping and what encourages them to be involved, there are a number of things that stick out. Camps are interdenominational, and campers can all meet a melting pot of beliefs and traditions. They encourage a love of creation and God’s world, and they are life changing. They see so many campers and leaders whose early camp experiences have formed leadership skills, and a love of people that will lead them into the present day occupations. They are life forming.

6 I sunz.org.nz

fdjsklfsdjfklsdjFEATURE

readings on it. Martin’s experiences after that were mainly of leading weekend camps for the Napier Boys High School Crusader group. Vine Martin, SUNZ’s travelling secretary, was often involved. Martin would write to all the 3rd form boys and invite them to the group. The camps were set in winter in the Kaweka and Ruahine ranges, and they all hoped for snow while Desiree (Grandma) stayed at home and prayed for fine weather. Desiree was involved in Crusaders at Takapuna Grammar but married into the camping scene!

“I went to camp as soon as I could go on them!” That statement is echoed by all 4 of the Yeoman kids, who are now enjoying their teenage years as campers on SU camps. They have been on a range of SU NZ camps, from horse riding, to eco adventure to snow camps!

It all started with Dr Laird bringing SU camping to NZ. Martin Yeoman (Grandpa) went on the first camp in an old school outside of Wellington. It must have been in the early 1940’s. He recalls being given a SU card with a year’s worth of Bible

One memory Martin has is of the hut, Domini Bivy, in the Kaweka ranges (pictured). 30 boys put on a camp concert one evening, which was a bit of a squeeze!!

Martin Yeoman1964

Yeoman Whanau2012

Martin and Desirees’ family were intro-duced to SU camping, and have had a huge involvement over the years with the Crusader Lodge. Built in 1965 on Mt Ruap-ehu, Martin was the lodge’s architect. The family did the annual Easter working bees for years, and it became a second home to their son Neville. Many of their children went on a number of different SU camps through their teenage years

Neville’s firstcamp was Ponui Island which was also Penny’s (his wife). Both went on horse riding camps led then, and 30 years later by Val Riches. Their daughter Greta now loves to go on these, travelling up from the South Island to attend.

Neville and Penny feel SU NZ camps are hugely relational. Friendship and encour-agement are the highlights. They have lead on many, and have supported camps working groups since. “It is exciting to see

camps starting up again that our children can enjoy going on”.


and they have a wide range of answers. The leaders are nice and friendly…camps are personal…you do cool things…you make awesome friends.’ At least one of them is planning to lead on a camp at the end of next year.

Observing the 3 generations of SU camp-ing and what encourages them to be involved, there are a number of things that stick out. Camps are interdenomina-tional, and campers can all meet a melt-ing pot of beliefs and traditions. They encourage a love of creation and Gods world, and they are life changing. They see so many campers and leaders whose early camp experiences have formed leadership skills, and a love of people that will lead them into the present day occupations. They are life forming.

ings on it. Martins’ experiences after that were mainly of leading weekend camps for the Napier Boys High School Crusader group.. Vine Martin, SUNZ’s travelling secretary, was often involved. Martin would write to all the 3rd form boys and invite them to the group. The camps were set in winter in the Kaweka and Ruahine ranges, and they all hoped for snow while Desiree (Grandma) stayed at home and prayed for fine weather.Desiree was involved in Crusaders at Taka-puna Grammar but married into the camp-ing scene!

OF SCRIPTURE UNION CAMPINGTHREE GENERATIONS

“I went to camp as soon as I could go on them!” That statement is echoed by all 4 of the Yeoman kids, who are now enjoying their teenage years as campers on SU camps. They have been on a range of the SU NZ camps, from horse riding to eco adventure to snow camps!

It all started with Dr Laird bringing SU camping to NZ. Martin Yeoman (Grandpa) went on the first camp in an old school outside of Wellington. It must have been in the early 1940‘s. He recalls being given a SU card with a years worth of Bible read-

One memory Martin has is of the hut, Domini Bivy, in the Kaweka ranges (pictured left). 30 boys put on a camp concert one evening, which was a bit of a squeeze!

Martin Yeoman1964

Yeoman Whanau2012

Martin and Desiree’s family were introduced to SU camping, and have had a huge involvement over the years with the Crusader Lodge. Built in 1965 on Mt Ruapehu, Martin was the lodge’s architect. The family did the annual Easter working bees for years, and it became a second home to their son Neville. Many of their children went on a number of different SU camps through their teenage years

Neville‘s first camp was Ponui Island which was also Penny’s (his wife). Both went on horse riding camps led then, and 30 years later, by Val Riches Their daughter Greta now loves to go on these, travelling up from the South Island to attend.

Neville and Penny feel SU NZ camps are hugely relational. Friendship and encouragement are the highlights. They have lead on many, and have supported camps working groups since. “It is exciting

to see camps starting up again that our children can enjoy going on.”


and they have a wide range of answers. “The leaders are nice and friendly…camps are personal…you do cool things…you make awesome friends.” At least one of them is planning to lead on a camp at the end of next year.

Observing the 3 generations of SU camping and what encourages them to be involved, there are a number of things that stick out. Camps are interdenominational, and campers can all meet a melting pot of beliefs and traditions. They encourage a love of creation and God’s world, and they are life changing. They see so many campers and leaders whose early camp experiences have formed leadership skills, and a love of people that will lead them into the present day occupations. They are life forming.

The Yeoman Familynovember I 7

FEATURE

don’t really remember much of my first Scripture Union camp, but that may have been because I was only 2 at the time! My parents directed and cooked on horse camps while I was growing up, so it is fair to say that myself and my 3

brothers were real camp kids. We loved it, especially all the attention we got, and couldn’t wait until we could join all the ‘big kids’ activities.

