Nashamie Group Leader...Travis Perkins

Here is the third installment of posts that highlights the 4 group leaders from this summer. I think it has been a great look at what type of attitude and ideas that it takes to be a in charge of a group of campers and staff during a summer of Camp. This week Travis Perkins took the time to answer a few questions and gave some insight into what he thinks makes Camp the place that it is.

CDRAlumni: What years have you been at Camp?

Travis: I began coming to Camp when I camped in 2001.

CDRAlumni: Why did you come to Camp in the first place?

Travis: My sister had camped two years before I did and convinced me to go.

CDRAlumni: What is your favorite memory from your time as a camper?

Travis: Nashamie outcamping on the fourth of July.

CDRAlumni: Who had the biggest impact on you while you were a camper?

Travis: Chris Banks, Ty Taylor, Jace Allen

CDRAlumni: What made you decide to be on staff?

Travis: I wanted to feel like I was doing something worth while during the summer.

CDRAlumni: What do you think makes Camp so important for so many people?

Travis: For the campers, I think it's the escape from the world into a little slice of heaven. For the staff, it's the feeling of meaning in thier lives. For the parents and alumni, I can only assume it's the knowledge that camp really does change lives.

CDRAlumni: What is your favorite part of the typical Camp Day?

Travis: Afternoon canteen.

CDRAlumni: Talk about the responsibility of being a Group Leader.

Travis: It's a welcomed responsibility. The work is hard, but the reward of seeing growth and change in the campers makes it worth it.

CDRAlumni: If there is one thing that you hope the campers take away from there time at Camp, what do you want it to be?

Travis: I always want the campers to take away the knowledge that God loves them more than they could know, and that if they actively seek God, he will make himself known in thier lives.

CDRAlumni: What is your least favorite part of Camp?

Travis: My least favorite part of camp? A session ending just as the group has become unified.

CDRAlumni: What is your proudest accomplishment from your time at Camp?

Travis: 5th Session 2009, Chiefy wins indian day!!

CDRAlumni: Anything you would like to say to alumni?

Travis: Thanks for all the support and wisdom. If it weren't for your Christ-like example, none of us would be on staff today.

I want to thank Travis for taking the time to answer these questions for me. I know that there isn't a lot of free time during the summer for the staff, but its great that these guys are willing to take a couple of minutes and give us all an inside look into their thoughts about Camp. Travis is a great example for the campers to look to. He has experienced some things in life that have helped him draw closer to God and strengthened his faith and understanding that God is in total control. I know that the campers who have been Nashamies this summer are closer to God after spending time at Camp because of the things that Travis has taught them and that they have seen in him.

When campers run the show

There are 9 Wednesday night worship services each summer of Camp. Each one is wonderful time of praise, but 3 Wednesday nights have a different feel from the other 6. One of those nights was tonight. For the second Wednesday worship during the 2 week sessions, the campers are in charge of the worship service. The boys in Men's 8, which is the oldest boys cabin, lead the singing, say the prayers, and usually 3 or 4 young men spend about 5 minutes each speaking from the Word. It is such a wonderful time to see the young men step out and take charge for a great time of fellowship. You can see that the guys are nervous, but to be able to hear them speak from the heart is such an encouragement for those who are there. Many times, the young men who take the lead for this worship service will apply to be on staff, and will be the next leaders for Camp. Many campers grow up going to Camp with the goal of being on staff someday, and nights like tonight, where the campers led the worship service, is a great way to help some of those aspiring to be on staff understand what it is to take a leadership role at Camp.

Camp is coming to a close, but isn't over yet. Continue to pray for the campers who are at Camp right now, and those who will be there next week. Right now is when the staff is searching for some extra energy to finish the summer. Pray that they are able to give the kids all that they have and finish the summer strong.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Cheuk Group Leader...Blake Hemphill

During my 5 years on staff, I had Blake Hemphill in my cabin 3 or 4 times, and we were in the same group several other times. During that time I got to know him pretty well, and I am proud to see the young man that he has become. Blake has been spending the past 2 summers as a group leader, and this year is the Cheuk Group Leader. This is such an important position because so many of the campers that Blake has in his group are first-time campers, and Blake has a big part in impressing the campers with what Camp is all about. He has been doing a great job.

