TEXAS—In preparation for this year’s Philadelphia Youth Camp, the Fort Worth congregation hosted its first you boot camp on May 16 at River Legacy Park in Arlington.

Local Church Elder Larry Walker said he wanted the focus of the event to be on cooperation, fun, preparation and unity. With that charge, deacon Jeffrey Miller, the local you coordinator organized challenges and obstacles for three teams from the 15 youths and 10 adults. Events included rope climbing, sprints, clue finding, a 1.19 mile run and agility drills.

“This was great event because it was something to really work hard at and the fun activities really challenged you,” 11-year-old Jaylen Miller said.

Team members were encouraged to “push on,” “achieve more,” and encourage all participants as they completed the course. Parents and kids ran, jumped and strategized together before ending the activities with smoothies and frozen yogurt treats at a local frozen yogurt shop.

“I had heard of this being done in the area where Mr. Jim Cocomise formerly served in the Northwest,” Mr. Walker said. “It gets the teens to start thinking about pyc and the younger kids get a taste of what it will be like when they are old enough to attend pycand how they will have to push themselves a bit with the physical activity. It was great to see everyone having fun, but the unity was the best part.”