By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Steve Maltempi has reported there were more than 216 total spiritual decisions during the four sessions of the 2017 Clear Camp.
Attended by 1,071 students, the summer camps provided opportunities for spiritual growth, with leaders recording 102 salvation decisions combined, as well as two commitments to vocational ministry and a number of other spiritual declarations, including repentance to restore fellowship with Christ, Maltempi told the Baptist Message.
Maltempti credits staff preparation and the broad range of activities supported by the facilities at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth as contributing factors to the camps’ success.
“The strengths of our camps are our staff, program and facilities,” Maltempi said. “Our camp leaders are mentored for a full six months and are ready to fully engage campers spiritually and relationally.
“They go past knowing the student’s names and get to know their life,” he continued. “Our staff members pursue opportunities to build relationships with campers.
“The campers get to have fun and build relationships with staff during morning celebration, Bible study, recreation and free time, Maltempi added. “Staffers even hang out with students during late night activities.”
The camps included inspiring messages by speakers, music by a worship team and group-building recreational activities.
“Attendance continues to build each summer,” Maltempi said. “Next year we expect to push Tall Timbers’ capacity with record numbers, with several camp dates as options.
“This ministry continues to grow because it is really a national quality camp at a fraction of the price of a national quality camp,” he continued. “I have been to all of the big camps over my 26 years of student ministry, and this one is as good or better than all of them.”
Campers line up to register at Tall Timbers Conference Center. The four camp sessions were attended by 1,071 students and 102 surrendered their lives to Christ.
Registration for next year’s Clear Camp will open Feb. 1, 2018. Maltempi encourages all student leaders to promote the camp in December and January, leading up to the date of registration.
Two other state youth events are scheduled for next summer for students who meet certain requirements.
The first, a senior trip to Cancun, Mexico, is scheduled for May 22-26, and is open only to youth who are active in serving through their youth group and church, and are consistent in being part of discipleship groups, including Sunday School.
The second, Super Summer, will take place a month later at Louisiana College in Pineville.
Scheduled for June 11-15, Super Summer is a discipleship camp for those who have a record of attendance in Bible study and worship. Participants must be active in ministry, regularly share their testimony and faithfully memorize scripture. Participation requires an interview and recommendation by either their youth pastor or pastor.
Students who are accepted to participate in Super Summer will receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend Louisiana College for each of the four years they attend, for a maximum award of $10,000.
For more information about all three events, visit labaptistyouth.com.