When he was a young camper, maybe 11, Blake told me one day to call him "Steve the Stud." So for the past 10 or 11 years, I have called him some form of Steve or Stud. I imagine when people here me call him this, they become very confused. Here is a picture of Blake from 2003 when he was just a young camper.

I did asked Blake some questions about his thoughts on Camp, and he filled these out during some of his down time at Camp.

What years have you been at Camp?

Pee Wee – ’94-‘97

Camper – ’98-‘06

Staff – ’07-‘10

Why did you come to Camp in the first place?

All my family has been involved at CDR. My Grandpa was on the board of directors when Camp first started.

What is your favorite memory from your time as a camper?

One of my fondest memories was winning the Cheuk Basketball League championship in 1999. To me, this little cabin-activity-turned-Cheuk-free-day-night-activity was a huge deal!! Being able to share that memory with friends that were there that night and are still on staff with me now is an amazing bond.

Who had the biggest impact on you while you were a camper?

Chris Banks has been a big influence in my life since 1997. He was my counselor when I was a Pee Wee, and he was later my Nashamie group leader. He gave me his Indian Feather in 2003, and he has given me much more than that over the years. He showed me the love and care of Christ when I was a camper. Since I have grown up, Christ and I have become friends. He has given me much advice, and we have talked a lot about the mission of Camp Deer Run together.

What made you decide to be on staff?

I have so many memories from my years as a camper, and so many great experiences and friends that I will never forget. I want to be a part of the creating the incredibly fun and spiritual experiences that I had for the kids that still come today.

What do you think makes Camp so important for so many people?

Camp makes everyone the cool kid. Also, just the attention of a college-aged staff member to a young child, showing them that you care, means the world to them. There is an atmosphere of love that transcends differences among kids from all backgrounds and personalities. And most importantly, our emphasis on Bible study at different times throughout the day and focusing on a relationship with God has a huge influence on the lives of many campers.

What is your favorite part of the typical Camp Day?

I think the part of every day that I love the most is the group activity. The things that we all associate with the theme of each day, many of the things we all think of when we think about camp, are the activities done during this time. The Hawaiian slip-n-slide, Killi olympics, capture the flag, Sadie Hawkins Day, and chasing the Indian are all memories from group activity.

Talk about the responsibility of being a Group Leader.

I think the responsibility of a Group Leader goes past taking care of campers. It involves being a director and a servant for a group of 12 or so counselors on top of about 40 kids. One of the most important responsibilities is being a spiritual leader for the group and for the camp. It takes a lot of work, dedication, focus, and discipline, but it also brings a lot of joy to fulfill your duties.

If there is one thing that you hope the campers take away from their time at Camp, what do you want it to be?

I want campers to learn how to live life to the full (John 10:10). Camp demonstrates the fulfillment of that passage perfectly, showing campers that they can have a BLAST being a Christian. I hope that they realize that when they leave the gates at the end of a session, that they don’t just leave having had a great time for a week or two weeks, but that they leave with a message and a mission to tell the world about the story of Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross.

What is your least favorite part of Camp?

A part of the daily schedule of Camp that I always found hard to fill with fun was cabin activity. It gets difficult to come up with something different to do every day for an hour and a half and have everyone enjoy the time without getting bored.

What is your proudest accomplishment from your time at Camp?

I think one of the memories that sticks out in my mind the most is winning Killi Kapers in 2005 with the Men’s 7 Boys Choir, which Ty Ford called one of the greatest Killi Kapers of all time in the Killi News Letter the following school year. With Ty Taylor as our counselor and Drayton Hoffman as our director, we changed the words to some old hymns to sing in our homemade tuxes.

Anything you would like to say to alumni?

