PHILIPPINES—Fifty-four teens and workers from the Philadelphia Church of God traveled to Monte del Rosario Resort in Benteng, Rosario, La Union, for the 17th annual Philippines Philadelphia Youth Camp from May 15 to 29.

For two weeks, campers played volleyball, basketball, swimming and flag football. They were also introduced to new activities like softball, orienteering, rope skills and crafts.

“Campers were very active in participating, as they learned the value of teamwork and following instructions,” orienteering instructor Rodolfo Caratao said. “This is the best camp I have experienced.”

Eleven Bible classes were taught by Regional Director Alex Harrison and Camp Director Pedrito Cara. During the first week of the camp, Mr. Harrison made the most of his one-week stay by giving the teens lectures almost every day. Mr. Cara and Mr. Harrison both emphasized the theme of the camp in their orientation lectures.

Bible lectures were given on Mystery of the Ages, TheSeven of Laws of Success, God Family Vision and Christian living, in addition to womanhood classes for the girls and leadership classes for the boys.

On the morning of May 22, staff and teens trekked up a mountain as they followed the tributary of a river that spilled out into the South China Sea. After overcoming boulders, slippery cliffs, thorny plants and fiery red ants, they reached the tributary’s sparkling waterfalls before noon. Some explored and rock climbed after lunch until the campers and staff started the return trip. On the way back, the group traveled toward a famous hot spring and dropped by the Cara’s home for freshly harvested boiled corn snacks.

“I really enjoyed the trek. There were some obstacles where we struggled to pass through, but for the most part, it wasn’t that difficult,” 2G camper Samantha Nicole Aquino said. “And we really relished every moment we had, especially when we were sitting by the waterfalls and huge rocks, taking photos here and there.”

During the second week of the camp, the schedule was filled with group activities. Songs, skits and dances filled the hall on Tuesday evening as four dorms and the staff presented performances.

During the formal dinner, eight campers selected by the assistant camp director and speech instructor Ben Marquez gave speeches that ranged from hilarious to heartfelt. Teens Jerome Cruz and Derryn Joi Martirez were chosen as the outstanding speakers.

Camp sports concluded with the all-star games in which campers played against the workers. The workers won all of the matchups except for men’s softball where the camper boys proved victorious.

pyc Philippines 2016 ended with an awards and dance night.