Research has increasingly shown the importance of setting a solid foundation for our children during their preteen years. By working with our preteens, we can better prepare them for the changes ahead during adolescence.

Our United preteen camps are one way that parents and grandparents can reinforce God's way in a very practical, fun manner during these critical preteen years. Camp is a place of fun and enjoyment for sure, but also a place of spiritual education and reinforcement.

In many areas of the United States, preteen camps have been organized to help our young people become more settled in God's way of life and become excited about it! Give your children additional spiritual grounding by having them learn and play with peers in the Church at camp. They'll be led by loving adults and teen helpers who will teach God's way and set an example for them.

Each of our preteen camps offers different and unique activities and events, but some of the things you might find include Christian Living classes, swimming, kickball, softball, leatherworks, arts and crafts, hayrides, music, dance, skits, plays, novelty Olympics, scavenger hunts, fishing, hiking and much more.

Listed here are the eight preteen camps currently organized for this summer. If you would like more information on sending your child to camp or would like to serve in one of the many needed volunteer staff positions, please contact the staff listed here.

Texas: Houston Regional Preteen Camp

Camp Dates: June 15 to 18, 2008

Age Range: 7 to 12

Application Deadline: May 15

Description: The Houston congregations are pleased to sponsor a preteen camp featuring activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports, Christian education, fishing and canoeing, etc. This year we will be meeting at a brand-new facility. Again the campers will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and share them with their fellow campers at our annual talent show.

Pennsylvania: Lewistown Preteen Camp

Camp Dates: June 22 to 25, 2008

Age Range: 5 to 12

Application Deadline: May 31

Description: The Lewistown Preteen Camp gives our children the opportunity to get closer to nature and God. Our campers will enjoy the beautiful location of the camp, along a scenic trout stream, with the convenience of cabins, showers, main lodge, swimming pool and sports fields. Many families have come to the camp together to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that comes with the outdoors and fellowship with others of the same belief. Parents are more than welcome to come, even if they have children that are not of camper age, with the understanding that they would be responsible for them.

Each year we have a camp theme. This year's morning lessons will be about the story of Solomon. The last evening of camp the children perform a play complete with costumes and songs written just for the play. Throughout the day the children have crafts, sports, nature class and swimming.

Oklahoma: Camp Osage Hills

Camp Dates: June 29 to July 3, 2008

Age Range: 6 to 12

Application Deadline: May 15

Description: The park includes a crystal clear river flowing over the natural rock base, a man-made fishing lake, swimming pool and recreational facilities. Deer and wild turkeys are all over the park and are seen on a daily basis.

Camp Osage Hills offers a fully staffed three-day resident camp program. The campers are grouped by ages into dorms staffed with both a counselor and assistant counselor. Activities include swimming, fishing, canoeing, field games, arts and crafts and daily Christian Living classes.

We also provide one off-camp trip to Woolarock, the expansive former estate of oilman Frank Phillips. This trip includes a drive through a game preserve with both native and African game animals, a 19th-century "Mountain Man" camp staffed by men in period costumes, a petting zoo and a large museum featuring Western art, artifacts and cultural history of Native Americans and Western American history.

We encourage parents and grandparents to apply to work on staff, as well as teens and young adults with a desire to serve the youth in the Church.

Indiana: Camp UCanDo (Day Camp)

Camp Dates: July 8 to 10, 2008, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Age Range: 5 to 12

Application Deadline: May 25

Description: Our activities include arts and crafts, Christian Living, photography, nature, home economics, science, outdoor games, water day, team building and sign language. Download your camper and/or staff application from our local Web site. Because this is a day camp, camper families must arrange their own housing in the area. Check out our Web site for information on nearby camping facilities and hotel information or contact the director for suggestions.

Tennessee: Camp Tomahawk

Camp Dates: July 20 to 23, 2008

Age Range: 6 to 12

Application Deadline: May 15

Description: Camp Tomahawk offers many exciting activities including Christian Living, swimming with lazy river ride, athletics/sports, arts and crafts, park ranger programs and much more. We also take pride in our themed dinners (dress in your favorite themed outfit to match the daily theme) and sample some of the tastiest camp food ever!

The camp is a multiple-day, resident camp. Campers will stay in the air-conditioned group lodge with several selected counselors, while the remaining staff are housed in the beautiful park cabins exactly 1 mile from the group lodge. Each lodge and cabin has attached bathrooms.

Camp Tomahawk is divided into two age categories for activity purposes, ages 6 to 8 and ages 9 to 12. Because space at Camp Tomahawk is very limited for both staff and campers, we may not be able to accept all applicants. Please apply early, as special consideration will be given to those who possess specific skills that are needed at camp. Please visit our Web site for additional information.

Minnesota: Camp Ironwood Springs (North Central Regional Preteen Camp)

Camp Dates: July 20 to 23, 2008

Age Range: 6 to 12

Application Deadline: June 26

Description: Ironwood Springs offers a variety of children's activities including Christian Living, horseback riding, crafts, field games, court games, swimming, hiking/exploring, obstacle courses, music, wagon rides, camp fires, sing-alongs and novelty Olympics.

The girls' and boys' dorms are located in the main lodge and are air-conditioned. Each dorm will be grouped by age and will have an adult counselor and cocounselor staying with the campers. The showers are also located in the main lodge so campers will not have to walk to an outside bathroom.

Ohio: Great Lakes Region Preteen Camp

Camp Dates: July 27 to July 30, 2008

Age Range: 6 to 12

Application Deadline: June 15 (discount if received before June 1)

Description: Since United's inception, the preteen camp in Ohio has been serving our Church families! Camp Buckeye activities this year will include swimming, fishing, leatherworks, arts and crafts, field games, a walk in a waterfall, campfires and games (and maybe even a visit from the governor of Cal-ee-forn-ee-ah!).

Be sure to download your application packet today at www.ucgakron.org. It contains all the information and applications you need for camp. We would also like to remind the teens and adults that we cannot run camp without your volunteer service. Staff application packets are also available from the Web site listed above. Staff positions will be limited, so be sure to get your application in early!

Oregon: Northwest Preteen Camp

Camp Dates: Aug. 3 to 6, 2008

Age Range: 6 to 11

Application Deadline: June 1

Description: Past preteen camp themes have been "God Is There and God Is There for You," "Character Counts," "Challenge Yourself," "Bee All You Can Bee," "FROG" (fully rely on God) and "Love Bears All Things." Activities include Christian Living classes, archery, swimming, tubing down the Salmon River (lifeguard included), zip line challenge course, low ropes course, arts and crafts, campfire (singing), dance (limbo), hiking, talent/variety show (you bring the talent) and miniature golf. UN