The Shalom Youth Camp or Acamp’s (as our young people like to call it) is a leisure and entertainment option during the holidays of the students. The event brings together young people from 13 to 28 years old for six days of adventure, extreme sports, concerts, lectures and eucharistic celebrations offering an experience of joy and lasting fun. It is carried out since 1990 by the Youth Project for Jesus in several cities in Brazil and other countries where there are Shalom’s missions. In Fortaleza, where it happened the first Acamp ‘s, about a thousand young people participated in the event in each edition.
TESTIMONY YOUTH – ACAMP’S CHILE
“Hi, my name is Jesus Guerrero, I’m 15 years old and I am from Santiago (Chile). I study at the Salesianos Alameda and I participate in various pastoral activities. I am a sportsman, so my weeks are very busy, usually between playing basketball and other activities. Before attending the Acamps, I used to feel empty, alone and I was not happy or satisfied with my lifestyle, as if something was missing. At first, I was not eager to go to Acamps and neither I was motivated to participate in camp activities, but seeing the joy, the people who served at the event, singing and dancing, I then became keen to participate. The atmosphere there was different, it was cozy, a different feel.
At first I was too lazy to go to Mass, but over time I ended up liking it. It was different from the Masses that I used to attend, I felt something different, not the environment, but in me. I was more full, and when I received the gift of the Spirit I felt so good, so full that I did not want it to end. But the highlight to me was what the Holy Spirit spoke “What is lacking to make you happy is Me, do not look where you will not find”. It was very strong as they said things that only I knew and they could not have known any of this, I was shocked, it was a very beautiful and strong experience. During the activities, every day I had more energy, even on the last day I did not want to get out of there. The only thing I was missing was my bed, really, I think this experience changed me. When we said to each other at the end: Happy new life! I felt renewed.”