The June holidays have not been the same for the youths of Emerge since Covid hit in 2020. Thus, it is with a vengeance that Emerge camps resume next month! Camp commandants give us the low-down on what the young people of CHC can expect when they sign up for Emerge Camp.
Before COVID, Emerge camp was a yearly highlight for CHC youths
During the two years years of Covid, there was one cry of dismay that echoed through the youth zones of City Harvest Church: “What about camp?”
In CHC, the youth movement known as Emerge has many exciting events throughout the year but only one highlight: Emerge camp. Each year before Covid hit, the months of March to June were spent eating, sleeping, dreaming, breathing “camp”. When Covid stole that away, it left a hole in the heart of the Emerge calendar. The valiant attempts to hold Zoom camps were admirable, but they could not be compared to attending camp in person with cell group and zone friends.
More than fun and games, excitement and house cheers, Emerge camp is a time when young people zoom in on God and wait on Him for a tangible experience. One encounter, one touch from the Holy Spirit can change lives.
Hence it inspires great excitement that camp is back this year! In this post-Covid time, this year’s camps may still not completely resemble camps pre-Covid, but there is still a strong sense of revival as CHC youths look forward to this long yearned for opportunity to gather.
City News spoke to the revivalists behind every camp—the camp commandants—to find out what campers can look forward to this year, and what their personal expectations are.
Protege / SUN – MJ, 2-4 June @ Frankel
Jerron Jeremiah Han, 27
One thing I am most looking forward to this year is the chance to see everyone face to face and to enjoy each other’s company again. Playing games, eating together and encountering God as one family—nothing beats that after two years of hiatus!
For me, camp is about the moments: moments of fun, love and laughter, moments of tears, healing and encounters, moments of decisions, hope and restoration! Our camp theme is “Sons & Daughters” and this means family. We are His children and we should carry that identity with boldness and share the gospel. At the same time, we are a family and one body in Christ. We are the voice of this generation! Time to come home, Sons and Daughters! Let us go from glory to glory!
In line with this theme, we are holding a festival to invite and celebrate all sons and daughters back to the house of God. You can look forward to booths with food vendors, games, prophetic stations—basically, lots of fun!
Camp Unstoppable / VER, 10-12 June @ The Common Good
Jocelyn Pang, 23
After years of holding our camp at Jurong West church, camp this year will be at a different venue. We hope this signifies a new beginning for all our members, to encourage and inspire the youths to lay their foundation in Christ once again.
My favourite thing about youth camp is being able to catch my zone mates in various state of looking unglamorous! But seriously, the time we spend together during camp really allows us to be vulnerable and to connect with each other on a deeper level, forming friendships that are beyond the superficial.
When I was younger, youth camps terrified me. To all the introverts who don’t really enjoy “fun activities”: I get you. But I want to encourage you to come with an open heart and mind, and most importantly, come expecting a powerful encounter with Christ. And after a two-year hiatus, I get to be the camp commandant of Camp Unstoppable—I am excited for it!
Camp Koinonia / JE, 10-12 June @ JW
Josher Choy, 16
One special programme for Camp Koinonia is the “Amazing Race”. Our camp tribes will be competing to solve puzzles on a treasure hunt around central Singapore.
Games are the camp highlight for me because they offer a rare opportunity to play with fellow youths and simply have fun. It is a great chance to get to know each other and forge stronger bonds. I also think there is an adrenaline rush when we compete against other teams, which makes it really exciting.
This is my first time being a camp commandant so I am feeling a bit stressed because I want to plan the best camp possible for my zone youths. But at the same time I am very excited: I cannot wait to experience the camp—I believe that God has great things in store for us!
Celebrating the Lord with joyful praise is best done with friends from one’s zone. Camp photo from before 2020.
Camp KAINOS LITE / WR, 3-4 June @ Salvation @ William Booth Corp
Claudia Chua, 29
My favourite thing about camp is spending time with my church family. It has been three long years since we last had camp—I know this year’s camp will be different and I hope that we all come together for a transformative experience.
As this year’s camp commandant, I feel stressed yet excited to answer the call! The most special thing for our camp will be Camp Ignite, a two-hour worship session with spontaneous worship, prophetic art and flagging.
To all the youths of WR Zone, come with an open heart and let’s have fun together!
Camp Encounter / ET, 10-12 June @ Frankel
Jael Tan, 28
Many of my own deepest encounters and breakthroughs with God happened during camps. When we make time to seek God together, He shows up in powerful ways for us. It is wonderful to have these precious encounters with God together as a spiritual family!
One key highlight for Camp Encounter will be our evangelistic Gameshow night that will feature TikTok trends, a performance and a DJ rave, with many attractive prizes for all! It will be a night to remember, so do invite all of your friends.
Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God bringing His people into a new beginning. Camp may only last for three days, but I believe God will bring us into a new beginning, and beyond camp, we will continue to experience greater breakthroughs and new things God has in store for each of us!