Finally, when I got to Form 1 (year 7), I registered for my first SU camp at Happy Valley. I think as soon as I got the brochure I sent the registration in, and couldn’t wait to get started. Every year after that, I attended either the Happy Valley or Sports camp. I have many great memories

of camps, the leaders and the fellow campers. I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships. I am still friends today with some of the campers that I met when I was 14, 15 years later, and am even attending the wedding of one of those campers in January!

Many leaders at both horse and sports camps had a profound impact on my faith, and on who I am today. They modelled Christ-like servant leadership and challenged me to do the same. Many will never know the difference that they made in mine, and many others, lives. I will never forget the leaders who took the time to get to know me, got alongside me and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord, all while having a tremendous amount of fun.

These leaders gave me the confidence and self-belief to direct Scripture Union camps myself. I am now up to directing my 8th Summer camp, having started with horse

‘I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships.’

camps, and more recently with Karapiro Adventure. I see my role on camps as enabling and challenging leaders to model the same servant leadership that was modelled to me. I love seeing campers come to camp and watching them grow in statute in who they are as a person and how they are valued by God.

Scripture Union camps have allowed me to grow as a person in a safe, caring envi-ronment, and continue to provide that to campers today.

Stepping out in faithdon’t really remember much of my first Scripture Union camp,but that may have been because I was only 2 at the time! My parents directed and cooked on horse camps while I was growing up, so it is fair to say that myself and my 3 brothers

were real camp kids. We loved it, especially all the attention we got as, and couldn’t wait until we could join all the ‘big kids’ activities.

Finally, when I got to Form 1 (year 7), I regis-tered for my first SU camp at Happy Valley. I think as soon as I got the brochure I sent the registration in, and couldn’t wait to get started. Every year after that, I attended either the Happy Valley or Sports camp. I have many great memories of camps, the

leaders and the fellow campers. I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships. I am still friends today with some of the campers that I met when I was 14, 15 years later, and am even attending the wedding of one of those campers in January!Many leaders at both horse and sports camps had a profound impact on my faith, and on who I am today. They mod-elled Christ-like servant leadership and challenged me to do the same. Many will never know the difference that they made in mine, and many others, lives. I will never forget the leaders who took the time to get to know me, got alongside me and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord, all while having a tremendous amount of fun.

These leaders gave me the confidence and self-belief to direct Scripture Union camps myself. I am now up to directing my 8th Summer camp, having started

‘I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships’

camps, and more recently with Karapiro Adventure.

I see my role on camps as enabling and challenging leaders to model the same servant leadership that was modelled to me. I love seeing campers come to camp and watching them grow in statute in who they are as a person and how they are valued by God.

Scripture Union camps have allowed me to grow as a person in a safe, caring environment, and continue to provide that to campers today.

8 I sunz.org.nz

FEATURE

don’t really remember much of my first Scripture Union camp, but that may have been because I was only 2 at the time! My parents directed and cooked on horse camps while I was growing up, so it is fair to say that myself and my 3

brothers were real camp kids. We loved it, especially all the attention we got, and couldn’t wait until we could join all the ‘big kids’ activities.

Finally, when I got to Form 1 (year 7), I registered for my first SU camp at Happy Valley. I think as soon as I got the brochure I sent the registration in, and couldn’t wait to get started. Every year after that, I attended either the Happy Valley or Sports camp. I have many great memories

of camps, the leaders and the fellow campers. I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships. I am still friends today with some of the campers that I met when I was 14, 15 years later, and am even attending the wedding of one of those campers in January!

Many leaders at both horse and sports camps had a profound impact on my faith, and on who I am today. They modelled Christ-like servant leadership and challenged me to do the same. Many will never know the difference that they made in mine, and many others, lives. I will never forget the leaders who took the time to get to know me, got alongside me and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord, all while having a tremendous amount of fun.

These leaders gave me the confidence and self-belief to direct Scripture Union camps myself. I am now up to directing my 8th Summer camp, having started with horse

camps, and more recently with Karapiro Adventure. I see my role on camps as enabling and challenging leaders to model the same servant leadership that was modelled to me. I love seeing campers come to camp and watching them grow in statute in who they are as a person and how they are valued by God.

Scripture Union camps have allowed me to grow as a person in a safe, caring envi-ronment, and continue to provide that to campers today.

Scripture Union camps have allowed me to grow as a person in a safe, caring environ-ment, and continue to provide that to campers today.

don’t really remember much of my first Scripture Union camp,but that may have been because I was only 2 at the time! My parents directed and cooked on horse camps while I was growing up, so it is fair to say that myself and my 3 brothers

were real camp kids. We loved it, especially all the attention we got as, and couldn’t wait until we could join all the ‘big kids’ activities.

Finally, when I got to Form 1 (year 7), I regis-tered for my first SU camp at Happy Valley. I think as soon as I got the brochure I sent the registration in, and couldn’t wait to get started. Every year after that, I attended either the Happy Valley or Sports camp. I have many great memories of camps, the

leaders and the fellow campers. I loved stepping out in faith and going by myself, as it enabled me to make many wonderful friendships. I am still friends today with some of the campers that I met when I was 14, 15 years later, and am even attending the wedding of one of those campers in January!Many leaders at both horse and sports camps had a profound impact on my faith, and on who I am today. They mod-elled Christ-like servant leadership and challenged me to do the same. Many will never know the difference that they made in mine, and many others, lives. I will never forget the leaders who took the time to get to know me, got alongside me and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord, all while having a tremendous amount of fun.

