Creative arts camp success

The Salvation Army’s third annual territorial creative arts camp for young people aged 15 to 30 was held at Silverstream Retreat, Lower Hutt from 9-16 January 2012. Delegates came from Salvation Army churches in Fiji and Tonga as well as from around New Zealand and enjoyed eight days of creative, social and spiritual development.

Amplify 2012 offered young people the opportunity to develop skills in a range of creative options from visual arts, to sound and lighting, to brass and dance, under the tutorage of experienced Christian tutors from around New Zealand. Building on the success of the previous Amplify camps, delegate numbers increased from 116 to 160, with 40 on the faculty staff.

This year saw the introduction of two new majors: Sports Ministry, and Media and Publications, as well as fresh approaches to the Group Performance major and Instrumental, Dance Hip-Hop and Film minors. Other creative options enlarged the camp’s creative lens and gave the camp a fresh feel.

Individual spiritual development remains a key emphasis of the camp. Daily Bible studies, four Nite Church evenings and five spiritually-focused workshop slots encouraged campers to utilise their skills and talents within their church and communities. Guest speaker Fulton Hawk, from California, shared some spot-on messages about unplugging, digging into God and spreading Christ’s love. Nite Churches were powerful and significant times, filled with creativity, passion and God’s power.

Campers were also able to connect and have fun together through free time, whole camp night activities and café evenings. They shared in a ‘Host a Murder’ game evening, a team challenge, an inspiring acoustic night and the annual camp quiz. ‘Amplify is not just about teaching creative skills,’ says Captain Rebecca Gane, Camp Director. ‘Amplify is about empowering young people to use their creative abilities for God and to impact this world.’

A Saturday evening showcase gave campers a chance to present what they had learnt in their major and minor groups over the previous week, highlighting the talent and passion that exists within Salvation Army churches.