It’s that time of year again. The HSC looms. The hearts of many Year 12s fill with dread. I find myself turning grey and breaking into a nervous sweat just thinking about the HSC and I did it almost ten years ago…

Thankfully, there are HSC study camps. Christian originations including Crusaders run a number of them in Sydney every year.

Not only are the camps a great time for disciplined study and tutoring. They are also a great time for students to hear the gospel, study the Bible in groups and ask the really big questions in life – that’s right, bigger questions than even the HSC. We’re talking the gospel f Jesus Christ!

I never had the privilege of going on a study camp which meant that in Year 12, not only was I a terrible student, I was also a terrible Christian…

But I got to speak to a great young guy, David Forward who at 21 is already leading his fourth Crusaders study camp.

David gives us some great insights into his role as both a student and a leader in our news feature from next Monday. He talks about the great opportunities he has had to hear and share the gospel on these camps. You can also read more about what David has to say in his Insight column. Check them both out from next Monday.

In the meantime, we are asking you, the Your.sydneyanglicans.net forum members, whether you or anyone close to you has been changed by your time spent at a study camp? Share your thoughts. We’d love to hear them.

Ahh - Study Camps :-)

I did more study at my year 12 study camp then I did during the rest of my year 12 put together.  Perhaps even the rest of my high school years put together.

My friend met his wife there (ahhh - year 12 romance).

Other friends became Christian there.

I learnt to cook on a study camp (No - I wasn’t avoiding study - I was there as a cook)

And I think study camps have to be the best camps to lead on - on which other camp do you get to have 6 horus free time a day (ooops - I meant tutoring time ;-)?

If you want to go or lead, check out the following web sites:

YouthWorks

Crusaders

Mike

I am a great advocate for study camp ministries as I became a Christian on a Crusaders study camp in year 12!

I think it’s a great way to serve Christian year 12ers, by helping them study, and a unique opportunity to get many non or nominal Christian year 12ers to consider the gospel.

Wow!

That’s a very encouraging story to hear, Renee.

Anyone else have an experience like this?

I lead on a Year 12 Crusader camp back in 1998.  The camp was a great experience with a few people giving their lives to the Lord.  The thing I remember most about the camp I went on was that;
the day before the camp, a year 9 girl form one of the schools attending the camp was caught in a house fire, and later died during the week the camp was on.  There were about 12 students on the camp that were friends with the girl, and we had a chance to help them grieve.  More importantly the issue of what happens after someone dies became a real issue during the camp and we were able to help the students come to understand the urgent need to be right with God by accpeting his gift of forgiveness found only in Jesus.

For me this was a most amazing time of ministry and I was so glad to have lead on that camp.  Not all camps are so intense but the oppurtunities are always present to transform lives just by being there.

Thax <><