What an incredible week of youth camp it was again this year at Unidiversity, which took place July 23-28 on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus. The theme of camp this year was Rhythms, and students were invited to explore a rhythm of life that involved rest and work. Many of the 19 students from Greystone who attended really connected with the idea of rest during the week. It is so easy to push ourselves each week without realizing that God calls us to stop and rest.
The theme Scripture for the week was Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message paraphrase: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
The first day focused on God’s commandment to rest. Like the Israelites worked each day to receive bread from heaven, the students reflected on how they might work alongside God in both their academics and their extra-curricular activities.
The third day offered reflective stations in the small group Bible studies for students to practice various prayer disciplines. The fourth and final day celebrated community, culminating in an evening worship service where graduated seniors served communion to the camp.
Each day, students participated in seminars and electives of their own choosing. Seminar topics ranged from Faith and Science to Praying in Colors and are always a highlight of the camp. Electives are periods of organized recreation and included board games, kickball, and volleyball among several other activities.
One highlight of the trip was the River Rat tubing on Thursday afternoon with our church group; several students experienced the peace of God while calmly floating down the river. Take a moment to ask a student about his or her camp experience, and remember to thank the many adults who participated in the week.
