What is GENTS?

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GENTS Camp is a school holiday program for boys, with a range of camps for both primary and secondary students. It’s a place where boys can be boys in the great outdoors, in a fun, safe and fully supervised way. It’s a place where boys are challenged about what it means to be a real man using values such as integrity, honesty and respect. 

It’s a place where boys are challenged in matters of faith, to stand up for what is right, to make good life choices and to make a difference in the world. It’s a place where boys are surrounded by the influence of positive male role models.  It’s a place where boys become men!

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GENTS campers since 2003

The History of GENTS

The first GENTS Camp was held in the September school holidays in 2003 as a place for teenage boys to engage in positive activities during their school break.  It ran that year at Luther Heights Youth Camp, Coolum
Beach, with 18 campers, and 9 leaders.  Over the next three years, GENTS Camp grew significantly until one camp could no longer accommodate the number of boys wishing to attend.

In 2007, a second GENTS Camp commenced in the Easter school holidays, at Teen Missions Campsite at Tewantin. From 2007 – 2009, GENTS Camp had over 600 campers and regularly booked out. In 2010, a third and fourth GENTS Camp commenced, both running concurrently at Easter time. GENTS Camp split into an Alpha and Bravo Camps as well as a Primary (grades 5-7) Camp, due to popular demand. In January 2012, Father/Son GENTS Camp commenced. In January 2014, GENTS Camp commenced in South Australia and in far North QLD and in 2016 in Western Australia.

In 2016, GENTS Camp commence in Zambia and Uganda, and in 2017, Finland ran its first GENTS Camp. The amazing GENTS Camp phenomenon continues to this day, and we are excited about the next chapter in our journey!

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The Mission of GENTS Camp is to develop in boys, real manhood and authentic Christian faith.

Real Manhood:

  • Challenged and tested, but never give in
  • Takes risks, is prepared to fail and admits when he’s wrong
  • Take responsibility for their actions
  • Treat all people with respect and dignity
  • Value wisdom, integrity and authenticity – they keep it real
  • Stand for what is right, not necessarily what is popular
  • Is prepared to lay down their life
  • Stands up for those who can’t stand up for themselves
  • Are committed to protect, serve and honour their family

Authentic Christian Faith:

  • Is a life lived for God and others, not self-centred or self-serving
  • Recognises that “I am not perfect and I need help”
  • Trusts that help comes in the form of Jesus Christ who paid the
    price for the sins of the world through his death and resurrection
  • Grows and changes, becoming more like the nature of Christ over time
  • Relies completely on God’s strength and provision
  • Is accompanied by actions that help to make the world a better place
  • Endures