Since 1963, the worship and music office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, under different titles and various directors, has been training future worship leaders at Youth Music Camp.
Mark PowersDuring the summer of 2008, and continuing this summer, the camp has taken on a partnership with the youth ministries group Summersalt camp in a move to share resources and reach a wider youth audience with music and art training.
“Since I am a product of South Carolina Baptist music camps, it has been exciting and fulfilling to see the resurgence that our partnership with Summersalt has brought to our MusicArts Camp for youth,” said Mark Powers, director of the worship and music office. “We are able to do more together than we could accomplish separately, and the future is very promising.”
Youth MusicArts Camp first joined Summersalt at White Oak Conference Center for one week in 2008 after several years in other locations. Summersalt grew to five weeks of camps this year, and YMAC ran two of those weeks. Summersalt features discipleship groups, recreation programs, and spirited evening worship. MusicArts participants attend the music camp track for a portion of each day, which includes praise choir and two worship leading classes. They participate in Summersalt the remainder of the day. This affords participating churches the opportunity to bring both their musically gifted and non-musical students to one camp instead of two separate camps.
Jeff Stilwell, student minister at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce, brought his group to week one of Summersalt/YMAC. “Having a combined camp instead of two separate camps enabled us to use our resources more wisely,” he said. “It integrated our music and non-music students together to experience teamwork, Bible study, and development of their talents.”
“YMAC and Summersalt are a natural partnership,” said Steve Rohrlack, director of the youth ministries group, SCBC. “The needs of all students are met within the boundaries of one camp. This is a true win-win situation.”
This summer, 135 students participated in Youth MusicArts Camp, an increase in attendance over the previous three years. The Summersalt grand finale each Friday of YMAC includes MusicArts students leading their peers and parents in worship through the praise choir, praise team, and other mediums learned during the week. – SCBC