Summer Camp 2026

From our very first, free of charge, Summer Camp in 2022 the response had been overwhelming. We set out to create a ‘Gospel Centred’ summer camp available to any and all youth, Victoria wide. We asked God for the “impossible”, to make it free of any cost to both attendees and any volunteer. Not only did God lead an average of over 100 youth and almost 40 volunteers to our camps, but he provided everything we needed to do the work faithfully and at the highest quality.

The 2022 Summer camp was simply titled Transformed Life, it was held at Log Cabin Camps in Creswick. After almost two years of lockdowns and the heartache that came from the Covid response of Governments, many youth camps chose to close, many Church youth camps chose to cancel, and the youth of this state had no respite after such a trying time in Victoria.

God however recognised the need and searched for men and women willing to trust him to provide all that would be necessary to encourage many of our youth and many volunteers to this incredible work.

“Make the Gospel clear and make it the central purpose of these camps; open it for all who may come; make it fun and life changing, and I will bless it”

This is what he seemed to say to the Pastor of Hope Baptist Church when he sought him in prayer. We obeyed and God was faithful in each and every way imaginable.

After the incredible success of our first camp, both in the lives transformed and, in the knowledge God alone truly blessed the camp, the Pastor was asked if we might have another free camp for the winter?

He answered, “sure, if God replenishes the cost, we can have another free camp”, the answer returned changed his life… “Oh, so we’re not gonna do it by faith then?”. Head bowed with smile and shame to be outdone so wonderfully, the pastor laughed and responded, “Yes, yes, we will do another camp this winter”. And so was the determination to do one every year and keep it free.

“Beyond A Doubt” Winter camp in late June 2022 was planned for after that conversation with a godly young lady. But it did not stop there; “Standing Strong” Summer camp in 2023, “A Moment In Time” in 2024, “Be Still” Summer camp in 2025.

Five FREE OF CHARGE and Gospel centred camps that ONLY GOD could have provided for. He worked through the faithful hearts of individuals whom the Lord had touched to help with the cost, so that no child or family be burdened or restricted from hearing that glorious gospel and joyful time if they wanted to.

This miracle would be repeated again and again. All who had taken a part of supporting these camps were taking their part in a miracle, and they were so wonderfully blessed.

Support was not limited financially; indeed, we could have done nothing if it were not for so many leaders who were willing to give up work for a week. “Leave without pay” for many, not for a holiday, but to work (often with little sleep) and to share the hope and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ to these children. All of this adds to this incredible miracle, to the extent that WE KNOW it was NOT mans doing, BUT GOD.

And so, comes the name of our next FREE OF CHARGE youth camp: “BUT GOD” Summer Camp, 2026.

For this camp we return to where the camps were birthed at Log Cabin Camps, where the wonderful Christian couple Grant and Christine are our hosts, together with the incredible help and blessings of their faithful staff, to make this years camp as great as all those which came before.

The venue is spectacular, the activities are just as awesome, the games as good or better than all we have done to date.

Billy Cart Building and Racing also makes a return with brother Greg Hipworth directing the games. The phenomenal Joel Schaefer, who did a marvellous job directing the Games for the last few years, will be assisting Greg in this vital work.

Alvin Kettle returns to direct our music and bless our chapel time. Elise McKenzie takes lead in the kitchen again with her team to prepare the best home style meals-of-plenty (including desert) to ensure all the energy employed through the day is replenished by great food.

Pr Edi is directing the camp and exited to introduce Jeramie Hipworth, who is set to preach that wonderful news of the Gospel and share some great messages of “But God” moments in the Bible, and in life, to encourage us all.

The Gospel

Jesus came to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Lk 19:10). In a world so confused and with troubles and struggles seen so regularly, first on our daily news but now on our social media, HOPE seems to be waning for many.

Jesus did not only bring the good news of eternal life and joy through faith in him, HE IS THE GOOD NEWS, and we can’t wait to share the incredible work he has done in our own lives through a multitude of BUT GOD moments, of both intervening in our trials but also of leading us through them. EVERYTHING has a purpose, all is for a reason, and God is the one directing the traffic;

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Jesus Christ, the son of God, came into this world for one specific purpose, that which is noted above, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10). His death upon that cross some 2000 years ago was to pay for the sin of all who believe on him by faith.

God wants you to hear of who Jesus is, and so he has made the way as simple as possible through a wonderful FREE OF CHARGE youth camp, supported by people who may not know you, but who love you nonetheless.