These leaders gave me the confidence and self-belief to direct Scripture Union camps myself. I am now up to directing my 8th Summer camp, having started

camps, and more recently with Karapiro Adventure.

I see my role on camps as enabling and challenging leaders to model the same servant leadership that was modelled to me. I love seeing campers come to camp and watching them grow in statute in who they are as a person and how they are valued by God.



Rebecca Dowdle

november I 9

FEATURE

ince the 1960’s, many people have had the privilege and blessing of staying at SU’s

Crusader Lodge. Recently renamed Scripture Union Adventure Lodge to give it a

more modern feel and association, the lodge sits at 1,249 metres above sea level, atWhakapapa on Mt Ruapehu.

Besides the name, nothing much else has changed about the lodge that has been at the heart of so many fantastic camps. It is still nestled in a valley surrounded by mountain beech forest, and looks out on to the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. It still sleeps 32 people, and has its comfortable living area upstairs. Most importantly, though, it is still a place of fantastic camps, activities, Bible studies, games and fun. The Lodge is the perfect place and size to spend time reconnecting with God and people.During the July and October school holidays we did just this, with our

junior and senior snow camps. We spent our days in the great outdoors enjoying the wonders of God’s creation with walks, swims in the icy river, snowboarding and skiing. In the evenings, we returned to the lodge for studies, group discussions, worship, games and more. These camps run annually, and most campers return each year, excited to get stuck in again. The location, programs and leadership make these camps perfect for an annual event. God has certainly blessed us with this amazing facility. Without it, we would be unable to run these camps,which make such a difference in young peoples lives. If you, or someone you know, would like to join us on a snow camp next year, or if you would like to hire the Lodge for yourself, check out the SUNZ website or contact the office. We look forward to seeing you on the mountain!

SU AdventureLodge

10 I sunz.org.nz

SU LODGE“ARE YOU AWAKE YET?”9 year old Aaron has just been on a SUPAkidz Camp and he’s come back very enthusiastic about the Bible. Since camp, he’s woken his parents at 7am every morning because he

wants to read the Bible with them.

We’d like to encourage you to send some children from your church and local community on a SUPAkidz Camp.

What can you expect on a SUPAkidz Camp?

FUN

Our camps are non-stop fun. Construction! Crafts! Bible Stories! Sports! Yummy food! Games Galore! Team challenges! Each camp has a special theme with unique activities to try out.

FRIENDS

Our programme is structured so the children will make friends quickly and our leaders are fully focused on the wellbeing of their small group of children.

Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to rld. We’d love to hear from you.

Scripture Union in New Zealand — PO Box 760, Wellington 6140

[email protected] — 0508 423 836 — www.sunz.org.nz

You can buy these books and others like them from our online book store at www.sunz.org.nz or freephone us on 0508 423 836 to order or request our new resources brochure.

CAMPS

FOR YE AR S 4–6

JANUARY – OCTOBER 2013

Auckland – Wellington – Southland

SAFETY

Our camps are carefully planned to promote physical, emotional and spiritual safety.

GREAT LEADERS

Campers live, learn and play together in a friendly, stimulating environment, managed by capable Christian leaders

our camps.

The brochure for next year’s camps is available now.

Email us at [email protected] if you would like some brochures or visit www.sunz.org.nz

november I 11

KE YET?”

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

to order or request our new resources brochure.

Welcome to the WAY2GO magazine.

It’s full of ideas for people

who work with children in their

churches and local community.

Pull it out and pass it around.

ourselves thinking about what we can give the children in our churches and local communities — maybe a special book or a little knick-knack? But actually there are some far more important gifts for us to think about. These gifts are ones which our children really need because they will help their faith grow.

Knowing what they believe is an important part of faith development for children so let’s help them learn the foundational truths, stories, wisdom and emotions of the Bible as part of their exploration of who God is.

The second gift is the gift of belonging. It is important that children know they are wanted

and experience belonging to the church community. The quality of the relationships they form with the adults around them will teach them a lot about belonging to God.

The third gift is the gift of becoming. As children build a relationship with God and learn to believe in him, let’s encourage them to put their developing faith into practice in the real world they live in.

These aren’t just gifts we give our children at Christmas time - they are gifts we give all year round. God wants our children to have these

faith in him - faith as they believe in him, faith as they realise that they belong to him and to his family, and faith as they become the people he created them to be.

Issue 40

children’s faith develop in Top Tips on Encouraging Faith to Grow.

This is available from SU for $7.99.

Buy copies for your team and look at it together. It’s a great book and very easy to read.

12 I sunz.org.nz

“An awesome

day — great fellowship, refreshing, relevant,

learnt heaps!”

“Very inspirational, very relevant and very God based. It was a privilege to be

here.”

“Great place to bring our young leaders and to

what we are doing and how to do it

better.”

“It was a real eye opener to see how we implement God’s work through

our children’s ministry.”

SU’s WAY2GO 2013 conference for people in children’s ministry is coming up. This year, we’re partnering with New Wine so it will be extra good. Whether you’re a new volunteer or an expert children’s

worker, this conference will be an inspiring and enriching experience. Come as a team and enjoy it together.

WELLINGTON Saturday 2nd March 2013

AUCKLAND Saturday 16th March 2013

INVERCARGILL Saturday 23rd March 2013

Ask us for a brochure or register online at www.sunz.org.nz Registrations open in December.

Group discounts apply.

“An awesome

day — great fellowship, refreshing, relevant,

learnt heaps!”

“Very inspirational, very relevant and very God based. It was a privilege to be

here.”