LOUD! Camp / AN, 12-14 June @ Focus Adventure Sentosa
Shi Ying, 27
Nothing beats experiencing camp for yourself, and it is different every year. Camp is a time where lives are transformed, dreams are lived out and new friendships are formed. We make memories that we can hold together, forge relationships that last, and most importantly, have encounters with God in every session!
Camp is a place where we also fight with each other and fight for one another. Through the games, activities and competitions, every team puts on its best fighting spirit to win. But they also look out for each other to win as a team. That is why we attend camps: to grow personally and as an entire Loud Camp family!
My favourite thing about camp is the cheering war where every camper young or old, new or seasoned, gives their all to bring up the hype of the camp. As we are known as Loud Camp, our voices play the biggest role! The most encouraging thing is to see young ones step up, step out and step forward to bring the cheers alive.
CampF火re / CL, KEL, WYZ, YL, ZY, 12-14 June @ Frankel
Marvin Tang Han Chiang, 33
The best thing about camp is being able to eat, sleep, play and worship together with everyone! Through little moments that happen only at camp, we form meaningful bonds and Kingdom relationships. Whether it is your first time coming for camp, or your 20th time, there is never a dull moment! I have really missed the encounters that we have in physical camps and I am looking forward to encountering God face to face again at this camp.
CampF火re would not not be complete without a campfire, so that is definitely our highlight. I did not expect to be a camp commandant this year and I am a little anxious as these are big shoes to fill, especially since I will be leading five zones filled with such amazing and anointed people! Nevertheless, I know that God is using each one of us to work together to kindle an unquenchable fire in the hearts of His people.
Camp Ginosko / BKPL, 16-18 June @ JW
Caren Mok Kaijun, 20
I’m really looking forward to seeing the youths go on the journey we’ve planned out for them at camp this year. The programme we have planned, which takes the form of a journey, has given me new revelations of how precious God’s presence is to me and how much it’s worth giving up my all for. I can’t wait to see the youths experience this firsthand during camp!
The highlight would be the finale of this year’s camp, which will be our very own Ginosko Night! For every BKPL youth, Ginosko Night has always been a time of knowing God in a deep, personal and intimate way. I believe that there’s no better way to end the “journey” than to meet personally with our Father and tell Him how much He means to us.
My favourite thing about camps is the spirit of unity and togetherness in my spiritual family! Knowing that I have people journeying with me has encouraged me to step out in faith to chase after the things of God with boldness. Camp is special when hungry people get together, it builds an atmosphere of faith, and prepares hearts for massive, life-changing encounters. I really believe that there’s so much that He wishes to pour out into the hearts and lives of all the youths in Emerge! This year at the Emerge camps, He will do something that no eyes have seen and no ears have heard!
Camp ONE / LYL, 17-19 June @ JW
Jeremy Peh Kai Sheng, 26
Our theme this year is to be “ONE with Christ, ONE in love”. Being one with Christ is having personal intimate devotion with Him, tarrying in His presence and hearing from Him. This year, in Camp ONE, we will have our own Encounter Room, a place where campers spend two hours encountering God and soaking in His presence. There will be live worship and a variety of stations where campers can receive from the Lord, for example, they can receive prayer from our prayer ministers, meditate on the Word, journal, paint, flag and more! This encounter room will be where every camper becomes one with God, waiting upon Him and communing with Him.
Speaking from the perspective of a cell group leader and a camp commandant, planning camp is a stretch of my capacity. But if at the end of the day, my members can be blessed, then all the time I’ve put into the planning and execution would have been worth it. I’m sure it is the same for all other camps too!
Through the Spirit-filled sessions, we create time and space for God, allowing Him to do a deep work in our hearts. Through fun-filled games, our wits, unity and physical tenacity are tested. We also play night games, navigating through the night with a lantern. Through it all we make memories and develop team spirit.
There’s no experience quite like youth camp. It is when we can be in loving union with God, marked by His love and life changing encounters with Him. And out of that overflow, we will in turn love one another with His love! That is what being one with Christ and one in love is all about!
The highlight for every camp is the powerful and life-changing encounters campers have with God. Camp photo from before 2020.
CampUniteX / AZ, 20-22 June @ JW
Ophelia Ruth Sek Ru Xin, 28
This year, AZD Camp Unite celebrates its 10th anniversary! I’m looking forward to our encounter night where we will spend time worshipping the Lord. On the third day of camp, we will be having a mini silence and solitude retreat where the campers learn to commune with God.
I love how during camp, we get to set aside time to simply enjoy God through worship and camp sessions. I also enjoy getting to know and serving with members from other zones and cell groups. This is what I love about AZD Camp Unite. Coming from different zones, we may be different parts of the body yet together we are one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
To all the youth: Be bold and courageous! As you take the first step to sign up and join us for youth camp, I believe you will encounter the Lord in ways you cannot imagine. Be a participant and not a bystander. Come with an open mind, come with expectancy to encounter the Lord. You have to make your first move—don’t overthink it, sign up now! See you at youth camp!
