The Seven Elements of the Zone
#2 Inclusiveness
At the United Youth Camps we strive to support what the family is doing at home. The Zone, therefore, encompasses the same characteristics which are found in the God-ordained family structure. We endeavor to live up to these Biblical principles that come from God Himself and strive to have the attitude that God has.
God the Father deals with each one of us without partiality; we are judged according to our works. None of us is perfect, but we are always trying to improve and overcome. This should affect how we live our lives and how we operate United Youth Camps (1 Peter 1:17).
In a godly family everyone is included. All are accepted for who they are and are working together toward a common goal. We take this important principle of inclusiveness and apply it to camp. Often, first-time campers are skeptical because they are used to the worldly system of exclusiveness. Before they get to camp they may think: “How will this work? Will I be accepted?” But very quickly they are amazed to see an environment that helps to build others up and not tear them down. It doesn’t matter what your background is because those that are striving to live by God’s ways are encouraged and included. Before camp is over you feel the family-like bond of an inclusive environment.
Sometimes the list of activities at camp can be intimidating. Maybe a teen isn’t athletic or doesn’t know how to do archery or has a fear of heights. All are encouraged to participate, try new activities and have fun. It’s always wonderful to see a dorm cheering on a teen as they climb the rock wall or hit the softball. The dorms really come together as a unit and bond in their relationships. They become very close knit in a short amount of time. They encourage and cheer each other on to success, and by extension they encourage the other dorms and staff as well.
Campers and staff realize how inclusiveness unifies the camp and creates a wonderful environment. This also includes the absence of put-downs or criticisms. Put-downs can quickly tear apart a dorm and a camp experience. We promote the building up of each other and encouragement. In sports there is a healthy and fun level of competition; one team may win the game, but everyone has fun together. Teens each have different levels of experience, but they all are encouraged, and no one is made fun of or belittled.
The biblical story of Ruth is a wonderful story of inclusiveness. Ruth made a commitment to follow the true God, and to stay by Naomi’s side. Boaz saw this dedication in Ruth when he told her: “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12). God saw Ruth striving to live by His laws. It didn’t matter what her background was; she was striving to change and be more like the true God. God honored Ruth and Boaz by including them in the lineage of Jesus Christ! We also see how inclusive God is to all of us in Acts 10:34-35: “God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
The result of inclusiveness is most apparent at the end of camp when everyone goes back home. It’s always difficult to leave camp because we have bonded like family. We realize how important it is to do “nothing with partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21). This godly principle of inclusiveness is a fundamental, vital part of a successful camp.
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