“Great place to bring our young leaders and to

what we are doing and how to do it

better.”

“It was a real eye opener to see how we implement God’s work through

our children’s ministry.”

SU’s WAY2GO 2013 conference for people in children’s ministry is coming up. This year, we’re partnering with New Wine so it will be extra good. Whether you’re a new volunteer or an expert children’s

worker, this conference will be an inspiring and enriching experience. Come as a team and enjoy it together.

WELLINGTON Saturday 2nd March 2013

AUCKLAND Saturday 16th March 2013

INVERCARGILL Saturday 23rd March 2013

Ask us for a brochure or register online at www.sunz.org.nz Registrations open in December.

Group discounts apply.

inspirational, very

GOD’S GREAT GIFTChristmas is a great time to do something extra special with the children in your church and local community. Try this programme — it tells the story of God who gave

us Jesus because he loves us.

1.GAMESChoose from the following games:

• Collect Christmas card pictures. Cut each picture into 4 and give a piece to each child. Then when

matching pieces and put the picture together.

• Put pieces of Christmas wrapping paper on the -

mas music plays. When the music stops, as many children as possible squeeze on to each sheet of

Every time the music starts again, take away a piece.

2.FOCUS TIMEAsk the children who celebrates Christmas and encourage them to share their family traditions. Ask them: What is your favourite part of Christmas? Do you give gifts? What sorts of things do you give?

3.BIBLE INPUTChristmas gift. It was the best gift ever. Choose one of these methods to tell the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2:1-20.

• Draw a large picture of Jesus in the manger. Cover it with pieces of Christmas wrapping paper. As you tell the story, take off the paper piece by piece until Jesus is revealed.

• Find a nativity set. Wrap each piece up separately. Ask different children to unwrap the appropriate pieces and put them out for everyone to see as you tell the story.

• Use leaders to dramatise the story. SU’s book More Christmas Wrapped Up has some good dramas you could use.

4.RESPONSEExplain to the children that this is a true story from the Bible. Show the children where Luke 2 is in your Bible.

Ask the children the following questions:

• What gift did God give us? (Jesus)

• Why did God give us Jesus? (Because he loves us.)

• When Jesus grew up he did some amazing things. What did he do? (Jesus told us all about God. He showed us how much God loves us and wants to be our friend.)

Pray together.

5.ACTIVITYChoose one of the following activities:

•

talks about God’s Great Gift. Encourage the children to talk about Jesus while they do the puzzles.

• Make a Jesus Gift. Give each child a matchbox. Let them put a piece of cotton wool and a square of material into the box to make a bed and then tuck a little plastic baby into the bed. (These are available from shops like Spotlight). Glue wrap-ping paper around the cover of the matchbox and slide it over the bed. Tie a ribbon around it all to hold it closed. Put a tag onto the ribbon that says, “To you, from God.”

We have a copy of

MORE CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP

to phone us at SU and mention this

magazine. It’s a great book!

If you miss out, you can buy it from our online

book store at www.sunz.org.nz or order it on

freephone 0508 423 836.

GOD’S GREAT GIFTChristmas is a great time to do something extra special with the children in your church and local community. Try this programme — it tells the story of God who gave

us Jesus because he loves us.

1.GAMESChoose from the following games:

Collect Christmas card pictures. Cut each picture into 4 and give a piece to each child. Then when

matching pieces and put the picture together.

Put pieces of Christmas wrapping paper on the -

mas music plays. When the music stops, as many children as possible squeeze on to each sheet of

Every time the music starts again, take away a piece.

2.FOCUS TIMEAsk the children who celebrates Christmas and encourage them to share their family traditions. Ask them: What is your favourite part of Christmas? Do you give gifts? What sorts of things do you give?

3.BIBLE INPUTChristmas gift. It was the best gift ever. Choose one of these methods to tell the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2:1-20.

Draw a large picture of Jesus in the manger. Cover it with pieces of Christmas wrapping paper. As you tell the story, take off the paper piece by piece until Jesus is revealed.

Find a nativity set. Wrap each piece up separately. Ask different children to unwrap the appropriate pieces and put them out for everyone to see as you tell the story.

Use leaders to dramatise the story. SU’s book More Christmas Wrapped Up has some good dramas you could use.

4.RESPONSEExplain to the children that this is a true story from the Bible. Show the children where Luke 2 is in your Bible.

Ask the children the following questions:

• What gift did God give us? (Jesus)

• Why did God give us Jesus? (Because he loves us.)

• When Jesus grew up he did some amazing things. What did he do? (Jesus told us all about God. He showed us how much God loves us and wants to be our friend.)

Pray together.

5.ACTIVITYChoose one of the following activities:

•

talks about God’s Great Gift. Encourage the children to talk about Jesus while they do the puzzles.

• Make a Jesus Gift. Give each child a matchbox. Let them put a piece of cotton wool and a square of material into the box to make a bed and then tuck a little plastic baby into the bed. (These are available from shops like Spotlight). Glue wrap-ping paper around the cover of the matchbox and slide it over the bed. Tie a ribbon around it all to hold it closed. Put a tag onto the ribbon that says, “To you, from God.”

We have a copy of

MORE CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP

to phone us at SU and mention this

magazine. It’s a great book!

If you miss out, you can buy it from our online

book store at www.sunz.org.nz or order it on

freephone 0508 423 836.

“ARE YOU AWAKE YET?”9 year old Aaron has just been on a SUPAkidz Camp and he’s come back very enthusiastic about the Bible. Since camp, he’s woken his parents at 7am every morning because he

wants to read the Bible with them.

