David Forward will lead his fourth Crusaders HSC study camp in July, something he has done every year since completing his HSC in 2003. This week the 21-year-old St Thomas', North Sydney member shares why he values study camps so much.

In my HSC year I went on three study camps in one year.

It was awesome. I made a whole lot of new friends and got a lot of study done. It was one of the best parts of Year 12. So many good memories.

They are really good for helping you study. They helped me get a good, solid 30 hours study done in the week.

They were also good for relaxing. If you study by yourself, as soon as you finish studying you need to find something to do for a break. On a camp, because you are there with friends, as soon as study finishes there are people there keen for a good time.

I already knew a lot of the people on the study camp through my school or Crusaders. But we became closer friends through those weeks and many are still my friends now.

A lot of people become Christians on study camps. I was already a Christian. But even though I was there to study, I was also a leader as well in a way because I was able to answer the questions of non-Christians.

The study camps themselves have a lot of Christian content. There is singing, talks in the morning, and leaders who facilitate discussion and get alongside the kids.

As a leader on the camps you get to meet new young people and be a witness among them. There is a significant proportion there who don't know God so it's a great opportunity.

The HSC is a key time because at this age people are dealing with a lot of big ideas in their subjects. They are putting it all together, forming a worldview and working out what is right and wrong.

You also get the whole range of people at these camps. A lot of the non-Christian kids have Christian friends or family, or they have some interest in or know things about Christianity. A lot of them find it a great opportunity to ask questions and explore further. There are also a lot of kids who come for study and hear the gospel for the first time.

I find most kids are keen to check out Christianity further. There are a few who are a bit stubborn, but that is to be expected. Usually the Christian content is well received.

The camps are a really open forum for talking to people about Jesus. They start a lot of good relationships and you can be openly Christian and teach people things.

When I was there I saw leaders taking their Christianity seriously, they were role models for me, especially during the HSC. They explained that the HSC is not the be-all, end-all and not that important. They reminded us not to forget about the things that really are important.

I think most kids who do the HSC know deep down that it isn't the be-all and end-all and doesn't live up to all the hype. But they are too scaced to admit it. The study camp reminds them that there is more to life. It reminds them that life is not just about doing well for yourself, it's about the God who made you and sent his son Jesus to live and die for you and save you.