Heidelberg West Youth Camp was held July 14th through 18th at Camp Chinquapin in Pinecrest, California. Aside from a few old hands, everything about this year’s camp was new. This was a new location for our camp. There were five new pastors at camp, including three from new churches in the Western Classis. Many of our campers were not only new to camp but new to the RCUS. HWYC also broke in a new director (me) and a new head cook (LaShawna Hekman).
The facility is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains at around 6,000 feet elevation. It is heavily forested with huge pine trees and ancient cedars and sequoias. It is very private but not very far off the main road. It is a short hike to Pinecrest Lake, a beautiful, crystal-clear Sierra lake carved into the granite and fed by snowmelt. The headwaters of the Tuolumne River babble through the camp as a small creek. The cabins are very modern, many of which have their own bathroom. The common bathrooms are also very well-appointed. The large dining hall also serves as a worship area. There is a large commercial kitchen as well as hot tables and a refrigerated salad bar for serving.
We continued with some old traditions and started some new ones. Campers, pastors, and staff began arriving Monday afternoon. Many unfamiliar faces in an unfamiliar environment. It is always great to see the kids get their cabin assignments, unload their stuff, and start to make new friends. Many of these camp locations are not close to anywhere in particular, so it’s kind of a long drive for everybody. It is especially long for our intrepid campers from Los Angeles and San Diego. We can sympathize, as the old camp location was seven hours from Chico.
Every active pastor in the Western Classis attended camp. We are mostly geographically isolated as congregations. Camp is the only time of the year when we get to spend quality time together. I met almost everybody I know in the Western Classis at camp over the years. It is a great blessing to serve at camp. We are a stronger church when we know one another, and camp is the place to meet.
Teaching at camp consists of table devotions at mealtimes, morning cabin devotions, and morning lessons for junior and senior campers. This year’s theme was “The Fruit of the Spirit.” There is a hymn sing every night, except Wednesday, when we have our chapel service. Rev. Zartman preached and Rev. Baloy conducted the service and led
the singing.
The activities at camp included archery, hiking, swimming, foosball, ping pong, gagaball (with dedicated court), volleyball, disc golf, and a basketball hoop. There also may have been some unauthorized rock climbing. We had organized field games and plenty of free time. The Heidelberg Cup Field Medley Relay was held on Wednesday. The campers were divided into two teams and elections for captains were held with much controversy. The captains are responsible for leading their teams through the various events in relay form. The team captain must then race on foot to hoist the Heidelberg Cup first. The winning- team captain then “anoints” the losing-team captain with a special blend of ingredients hand selected by the cooks. Hands are shaken and the trophy is then presented. The Heidelberg Cup Champion of the year was Pieter Schlegel who, in a show of magnanimous sportsmanship, also anointed himself (see picture).
Our new brothers and sisters from Millbrae and Los Angeles had to leave after lunch on Thursday. There was an emotional farewell and prayer was offered.
It is rare in our busy lives to have the better part of a week spent hearing solid teaching from God’s word, enjoying sweet fellowship in God’s beautiful creation, and eating delicious food. We had just enough staff to hold camp this year. We expect camp to grow next year, but we can’t have camp without enough counselors. Please consider volunteering. It is a blessing and a privilege to serve at camp. Mark your calendars for July 13-17, 2026. The camp committee wishes to thank all the staff. I could fill a few pages with individual thanks and stories, but you know who you were, and you know what you did, to make this a great HWYC. I hope to see all of you next year.
Please come and join us next year beneath towering trees and beside a crystal-clear lake. We roast marshmallows and laugh by the campfire, where the nights are cool and the stars spread like clouds. Did I mention the delicious food?
Elder Chris Hekman
Director, HWYC
Chico, CA