Where Music and Gospel Arts Meets Ministry: A Look Back at 2025 Camp Season

This summer, the Southwest Division was alive with music, movement, and ministry as we journeyed through two unforgettable music camps: Music and Gospel Arts Camp at Camp Ponderosa and the Western Music Institute (WMI)at the University of Redlands.

🎵 Music and Gospel Arts Camp – July 5–12, 2025

Held at the beautiful Camp Ponderosa Ranch, this year’s Music and Gospel Arts Camp brought together 105 delegates (ages 8–17) from across the Southwest Division for a powerful week of creative learning and spiritual growth. With 12 dedicated music staff members, along with a strong support team from the Summer Camp staff, the week was packed with excitement and purpose.

Delegates participated in a variety of Main Study classes including:

• Brass Banding

• Keyboard/Piano

• Guitar

• Contemporary Dance

• Drama

• Drumline

Campers also sang in one of three Choirs — Junior, Intermediate, or Senior — developing their vocal and musical skills under expert guidance.

In the afternoons, electives gave campers a chance to explore other creative expressions:

• Recorder Choir

• Cartoon Animation

• Hip-Hop Dance

• Visual Arts

• Photography

• Choir Chimes

• Worship Keyboard

• Puppetry

• Ukulele

🎶 New This Year: The Music Playground We introduced a brand-new theory rotation called The Music Playground — a hands-on, game-based program where students rotated through five fun and interactive stations to explore different elements of music. It was a hit with campers and helped reinforce musical concepts in a memorable and exciting way!

Each day closed with evening programs full of joy and energy, but at the heart of it all were our chapel services — sacred moments where we paused to worship, reflect, and grow together in faith.

🎤 Western Music Institute – July 25–August 2, 2025

Later in the summer, a delegation of 20 (18 delegates and 2 instructors) from the Southwest Division traveled to the University of Redlands in California for WMI — a week of high-level musical training and spiritual development alongside students from other divisions.

Our delegates represented a wide range of corps:

• Phoenix Citadel

• Mesa Citadel

• Albuquerque Citadel

• Santa Fe Corps

• Phoenix Maryvale Corps

• Henderson United Corps

• Tucson Amphi Corps

Delegates specialized in a variety of Main Study tracks including:

• Brass Band

• Drama

• Dance

• Praise and Worship

Electives offered something for everyone — from Gospel Choir and Steel Drums to Big Band, Electronic Music, and Musical Theater.

🌅 Each day began with morning chapel and small group Bible study, where the theme "Practicing the Way" encouraged us to:

• Be with Jesus

• Become like Him

• Do as He did

The week was a powerful reminder that our creative gifts are meant to glorify God, build community, and serve others.

💡 Final Reflections

This summer, we saw young artists and musicians take bold steps in their faith and skills. Whether it was learning a new instrument, creating art, dancing with passion, or leading worship — every moment pointed back to Christ.

🙏 My prayer is that each delegate continues to Represent Jesus wherever they go, shining their light and Practicing the Way in their daily lives.

Until next summer… keep learning, keep worshiping, and keep shining.