This summer, 73 children and youth from the Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) and Greater New Jersey (GNJ) Conferences participated in Latino Camp 2026, hosted at Gretna Glen Camp and Retreat Center in Lebanon, PA. This year’s Latino Camp was a joyful and transformative week filled with faith, learning, friendship, and fun. Throughout the camp, participants embraced every activity with enthusiasm, building lasting friendships, growing in confidence, and experiencing God’s love in a safe and welcoming environment.

The spiritual focus of the week centered on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules: Do No Harm, Do Good, and Love God. Through worship, Bible study, recreation, and daily interactions, the campers not only learned these timeless principles but also practiced them, discovering meaningful ways to live out their faith in everyday life.

One of the week’s highlights was the opportunity to learn from Jonathan Hobson, professor at Eastern University. He encouraged the campers to value education, pursue their dreams with determination, and consider how God’s call to ministry can become part of their future. His message inspired the children to imagine lives filled with purpose, service, and hope.

For many of these children, Latino Camp is their only opportunity to enjoy a summer vacation in a safe, nurturing, and fun environment. Beyond recreation, camp offers a place where they experience acceptance, develop meaningful relationships, and discover that they are deeply loved by God and surrounded by a caring Christian community.

One especially moving testimony came from a family of six siblings who are not connected to any church but were invited to attend camp. During the week, they formed new friendships, experienced what it means to belong to a church community, and became curious about developing a closer relationship with God. Their experience beautifully illustrates the camp’s mission of reaching beyond church walls and sharing Christ’s love with our communities.

Latino Camp continues to be a meaningful ministry that brings together children and families from both the Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) and Greater New Jersey (GNJ) Conferences, strengthening connections across our Hispanic/Latino ministries while nurturing the next generation of Christian leaders.

We are deeply grateful to the Conference and to the Districts whose generous financial support made Latino Camp 2026 possible once again. Their partnership enabled 73 children and youth to experience a week of faith, encouragement, joy, and new possibilities. We pray that the seeds planted during this week will continue to grow in the hearts of these young people and their families for years to come.