Right now many teens are looking forward to a new season of camp. United currently has six summer camps and a winter program that serve more than 800 teens. Most teens can attend camp every year during their high school years and then work on the staff after they turn 18. While our camps have many exciting activities, the main reason teens come to camp, according to surveys, is relationships. They want a better relationship with God and with the staff and peers.

A major reason for the success of the United Youth Camps (UYC) program is the volunteer staff that donates time, often their vacation time, to serve the teens. Last year more than 350 volunteers worked on the staff as counselors, activity personnel and in many other needed areas, such as kitchen, transportation, first aid, etc. If we paid only minimum wage to these hard-working servants, it is estimated it would cost the Church more than $500,000 in salaries and benefits.

Since we use rental facilities and church pastors serve as camp directors and key department heads, we are able to operate very cost-effective programs to serve the youth of the Church. Here are some of the comments campers wrote on their end-of-camp surveys:

"I think my counselors were just amazing! They were so understanding and wonderful and really helped me feel welcome and more confident." (Woodmen).

"All the staff members and counselors treated us like family." (Tetons).

"[I would like to serve on the camp staff] because I like what UYC is doing, and I want to make sure people have as much fun as I do." (Heritage).

After all the sacrifice and hard work, more than 90 percent of those who volunteer say they want to do it again. Thanks to all the fine volunteer staff who give of themselves to prepare the youth of the

Church for their rich heritage.

In addition to all this, dozens more adult and teen volunteers help with the regional preteen camps each year as well.

—Larry W. Greider,
overall UYC coordinator