After 14 years of having youth camps in South America, I was looking forward to visiting a youth camp in the United States. Frankly, I didn't know what to expect. In spite of the Church's teachings, would the campers reflect the heavy and mostly negative influence of the youth culture in the United States?

At least from what I saw at the seven-day Camp Woodmen in Blountsville, Alabama, the results were very encouraging. It certainly consisted of more than just having fun. Of the 130 youths who participated, at the end of the camp 95 percent raised their hands when asked if they were planning to be baptized in the future. There was a spiritual element in the camp which showed in their attitudes and lives. This camp provided an opportunity for the young people to have fun, acquire athletic and social skills, develop friendships within the Church and learn to enjoy and respect God's way of life.

When Jesus instructed His disciples to preach the gospel, it certainly included preaching the gospel to the children of the Church. He told Peter not only to "feed My sheep," but also to "feed My lambs" (John 21:15). The Greek term for "lambs" refers to the young sheep of the flock. Certainly, it doesn't appear to make sense to go out to the world with the gospel and yet neglect the very youth who are already attending Church. Both parts are needed to carry out Christ's commission.

In effect, the youth in our Church are in a special category, as Paul explains: "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy" (1 Corinthians 7:14). This means the children of at least one converted spouse are considered by God to be "holy." They are set apart to be called if they choose to continue in God's way when they become adults. But conversion, as we know, is not an automatic process for anyone, including the young people in the Church. It can't be forced or manipulated, but only based on their desire and conviction. The Church has to first reach out to these youths and show them it deeply cares for them at this critical juncture in their lives. The principle is found in 1 John 4:19: "We love Him because He first loved us." Youth camps are an excellent way of first showing God's love toward our youth and then the youth can respond to that love by honoring God and wanting to be part of the Church.

The stage between childhood and adulthood is crucial, and generally, it is during these teenage years when either the "bonding" in the Church takes place or is lost. If the young people have negative experiences in the Church, it will be easy for them to leave. But if they have positive experiences, it will be easy for them to stay, and baptism will likely be around the corner. This is why youth camps are considered an integral part of preaching the gospel-they provide a positive spiritual atmosphere for those who have the greatest potential of one day becoming members.

There is a moral in a children's story which brings this lesson out. One day, a tiny flower sprouted during a dry season. Every day the flower looked up at the sky to see if a rain cloud appeared. Finally one did, and the flower hoped the mighty cloud would drop a bit of its rain. But the cloud thought it was too much effort to muster up some rain for just a small flower, and continued along. But, feeling remorseful, the cloud turned around and headed for the flower. It thought how wonderful the flower would feel when the water reached it. But once it got there, all the petals had fallen and the flower had died. It was too late. Likewise, the only opportunity to invest in our young people is while they are still young! From what I saw recently, the youth camps are an integral part of this process. Truly, youth camps are a small investment for the Church that will go a very long way in doing God's will.