AYC: An Extended Family

One memory that sticks out most from my childhood was when my grandaunt used to travel to my town in Ghana to sell shea butter. Whenever she arrived, she came to my house, and as a child I would run to meet her with a big hug before she entered. She usually brought interesting news from other family members, along with some shea butter for us. Seeing my dear grandaunt was quite exciting.

I grew up in a moderately sized town in West Africa. As one of the youngest members of 11 siblings, I witnessed the family relationship in action. Although there were occasional trying times, we shared many great memories together. We encouraged one another and worked as a team to accomplish important goals.

Have you realized that Ambassador Youth Camp is like an extended family? At AYC, our many “siblings”—campers, staff, administrators—encourage us to develop our personalities and hidden talents, and push us beyond what we think we can achieve. The enthusiasm that radiates from their faces and voices is beyond description.

At camp, we get to bond with our siblings for two whole weeks without daily interferences from the outside world.

Just as the Church is not composed of a single nationality or one race, the “camp family” is made up of members from all over the world. Some came from South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Jamaica, as well as from every corner of the United States.

AYC is similar to a huge family reunion. As the time draws near, excitement permeates the air: the expectation of the unknown, the overflowing joy of seeing siblings again accompanied by sadness that some could not be there to participate in all the wholesome activities.

According to some parents who attended AYC this year, one of the greatest joys they experienced was seeing campers playing and enjoying each other’s company. When you look at our current society, rarely do you observe young people playing without an argument in the end.

Lectures taught us that we came to AYC to experience and learn the give WAY of life. The ministers and Headquarters staff put in many long hours to ensure that camp ran smoothly and everyone enjoyed all the enriching activities. In other words, they gave themselves to benefit you and me. Isn’t this what family members ought to do—help each other?

There were many ways in which the camp family helped each other. Through teamwork, the kitchen staff, counselors, staff and campers alike helped each other make the camp a success. Even so much as taking the time to talk to someone younger than you was one of the many ways in which you served.

During these important two weeks of the year, long-lasting bonds were made. Friends whom we came to trust became dear to us. These important relationships did not require either partner to compromise or change his or her beliefs to maintain the friendship.

I was elated to see AYC siblings encourage each other—giving of themselves and expecting nothing in return. In addition, I saw campers and staff learning from the great understanding, wisdom and good examples of their elder brothers and sisters.

I grew up in a large family with great uncles and aunts, as well as older cousins. In my family, elder relatives passed traditions from previous generations down to younger members through oracles—oral accounts of the history of the town and our family. In a way, my experiences compare to how certain things are done in God’s Church. It reminds me of how Church traditions are passed to us through the Bible and God’s ministers.

Truly, God has given us all a great and wonderful gift. In this extended, caring family, we understand one another and share the same goals. The difficulties and setbacks that we sometimes face are not hidden from other family members. We enjoy the achievements of each with true sincerity, and bear the trials with great concern. Once again, the family that we have is simply incredible!

One of the things that I really came to love about AYC was how friendships were developed.

During meals, we shared together as a family, pleasant conversations and laughter filled the hall—they were priceless! These wholesome conversations helped us all to mature and to find out more about ourselves.

With AYC over, we must remember our extended family. The privilege of meeting with others with the same goals made AYC a unique experience. We must cherish this new family! The next time that you feel lonely, pick up the phone and call one of your camp siblings.

After all, that’s what family is for!