Joyful Sanctuary For A Week

For a couple of summer break weeks, campus lay quiet and still…

…until…

…SPECTACULAR happened.

500 young campers and their delegation leaders have taken over campus since and turned it into a colorfully bustling exploration park of happy gatherings, fun activities, artistic expression and inspiring devotion.

Sponsored by the Community of Christ and hosted by Graceland University, “SPEC” is a Lamoni summer institution: an annual camp for high school kids (aged 14/15-18) that provides a closed, safe space away from their usual environments, daily routines and pressures.

The visiting delegations come from across the country and even all the way from Australia. The mission of SPECTACULAR is to create a Christ-centered community that encourages young people to discover God, their inherent worth, and their giftedness.

Between the foam cannons and tie-dye shirts, outdoor games and indoor workshops, it is clearly visible how much the kids are taking in and thriving in the joyful inclusive community that is BEing* lived on campus this week.

Some of them will be returning to campus as Graceland University students with a passion to serve in community: one SPEC highlight is the award ceremony for six scholarships—four partial and two full scholarships.

*BE is the guiding theme of this year’s SPEC camp.