This was the 21st year that United has held a preteen camp at the beautiful outdoor country setting of Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Stewartville, Minnesota. There were 140 of us: 70 campers (which included 10 mini dorm campers under age five), 19 teens and 51 adult staff who enjoyed four days of living, playing and working together “God’s way.”

God blessed the camp with His protection and good health for campers and staff. He also provided beautiful weather for all four days. We praised and thanked God for His loving kindness.

One of our camp goals was to enrich the campers’ lives by giving them opportunities to build relationships with other children who share common beliefs and to deepen their relationship with God by getting to know more about their loving Father through daily Christian living and music classes. The theme of this year’s camp was “The Bible—The Word of God.” Christian living classes emphasized God’s Word and the miracle that we can read and learn from Him. In classes the children and teens learned that all Scripture is inspired by God and contains the answers to all of life’s questions. The theme was emphasized throughout the day in activities and in the evening wrap-up dorm time. We focused our final Christian living class on God, who as a loving Father, has given campers His Word to guide and direct their paths. The campers enjoyed watching Jelly’s newest video, “Jelly and the Good Book Report” and immediately started trying to memorize the words to the song.

Camp Ironwood is a family camp to which many parents bring all their children—preteens, teens and preschoolers—to spend four days together in a loving and nurturing family environment. This year we had a wonderful group of teens who served as assistant counselors and activity assistants and were the big brothers and sisters to the campers. Adult staff included many dedicated and hard-working parents serving as activity coordinators, counselors and support staff. They also enjoyed the opportunities to interact with their children during the day.

Preteen Camp Ironwood began 2001 with directors Steve and Kathe Myers. We invited them to return to Camp Ironwood to see the fruits of their labor over 21 years ago. The campers and staff thanked them for their foresight in beginning the camp which has made lasting memories and impacted hundreds of campers and teens over the years.

It was a fun-filled four days with a variety of activities including horseback riding, swimming, tubing down a steep hill, arts and crafts, field games, climbing wall, archery, creek walk, team challenge, slingshot and a visit to the petting zoo, as well as evening activities which included a sing-a-long, campfire, carnival, novelty Olympics, treasure hunt and a fun evening of dancing with Jelly.

One parent who has served with his wife at the camp for many years said: “It was a great camp. We think it was our favorite camp so far. Everyone was very open, friendly, relaxed, helping one another. It felt like a mini Feast of Tabernacles.”

Dan Lausted and Jamie Schreiber made a video and slide show of pictures for campers to recall special camp memories:

Video: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AjiU1xvglw9eodFsEPP8GIq1xrzTkg?e=MfaErr

Slideshow: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AjiU1xvglw9eoc8e4SPy7aX2Adm4pQ?e=g5iUr6

The friendships, camaraderie, nurturing family environment and working and playing together according to God’s way of life, is an experience that those who attended Camp Ironwood this summer will not soon forget.

We praise God and are grateful to Him for another successful year at Camp Ironwood!