Written testimonies from SEP 2010
Sharee Blades (SR Camper): I liked camp this year because it was just simply amazing. I met great people and made new friends that will always be there for me. But the best part about camp was that I got closer with God. I now look at the world around me in a different way and say wow God made this. and I really loved the message - In Pursuit. It was a message that anyone who went to camp could relate to. :)
Tierra Boyd (SR Camper): I had such an amazing time at camp this year. It really changed my perspective. It was so amazing!
Kirstie Ketchum (SR Camper): Had an amazing week at camp!! It was sooo much fun! I got to see old friends, and make new ones!! I had the best counslers that I could possibly ask for, and a GREAT dorm!!! Go 7G!! Dancing was a blast too! Momo and I are the masters at the charlston!! And Alex and I can swing the fastest :D Great week!! Now I can't wa...it till next year, More fun memories and I get to learn how to draw closer to God again!!!
Kyle Ketchum (SR Camper): Had the most AMAZING week ever at SEP socal 2010!!!! Made awesome friends and grew closer to God. I can not WAIT till next year!!!!
Ashlyn Burke-Jones – (SR Camper):... SEP…Wow amazing camp! This year was amazing. My dorm was so supportive right when I got there. I felt like ‘wow’ these people already love me and they don’t even know anything about me. Heather was my dorm leader for me the first year I was at camp I think it was about 2005 or 06 and she is just the best.(: She was my dorm adviser this year as well and I thought wow I have someone here that kind of knows me. But I also had Holli in my dorm she was in my dorm last year. Just camp is so life changing I think to myself, “Normal people are never like this, are they trying to fool me?” Every year I come to camp saying, "Oh, I’m going to change. I’m going to start going to church." but I never follow through. This year I think I’m going to. God pursued me in so many ways. I now know more about Him, I choose to talk to Him, I have let Him into me and I love Him and know that He will always be there for me. SEP brought me home as someone that changed. Because of this wonderful camp my faith in God has become stronger. At camp I asked God - I said, "God, right now I’m not feeling my best friend is strong in God and I asked Him if she was bringing me down and if she was right for me. Turns out God said, “Ashlyn she is bringing your faith down.” He gave me a sign. He talked to me. My friend text me and said Ashlyn we are no longer friends for such a reason as because I couldn’t hang out. So I thank SEP because if I didn’t go then I would have never noticed how bad I was living and how lost I was. I have found a new and improved Ashlyn. May not be perfect, but loved by the right people. (:
Kaye Adaliga (SR Camper): There's a difference between hardly following God and following hard. You can't say you love God if you hate those around you, because God is love. God is in pursuit of us regardless of how we are. - SEP So Cal. 2010
"Last year when I left SEP camp I couldn't wait to tell my parents about the great time that I had. I told them about the people, the activities and the new things that I had learned about God. I even showed them the dances I learned. They told me that they could see such a big change in me that they didn't think a camp could do that. Honestly, neither did I. But all of the great People at SEP And all of the cool things I did at camp really made a difference. I would like to have that opportunity again this year!" ~Anonymous Camper age 17 (March 2010)
"Ever since my first time at SEP SoCal, almost four years ago, that week in July has been a pivotal point of every year. Up on the mountain, everything about the experience and the atmosphere seems made just to strengthen the spirit, and bring one immeasurably close to God. The beautiful scenery, the fun, kind, accepting people, the unforgettable experiences, and the uplifting worship, make an experience thats inexplicable through human words. If I couldn't fly there, I would pack up and hit the highway to Cedar Lake on my bicycle to experience that. And even aside from the spiritual experience-nothing compares to spending a week in the mountains canoeing, dancing, eating great food, and taking in the mountain scenery."
~Nick Stacy age 17, from Colorado (May 2010)
"I would be most honored and grateful as to attend SEP this upcoming summer. I would love to experience this camp this summer because as I clearly remember SEP 2009, I became a new person. This camp offered me with many new experiences that changed my personality into a more positive and loving person... SEP gave me a new family filled with positive comments and nothing but love and care. The environment was so new to me because as I grew up in a single parent home I got much negativity and got filled with doubt. At SEP I felt my self-esteem level up to where I felt comfortable begin truly myself and was proud to say who I am. You gave me strength, SEP. And for that I thank you to my fullest. SEP really opened my heart up to the Lord and by doing that He is now shaping and molding me into a strong woman of God. He put me in positions at church that I never thought I’d be. Thanks to the camp (SEP) for helping me find myself. Now I’m blessed to be where I am at my church, the youngest youth group leader, helping in several places at church with children like the nursery, toddler room and City Kidz. All thanks to you SEP! J I would love to go back this year to see my camp family, meet new friends, and most importantly, grow more in my faith." ~Anonymous Camper age 15 (April 2010)
"I would love to come back to SEP this summer! I was really able to learn and grow so much in Christ! At SEP I established more of a base of what God is doing in my life and I would love to be able to continue to grow and experience what God has ins store for me. I had a blast at SEP last year and I would love to come back this year!"
~Anonymous Camper age 17 (April 2010)