When a young person experiences God’s love and hope on camp, it’s always an incredible thing.

But when they turn their experience into a wellspring of life for the next generation – that’s truly remarkable.

SMASH is an SU QLD cluster camp for high school students in Brisbane’s North West. From dance parties and live music, to tubing and giant water slides, the week has heaps of fun activities for campers to enjoy.

Sam Green has directed SMASH Camp for the past eight years, and in that time more than a thousand campers have enjoyed a fun-filled week of community, conversation and spiritual input.

But Sam’s story with SMASH goes back to his first camp when he was just 15 years old, where he first heard of and experienced God’s love.

“I heard about SMASH Camp in Grade 10,” Sam recalls.

“My friends had gone the year before and had come back raving about how much they loved it. The next year I came along.

“I just remember feeling – as soon as I got there – the energy and atmosphere and environment. It was super caring and loving, and it was pretty easy to settle into that straight away.”

Sam had been on school camps before, but SMASH was very different.

“Having so many leaders giving up their time to care for me – that was so different in itself,” Sam says.

“I’d also never experienced a Christian camp before. But there’s no doubting my spiritual experience on SMASH was a positive one, which had a significant impact on my life. I became a Christian when I was in Grade 12, between camps.”

SMASH not only impacted Sam’s faith journey but also his personal life, so when the opportunity came for him to become a leader on camp, he was keen.

Fast forward a couple of years and Sam was heading up the directing team.

“In 2018 we focused on how Jesus is the light of the world, and how regardless of where the kids are at in their lives outside of camp, there is always hope.

“As leaders, we have found our hope in Jesus, and being able to share His life-transforming message was incredible.”

After eight years of directing SMASH Camp, Sam will now pass the reins to the next generation of leadership.

“I know SMASH is in good hands and I’m excited to see where the new directors take it,” Sam says.

“They know that SMASH is SMASH because of the God we serve. So it’s exciting to see how they bring their gifts and talents into that space to glorify God.” If you’re interested in leading or attending an SU QLD cluster camp in your area, contact SU QLD Camps on (07) 3112 6583 or email the team at info@sucamps.org.au

Thanks to your support for SU QLD’s Sports Ministry and an invitation from two local schools, sport has helped bridge the gap between students from two island communities. 

An 18-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Russell and Macleay islands feel surprisingly isolated from the South East Queensland mainland.

Due to expensive transport costs and a lack of services to the islands, the two school communities haven’t had regular opportunities to engage with people from the mainland, or take part in inter-school sports.

Macleay Island school principal Glenda Seawright says it’s vital for both schools’ Year 6 students to socialise outside their immediate community as they prepare to make the daily boat trip to the mainland’s high school when they start Year 7.

“The coming together of the two school communities is cost effective because the children can move for free around the islands, and it gives them a broader social group,” Glenda says.

“The more they can socialise outside of Macleay Island, the better prepared they’ll be for the transition to a bigger learning environment at high school.”

Glenda has received so much positive feedback from students and teachers alike, they’ve already locked in more SU Sports Days for the year.

The SU QLD team ran multiple sports across the two days, including soccer, basketball, netball, and other teamwork-based activities.

SU QLD’s Sports Ministry Coordinator, Jeff Howard, says the visit was about more than just kicking goals.

“Sport brings people together – and in this case it’s bringing young people from Macleay and Russell islands into closer community,” Jeff says.

“We were told at the start of the first day that some of the students had behavioural issues and might have trouble focusing, but once the sport started, every student was  hooked.

“Sport’s ability to communicate fun, acceptance, and mateship is truly incredible.”

For 11-year-old Josh Mohr, who was awarded with a rugby ball for his sportsmanship throughout the day, the reason he loves sport is simple.

“I just love running around. It was heaps of fun and I’d like to thank Jeff for coming over and running the day for us,” Josh says. You can help support Jeff and the Sports Ministry team by emailing jeffh@suqld.org.au or phone 0449 928 405.

Some boys grow up believing a lie; that to be a man you have to show you’re tough – not to be messed with.

They believe their reputation for this type of ‘toughness’ is the only way. Ultimately, it’s a way of thinking that can lead them on a path of self-destruction.

Thankfully there is another way…

(more…)

St George State High School chaplain Simon Teunis had worked as a youth worker for years and thought there wasn’t anything left for him to learn in the field.

His extensive experience included running youth drop-in centres, working in homeless youth shelters, and serving in a variety of youth support coordinator roles.

Simon’s wealth of experience had seen him work with young people from all corners of society.

(more…)

When Natalia was 11-years old, she faced a situation no child should.

Her mum, Kim, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Along with her nine siblings, Natalia was left to journey through her teenage years without a mum… but thankfully there was someone she could count on. (more…)

Moranbah school chaplain Desley Kerr knows all too well the impact that domestic violence is having on children.

“A single-parent family had been hiding here for years — the child never having been to a park or shop or played with friends because of threats to their lives,” she shared.

“I know of people who have spent the night hiding outside in bushes because they didn’t feel safe to go into their own home.  Our children should never be too scared to be home!”

(more…)

Two north Brisbane chaplains are grabbing the microphone and taking the RU OK? message to Year 6 students at Undurba State School on National RU OK? Day today.

R U OK? is a national movement where everyone is encouraged to meaningfully connect with others by asking if they are okay in a bid to support those struggling with life.

(more…)

By Steve Biddulph AM

Once upon a time people thought men were tough and thick-skinned, while women were tender and sensitive. But research into the development of boys shows that it’s males who are the vulnerable sex.

When a boy baby is still in the womb, his body starts making its own testosterone.  This helps him grow his male features, but it also has a remarkable effect on brain growth: it slows it down!

(more…)

The A2B program is held on the land of the Darumbal, Wadja Wadja and Gungulu people.

Indigenous students at Woorabinda State School in Central Queensland have been negotiating a “Bro Code” as part of SU QLD’s A2B program, supported by TEAR Australia.

The 16-week A2B program for at-risk youth aims to break negative habits and behavioural cycles by helping young people critically evaluate their experiences in school and in the community.

(more…)

Many young people don’t have a ‘safe place’ where they can let their guard down and feel accepted without judgment.

Remedying this issue is at the heart of SU QLD’s camping ministry, which provides a range of fun, safe camps where young people can experience joy and love within a community.

It’s this love that Claire* saw transform her grandson after six days on SU QLD’s Summer UberTweak camp last year.

(more…)