Would you like an additional way to school your preteen in God's way? Preteen camps sponsored by the United Church of God can be just that—a place of fun and enjoyment for sure, but also a place of spiritual education and reinforcement.

In areas all across the United States, preteen camps have been organized to help our young people become more settled in God's way of life—and become excited about it!

Studies have shown what a critical time the preteen years are in a child's life. Give your children additional spiritual grounding by having them learn and play with peers in the Church at camp. They'll be led by loving adults and teen helpers who will teach God's way and set an example for them.

The various preteen camps all offer different activities and events, but some of the things you might find include Christian living classes, swimming, kick ball, softball, leatherworks, arts and crafts, hayrides, music, dance, novelty Olympics, scavenger hunts, fishing, hiking and much more.

Listed here are the eight preteen camps currently organized for this summer. If you would like more information on sending your child to camp or would like to serve in one of the many needed volunteer staff positions, please contact the good folks listed below.

Texas: Houston Regional Preteen Camp

Kaiserhof Retreat Center, 22610 Tuwa Rd., Tomball, Texas
www.kaiserhofretreat.com

Camp Dates: June 3 to 6, 2007

Age Range: 7 to 12

Fees: Camper, $200 per child; staff, no charge

Contact Information:

Elisa Hees or Christine Whitley
1413 Axleridge Drive, Conroe, TX 77384
(936) 321-8134

E-mail: a-especialties@charter.net or cwhitley@consolidated.net

Application Deadline: May 15

Local Web Site Address: http://members.ucg-houston.org/preteen-camp/

Description: The Houston congregations are pleased to sponsor a preteen camp featuring activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports, Christian education, fishing and canoeing, etc.

Again this year, the campers will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and share them with their fellow campers at our annual talent show held one evening during the camp.

It is a multiple-day, resident camp with excellent facilities and is fully staffed to care for the needs of our young campers.

Pennsylvania: Lewistown Preteen Camp

Camp Kiwanis, 3111 Route 287 Hwy., Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Camp Dates: June 24 to 27, 2007

Age Range: 5 to 12

Fees: Camper/staff/parent: $30 each

Contact Information:

Renita Brummett
115 Lake Road, Beavertown, PA 17813
(570) 837-0134

E-mail: renita@ethanjacobscott.com

Application Deadline: May 31

Local Web Site Address: www.ucgnet.org/lewistown

Description: The Lewistown Preteen Camp gives our children the opportunity to get closer to nature and God. Our campers will enjoy the beautiful location of the camp, along a scenic trout stream, with the convenience of cabins, showers, a main lodge, a swimming pool and sports fields.

Many families have come to the camp together to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that comes with the outdoors and fellowship with others of the same belief. Parents are more than welcome to come, even if they have children that are not of camper age, with the understanding that they would be responsible for them.

Each year we have a camp theme. This year's morning lessons will be about the story of Saul and David. The last evening of camp the children perform a play, complete with costumes and songs written just for the play. Throughout the day the children have crafts, sports, nature classes and swimming.

Indiana: Camp UCanDo (Day Camp)

United Church of God, 850 N. Bluff Road, Greenwood, Indiana

Camp Dates: July 10 to 12, 2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Age Range: 5 to 12

Fees: Camper, $25 ($20 for each additional child from the same family; $50 maximum per family). Staff, no charge

Contact Information:

Diana White
324 Wales Ct., Greenwood, IN 46142
(317) 884-3416

E-mail: bdkjwhite@hotmail.com

Application Deadline: May 25

Local Web Site Address: www.ucgindy.org

Description: Our activities include arts and crafts, Christian living, photography, nature, home economics, science, outdoor games, water day, team building and sign language.

Download your camper and/or staff application from our local Web site.

Because this is a day camp, camper families must arrange their own housing in the area. Check out our Web site for information on nearby camping facilities and hotel information or contact the director for suggestions.

Tennessee: Camp Tomahawk

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Eva, Tennessee

Camp Dates: July 15 to 18, 2007

Age Range: 6 to 12

Fees: Campers: $110 ($10 discount applied to fee if paid by May 15); staff, $60 ($10 discount applied to fee if paid by May 15)

Contact Information:

Michael Fooshe, Director
1286 Walnut Grove Road, Dickson, TN 37055
(615) 740-7915

E-mail: threemmom@juno.com

Application Deadline: May 15

Local Web Site Address: www.ucgnashville.org

Description: Located on beautiful Kentucky Lake, Camp Tomahawk offers many exciting activities including Christian living, swimming with lazy river ride, athletics/sports, arts and crafts, park ranger programs and much more.

We also take pride in our themed dinners (dress in your favorite themed outfit to match the daily theme) and sample some of the tastiest camp food ever!

The camp is a multiple-day, resident camp. Campers will stay in the air-conditioned group lodge with several selected counselors, while the remaining staff are housed in the beautiful park cabins exactly 1 mile from the group lodge. Each lodge and cabin has attached bathroom facilities.

Camp Tomahawk is divided into two age categories for activity purposes, ages 6 to 8 and ages 9 to 12. Because space at Camp Tomahawk is very limited for both staff and campers, we may not be able to accept all applicants. Please apply early, as special consideration will be given to those who possess specific skills that are needed at camp. Please visit our Web site at www.ucgnashville.org for additional information.

