July 2009, Uzonca Băi

July, heat, holiday. These all mean: the Mini-Teens Camp, the camp for the 13-16 year old youngsters. This year the camp was organized between the 13th and the 20th of July in Ozunca Băi, in Covasna County. There were 54 participants, which was almost double last year’s number! Eleven camp staff helped in the diverse and flexible programs (in some cases we modified the programs a bit according to the demands and wishes of the campers). In this way we repeated the swimming activity by common wish, we had a hike to Murgo Mountain, treasure hunting, several outdoor games, handcraft activities and last, but not least, we had a trip to Baraolt where the campers attended a service in the local Reformed Church.

This year the main topic of the camp was trust and we studied this subject by looking at the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-10). During the small group activities in the mornings we discussed the following questions (and answers): Who am I? I should consider that this is me! Should I have self-confidence or can I trust in others? Can I have trust in God? Who is He? I’m not in this world accidentally. It’s not by chance that I am what I am, God created me like this. In the afternoons we had two simultaneous programs for the children: the “family relation group” for those who live together with an addict family member, and the “self-reflection group” for those who wanted to have more self-knowledge.

The peak of the daily program was, I think, the campfire time. Each evening there were different activities: photo-nostalgia, quiz games in small groups, a camp television program with news, sports, weather forecast and talk shows. And I should not forget to mention the camp television commercials and the camp theatre: the campers put on stage the modern story of Zacchaeus. And of course the campfire itself and the singing were indispensable.

It was a pleasure and honor to “work” together with the camp staff. We were able to cooperate very well, and there was a pleasant atmosphere at the morning staff discussions. I hope that we will organize the camp again for next year too with renewed energy. We shall meet next year!

Joiţa Nicoleta (Letti), camp staff (student)

Adventures at the Camp - told by the teenagers

There is a saying: “all’s well that ENDS well”, but I’m sure it’s not accidental that it does not mention how it all started. Well, the same applies to the case of the camp. I was in Budapest, when I found out from the family "news" that I was supposed to go to a camp. My mum had registered me for this camp without asking me about it. Thinking back now, it doesn't seem that outrageous anymore, moreover I think it was a good idea, but at that moment it didn’t look like it. After a long trip to the place, we continued our way with an “interesting” hike with our luggage. Then, to add some humor to the situation, the truck which was supposed to come and take our luggage, caught up to us fifteen meters before the campsite and finally carried it over. After we had this “stroll”, a barracks was waiting for us in the mountain. Would this be a fully-equipped guesthouse with English toilet? After we woke up from the shock, the organizers told us the house-rules which were rather “barracks-rules” and then they showed us the accommodations.

During the nights we forfeited Finczi’s (one of the staff) trust in us, in my opinion. In the mornings we felt completely washed out. We somewhat came alive during the singing and the morning devotions. I liked the devotions very much. I liked Jani’s testimonial the most. On the first day we forecast with KisJani (Little-Johnny) the supercell and later on a tornado, too. In the end both of these stayed away, but everybody was duly scared.

I liked the team games, especially the “war with numbers”, in which we succeeded in using the new marvel gun: binoculars. I liked the swimming pool and I enjoyed the small group activities, too. I liked the discussions with the grown-ups the most. I returned home with countless experiences. I’m sure that I would come back next year again, even if there will only be tents. Thank-you for everything.
Sámuel Balogh (13 years old, Târgu Mureş)

Sámuel is on the left

At the camp in Ozunca Băi I shared in many experiences, for instance climbing Murgo Mountain, swimming, team games, the lectures of the camp staff. The central topic of the week was "Trust" and "treasure hunting". At the camp I had the opportunity to step away from city life, from the world of computers and television. Besides, I made many new friends. The last night was the most exciting for me because we slept under the sky, next to the campfire. I feel that I got one step closer to God in the camp.
Győző Ugron (13 years old, Târgu Mureş)

Gyöző is in the middle with the book

In order to give you some idea of the organization of the camp, I have put down what a typical day looked like. The daily program looked something like this: wake-up, morning physical exercises, a tasty breakfast, then lectures. The foundation of the lectures was the story of Zacchaeus, and each day we looked into the story from a different point of view. "Trust" was the topic of this year’s camp, so we examined the different forms of trust in the story of Zacchaeus during the lectures– self-confidence, trust in fellow human beings, trust in God and so on. After the lectures we continued with discussions in small groups, and then we played. Lunch came next, then the afternoon programs which were more free. We had different activity options like glass deco painting, bead stitching, reading, sports, discussions, getting to know one another, and so on. In the afternoons there were alternative programs called the "self-knowledge group" and the "family group". Then we had to carry and gather wood for the evening campfire. After dinner we had the campfire program. There were also days when we spent the whole afternoon in the swimming pool, or we went hiking in the mountains opposite the campsite.

I liked the Mini-Teens camp because of several things: the singing, the games, hiking, etc. What I liked the most was the opportunity to get to know others, to have discussions during the free times or the meals or at the campfire. This year was my second time at such a camp, but I know somebody who was there for the seventh time. Next year you should also come--I think you will enjoy it!
János Nagy (nick-named by the others Little-Johnny, 16 years old, Odorheiu Secuiesc)

"Little-Johnny" the meteorologist