Having the best week of your life is not limited to high school and middle school campers. More than 200 adults went to camp at Malibu Club in British Columbia, Canada, to finish out the summer camping session.
Hosted by the South Puget Sound Region in Washington, Adult Week is always a unique experience. "We take the same Young Life experience our high school friends have and give it to adults," said Ky Griffin, regional director.
This past year, 25 adult campers and leaders from Bellevue's Open Door (Capernaum) Young Life made the trek to Malibu, joining the rest of the group assembled from across the state of Washington. "This was the most fun I've ever had; I really, really loved it," said April Cook, age 25.
One of the most memorable moments during the week was demonstrated through the friendship between Open Door leader Kyle Lindros and his Capernaum buddy, Paul Oreshikin. After making it nearly all the way through the ropes course, Paul was tiring and having a hard time getting to the last element where speaker Don Worcester was stationed. "All the sudden, Kyle was right out there on the ropes next to Paul. He didn't just help him — he picked him up and carried him the rest of the way across."
One tradition at all Young Life camps is to take a special offering for the international ministries, usually done just before the final club talk. As an illustration, Worcester held up a five-dollar bill offering it to the first person who claimed it. Dozens of hands volunteered, but it was a Capernaum camper who finally reached up and pulled the bill from his hand, accepting the free gift. Just as the camper was being congratulated for taking the initiative to receive what was given, she asked, "Can I please put it in the basket?" The act of pure-hearted generosity left few dry eyes in the room.
"The Gospel wasn't only presented through the club talks, it was lived out through the Capernaum campers," said Worcester. "Like Jesus Christ, they put love into action."