Since becoming an Adventist three years ago, I haven’t had the opportunity to go to camp meeting, but I think it is something good, and it is needed by everyone. If I could get the time off, I would go, because a week of spiritual renewal and revival would be great.

Scott Beckett

Sparks church

I’ve been to camp meeting (Redwood and Lake Tahoe) 12 years in a row, and my kids and I look forward to it every year. We’ve made lots of friends that we would not have met otherwise. Camp meeting is a good bonding time, and it is also a time for spiritual renewal. I think people should be encouraged to come to camp meeting even if it’s just for the weekend. The weekend may prompt them to make plans for the whole week next year. Also, camp meeting dates can be staggered so dates don’t conflict.

Cherie Bryan

Reno church

Camp meeting needs to continue. A lot of youth, especially from our church, look forward to it. It is the excitement of their summer. It’s a time to be with old friends and to make new ones. For the youth tent, past speakers have been good, but there needs to be more powerful, more motivating and well-known speakers who will take their message and make it tangible for the youth.

Krista Edling

Carson City church

I was at my first camp meeting last year. It was a positive experience for me, and I would like to do it again. Camp meeting makes it possible for us to get together with other Adventists. There should be programs for young adults. We need to bridge the gap; there are programs for the youth and then programs for the “older” folks but nothing for the young adults. It would help to have something geared toward our interests.

Ed Johnson

Sparks church

Even though attendance is declining, the people who do attend receive a blessing and benefit from it. I think more ministry programs need to be offered during camp meeting. For example, instead of having a conference-sponsored youth camp, a conference sponsored Pathfinder camporee, etc., at different times and locations, they should have them all together during camp meeting. This way youth and parents can come together, but the youth will have their own programs and camping spots without parents worrying, and the whole conference family will be there to support them.

Ivette Orozco

Reno/Sparks Spanish church

For my family and me, camp meeting is a time for a great spiritual blessing. Camp meeting needs to be promoted more at the local churches. If we can figure out how to get the youth to go to camp meeting, their parents will follow.

Randy Simpson

Reno church

I attend conference-sponsored camp meetings and Tongan camp meeting. Camp meeting is important to have. At Tongan camp meeting, my family and I get the opportunity to fellowship with other Tongan Adventist believers that we do not get here at home. At conference camp meeting, we get to meet other Adventist we wouldn't meet anywhere else. Camp meeting is also a time when we get to listen to speakers that would not be able to come to our local churches.

Emeline Potauaine

Sparks Tongan Group

Even though the numbers are low, they should continue to have camp meeting. I believe the social interaction with other Adventists helps us all to feel connected. I think camp meeting planners should have presenters give more practical, Christ-centered messages, not just theological messages. There should also be more programs that help us socialize and get to know each other on a more personal basis so that we continue to feel connected, no matter which part of the conference we are from.

Kevin James

Ogden church