One of the biggest highlights of the year for a young person in the Apostolic Faith Church is Youth Camp. Around the 1st week of August, the Apostolic Faith branch churches in California get together for a week away from the cares of this old world to focus on getting closer to God, fellowship, and fun. Youth Camp is usually held at a camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The kids are assigned to cabins and each cabin has a counselor and an assistant counselor. The staff at Youth Camp is composed entirely of devoted volunteers who love the Lord and want to help kids discover God's love for them. There is a camp nurse, a kitchen crew, and various other staff members that run the daily activities. And let's not forget “Uncle” Lee Spakousky, our beloved Camp Director. (Assistant Pastor of the Richmond church) He has been the Camp Director for over 14 years and his passion for seeing young people being led to Jesus drives and motivates the staff.

The first day of camp is mostly a travel day and doesn't have many planned activities but after all the campers have shown up and the sun goes down it's time to gather at the fire pit. This informal start of camp usually consists of a welcome and some songs, and often some very entertaining skits which set the tone of the Camp. Now, Youth Camp can truly begin.

Everyday at Youth camp is packed with activities including Bible themed games, volleyball, softball, swimming, and many other fun activities. Breakfast is served early in the morning and after a short staff meeting, it's off to cabin cleanup. This time is also used to decorate the inside and outside of the cabin in an effort to impress the cleaning judges. Everyone is called to the cafeteria for flag raising and announcements while the judges inspect the cabins to see who will earn extra money for the canteen! After flag raising it's time for cabin devotions. This is a time where the kids are taken back to their cabins and are taught a Bible lesson by their counselor and where they learn the daily memory verse.

After devotions, it's free time! Kids can play sports, go to the craft barn or to a designated spot where the campers can engage in some friendly cabin competition. Games inspired by the daily lessons and memory verses are played to see which cabin can earn the most points throughout the week and win a prize.

Lunch is served at noon and afterwards it is rally time, when the campers are split into groups by grade. This is a time for more Bible lessons, group activities and games. Following rally, kids have choices for additional activities including swimming, archery or target shooting, or stay in camp for sports and crafts. This “free” time is concluded with flag lowering and dinner.

After dinner, it's time to get cleaned up and ready for Chapel. Chapel service is an exciting time where our young people sing and testify of God's greatness. Special music is performed by the campers and staff alike. A minister brings a sermon for the campers and the altar call is given with a chance for all to pray and seek the Lord. Campers seek the Lord and draw close to God with the help and prayer of the counselors, staff, and ministers. These are the memories that truly stick with the campers. Many can look back and say “Youth Camp is where I started my walk with God”. Here kids have been given good foundation in their spiritual walk. This is what our Youth Camp is all about; a place where many young people have been grounded in the gospel.