ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – When Pablo Garcia describes Super Summer Arkansas as "a fun kind of chaotic," he isn't talking about disorder. He's describing a week where thousands of students worship together, study Scripture, build lasting friendships and experience life-changing moments with Christ. 

Garcia first attended Super Summer as a camper and has spent the last three summers serving on staff, helping lead students through the same experience that helped shape his own faith. 

Approximately 2,375 students and 150 staff members participated in this year's Super Summer Arkansas, held June 20-27 at Ouachita Baptist University. Throughout the week, organizers recorded 131 salvations, 93 recommitments to Christ, 133 calls to ministry and 105 other spiritual decisions. 

Each evening, campers joined together in worship and heard biblical teaching from camp pastor Jeremy Freeman. During the day, students participated in "schools" led by youth ministers from across Arkansas, digging deep into Scripture and discussing how to apply biblical truths to their daily lives. Recreation and team-building activities throughout the week also provided opportunities for fellowship and relationship-building. 

For Garcia, the relationships built at Super Summer have lasted long after camp ended. 

"I found a good community," he said. "I've made friends with people that I'm still friends with, even those I met four years ago." 

As someone who has participated as a camper and served at multiple camps, Garcia said Super Summer stands apart because of the intentionality of its leadership and volunteers. 

"I think that's what makes Super Summer stand out," Garcia said. "They're really intentional about what goes on in camp, and they really care about the students and the campers that come." 

One of Garcia's favorite parts of serving is spending time with students throughout the week, getting to know them personally, hearing their stories and walking alongside them through questions and challenges. 

Reflecting on his own experience, Garcia said the impact of Super Summer extends far beyond a single week on campus. 

"It has a life-changing impact on people," he said. "I know it's had a life-changing impact on me." 

For Jamey Wallace, a leader with a group from Lake City, the structure and environment of Super Summer creates space for students to focus on their relationship with Christ without the distractions of everyday life. 

"They're here on a college campus, the distractions of the world are gone, and they truly get immersed in the Word of God for almost a week," he said, adding that the separation from everyday routines allows students to engage deeply with Scripture and respond without outside pressures.  

Wallace said he had already seen that impact in the students he brought to camp this year. 

"We had a young man that made a decision last night," he said. "We had another one of our girls ... she just felt like she had some things she needed to confess ... and she wanted to get that off and start new." 

He said those moments of response are what make the week significant for both students and leaders. 

"The Spirit moved in some incredible ways," said Bill Newton, Arkansas Baptists' Next Gen + Discipleship strategist. "There are tangible numbers for decisions, but there are also uncountable and intangible ways as well: conversations among leaders and students in dorm rooms and church group times, small group discussions with college staffers and students and so many other 'non-schedule' opportunities for the Spirit to work." 

Looking ahead, Super Summer Arkansas will expand to two weeks beginning in 2027. The additional week will allow Arkansas Baptists to accommodate more students and churches interested in participating in the Super Summer experience. 

Super Summer Arkansas is made possible through the generous giving of Arkansas Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering.