Challengers Camp 2011

  • Hillary Halladey
  • Nov 23, 2011

On Saturday November 12th, amid much excitement, two buses took a team consisting of myself, 90 Challengers and 30 helpers to Rocklands Campsite in Simonstown. 

The 2-day stay at Rocklands was an awesome experience and one that I simply have to tell you about! 

On arrival at camp we all assembled for me to give out instructions and housekeeping rules.  Thereafter it was time to allocate everyone to their allotted chalets – something which had taken a lot of careful planning – and off they went to get their bags unpacked.  To my delight everything worked out just fine and no-one was unhappy about their room-mates! It wasn’t long before we were all back together and the promised surprise gift was given to all – a camp T-shirt each!  There was so much excitement over something so simple – what a lot we can learn from these special folk.

Then it was a case of “let the games begin”!   And time to start dishing out from the enormous bags of sweets I had brought along as prizes (and of course at Challengers everyone wins in the end - so no-one misses out!). Saturday lunch of burgers and chips, followed by ice cream and chocolate sauce, was gorgeous and while it settled we had the first of 3 Bible stories, brilliantly presented by Kathy, along with a great deal of audience participation!!

The afternoon was taken up with outdoor games as well as plenty of breaks for tea/coffee/hot chocolate and biscuits. Early evening some chorus singing - sort of “singing for our supper” really - because that was what followed, and jolly nice it was too! No shortage of food at Rocklands!  It was so special to see some of our less-privileged Challengers enjoying such treats (particularly the group home from Elsies River who have very little, or nothing, in the way of luxuries during a normal week)

Once supper was over the amazing “Challengers Star-Studded Talent Show” began!  I had been gathering willing entrants over the past couple of months – and we had 15 talent very varied spots to watch and enjoy, all introduced by a very amusing MC (Kathy)!!  The wonder of the Challengers for me is the fact that no matter what the standard of the performance being presented, their enthusiasm and encouragement for each other is amazing…  they cheered and shouted for every single entrant with no distinction between any of them.  They are so unconditional in their love and non-judgmental in their attititude.  More lessons for us all.

Whilst the ‘talent show judges’ took time aside to sort out the marks for all the entrants, Kathy presented the Challengers with a second Bible story.  After that the prize-giving.  It was of course a case of 15 entrants equals 15 winners, but the top 3 did get a slightly bigger prize than the others! And thereafter the first day ended with hot chocolate and banana cake….  What a blessing the whole day had been. Thank you Lord.

Sunday morning we were all up bright and early and thanks to the lovely Rocklands kitchen staff we tucked into a great breakfast, and so began our second fabulous day.

Some games first, then a very hearty Sunday morning praise and worship session, followed by our third and final Bible story.  The clouds and rain cleared for us to then go outside for more team games – you should have heard the cheering that went on!  All good stuff of course to build up appetites for yet another super lunch!

After lunch a time of togetherness.  Kathy presented a show of no less than 300 photographs and a few video clips that had been taken throughout our stay.  A very good way to round up the occasion which was followed by a thank you to all the helpers and the giving out of small gifts.

Then, all too soon, it was time to get packed up and board the buses home.  No-one wanted to leave – not even the worn out helpers! However, not one person, Challenger or helper alike, left without a heart full of joy for the wonderful time we had experienced. 

Gods blessings were tangible, His love and bountiful provision to us all have left my heart full of gratitude & thankfulness for the privilege that is mine in leading this very special ministry. Praise God for He is very good.

For those of you who do not know, the finances for this camp - and the one 2 years ago – were paid for from a bequest left to The Challengers Ministry by a grateful Challengers parent who passed away a few years back.  What provision!  And guess what? …………….  There are still enough funds left for yet another camp!!!  So watch this space……………….!