We’d like to encourage you to send some children from your church and local community on a SUPAkidz Camp.

What can you expect on a SUPAkidz Camp?

FUN

Our camps are non-stop fun. Construction! Crafts! Bible Stories! Sports! Yummy food! Games Galore! Team challenges! Each camp has a special theme with unique activities to try out.

FRIENDS

Our programme is structured so the children will make friends quickly and our leaders are fully focused on the wellbeing of their small group of children.

Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to rld. We’d love to hear from you.

Scripture Union in New Zealand — PO Box 760, Wellington 6140

[email protected] — 0508 423 836 — www.sunz.org.nz

You can buy these books and others like them from our online book store at www.sunz.org.nz or freephone us on 0508 423 836 to order or request our new resources brochure.

JANUARY – OCTOBER 2013

Auckland – Wellington – Southland

SAFETY

Our camps are carefully planned to promote physical, emotional and spiritual safety.

GREAT LEADERS

Campers live, learn and play together in a friendly, stimulating environment, managed by capable Christian leaders

our camps.

The brochure for next year’s camps is available now.

Email us at [email protected] if you would like some brochures or visit www.sunz.org.nz

I imagine that when motorbikes first became a popular means of travel, many pushbike riders thought that it wouldn’t be too long before driving Harleys to work would be common, petrol would be $1.05 and there would be no traffic congestion!As a keen pushbike commuter myself, I know firsthand the benefits of doing some hard slog in the morning. For one, it keeps you fit and healthy! So it is certainly a good thing that they have stuck around!

churches that previously had little involvement, and new leaders were able to see if SU NZ camping was for them.

However, there is also plenty of evidence that the longer your journey with a young person, the more you get to know them. This means there is the potential for a greater impact in our week-long camps. This was seen in our recent journey program for Y13 students. Day 7, 90 km already traveled, and we suddenly started seeing people coming out of their shell. The longer we are together, the greater levels of trust within the team, and the more likely young people will feel comfortable about asking hard questions.

So, I can safely say that I am not off to sell my pushbike. BUT, I believe that the weekend camp is an opportunity for young people to test the waters of what a longer camp might be like, and they work well in conjunction with our week-long camps.

Jesus came to transform lives, communities, tribes, clans and nations, and I believe he doesn’t need 7 days, or even a weekend. However, both our camping structures provide opportunities for young people to develop a relationship with God.

So what does this have to do with camping you ask? In 2011, we trialed our first weekend camp, and have recently repeated it in winter 2012. A different model to our traditional week-long camps, it has had some great outcomes. But, like the pushbike, are our week-long camps irreplaceable, or are weekend camps the way forward?

Canterbury Winter Escape 2012, our weekend camp, has been a great opportunity to get young people involved with SU camping. Of the 19 young people we had, only 2 had been on a SU camp in the past, so the camp was a fantastic way to introduce them to our style of things! Connections were also made with two

Ben Necklan

WEEK WEEKEND

vsCHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Welcome to the WAY2GO magazine.

It’s full of ideas for people

who work with children in their

churches and local community.

Pull it out and pass it around.

ourselves thinking about what we can give the children in our churches and local communities — maybe a special book or a little knick-knack? But actually there are some far more important gifts for us to think about. These gifts are ones which our children really need because they will help their faith grow.

Knowing what they believe is an important part of faith development for children so let’s help them learn the foundational truths, stories, wisdom and emotions of the Bible as part of their exploration of who God is.

The second gift is the gift of belonging. It is important that children know they are wanted

and experience belonging to the church community. The quality of the relationships they form with the adults around them will teach them a lot about belonging to God.

The third gift is the gift of becoming. As children build a relationship with God and learn to believe in him, let’s encourage them to put their developing faith into practice in the real world they live in.

These aren’t just gifts we give our children at Christmas time - they are gifts we give all year round. God wants our children to have these

faith in him - faith as they believe in him, faith as they realise that they belong to him and to his family, and faith as they become the people he created them to be.

Issue 40

children’s faith develop in Top Tips on Encouraging Faith to Grow.

This is available from SU for $7.99.

Buy copies for your team and look at it together. It’s a great book and very easy to read.

november I 15

WEEK VS W/E

hat brought me back to Scripture Union camps every

summer? Drove me to work mundane summer jobs to get the camp fees together? Saw me come back as a leader, then a director?

My first Scripture Union camp wasn’t an immediate success. Invited along to a Happy Valley horse riding camp in Putaruru, the two “Jennys” on camp were mixed up and I was allocated a horse named Mischief. As I vainly tried to control that four legged animal with a mind of its own, I realised that horse camping probably wasn’t my cup of tea.

The next summer, a friend invited me to come with her to the Ponui Girls Camp. I loved it! With no animals needing to be ridden (the donkeys were purely to look at), I loved learning how to kayak, cook damper over an open fire and experience outdoor activities I could never do at home.

But camp was so much more than fun activities. The camp leaders were genuinely caring and interested in me. They lived their Christian faith at camp, and actions matched their words. Most importantly, Ponui was the place I encountered God. Away from the bright city lights I could see God’s handiwork every time I looked up into the night sky. I could see it in the still mornings while sitting on the beach doing Quiet Times. I experienced it in the way the leaders loved and cared for the campers ... and one night I heard God’s voice calling me to follow Him.

Scripture Union camps on Ponui were the highlight of my teenage years. They became an annual event in my life, as I went on to lead and later direct camps. I learnt valuable leadership and organisational skills, and I learnt to trust God when trying to pull together a camp team. Time and again I saw answers to my desperate prayers!