Oklahoma: Camp Osage Hills

Osage Hills State Park, HC 73, Box 84, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Camp Dates: July 22 to 26, 2007

Age Range: 6 to 12

Fees: Camper, $80 ($70 for third and fourth camper from the same family). Note: Cancellations after July 1, 2007, may be subject to a $40 cancellation fee. Teen and adult staff fees, $20.

Contact Information:

Thomas Clark
P.O. Box 12322, Wichita, KS 67277
(316) 773-3917

E-mail: thomas_clark@ucg.org

Application Deadline: June 15

Description: The park is located about 14 miles west of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, about an hour north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and two hours from either Joplin, Missouri, or Wichita, Kansas. The park includes a crystal clear river flowing over the natural rock base, a man-made fishing lake, swimming pool and recreational facilities. Deer and wild turkeys are all over the park and are seen on a daily basis.

Camp Osage Hills offers a fully staffed three-day resident camp program. The campers are grouped by ages into dorms staffed with both a counselor and assistant counselor. Activities include swimming, fishing, canoeing, field games, arts and crafts and daily Christian living classes.

We also provide one off-camp trip to Woolarock, the expansive former estate of oilman Frank Phillips. This trip includes a drive through a game preserve with both native and African game animals, a 19th-century “Mountain Man” camp staffed by men in period costumes, a petting zoo and a large museum featuring Western art, artifacts and cultural history of Native Americans and Western American history.

We encourage parents and grandparents to apply to work on the staff, as well as teens and young adults with a desire to serve the youth in the Church. Staff should plan to arrive on site by 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Ohio: Great Lakes Region Preteen Camp

Camp Buckeye, 10055 Camp Road NW, Beach City, Ohio

Camp Dates: July 29 to Aug. 1, 2007

Age Range: 6 to 12

Fees: Camper, $65; $50 for each additional child from the same family. Adult staff, $20. Teen staff, $30.

Contact Information:

Gary and Peggy Summers (assistant directors)
6215 Bayside St. NW, Canton, OH 44718
(330) 499-4736

E-mail: p_summers@ameritech.net

Application Deadline: June 15

Local Web Site Address: www.ucgakron.org

Description: Activities will include swimming, fishing, leatherworks, arts and crafts, field games, a walk in a waterfall, campfires and games! Be sure to download your application packet today at www.ucgakron.org. It contains all the information you need about camp.

We would also like to remind the teens and adults that we cannot run camp without your volunteer service. Staff application packets are also available from the Web site listed above. Staff positions will be limited, so be sure to get your application in early!

Oregon: Northwest Preteen Camp

Camp Arrah Wanna, 24075 E Arrah Wanna Blvd., Welches, Oregon

Camp Dates: July 29 to Aug. 1, 2007

Age Range: 6 to 11

Fees: Camper, $100 per child; staff, no charge

Contact Information:

John Cafourek
720 Van Buren Dr., Salem, OR 97304
(503) 587-7053

E-mail: john_cafourek@ucg.org

Application Deadline: June 1

The maximum number of campers will be 70 due to limited housing at the new camp. We may need to accept fewer staff as well, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Description: Nestled in the foothills of majestic Mt. Hood, the Northwest Camp is located at Camp Arrah Wanna, on 132 acres of majestic forests, the Salmon River and some of Oregon's most beautiful land.

Past preteen camp themes have been God Is There and God Is There for You, Character Counts, Challenge Yourself, Bee All You Can Bee and FROG (fully rely on God). This year's theme is Love Bears All Things.

Activities include Christian living classes, archery, swimming, tubing down the Salmon River (lifeguard included), zip line challenge course, low ropes course, arts and crafts, campfire (singing), dance (limbo), hiking, talent/variety show (you bring the talent) and miniature golf.

Minnesota: Camp Ironwood Springs (North Central Regional Preteen Camp)

Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, Rt. 1, Stewartville, Minnesota

Camp Dates: Aug. 5 to 8, 2007

Age Range: 6 to 12

Fees: Special family pricing: first camper, $120; second, $100; third, $80; family maximum, $325. Teen staff: $80. Adult staff: no charge. Scholarships available for those financially in need.

Contact Information:

Steve and Kathe Myers
25897 655th St., Kasson, MN 55944
(507) 634-6363

E-mail: steve_myers@ucg.org

Application Deadline: June 26

Local Web Site Address: www.ucg-calm.org

Description: Camp Ironwood Springs takes place in a spectacular outdoor setting in southeastern Minnesota. The camp is about 90 miles south of the Twin Cities, and just 15 miles west of Rochester, Minnesota, off I-90.

Ironwood Springs offers a variety of children's activities including Christian living, horseback riding, crafts, field games, court games, swimming, hiking/exploring, obstacle courses, music, wagon rides, campfires, sing-alongs and novelty Olympics.

The girls' and boys' dorms are located in the main lodge and are air-conditioned. Each dorm will be grouped by age and will have an adult counselor and cocounselor staying with the campers. The showers are also located in the main lodge, so campers will not have to walk to an outside bathroom. UN