Latin America’s traditional youth camps are signs of hope, offering space for sharing and healing, nurturing spirituality and hands-on service to neighbor and the environment
25 Feb 2026
Summer camps in Argentina and Paraguay aim to build a young, creative, committed and deeply communal church
(LWI) – At the start of 2026, young Lutherans from the Evangelical Church of the River Plate (IERP) gathered in one of their most historic and significant spaces: the district summer camps. More than just recreational gatherings, these camps are a living expression of a faith that is built in community, with physical presence and a shared spirituality that continues to shape generations of believers.
“Latin American countries are currently experiencing very challenging political, economic and social situations that create a hopeless environment for young people,” said Rev. Sonia Skupch, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. “Violence and lack of meaning are unfortunately widespread. In this sense, the IERP summer camps, like all youth camps in the region, are signs and paths of hope, both for the young people who participate and also for their communities.”
In Argentina’s Misiones District, more than 80 young people gathered in the city of Eldorado under the theme: “It is necessary to celebrate.” Reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son, they engaged in deep conversations about mental health, the expectations imposed on young people, and the need for a home environment that is supportive. In times of increasingly fragile family and friendship bonds, the camps become a space for healing and belonging. “At the camps, we experience spirituality in our own way: with music, hugs, activities, and prayer together,” many participants said.
Faith [is] a path to be travelled together.
Augustina Eichmann, participant in an IERP youth camp in Entre Rios province.
This search for community was also experienced in Paraguay, where young people from different congregations gathered in the southern city of Hohenau, inspired by the verse “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The camp combined games, workshops, and biblical reflection, reminding participants that Christian love is not an abstract idea, but a concrete practice that is learned by living with others, and caring for one’s neighbor.
In Entre Ríos province, in northeastern Argentina, the motto “Walking with faith” accompanied around 50 young people who gathered in the town of Crespo. There, they explored issues of trust, of taking the first step on a journey, and the certainty that God guides us, even in the midst of uncertainty. One participant, Augustina Eichmann, highlighted a hopeful sign that she witnessed during the encounter: “Many boys and girls who didn’t speak up at the start were encouraged to share their experiences.” Faith was seen to be a path to be travelled together, sharing stories out loud, she reflected.
Linking spirituality to practical commitment
Another camp held in the Western District focused on the relationship between spirituality and practical commitment. Under the theme, “Justice, peace, and care for creation”, young people experienced a gathering where reflection turned into action: from devotionals to hands-on activities related to environmental care. Valentina de Paul summed up the challenge facing participants: “We were encouraged to address these issues in a way that even children could experience them, not just hear about them.”
Finally, in the Metropolitan District, which includes communities in the city of Buenos Aires and surrounding areas, the camp’s theme, “Strengthening our spirit in communion” expressed a common need: to support each other in the face of difficulties experienced by many communities. Ludmila Gutiérrez explained that the theme arose from a shared concern: how to be together in the midst of adversity. The closing ceremony, which included painting shared hugs on T-shirts, symbolized what participants had experienced: youth who do not think of themselves as alone, but woven together in bonds of friendship.
“Young people in our region are sowers of hope,” Regional Secretary Skupch reflected. “They have brought and continue to bring new perspectives, new forms of leadership, new paths in faith and a renewed commitment to their neighbors. In a world that is often dark and hostile, their presence and commitment are a light on the path.”
The IERP summer camps continue to be much more than a tradition. They are spaces where young people practice being church: a young, creative, committed, and deeply communal church. At every campfire, workshop, worship, or shared laugh, participants come away convinced that individual faith is strengthened by walking together.
LWF/E. Albrecht
Source: Lutheran World Federation
