Dozens of campers attend a PYC orientation.

Learning to Live Life God's Way

The Philadelphia Church of God hosts a series of international youth camps designed to challenge, stimulate and encourage youth to become motivated and balanced individuals.

The program was established in 1992, just three years after the church began, at the suggestion of John Amos. It began in the United States and has since branched out to Australia and the Philippines; camps have also been held in Europe and Africa.

The U.S. camp—which is the largest, at 120 campers, and longest, at three weeks—moved to the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in 2002. The program is staffed by AC students and faculty members and includes a wide variety of sports and other activities: basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, archery, canoeing, cycling, track and field events, dance, speech, Bible classes, etiquette dinners, entertainment nights, home visits with the pastor general and other faculty, and more.

The wide range of activities develops the camper’s body, mind and spirit, and emphasizes the positive, encouraging, uplifting way of life expounded on in Scripture. At camp, you’ll find campers and workers cheering for the other team and for every runner, from first to last. Campers also learn to pitch in and help wherever they can, making for a happy, smooth-running camp experience.

One of the most important aspects of camp involves making and building strong friendships with other youth. With more and more young people in society absorbing themselves in substance abuse, promiscuity, violence and a negative and selfish way of life, camp offers Church teens the opportunity to experience a positive, healthful, inspiring way of life with friends and friends-to-be of a like mind. Experience shows that these friendships last a lifetime.

Youth camp is a highlight of the year for PCG teens and a cherished memory among many PCG adults. It is proof positive that living God's way of life can be a whole lot of fun.