The background of the camp: The Bonus Pastor Foundation had been organizing summer camps for many years now, mainly for children and youngsters who come from families where addiction is a problem. Often the target youth also invite their friends, relatives and classmates to the camp, so that in this way the range of the participants is considerably expanded.

The aim of the camp: To draw attention to the harmful effects of addiction through open discussion, by showing educational materials, giving personal examples and by encouraging them to avoid using substances. Also, at the same time to create the potential for a trusting atmosphere, when the youth can talk about personal and family problems. To develop a willingness to enter into social relationships by giving love and by presenting life models. To create a stress-free, relaxed atmosphere with a lot of singing and playing. To bring the children closer to the Gospel by sharing personal experiences.



Participants in the camp: 32 youngsters aged 13-15, 13 of them coming from families with addiction problems, 3 half orphan youth, 3 from divorced families.


Camp staff: 16 camp staff members, 15 of them volunteers of whom one was a teacher of the handicapped, one was a social worker and one was an educator.

The theme of the camp: The title of the overall program was "Jesus is extraordinary”. We tried to make God known through the character of Jesus by presenting the better-known holidays and parables. The prevention games with Bible themes were connected to these messages and were presented to the youngsters during the small group discussions.



Morning teaching: During the first part of the morning we had a whole group program. After singing and playing one of the staff members or a guest talked about Jesus’ life and His character, as well as giving personal examples. Our invited guests were András Marton from the Caritas organization and his wife Judith and two pastors: Tibor Szász and Radu Moldovan. The presence of the five Dutch volunteers was a dash of color in the life of the camp, who taught us about their culture, life experience and mainly about the way of being good volunteers.

Creative activities, handcrafts: There was a possibility to do bead-work in small groups, weaving a key-holder, making greeting cards, sewing fleece fabrics, or carving a wooden cross.





Small group activity: During the day we played skill development games related to the daily topic in small groups and had more thorough discussions about the subjects. There were four small groups divided according to age groups, with 8-10 youth and 2-3 camp staff members in each group.

Sports: The weather was favorable all week for open air sport activities, so we succeeded in following our planned schedule: we organized outdoor contests, treasure hunting, as well as two trips to nearby destinations – one of which was during the night in the dark.

Evening program: Dinner was followed by the evening program when the small groups presented their skits or plays. During the day the groups had to prepare a summary of the day in different ways: by writing a song, a poem, a play or making a collage. These were presented during the camp fire. We couldn’t miss the camp diary, singing, and asking the staff members about some specific subjects. The film "Evan Almighty” was chosen to be watched at this camp as it had a teaching aspect and was followed by discussion.

Supporters of the program: Stichting Hulp Oost-Europa, Foundation dr. Attila Verestóy, Dutch Reformed Church of Kamerik, Ms Edit Bányász - London