My Journeywith

Scripture Union

ME

The camp leaders were genuinely caring and interested in me.

My story isn’t unique. So many lives have been touched by God at a variety of Scripture Union camps. Yes, we can have fun outdoor adventures with other organisations but for me, SU camps are special – they’re an opportunity to get away from all the distractions of home life, to a place in God’s creation where we can meet our Creator, experience his love and hear his voice. And for that, I’ll keep going back!

hat brought me back to Scrip-ture Union camps every






My Journeywith

Scripture Union

ME

The camp leaders were genuinely caring and interested in me.


16 I sunz.org.nz

FEATURE

hat brought me back to Scripture Union camps every






My Journeywith

Scripture Union


Ponui by night

Jenny Mackie

hat brought me back to Scrip-ture Union camps every






My Journeywith

Scripture Union


Ponui by night

Jenny Mackie

november I 17

FEATURE

Northern Region In October, we held seven meetings over three days-somewhat ambitious! But what a pleasure to meet people who pray for SU NZ, hear staff members share stories, and introduce newcomers to SUNZ. Paul Martell explained the new brands, while Neville and Andy shared the vision for youth ministry, and the need for more people and funding. Paul, Andrew and Annette spoke of the excitement of children on camp coming alive to God. They also spoke ofthe discouragement of Sunday School teachers, who long to see their churches take more notice of children and as able to contribute and share along with adults.

Regional News – Otago/Southland Oct 2012In September, It’s Your Move, a guide and programme to help intermediate students move to high school, was launched in Dunedin at an information evening.Nigel Winder (Southern Regional Director), with his fantastic team of volunteers, ran another successful SUPAkidz camp at Edendale for 37 eager primary aged campers. Exploring the last week of Jesus’ life using each of our senses was a lot of fun!

The Children’s Ministry Network has continued to enjoy meeting together and the organis-ing team have run a training day in Cromwell – Central Otago. Planning is well underway for the SUNZ WAY2GO Children’s Ministry Training day In Invercargill on 23 March 2013. Mark this date in your diary now!

Heather Zwies and Bronwyn Withington, in the Invercargill Office, are gearing up to administer the 18 up and coming summer camps. It’s going to be full on for the next few months!

CanterburyThe last three months has been busy with a new program, E3-Equip, Explore and Empower. Working alongside Spreydon Youth Community the trip was focused at year 12-13 students with the aim of building faith foundations as the student’s head into the workforce and University. The trip was a great success with inspiring discussions and an exciting future outlook. Keep a look out for the 10 day journey in 2013. We are also gear-ing up for summer camps and lots of leadership building events in 2013.

WaiBoP (Waikato/Bay of Plenty)Running Mountain Adventure this year was an amazing demonstration of answers to prayer, time and time again! These included finding the perfect leadership team at the last minute, health and family scares and protection, good enough weather to get up the mountain most days, safety, and great studies and stories with an excellent group of campers! Although numbers were lower than we hoped, God still blessed. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." (NLT) Thank you to all who prayed and supported this, and other camps this year. Without you, we would be unable to serve and share Gods glory.Looking ahead! If you are a Scripture Union supporter living in the Waikato – Bay of Plenty, and would like an invitation to attend the Scripture Union Appreciation Dinner being held in Hamilton on the evening of 7th December 2012, please contact Graham Fullerton on 07 8562775. Maureen Gunston, Chair of the Board of Scripture Union will be the guest speaker at this complimentary dinner, and SU NZ Staff will be attending .

NelsonWOW! The last few months have been really busy and exciting, with the normal activities as well as 2 training events. The first event took place in early September, when Neville & Andy came down to run an info night (as well as an afternoon packed with individual meetings) on It’s Your Move. The evening focused on sharing this fantastic resource with local workers, who we are now supporting as they run it in their local schools.It was also a privilege to host a Way2Go focused training day. Although numbers were smaller, it was a huge success! A BIG thank you to Raewyn & Paul for coming down to run it, and a special thank you to Megan Wright (Children’s Pastor at Nelson City Church) for hosting it.

REGIONAL NEWSNorthern Region NewsSeven October meetings in three days! Some what ambitious – but what a pleasure to meet people who pray for camps and clubs, to hearstaff members share stories, to intro-duce new comers to SUNZ, and its resources and programmes. Paul Martell explained the thinking behind the new brands; Neville and Andy shared the vision for youth ministry and the need for more people and funding; Paul, Andrew and Annette spoke of the excite-ment of children on camp coming alive to God, and the discouragement of Sunday School teachers who long to see their churches take more notice of children, and see them as the ‘church of today’ able to contribute and share along with adults.

WaiBoP (Waikato/Bay of Plenty)Running Mountain Adventure this year was an amazing demonstration of answers to prayer, time and time again! These included finding the perfect leadership team at the last minute, health and family scares and protection, good enough weather to get up the mountain most days, safety, and great studies and stories with an excellent group of campers! Although numbers were lower than we hoped, God still blessed. Matthew 18:20 says, For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." (NLT) Thank you to all who prayed and supported this, and other, camps this year. With-out you we would be unable to serve and share Gods glory.If you are a Scripture Union supporter living in the Waikato – Bay of Plenty and would like an invitation to attend the Scripture Union Appreciation Dinner being held in Hamilton on the evening of 7th December 2012, please contact Graham Fullerton on 07 8562775 and he provide you with the information that you will need . Maureen Gunston ,Chair of the Board of Scripture Union will be the guest speaker at this complimentary dinner, and SU NZ Staff will be attending .

