CYB: The Place to Be
MOUNTAIN PINE, ARK. – We praise God for all the great things our camp staff and campers experienced this year during summer camp at Camp Yorktown Bay (CYB). Over the years, one of our favorite chants has become, “CYB is the place to be.” If you were to ask why it’s the place to be, you would probably get several answers, but from my perspective, I would have to say it’s the laughter and smiles on each face and also because this is where the Holy Spirit shows up each summer.
Our summer camp kicked things off with staff week. During this time, our staff cleaned the entire campus and prepared the activity areas. But more importantly, the week was used to build relationships among the staff and to help set the spiritual tone before the campers arrived. CYB’s main objective is to be the place where the youth can have an encounter with Jesus, and as a result, experience a transformed life. Many young people and staff give their lives to Jesus at camp every year when they encounter Him while making wonderful memories.
During staff week, the camp team was also instructed on the importance of having a safe environment. They were taught valuable safety skills, such as how to administer CPR, how to harness someone for rock climbing, how to pull an individual behind the ski boat and how to keep a careful count of each camper. It was a week that we learned to mesh our skills and understand how to use the talents that God has given to each individual in a way that would honor Him.
This summer, we had 443 campers ages 7 to 17, who enjoyed activities ranging from water skiing and wakeboarding to sports and horseback riding. I would like to thank all our staff for making the 2024 summer a special one. Also, a special thanks to Eric and Linda Bray; Ana Tejada-Lambeth; Devin Anavitarte; Gina Webb; Julianna Mercado and my wife, Darlynn Villegas. Summer camp would not have been possible if it would not have been for these special individuals. See you at CYB next summer!
