It's not so easy to be a volunteer at a Christian boy's camp in Indian country.

At 34 years-old, Melvin Van Alan worries that his life has about reached the half-way mark and he is yet to do something significant with it. Then an appealing radio commercial sparks his interest and he suddenly decides he wants to teach writing as a summer camp volunteer. After all he is a New York public relations expert and he knows young people would benefit from the value of his experience.

One problem though. He heard “writing” over the radio when the announcer actually said “riding.” This is an example of only one of a series on innocent blunders Mel makes as he takes on the challenges of counselor at Camp Sage and Sand, a Christian boy’s camp in Indian country, near Cortez, Colorado.

For Mel, uncharted territory is anything west of the Hudson River. But he drives his old Volvo all the way to Colorado, where he encounters two individuals who are destined to change his life: tough but fair Commander Dougan, retired Navy officer and camp director, and Tracy Palmer, the beautiful twenty-some camp nurse.

From his first hour as counselor, Mel is thrust into one situation following another that totally forces him out of his comfort zone: A car accident, a broken leg, a tough gang with marijuana, and even the young campers themselves. Yet, he struggles to win each challenge with the help of his newly made friends on staff who call on God at every turn and demonstrate to this puzzled Jewish newcomer that they know how to put their Christian faith to work.

As the weeks progress, Mel starts to hate, then comes to like and then love his hot, dry surroundings and the overall purpose of the camp for disadvantaged youth. In the biggest public relations scheme he has ever proposed he gambles to keep Camp Sage and Sand from being taken over by officials connected with the federal government. It appears God has placed Mel in the right place at the right time to help secure the future of a little mission camp in Colorado.

Richard C. Smith

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