NelsonWOW the last few months have been really busy, with the normal activities as well as 2 training events! The first took place in early September. We had the pleasure of having Neville & Andy come down to run an info night (as well as an afternoon packed with individual meetings) sharingIt’s Your Move. The evening focused on sharing this fantastic resource with local workers, who we are now working with, supporting them as they run it in their local schools. It was also a privilege to host a Way2Go focused training day. Although numbers were smaller, it was a huge success! A BIG thank you to Raewyn& Paul for coming down to run it, and a special thank you to Megan Wright (Children’s Pastor at Nelson City Church) for hosting it.

18 I sunz.org.nz

REGIONAL NEWS

Regional News – Otago/Southland Oct 2012In September, It’s Your Move, a guide and programme to help intermediate students move to high school, was launched in Dunedin at an information evening.Nigel Winder (Southern Regional Director), with his fantastic team of volunteers, ran another successful SUPAkidz camp at Edendale for 37 eager primary aged campers. Exploring the last week of Jesus’ life using each of our senses was a lot of fun!

The Children’s Ministry Network has continued to enjoy meeting together and the organis-ing team have run a training day in Cromwell – Central Otago. Planning is well underway for the SUNZ WAY2GO Children’s Ministry Training day In Invercargill on 23 March 2013. Mark this date in your diary now!

Heather Zwies and Bronwyn Withington, in the Invercargill Office, are gearing up to administer the 18 up and coming summer camps. It’s going to be full on for the next few months!

CanterburyThe last three months has been busy with a new program, E3-Equip, Explore and Empower. Working alongside Spreydon Youth Community the trip was focused at year 12-13 students with the aim of building faith foundations as the student’s head into the workforce and University. The trip was a great success with inspiring discussions and an exciting future outlook. Keep a look out for the 10 day journey in 2013. We are also gear-ing up for summer camps and lots of leadership building events in 2013.

REGIONAL NEWSNorthern Region NewsSeven October meetings in three days! Some what ambitious – but what a pleasure to meet people who pray for camps and clubs, to hearstaff members share stories, to intro-duce new comers to SUNZ, and its resources and programmes. Paul Martell explained the thinking behind the new brands; Neville and Andy shared the vision for youth ministry and the need for more people and funding; Paul, Andrew and Annette spoke of the excite-ment of children on camp coming alive to God, and the discouragement of Sunday School teachers who long to see their churches take more notice of children, and see them as the ‘church of today’ able to contribute and share along with adults.

Otago/Southland In September, It’s Your Move, a guide and programme to help intermediate students move to high school, was launched in Dunedin at an information evening.Nigel Winder (Southern Regional Director), with his fantastic team of volunteers, ran another successful SUPAkidz camp at Edendale for 37 eager primary aged campers. Exploring the last week of Jesus’ life using each of our senses was a lot of fun!The Children’s Ministry Network has continued to enjoy meeting together and the organising team have run a training day in Cromwell – Central Otago. Planning is well underway for the SUNZ WAY2GO Children’s Ministry Training day In Invercargill on 23 March 2013. Mark this date in your diary now!Heather Zwies and Bronwyn Withington, in the Invercargill Office, are gearing up to administer the 18 up and coming summer camps. It’s going to be full on for the next few months!

CanterburyThe last three months has been busy with a new program, E3 - Equip, Explore and Empower. Working alongside Spreydon Youth Community the trip was focused on year 12-13 students with the aim of building faith foundations as the students head into the workforce and University. The trip was a great success with inspiring discussions and an exciting future outlook. Keep a look out for the 10 day journey in 2013. We are also gearing up for summer camps and lots of leadership building events in 2013.

WaiBoP (Waikato/Bay of Plenty)Running Mountain Adventure this year was an amazing demonstration of answers to prayer, time and time again! These included finding the perfect leadership team at the last minute, health and family scares and protection, good enough weather to get up the mountain most days, safety, and great studies and stories with an excellent group of campers! Although numbers were lower than we hoped, God still blessed. Matthew 18:20 says, For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." (NLT) Thank you to all who prayed and supported this, and other, camps this year. With-out you we would be unable to serve and share Gods glory.If you are a Scripture Union supporter living in the Waikato – Bay of Plenty and would like an invitation to attend the Scripture Union Appreciation Dinner being held in Hamilton on the evening of 7th December 2012, please contact Graham Fullerton on 07 8562775 and he provide you with the information that you will need . Maureen Gunston ,Chair of the Board of Scripture Union will be the guest speaker at this complimentary dinner, and SU NZ Staff will be attending .

NelsonWOW the last few months have been really busy, with the normal activities as well as 2 training events! The first took place in early September. We had the pleasure of having Neville & Andy come down to run an info night (as well as an afternoon packed with individual meetings) sharingIt’s Your Move. The evening focused on sharing this fantastic resource with local workers, who we are now working with, supporting them as they run it in their local schools. It was also a privilege to host a Way2Go focused training day. Although numbers were smaller, it was a huge success! A BIG thank you to Raewyn& Paul for coming down to run it, and a special thank you to Megan Wright (Children’s Pastor at Nelson City Church) for hosting it.

REGIONAL NEWS

november I 19

REGIONAL NEWS

Y

COLD bothn

ny

n y

y n

yn

Do you like warm weather or cold weather?

Are you excited about the chance to have a time away from home and have the adventure

of a lifetime?

Go check you pulse and ask someone to throw cold water on

you and start again!

Do you like to be outdoors and active?

Check out a range of winter/spring

adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

Well you can do that at home for a lot less money. Challenge

yourself and check out www.sunz.org.nz anyway!

Get Registered!

