Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

"Let's go on the count of three," Gary Wyckoff said.

"Your count or mine?" I asked, while standing about six feet to Gary's right atop a zip-line platform at the Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp, where Gary serves on the board and volunteers at the summer camps.

"Are you sure this harness is hooked up properly?" I asked the pleasant young man standing behind me, as I looked down at the tops of trees.

"Don't look down," Gary advised.

Too late.

"Yes, Sir, you are fastened correctly," the aforementioned pleasant young man said, while standing behind me on the zip-line platform.

"So," I asked the young man, "When it's time to shove off, are you going to push me to my inevitable demise?"

"We are not allowed to 'push' anyone off the platform. You have to want to jump."

Meanwhile, Gary started counting. "Three…,"

"Why would anyone WANT to jump?" I asked. "I'm attached to what looks like a 5/8-inch steel cable with a half-inch metal clip and a cord attached to a nylon belt around my waist. I weigh 180 pounds." (Besides, this young fellow has no idea of the many reasons I probably shouldn't make it – safely – to the end of the line.)

And then, Gary yelled, "Two…."

At this point, my pair of cheap hiking shoes felt like steel-toed cinder blocks, tightly anchored to the very edge of the zip-line platform.

"Well, you could release the harness and walk back down," the young man suggested.

It was a long walk. Downhill all the way. People were watching, too. Mostly young people.

Thirty minutes earlier, as Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp Board Chairman Bill Phillis and Camp Administrator Jack Jennings were getting me set for the zip-line, a youngster had just completed his third ride of the late afternoon. He was begging the camp counselors for just one more ride.

"How old are you, son?" I asked.

"I'm seven, Sir," the happy and energetic boy answered with respect.

It was that thought that propelled me from the zip-line platform into mid-air, above the trees. Because one thing is certain, the 7-year-old me who used to swing into creeks from grapevines and baler twine tied to tree limbs, would have kicked my butt for not zip-lining this afternoon. Plus, it was a very long walk back.

"One!," Gary cried out and was gone in an instant.

I watched him sail away.

"Are you going?" the young man asked for the third or fourth time.

"I'm thinking seriously about it," I said with all honesty.

"Other people are waiting."

"It's a Christian camp. They're Christians. They'll understand."

And then I did not jump, but simply stepped off solid footing. I caught up with Gary in a few moments. We were both laughing and smiling and enjoying every second of this wonderful ride. I actually snapped about a dozen photos on the way down.

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing Gary – and Bill Phillis who was right behind us – were maybe a little like me and found just a bit of their inner youth with each ride.

Another bucket list entry was just scratched off. Thanks, Gary.

* * *

The Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp's 63rd summer of service is now under way.

The 110-acre complex is located in the heart of Brush Creek Township in southeast Highland County, just outside of Carmel.

Among the camp's facilities are a spacious dining hall and full-service kitchen, an administrative building, assembly hall, six pavilions, two shower facilities, and 10 20-bed cabins – one set for boys and the other for girls. The camp has a large outdoor swimming pool, athletic fields, an indoor basketball court, and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.

In addition to adding a second zip-line and a "human Foosball court," another new feature is the "giant swing."

Some say it takes more courage to ride the giant swing than the zip-line. It also takes faith, because as Jack Jennings explains: "There's a purpose of teamwork in all of these challenges."

There is no shortage of spiritual faith or teamwork at this Christian camp.

There's also no shortage of smiles, laughter and friendly conversation.

I've visited the camp for each of the last four years, but today's visit was the first time I've witnessed the camp near its capacity.

"When an inspector from American Camping Association visited this camp, he said 'There might be a better camp, but I don't know where it is," Bill Phillis said.

I would agree with Bill.

The camp can accommodate as many as 204 campers, plus 60 adult volunteers.

There were 127 campers there today. All happy.

The Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp has met the criteria for accreditation in the American Camping Association. ACA membership gives parents and campers assurance that the Fort Hill environment is safe, healthy and professional.

Fort Hill board members are committed to meeting and exceeding the requirements of the American Camping Association while giving utmost priority to the spiritual development of its campers and staff.

"We're about changing lives," Gary Wyckoff said.

Gary should know. His parents, Charles and Etta Wyckoff have a long history with the camp, which was initially part of President Franklin Roosevelt's CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) program.

He also said there are discussions about a possible home-schooling environment.

We'll report on that when the time is right.

The regular camping season at Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp runs from June through August and is intended for campers aged 7-18 years old. The fee is $150 per camper, per week and camps are scheduled Sundays through Saturdays.

For more information, visit http://www.forthillcamp.org or call (937) 588-2266.