2026 Camp Report: Buckeye
Preteen Camp Buckeye took place once again at Camp Lazarus in central Ohio.
The facility sits on a beautiful 160 acres, providing ample space to enjoy nature and run all of our activities. The camp upgraded some of its buildings and facilities, with additional upgrades coming next year, making Camp Buckeye even more enjoyable for us.
This year we had 165 campers and staff come together for camp, and God blessed us with amazing weather and safety all week. Activities included fishing, BB guns,
archery, field sports, arts and crafts, swimming, a creek walk and an escape room.
We had a wonderful group of campers and staff who enjoyed the activities and grew together as the week went on. We started each day with a Christian living presentation for the whole camp, where we discussed how to become disciples as we hear Christ, learn from Him and love Him.
Two of our evenings concluded with a campfire in the amphitheater, where each dorm shared its dorm “chant.” We also enjoyed minute-to-win-it games and campfire songs. We concluded each campfire with the song “Follow Me,” written by a local Church member.
We had eleven 13-year-old staff members who served on our service crew. They assisted with a variety of needs and roles throughout camp as they learned to serve and help others during their first year transitioning from campers to staff at preteen camp. Every year we conclude camp with a short ceremony where awards are presented and service crew members are recognized for their work and “graduate” from the service crew. The annual “Hamster Dance” line dance then wraps up the week.
Course Content
Aaron Creech
Aaron Creech is the pastor serving the United Church of God in Columbus and Mansfield, Ohio. He serves there with his wife Whitney along with their four children, Dexter, Eleanor, Natalie, and Griffin.
Aaron holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Secondary Education. Before going into the ministry, Aaron was a High School Chemistry and Physical Science teacher. While teaching he also took classes towards a Master's degree in Education.
