TREASURE BEACH, ST. ELIZABETH
Strong youth participation took center stage as 242 campers filled the grounds of Camp Braham for WESCONYOUCA 2026, signaling a vibrant, highenergy return for the annual youth gathering after a two-year hiatus from the camp grounds. Held under the theme “Rooted in Christ: Mobilized for Mission,” the camp mobilized two distinct groups across its two-week duration: 122 juniors gathered from July 21 to 28, followed immediately by 120 senior youth from July 28 to August 4.
The overwhelming turnout filled the newly restored facilities to capacity, driving dynamic participation across daily programming, community outreach initiatives, and spiritual services.
Youth Participation Drives Camp Success
“From the lips of the campers, it was one of the best camping experiences—the camp spirit was high, the chemistry was there, and we just give God praise and thanks for a successful return,” said Pastor Allan Green, Youth Ministries Director for the West Jamaica Conference.
To accommodate the influx of participants, camp leadership shifted toward a collaborative, youthcentered atmosphere that prioritized affirmation over strict enforcement.
“At camp, we generally look for those who are giving trouble or being mischievous, but as camp officers, we spoke to the campers with respect and affirmed them,” Pastor Green explained. “I believe that resonated well with the youth, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.”
That supportive culture culminated during the senior camp’s divine service, where a young male camper made the decision to be baptized. Demonstrating strong solidarity, fellow male campers surrounded him at the altar before walking alongside him down to the sea for his baptism.
The presence of the 242 young people extended into the surrounding Lewis Town and Treasure Beach communities through structured outreach projects.
“It’s been a long time since we felt this kind of impact,” noted one local resident.
Restoring the Space for the Turnout
Hosting hundreds of attendees required an extensive physical recovery process. Prior to the event, Camp Braham suffered from severe disrepair, marked by overgrown thorny brush, wasp infestations, and dilapidated structures.
Under a recovery plan proposed by Area Coordinator Bryan Palmer (“Tall P”), groundsmen and youth volunteers from various parish federations conducted bi-weekly work sessions over four months. Together, they cleared the grounds and restored three main cabins. A fourth cabin was completely renovated—including fresh paint and upgraded infrastructure by the international missionary group Building for Eternity.
“Looking back, Camp Braham was not the ideal space for a youth camp, but we had a vision and determination,” Pastor Green added.
Supported by a veteran camper Deputy Director Murdelyn Donaldson and a unified staff, the leadership team successfully managed the large crowd throughout both sessions.
With attendance exceeding expectations, the Youth Department is preparing to expand cabin capacity and tent grounds ahead of the upcoming Youth Rally on December 13, 2026 to accommodate further growth.