Summers at Camp Akita just gets better each year as the newest camp in the Lake Union is developed. Each year something new is added to our program, like the "blob" (an inflatable air pillow used for water recreation) and the basketball court added last year.

Our theme this summer is "Choose to Stand" with counsel taken from Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (NIV).

Young people will enjoy many exciting activities at Camp Akita—horses, swimming lessons, climbing tower, creative arts, videography, horsemanship, water-skiing, and the wakeboard—and meet new friends and visit with friends from camps gone by. Campers will see great plays performed at campfire, learn new songs, and laugh along with enthusiastic Camp Akita News Anchors. Campers enjoy Sabbath at camp with the Bible Quest play.

Coming to Camp Akita will bring about new challenges, exciting adventures, and lasting friendships. Above all else, campers will become closer to their very Best Friend, Jesus.

One day there was a young lady named Suzi at the campfire talking to a counselor, Carol. "You know what," Suzi said, "I really want to come live here."

Puzzled by this remark, Carol decided to find out what brought this comment about. She asked young Suzi, "Now, just why would you want to live here?" Thinking the young girl had a nice home and everything she could want, Carol didn't expect the answer she heard.

"Because, because I see Jesus most when I'm here in this place."

I see Jesus most! That is what Camp Akita is all about, an opportunity for kids of all kinds to see Jesus most—to see Jesus through our staff, in their cabins, in the lessons they learn in classes, and through campfire programs—in everything we do. Come, see Jesus most!

A week at summer camp builds confidence young people need to make it in the complicated world in which they live. One small Adventure camper was quite frightened by the big horses. She watched all week as friends experienced the thrill of their lives on the animals. On the way out of the camp, she got her mother's attention. "I must come to Camp Akita next year. I'm going to sign up for horses." Upon looking through those who have already registered for this summer, camp staff saw the girl's name. And, she's signed up for horses as well as many other first-time activities.

In addition to our general camps, campers who sign up for Wilderness Adventure will take a trip to Minnesota. Also included in the schedule is a full week of camp meeting (a family-style program with activities in the afternoon) as well as a camp for those who speak Spanish.

Write today for a cool brochure: Camp Akita, Youth Department, Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 619 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, IL 60527. For more information, call 630-856-2857, email info@campakita.com, or go online to register at www.campakita.com/.

Jeff Deming is the Illinois Conference youth director.

Camp Akita Dates

Camp Meeting: June 10–16 (All Ages)

Adventure Camp: June 24–30 (Ages 7–9)

Junior Camp I: July 1–7 (Ages 10–12)

Junior Camp II: July 8–14 (Ages 10–12)

Teen Camp: July 15–21 (Ages 13–15)

Wilderness Adventure:* July 19–31 (Ages 14+)

Teen Extreme Camp: July 22–28 (Ages 13–17)

Hispanic Junior Camp: July 23–29 (Ages 9–13)

*Off-site trip to Minnesota