By Garry Sanossian
Standing at the edge of The Tops Conference Centre’s abseil tower, one young SYNC camper was struggling to overcome his fear of heights.
Despite making it to the top, he could not bring himself to go over the ledge. Long-time SYNC leader Adam Stewart, who helped develop the camp during his years working at The Tops, could see how disappointed he was.
Rather than focusing on what he had not accomplished, Adam encouraged him to recognise how far he had already come.
“He stood up in a high place, which is uncommon for him,” Adam said, recognising that reaching the top was already an achievement.
Twenty minutes later, the camper returned with a question: could he have another go?
This time, Adam climbed alongside him, offering encouragement until he was able to complete the abseil himself.
Adam hoped the experience would help the camper recognise that he was capable of more than he initially believed.
It was just another day at SYNC Camp, where more than 100 children were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones as part of this year’s theme, ‘Out of this World’.
Held at The Tops Conference Centre in Stanwell Tops from 28 September to 2 October, the five-day camp gave children in Years 3 to 7 opportunities to grow in faith, build friendships and embrace new adventures.
Joy moments from SYNC.
For Camp Director Jess Love, SYNC offers something particularly significant for children who come from smaller churches and youth ministries.
“SYNC is a mountain top moment for most of our campers; particularly the ones returning every year,” Jess said.
“A lot of our campers come from smaller kids ministries or youth groups. Coming together with over 100 other young people just like them who are on fire for Jesus together is an experience they never forget.”
After more than 25 years involved in churches of Christ camping, Adam has seen how experiences at SYNC can shape children beyond their few days at camp.
He described camp as a “temporary community”, where stepping away from everyday routines creates space for relationships, faith and confidence to grow.
“When they come here, it’s just different,” he said. “Everything is heightened.”
Adam believes the impact is strengthened when local church leaders share the experience and continue those relationships at home.
“When you go home, it won’t be just about the giant swing,” he said. “It’ll be about, ‘I saw the change in you, I heard the change in you,’ and we can just build on that as we go.”
At Forster Tuncurry Church of Christ, that connection begins before camp even starts.
The church is passionate about nurturing connections between campers, families and the church community months before camp begins. Each year, the church holds a community fundraiser to fill a bus and cover the cost for kids to attend SYNC. This year, they raised $3,500, with another $1,500 donated by a local independent volunteer-run op-shop.
“We wouldn’t have been able to bring them all down unless the church supported them,” Generations Coordinator Priscilla Ravesteyn said.
With a relatively small group of children and young people at the church, Priscilla values the opportunity for them to experience worship and community alongside others their age. The relationships they share with church leaders also provide ongoing support throughout the year.
“When we see that they’re struggling, that fire, we can just rekindle it and fan it into flames,” she said.
Priscilla also shared about the affirming experience for young campers who are searching for a sense of belonging. She recalled one camper who, when taking the microphone to share a funny story, paused first to say, “I just want to say that so far, I want to thank you all, because this is a place I feel I can actually be myself.”
That sense of belonging was something Jess noticed across the camp this year, with friendships and shared faith creating a strong sense of unity among the children.
“There was a real sense of friendship and unity under the spirit of Jesus among our campers. It was truly coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ,” Jess said.
While the leadership team experiences that sense of connection each year, Jess said it was particularly evident among campers in 2026. Her hope is that they carry home the knowledge that they belong to a much wider community of faith.
Campers and churches aren’t the only ones who find community and growth through the whirlwind of games, teaching, personal support and out-of-your-comfort-zone experiences at camp.
Alaisha from Broken Hill Church of Christ joined SYNC as a cabin leader for the first time this year. Although initially overwhelmed, she found encouragement from the wider leadership team.
“Everyone just kept talking to me, checking in on me,” she said. “We’ve been praying for each other, which is nice. It’s very encouraging.”
As the week unfolded, Alaisha began having what she called “proud cabin leader moments”, watching her girls remember Bible verses and take on challenges during heights activities.
By day three, her first-day nerves had eased, and she was already looking ahead.
“Yeah, I can do this,” she said. “I’ll do it again.”
Whether it was a camper finding the courage to try again, a regional church coming together to support its young people, or a new leader growing in confidence, SYNC continues to be a vibrant expression of the heart and mission of our network to see the next generation empowered to follow Jesus.
And for Jess, the lasting impact of SYNC is the reminder that campers are part of something much bigger than their own church or community.
“Camp helps young people identify the great big faith family and body of Christ that they will always, always be connected to in Jesus.”
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