Indian Youth Camp 2023

IYC just concluded its summer camp for 2023, and they had their largest group yet. There were 275 campers, 21 Junior Staff, and 195 volunteer staff! Churches from different reservations throughout Montana bring their youth to attend the camp, but even though churches are the ones bringing the kids, many of these kids are not involved or established in the church. In fact, almost 50% of the kids who come to the camp are unchurched.

IYC’s staff is a culturally diverse group of people from all over the United States. Some are previous campers who have come back to serve, others are volunteers with a heart for Native American children and teenagers. It is a great opportunity for campers to see so many different people loving one another and setting an example of what the kingdom of Christ should look like.

Richard shared that when new kids first come to the camp, they are a little nervous or apprehensive, but that by the end of the week, they are usually begging for another week of camp. They have morning sessions, and then lots of fun activities during the day. Every evening, the kids are separated into two age-appropriate chapels, where they learn about Jesus and experience a life-changing encounter with His presence through worship and response times. On the last day of camp, each camper is given a 365-day IYC devotional, written by a team of campers, former campers, and staff. The devotionals are printed through a generous BGMC grant. It provides students with easy daily questions and scriptures to help them continue growing their faith, even after they go back home.

It takes a lot to keep the camp running, but Richard and Hope say that seeing the kids enjoy the camp, worship together, and grow closer to God, makes all the work and effort worth it.