BCN Series - Part 1: Events, Schedule, and Preparations

 Hello! I just finished Bible Camp National, BCN, for Indonesia. In this event, for two nights and three mornings, 1024 people, and around 500 assistants and workers stayed in GRII Pusat's boundaries. BCN happens every year, and people from all around Indonesia, and some from international nations gather to hear God's word.

Since BCN is such a gigantic event, I will divide it into a two part series. The first part, about the event and activities, will be written on June 27, and the lessons and studies on June 28. Let's discuss the event first.

BCN, Bible Camp National 2024 is a yearly event starting in 2018, organized by GRII (especially GRII Pusat) . Nine speakers are involved this year, including Stephen Tong and multiple other pastors. Bible Camp is an evangelical summer camp, and I have joined two years of this event: 2023 (Kasihilah Tuhan dan Hidup Suci, Give to God and Live Holy) and 2024 (Kasihilah Tuhan dan Rajakan Yesus, Give to God and crown Jesus). I will tell for only 2024 since I forgot most details of 2023's. It's for ages 7-12 I believe (teens above 12 can join NRETC, Bible Camp for teens).

Needs, Rules, Fees

You need a bag/luggage of course to carry in your stuff. You need to bring all your essentials: water, pillows, toothbrushes n toothpaste, clothing, toiletries, personal medicine, sandals for shower, socks, cups, bible of course, stationeries, and also remember to take around what the BCN given you: your name tag, featuring your name and group number + room, and also your guide book. 

As for the rules, there are a few rules throughout the event: You have to travel with your group, listen to the speaker, sleep and shower within time, be punctual, and tell your teacher if you feel sick. The fees are worth it:

- 800 thousand rupiah for early bird visitors (those who join before June 16).

- 1 million rupiah for other visitors (after June 16).

Event Flow

It starts with Pendaftaran, Registration. We get our name tags, register into the event, and can claim an event. We also drop off our bags here. Afterwards, you can enjoy a snack and then head over to Aula John Calvin GRII Pusat for the first three sessions. The contents of all the sessions will be written tommorow so stay tuned. Afterwards, everyone eats lunch. By the way, in lunch, dinner and breakfast time, there are 50 tables for each group (the entire population is divided into fifty shares). The food is kind of like catering food, and there is a decent timeframe to eat. After lunch was two consecutive sessions.

After that was Mengenal Tokoh, where we went through places in the church with a few other groups and learned about amazing historical figures who were Christian and succeeded. After that, there was a snack, then another Session, then shower and dinner. The toilets were questionable and depended on the floor, but were not the greatest, but still "okay" I guess. After that was another session, the night session. Afterwards was a night snack, then everyone returned to their corresponding rooms and slept there after brushing their teeth and doing daily activities.

The next morning, we showered, read the morning devotion, ate breakfast and headed towards the Aula for 2 sessions. Then, we took the BCN 2024 photo and had a snack, then came 2 consecutive sessions, then a lunch break, then Mengenal Tokoh again, had another snack (in these snacktimes, I often didn't eat cause I didn't feel hungry). Then we had a session and then a concert at Aula Simfonia. Afterwards, there was a shower and dinner time, then the night session, snack, and then sleep yet again for the next day.

In the beginning of the next day, the last day, which wasn't a full day. First was the morning devotion like usual, and then the morning shower and breakfast, then a session, and then a drama. Afterwards was another snack, then a Q&A, where questions are answered, and then an ending session. Afterwards, lunches were provided and then the students were jumped off. That was the end of BCN 2024.                 

Feedback:

Message: The learning is good and with the same care as the sermons towards adults. The content of this learning will be discussed tommorow.

Dismissal: The dismissal can be slightly improved maybe. There are two types of students in BCN: Rombongan students and Non-Rombongan. Rombongan students are those who are outside the reaches of GRII Pusat and Jakarta, and they travel via train, bus, or even plane. Non-Rombongan students are those who come on their own to GRII Pusat. Since I live near GRII Pusat, I was classified as a Non-Rombongan student. They waited in the aula, but the adults that came were in groups of 10, which could mean that certain students could be picked up in a quite long time. I was picked up relatively shortly, but it could still be improved.

Rooms, Toilets, Showers: The rooms are mediocre, but okay. It was either on a bunkbed or on a mattress and situated at Calvin Tower and also the Church. The toilets and showers were the main complaints of both me and the people with me. The showers could be improved by upgrading cleanliness and smell. 

That seems to be all of the feedback I have. That's all for the events of BCN. Overall, it's a good event for children. See you tommorow for the second part of BCN Blog, and also Proverb 4!