The United Youth Education Team is introducing another Challenger II activity—a four-day backpacking trek in the mountains of southwest California. This program is for young adults, ages 19 to 30, who want to grow in their relationship with God and with others, to learn valuable leadership principles and to challenge themselves physically.

Dec. 25 to 29, 2006, we will tackle a 30-mile stretch of the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest.

Spiritual/Leadership Focus

Challenger II is "for the purpose of helping older teens and young adults mature in their relationship with God by a wilderness or specialized camp that will challenge them both physically and spiritually. Goals include familiarizing this group with the doctrines of the Church and true godly values to be used in guiding their faith and commitment to a life of service and leadership in doing the work of the Church."

The physical emphasis will involve overnight backpacking, team building, endurance, difficult river crossings and "roughing it" in the wilderness.

In a sense, all participants will also serve as "staff," as each person will be responsible for various aspects of the program from trail navigation, food preparation, camp setup, safety, team-building activities, Compass Checks, etc. The actual staff will be composed of ministers who will guide and mentor the program.

Sespe Wilderness

Sespe Creek is the last remaining undammed river in Southern California, and it is part of the fourth largest roadless region left in the lower 48 states. The hike includes navigating the Sespe Gorge, a remarkable canyon with steep cliffs, deep pools and enormous boulders. Travel in the canyon is difficult, requiring hours of boulder hopping, stream wading, bushwhacking and a mandatory swim through a deep pool.

Those considering this trip should be in excellent physical condition, have good camping skills, good balance and strong ankles. You should be prepared to work together to help everyone make it safely through the obstacles we will encounter along the way. Daytime temperatures in December can range from the mid-50s up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime can get near freezing.

Participants must:

• Be a minimum of 19 years of age and a high school graduate.

• Be in excellent physical health.

• Desire to be challenged both physically and spiritually.

• Demonstrate physical ability to participate. Teton Challenger Camp experience is preferred, but is not required.

• Ask their pastor to send in a recommendation.

• Pay the $150 program fee.

The camp will be directed by Randy Schreiber, pastor of Phoenix Northwest and Northern Arizona, Arizona; Albuquerque New Mexico; and Las Vegas, Nevada, congregations, and director of the backpacking hikes at Teton Challenger and Hye Sierra camps. Other staff will include Larry Greider, pastor of Los Angeles and Bakersfield, California, congregations, and United Youth Camps coordinator; Bonnie Greider; and David Register, director of education programs.

For more information or to apply, contact Mr. Schreiber at 28822 N. 43rd St., Cave Creek, AZ 85331 or by e-mail at randy_schreiber@ucg.org or on the Web at www.ucg.org/challenger/. UN