At Camp Cotubic, in the middle of the grounds, in an open field stands a grandly sized juniper tree. It emanates a smell similar to frankincense; more importantly, it has a unique and captivating feature, one you won’t see until you stand close. Grafted onto this fragrant tree winds a grapevine whose leaves meander in and out of the fleshy, feathery needles. At the time, it was early summer so its grape clusters resembled little fronds. As I considered the delicate balance of tree and vine, it compelled me to visit many times walking to and from my lodge. It stirs my heart to reminisce about it now.

Up until my Camp Cotubic experience, one could have called me an outsider parent. Even so, one would think that a man like me in his 50s having grown up in the Church would have reasonably accurate expectations of everything at a UYC camp, but that would be a mistaken assumption.

As we pulled up in our ridiculously cliché minivan I knew immediately whatever expectations I held came from years of UYC promotional videos. Save for “The Blob,” I recognized absolutely nothing. None of it at all compared to the construct my mind created based on the videos, which are well-done productions of course, but one cannot fully understand a place unless one travels to that place. The same goes for the camp’s modus operandi. Staff orientation focused much on The Zone, a compilation of Bible-based principles to abide by and impart to our campers.

As the day progressed, It occurred to me that I spent many years content with a mistaken notion of what UYC camps were all about. It was always nice to see my kids happy and reinvigorated, but still I based my assumptions much on an era in which my generation as teens was spoiled on massive congregations and a bottomless well of amenities; some being our own camp facilities that we assumed we would always possess. The Feast of Tabernacles often filled halls with 15,000 people or more. At those Feasts we boasted on being a peculiar people, but I don’t know if we truly understood what it meant. It was a time that we felt invincible and took many things for granted.

We are still a peculiar people, but now we must navigate this world with even fewer numbers. We cannot afford to take what we have for granted. That I believe is one of the most important factors contributing to the attitude of this time opposite of the attitude of my time. The attitude of humility and thankfulness I observed at camp prevailed over any attitude borne of opulence. I now see its effects after camp more than I saw it before in local congregations. Thankfulness prevails.

Sure, like any camp, we offered games and fun activities, but make no mistake, our kids know how different we are, and therefore know the value of each other’s fellowship, a fellowship of peculiar people. I saw evidence that many of our kids understand it better than my generation ever did. Is camp a perfect place? No! Will we see mistakes made by staff and campers? Yes! Only Christ hit the bullseye every time, but in the UYC environment, we try hard and we work so our kids may know that we love them. We love them enough to prepare them for success beyond that of worldly society. This peculiar people holds to a different definition of success. We love them enough to teach them of the Kingdom, the great finish line we race toward. We want to provide them an oasis of sanity amidst an increasingly insane world.

God has blessed me and my wife with a son, a daughter and another son in that order. All three of them have never missed a year of UYC camp since the time each was eligible to go. Our youngest last year had the choice of serving on Camp Cotubic staff or going one last round as a camper. His heart has always careened toward sentiment, so he of course chose camper. Our daughter donned her cool sunglasses, a silver whistle and a red suit to serve as a lifeguard at the waterfront. Our eldest child served on The Amazing Race crew, an activity that combines running with problem solving. Dr. Dunkle modeled the Amazing Race after the popular television series bearing the same name.

The difference this year for my children is that I tagged along. A dear friend of the family made me promise to apply. I never in a million years thought they would have me, but they did. For many reasons, I am thankful. Among those reasons—I got to serve on The Amazing Race crew side by side with my son. In this activity I enjoyed a unique vantage point in which I could play the part of teacher. This included helping kids arrange Bible events in chronological order and helping them see a life lesson emerge from working together to save a golf ball from falling to the ground. I even had the opportunity to lead a Christian living class. How exhilarating it was to see such broad participation, enthusiasm, insight and understanding. Many in the world would dismiss The Zone as foolishness, as Pollyanna corniness, but not our kids.

As a former outsider, I encourage readers, especially those with teens, to apply to your nearest UYC camp. Don’t wait like I did. Anyone who has served will tell you it is not easy to pause their lives for better than a week especially considering they must soon do it all over again for the Feast of Tabernacles, but they will also tell you it is worth it many times over. If our daily surroundings and recent events worry you, go to camp. There you will see many of our young campers and young staff members demonstrate surprising faith. Like me, a former outsider parent, it will give you hope to know God has His hand on them.

I think often about the juniper tree supporting the grape vine. It makes me reflect on how we rely on Jesus Christ as our tree of life. If we are to emulate Him, we too should support our kids, like the juniper tree with our little vines hidden in plain sight, waiting for tender fronds to grow into clusters of grapes capable of feeding whoever may walk by.

If you turn on the news or open your social media, you can’t miss how mad the world has become as if someone has violently ripped off the hems of polite society. Peace has been removed from every corner of every space save our houses. The adversary is hard afoot. At what point does our time come, when God calls us to duty? I can’t help but think of Joel 2:28, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

Whether it comes soon, or whether history must play out more, we engage in a generational effort. The world will take notice of our peculiarity with more intensity. When does God call us to duty? The answer is now. Now more than ever, with the help of God’s Spirit, we are called upon to work hard to support our kids, our young men and women, our juniper in the field.