Then ask your best friend to choose a camp for you and checkout our www.sunz.org.nz. Get Registered!

Is sitting in front of a screen your idea

of adventure?

Do you have trouble making a decision?

You have us confused! Check out www.sunz.org.nz anyway, and send us a suggestion on a new camp you would

attend!

Check out our range of winter art type

camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

Are you into artistic and creative pursuits?

You have us confused so maybe check out www.sunz.org.nz

anyway and send us a suggestion on a new camp you

would like to see

START

CAMPfor you

ChoosingBESTthe

very

Y

COLD bothn

ny

n y

y n

yn

Do you like warm weather or cold weather?

Are you excited about the chance to have a time away from home and have the adventure

of a lifetime?

Go check you pulse and ask someone to throw cold water on

you and start again!


Check out a range of winter/spring

adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

Well you can do that at home for a lot less money. Challenge

yourself and check out www.sunz.org.nz anyway!

Get Registered!

Then ask your best friend to choose a camp for you and checkout our www.sunz.org.nz. Get Registered!

Is sitting in front of a screen your idea

of adventure?


You have us confused! Check out www.sunz.org.nz anyway, and send us a suggestion on a new camp you would

attend!

Check out our range of winter art type

camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

Are you into artistic and creative pursuits?

START

CAMPfor you

ChoosingBESTthe

very

20 I sunz.org.nz

CAMP FOR YOU

warmn

y

n

y

yy

n

n

n

y

n

y



Ask your parents to take you on a pacific holiday and when they laugh, go check out www.sunz.org.nz for

other summer options.Get Registered!



would like to seeThen ask your best friend to choose a

camp for you and checkout our website. Get Registered!


Check out our camps and look for our range of artistic style camps.

Get Registered!

Are you the artisticcreative type?

You have a lot of choice! So do you like to be outdoors

and active?

Then I am not sure you understand the concept of

sunny weather and you have trouble amaking decisions. Either way, ask a friend to choose a camp for you both

and check out www.sunz.org.nz.Get Registered!

Check out our range of summer/spring adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nz.

Get Registered!

Well you can do that at home for a lot less money,

but maybe challenge yourself and check out

www.sunz.org.nz anyway and stretch yourself

Get Registered!

Do you prefer to be in front of a screen as your

style of adventure?

Check out any of our summer/winter/spring adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

CAMPfor you

ChoosingBEST

warm

n

y

n

y

yy

n

n

n

y

n

y


Do you prefer to just relax in the sun, sip ice coffee’s and bath in the pool?

Ask your parents to take you on a pacific holiday and when they laugh, go check out www.sunz.org.nz for

other summer options.Get Registered!



would like to seeThen ask your best friend to choose a

camp for you and checkout our website. Get Registered!


Check out our camps and look for our range of artistic style camps.

Get Registered!

Are you the artisticcreative type?

You have a lot of choice! So do you like to be outdoors

and active?

Then I am not sure you understand the concept of

sunny weather and you have trouble making decisions.

Either way, ask a friend to choose a camp for you both

and check out www.sunz.org.nz.Get Registered!

Check out our range of summer/spring adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nz.

Get Registered!

Well you can do that at home for a lot less money,

but maybe challenge yourself and check out

www.sunz.org.nz anyway and stretch yourself

Get Registered!

Do you prefer to be in front of a screen as your

style of adventure?

Check out any of our summer/winter/spring adventure camps on www.sunz.org.nzGet Registered!

CAMPfor you

ChoosingBEST

november I 21

CAMP FOR YOU

22 I sunz.org.nz

Reading all this amazing stuff has got me thinking.What could I do to help?

Volunteer as a leader or a cook on camp.

Support a camp staff member.

Pray for camps and campers.

Promote a camp at your church or youth

group

...MAKELIGHTWORK

MANYHANDS...

Donate to support a camper fund.

MANYHANDS...

donation

ver winter, I had the privilege of working with a number of groups of ‘at risk youth’ in the outdoors. One of the hallmarks of many of them is

the difficulty they have in trusting others. There is usually good reason for this, as their trust has in some way been abused in the past. I have also worked with many healthy, happy youth and most of them have no trouble doing the adventures or games that involve trusting others.

The young people we work with could be described as: Hurt a lot – trusts little, or healed and whole - trusts much.

Many of us relate to the latter group. We are not paralysed into inaction when we are faced with situations that require us to trust. Maybe it is because we have become adept at avoiding painful situations, or maybe it is because we are healthy functioning members of a community that cares.

What is our response to this lack of trust? A trust so small that, in some cases, it is smaller than the famous mustard seed, rendering the holder of such trust

seemingly unable to put their faith in Jesus and function as they were designed to.

As our lives intersect with our campers, colleagues and communities, we are continually given the opportunity to be proven trustworthy. This is a calling that is diverse and immense, while at the same time very simple. Diverse and immense because, at times, it will take all our strength and wisdom to achieve. But it is also simple because as we ourselves trust, we become trustworthy.

Those of us who do trust become objects of trust to others. As a Christian, my own trustworthiness comes from Him who I put my trust in. Never underestimate the power of a trustworthy person being used to change lives. Christ in us has the power to burst the smallest seed into life.

LIGHT FOR THE PATH

Peter Bichan

november I 23

INSPIRATION

He rama tau kupu ki oku wae / Your word is a Lamp to my feet - Psalms 119:105¯ ¯PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 - 0508 423 836 - [email protected] - www.sunz.org.nz

sunzis a member of theSCRIPTURE UNION INTERNATIONAL FAMILY

Documents

SUNZ Adventure Magazine November 2012