If you asked us, “What is your favorite place in the whole world?” we would both tell you without hesitation, “Dixon’s Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church Camp!” Some might describe Dixon’s Creek as a campsite stuck in the middle of the bush (a.k.a. forest), surrounded by strange-looking animals, with little phone reception and no internet access, made up of a cold hall with a dirty concrete floor, cramped eating spaces, two big mud-brick dorms that you freeze in at night, a big brick restroom (complete with spiders in the cold showers!), and a half-finished house. Why would you want to hang out for a whole weekend in this kind of place?

But through our eyes, Dixon’s Creek is a beautiful campsite surrounded by exotic birds and other creatures in the heart of the Toolangi State Forest, with many different trails for hiking (or bush-bashing 1 as we do it at Youth Camp) and exploring. There is a great fellowship hall with a roaring fire to warm yourself by in winter. The dorms are clean and dry, and the half-finished house is, God willing, due to be finished at the end of this year. The showers are usually nice and hot, and the food at camp is always fantastic, even if you are all squashed into the communal hall like 23 clowns fitting into a Volkswagen Beetle. It’s quite a sight!

We have been reminded recently, though, not to take this great campsite for granted. In God’s providence, when the Victorian bush fires hit three years ago, Dixon’s Creek was spared. January 29, 2009, is also known as Black Saturday, not because of crazy sales, but because of the 1 million acres that were turned black and the 173 people killed in a horrible day of bush fires. Others might call it a lucky break (pun intended) that some local firefighters were having a rest break at our campsite when the wind changed direction back towards the camp. Because they were there, they were able to stop the fire from destroying the site.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia holds five camps each year at Dixon’s Creek, including Fellowship Camp (all ages), Young Adults Camp (21-40 years old), Youth Camp (12-21 years old), Junior Camp (8-12 years old), and Working Bee Camp (all ages). Our favorite is definitely Youth Camp. It is held in June (the heart of winter here in Melbourne) and is magnificent. What makes Dixon’s Creek Youth Camp so special? We have each made our own list.

Tamara: My favorite things about Youth Camp are the old friends I catch up with and the new friends I meet, the great games played (especially when Josh McEwen or Jono Blakston organize them!), and listening to the rain fall at night and being snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug in my sleeping bag. I am always encouraged and challenged by fantastic studies. I love the impromptu games of Ultimate Frisbee or Knockout. I love the D&Ms 2 I have while washing dishes. I love meal times, sitting with other young people talking about life, and the hearty home-cooked meals. Above all, though, I love having leaders passionate about seeing us campers grow closer to the Lord every year and seeing others (some for the first time) draw near to our great God!

Benjamin: I love waking up to the sound of the kookaburra’s laugh, the hot air balloons flying over, and the sun rising over the trees. An early morning bush walk with brekkie 3 waiting at the top of Harbour’s Hill is a great way to start the day. Then come the talks. Last year Jono Blakston spoke on 1 Timothy 4:12 and how we shouldn’t let people look down on us (and we should not look down on those younger) because we are Christian young people.

Instead we are to “be examples to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” This challenged me to step beyond the low expectations of the culture to just “be teenagers” and be an example and an encouragement to others, even those older than I. In addition to the excellent talks, there are always some great games to be played. Josh McEwen’s famous “McEwen Ball” gets better every year as he adds to it. Ultimate Frisbee is also a highlight of the camp for me. Then on the last night we gather around the campfire (or “Bondfire”) to roast marshmallows and sing psalms—such a great way to end the camp!

Because we own the campsite, take turns cleaning and cooking, and don’t need a high budget for camps, it is very inexpensive. Really though, the best way for you to find out what a Dixon’s Creek Youth Camp is like, or any camp at Dikko 4 for that matter, is to come down and experience it for yourself. We think you will be truly blessed by God as you experience the beauty of His creation and fair dinkum 5 fellowship you will have with His people.

—By Tamara and Benjamin Blackwood

Tamara is 19 and works as an Enrolled Division 2 nurse (similar to an LPN) at a Rehabilitation Hospital. She studies at Monash University and is in her second to last year of her bachelor of nursing program (to become a RN).

Benjamin is 17 and is earning an advanced diploma in computer systems at Chisholm Institute. He plays on a church basketball team and loves it.

Both Benjamin and Tamara are members of the Frankston RPC in Melbourne, Australia.

1 Going through the “bush” instead of staying on the path

2 Deep and Meaningful [conversations]

3 Breakfast

4 Shorthand for Dixon’s Creek

5 Aussie slang for true, real, or genuine