For anyone age 16-30, this is an annual event that should be a priority in your calendar and your budget. Here are a few reasons why:

1. It is spiritually transforming… and this is an understatement. You will be challenged, invigorated, and met by God in ways you have never been before. There is a 24/7 prayer room, with all kinds of creative prayer exercises that make prayer anything but boring. There is spiritual teaching that is practical, and do-able in daily life long after camp ends. Bible time this year (2006) included smashing idols (literally!), learning to pray using different prayer postures, reading the Bible out loud as a means of prayer, and using an elastic band to help you watch your language.

2. Make new friends from across Canada and beyond. Every day there are “small groups” that meet to discuss issues that campers care about, and to build on the celebration Bible teachings. The small groups are gender-divided, so that privacy can be upheld and a safe, healing environment for sharing is created. These small groups bond people together in amazing ways, and create close friendships that continue long after camp has ended.

3. Work with amazing, talented people. Where else would you have an opportunity to tutelage under James Curnow, Graeme Press, Brian Burditt and Len Ballantine all in one location? The camp offers world-class conductors and composers to hob-nob with in an informal setting, while learning great music from the best of the best. And for the un-musical, there is now a drama and a media stream to coax out the hidden creative potential that lies in each one of us.

4. Discover amazing, talented people. Every year campers have a number of opportunities to reveal their hidden talents and gifts, from acrobatics to comedy to sports to drama to music and more. And every year a “star” seems to be born: This year it was Ryan Donais, a drum corps major hailing from Hamilton Ontario. He wowed us with his snare drum solo that included juggling his sticks while playing, performing drum rolls using his mouth, playing while balancing one stick on another, all without missing a beat. Who knew that a snare drum could be so entertaining?

5. Play, sing and perform great music. Here you have an opportunity to sing and play the pieces that Army staff bands and songsters are playing around the world. Exciting, challenging, heady stuff - it’s a great adrenaline rush. Who knew you could sound so good? The final program is performed to an audience of about 600. Not bad!

6. Try your hand at something new. From art to media to drama to music to conducting to composing to worship team to Bible to timbrels to percussion to dance - there’s usually about 20 electives to choose from: The hardest choice is picking just one.

7. Have an awful lot of fun. From silly sports competitions (I still remember the men’s synchronized swim team from a few years back) to cabaret items that’ll make you laugh your socks off to the traditional “Grand Old Duke” and “Ode to Newfoundland”, and all the other camp antics one expects (e.g. male campers in togas at breakfast) because after all, it’s camp, one last hurrah before school starts up again. It’s the best vacation you can find for $325.00 a week, room and board included.

Still don’t believe me? Then check out these testimonials:

I thought it was the most amazing experience of my life. I could really feel God's presence there and it certianly has changed my day-to-day life. If I had one thing that I could change about it... I would make it longer then a week. - Domenica Miller, London Ontario
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At nationals, you get to express your way of worship weither it be dancing, waving a flag, or just clapping your hands, no one is going to make fun of you for the way you worship.

You get to come close to God in a way that you have never came to him before, and there is always support if you are having a difficult time in your life. The support comes from your fellow campers and even the staff will give support if asked for.

One of the highlights of camp are the small groups In small groups you get the chance to talk about the Bible lesson for the day and you also get a chance to talk about topics within the christian life, and any issues that you may be having trouble with. - Gavin Randell, Glenwood Newfoundland

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I found Territorrial to be a great experience. There were some wonderful times of worship that we had, especially on Thursday night. I really got a lot out of the teaching and the small group sessions. The teaching was definitely...different from what I get on an average Sunday morning. Also, it was nice to get time to fellowship with other Christians from my age group. - Adam Broughton, Picton Ontario

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Well, going into Territorials I didn't know what to expect. Here I was, flying across Canada to go to a camp where I didn't really know anybody. I was also coming from my own little camp, and I didn't think anywhere could really beat BC's Camp Sunrise. Little did I know. Territorials was AMAZING! The people were extremely friendly and incredibly talented. A day in band and I realized I really had a lot to live up to. Worship with Danielle and Steve was really overwhelming in itself. I experienced the holy spirit completely overflowing each session. There's nothing much more to say, than the week was one of the best of my life, and even way back here in BC, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought about and been in touch with the people I met there. They all influenced me in so many ways. - Karen Hefford, Vancouver British Columbia

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I just wanted to say that going to camp really was pretty much the coolest thing I did this year. I was feeling a little nervous about university and you know starting the whole real life thing. While at camp I realized a few things. Friends can help any situation. Prayer can help any situation and if you combine the two then you're set for all of lifes obstacles. If I were to reflect on territorials in one way it would be that you know the people at camp are your friends because you see these people once a week in a whole year and yet the friendship stays alive. This may be with bandmates, prayerbuddies or even dance partners...heheheh...But seriously, thats what I remember most from camp… God Bless and See you next year. - Corey Henderson, Halifax Nova Scotia

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Territorials was a life changing experience... the Thursday night was absolutly amazing... and smashing the idols was a great way to visually smash Satan's traps and snares... It was amazing! - Cassandra Champ, London Ontario

For me, Territorial School of Music and Gospel Arts is the best way to end off not only a summer, but the best way for me to end off a God focused year. This past year I did The Salvation Army's Ignite year, which was an amazing experience. Territorials was a blessing for me because God really spoke to me and opened my eyes up to new things, and also helped me focus back on things he had told and shown me during my year on the Ignite Team in Toronto. Thanks for a great week everyone! - Bethany Howard, Chatham Ontario

Mark your calendar early, for August 25th to Sept 1st, for Territorial 2007!