MORE than 30 Year 7, 8 and 9 students took part in the first ‘Trek’ overnight camp at All Saints’ Parish, Albany Creek on July 12-13.
The camp, organised by All Saints’ Youth Ministry, focused on the weekend’s gospel, in which Jesus sends the disciples out two by two on a trek to spread the Good News and finished with a youth Mass.
Over the weekend the children explored their own trek through life using original energetic games, skits, and activities, devised and facilitated by parents and teenage and young adults of the parish.
Parish youth ministry co-ordinator Nahum Kozak said some of the more zany highlights included early morning Body Combat Prayer, a scavenger hunt, and I Can’t Believe it’s Not Theatre Sports.
‘Parents cooked and supervised, and the teens and young adults ran small groups and activities,’ he said.
‘It’s built Christian community in the parish just that little bit more.
‘It was also uplifting to see so many Year 7-9s, some of whom never knew each other before, become good friends.’
He said the children also had opportunities for deeper reflection and discussion in small groups.
‘In a simple, moving ceremony participants wrote on paper things that might be burdening them on their journey, and symbolically offered them to God by burning them,’ he said.
The group now consider calling themselves ‘The Trekkers’.
Year 7 student Chantal O’Neill said she enjoyed the orienteering, but liked the small groups the most.
‘I didn’t think it could be so much fun,’ she said.
Julien Van Houts, one of the young adult leaders, said the kids were receptive and eager to participate.
Nahum said another highlight of the weekend was the parish based youth band Barnabas playing at the sessions.
‘It was great to give the band an audience, and the Trekkers really got a kick out of having live music,’ he said.
