S.E.P. is a Christian Youth Activity Camp held each year for two weeks in mid-summer on the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland. S.E.P. stands for Summer Educational Programme and is sponsored by the Worldwide Church of God UK, part of Grace Communion International. To learn more about our Church go to www.wcg.org.uk or www.gci.org and to learn more about S.E.P. go to www.sepuk.org This year the dates for S.E.P. were 31 July-13 August 2011. The camp is open to anyone regardless of faith or denomination. There were around 110 campers and 160 staff this year. It is a tented camp with the only permanent building a Barn which houses the kitchen, wash-up area, laundry and office during camp but the rest of the year stores everything except the marquees and portaloos, which we hire. The main marquee is a large freespan tent that is used for meals, worship, various activities such as trampolining, and any all-camp gatherings such as singalongs. There were 8 large Dorm tents, four for the girls and four for the boys, each holding between 12-16 campers and two Dorm Leaders in bunk-beds. There were two large Dorm tents for single staff, one for male and one for female staff. Other staff mostly bring their own tents or caravans, although SEP does provide some tents and caravans to those who need them. This year there were tents to house Canoeing equipment, Cycling equipment, Hill- Walking equipment, Leatherwork, Mini-Camp, Creche, Jewellry-Making, Sailing equipment, a Storage tent, a Prayer/Christian-Living tent and a Staff Tent which provides a lounge and refreshment area for staff to enjoy some leisure between activities and in the evening.
Activities are scheduled for each dorm and included Archery, Riflery, Sailing, Canoeing, Leatherwork, Football, Netball, Volleyball, Fitness, Hill-Walking, Cycling, Worship Preparation (each dorm took a turn at leading one of the daily Morning Worship Services), and Christian Living. The Mini-Camp and Creche are provided for children of Staff and the children are also scheduled to participate in the activities that they are capable of. Besides the scheduled daily activities there are evening all-camp activities that include Singalongs, Quiz Night, Cheesy Disco, Ceilidh, A Communion and Worship Service for those who wish to participate, and on the last Friday Night there is a Final Banquet. This year the theme was Bollywood and the evening includes a special buffet served in elegant bowls and platters, the marquee is decorated and tables set with real glasses, napkins and decorations. There is entertainment followed by dancing and the evening finishes with awards. Loch Lomond is a beautiful, inspirational setting that enhances worship as you look at the awesome creation surrounding you. Sometimes there are adversities to face such as the midges, the rain and the mud, but how would we model Christianity to our young people in the face of adversity if everything was always perfect? Like the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. And in verse 17, For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
The S.E.P. experience is of Christian Community, a place of belonging, togetherness and fellowship; a place where the love of Christ is shared and internalized so that campers and those who serve (staff are all unpaid volunteers) return home inspired and wanting to share this love and community with others. Enthusiastic Campers and Staff return year after year. Why not consider coming to S.E.P. to see for yourself? Look out for next years dates and applications on the website in due course. For more photographs go to www.sepuk.org and click on the f facebook symbol. You do not need to join facebook to view this site. Following is a selection of photos as a taster.