For the first time, two summer camp mainstays have joined forces into one. Summersalt, the South Carolina Baptist Convention youth camp held across four weeks in the summer, has traditionally stood alone, as has Youth MusicArts Camp.
Students in a guitar class at Youth MusicArts Camp.Seeking to reach the same demographic of young people, the two held camp simultaneously this year during the first week of Summersalt. Music-Arts Camp participants were able to hone their skills while still enjoying the youth camp experience.
“It really proved to be the best of both worlds – for a first try, it went well,” said Mark Powers, SCBC worship and music group director.
The two camps combined for morning and evening worship services as well as small group Bible study time. Powers said the MusicArts Camp participants “really appreciated the depth of Bible study and worship and the enthusiasm of having so many youth present for the camp.”
For a portion of each day, MusicArts Camp participants broke off into Camp Choir, and instruction classes teaching guitar, keyboard, drumming, audio mixing, signing, interpretive movement, two auditioned praise teams and others. All Music Camp participants, regardless of their specialty, rehearsed twice daily with a combined choir led by Powers.
On Friday morning, the MusicArts Camp Choir and classes led worship in the large group combined gathering and in the afternoon presented their traditional camp concert for their family and friends.
Powers said the students attending Youth MusicArts Camp are often in the beginning stages of finding how God has gifted them. Combining with Summersalt has provided a welcome opportunity to reach more students at that stage.
“Youth MusicArts Camp casts a net to reach kids that at this point may not have really realized that God has called them to lead in worship.”
Powers also pointed out the combination camp gave exposure to many students who may not have previously been aware of MusicArts Camp.
“We are able to reach kids who, under normal circumstances, may not have attended a specialized music camp,” he said.
“We kept the essence of Youth Music and Arts Camp and added the recreation of White Oak and the Summersalt experience of 500 youth in worship services. It really was the best of all worlds.”