Pinecrest Camp completed another successful year in "the Zone"—an atmosphere modeled after the Kingdom of God.

Our United Youth Camp mission is to expand on what our parents are doing at home by giving our children an educational and active experience in a wholesome atmosphere that builds godly values among their peers. Sixty-two staff members served 124 campers for eight days in order to bring about that goal.

God blessed us with excellent weather. Rain only came during the Sabbath and during a lunch hour. Two activities were delayed; none were postponed.

Several weeks before camp began, the Pinecrest ministry brainstormed ideas that would be most beneficial for our campers. Our children face challenges at the end of this age that the Bible defines as perilous times. Therefore we decided on a theme centered on 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Bad company corrupts good character" (NIV).

The content of every message addressed the corruption that stems from wrong influences or the edification that results from good company.

The topics given at morning compass checks, seminars and sermons included the following: "A Friend or Just Bad Company?"; "Survival of the Fittest—Darwin, Hitler and the Holocaust"; "Company With God"; "Good Company Enhances Good Character"; "Access to God"; "TV and Movie Guide"; "Music—Good or Bad?"; "The DaVinci Code and Your Life"; "Your Clothes—The Company You Keep?"; and "I Will Survive."

Our Leadership Class challenged our youth to be committed to the right standards in life and to have the courage to stand up for their beliefs. Our youth were reminded that God has a tremendous reward for us and our children, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Year after year our campers have been a light to the Nazarene camp staff where we lease our facilities. Fred Yates, the camp manager, told our campers that he "could see Christ living in them." When talking to our assistant director, Tom Clark, Mr. Yates commented on how nearly every organization that comes to use this camp is unbalanced in some manner. Parts of their program may be good, but others have real problems. He stated that United Youth Camps set the standard against which all other organizations that use this camp are measured.

Another adult volunteer who is not a part of UCG said our campers, staff and program are the best he's ever seen. He was impressed by the level of organization, the courtesy of our campers and staff and the way we care for the facilities and each other.

What a wonderful testimony that Christ is working, not only in our members, but also in our children!