I would just encourage the alumni to stay in touch not only with other alumni, but stay in touch and involved with Camp and the current staff. I know that I love to have y’all come back and talk about times that you had. I love sharing the things that are going on and the things that I am learning, and I love hearing about how things were when you were here. And I always enjoy getting advice from you who have been through the Camp experience before me.

You can tell that Blake is a great person to have leading young campers, and a wonderful example for all of the other staff members. He embodies what Camp has been about for over 50 years, and because of his leadership, future staff members will be able to help Camp continue to impact the spiritual development of campers for years to come.

Camp is winding down, only two weeks left. This Sunday is the final Middle Sunday of the summer. If you would like to worship at Camp, then please feel free to head out to Camp. Classes start at 10 world time and worship is at 11. It would be great to see as many people there as possible. Hope to see you there.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

A short Baby Roundup Video

CDR Baby Round Up 2010

This past Sunday was just too much fun! The first every Camp Deer Run Baby Round Up was a wonderful success, and everyone who attended seemed to have a great time. Over the past several years it seemed that a large number of former Deer Runners were having babies, so it was decided that we needed to get all of the babies and their mommies and daddies together. Hopefully this is only the first in what will become a long-lasting CDR tradition. The intent was to honor all the babies 3 years or younger and their parents. There were a few kids that might have been a little over 3, but we didn't mind letting that slide. All total, there were 28 kids that showed up with their parents for this great day.

The day started with class and then all of the campers and staff worshipping with all of the visitors. The official count had 572 people at worship, although there are many people who said it was the largest crowd they had ever seen and were convinced there were well over 600 people in attendance. Here is a picture of how some of the little ones spent worship. It was much more peaceful this way.

After worship was over, the ones there for the Baby Roundup got to skip to the front of the lunch line and eat first. We all went and ate in the Rec Hall where the kids could run around and everybody could visit without worrying about having to be in the way of the campers and their families.
We had to take a group picture to document this event. Of course, this picture will be very fun to look at in 15 years when all of this kids are working together on staff at Camp.

We had to take a silly picture too!

You cannot go out to Camp this summer and not take a dip in the pool. That's exactly what we did next. Everyone went and changed into their swimsuits and hit the pool. It was a completely different type of swim time from what normally goes on in the pool, but it was easily one of the most fun I've ever been a part of. There were so many little kids in there having the time of their lives, it was just fun to watch that and be a part of it. The time spent in the pool was one of the highlights of the day. (Warning, there was mixed swimming going on.)
You can tell from all of the smiles in the pictures that this was such a fun day. There were many people who hadn't been to Camp in over 5 years, some 10 years, that came out for this special time. It was great to see all of the little ones together, but what made this day so special was seeing all of the old friendships being rekindled. Everyone knows that Camp is a special place where you develop relationships that will be special for a lifetime. Days like this prove that years apart don't do much to hamper those friendships. It will be exciting to watch all of the little kids who were there grow up and develop friendships with each other over the years. In a few years they will be camping together, then will be on staff together, maybe go to college together, and there may even be some weddings some day between two little kids that met each other on this day. You just never know what God has in store for these kids. But you know with parents that put God first, these kids have a terrific life ahead of them. They are the future of Camp Deer Run, and the future looks good.

The Baby Round Up was a day that many people had been eagerly anticipating for several months, but now it is over. Luckily, we are in the works to do many more things to bring Camp Deer Run Alumni together again. The next Baby Round Up will be in 3 years, when there will be another batch of babies running around Camp. Within the next month, I will be posting details of several planned CDR Alumni Events that will be happening during the year. We want to get the dates of these events out as soon as possible so that everyone can get them on their calendars first before other activities. Camp Deer Run means so much to so many people, and its time that we start focusing on bringing as many of these people together as possible. As soon as dates are nailed down, I will make sure to share details with everyone.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Alumni Spotlight...Worm

If you were at Camp Deer Run during the 1980's or 1990's then there is a very good chance that you have some good stories from being around Trevon Buchanan, aka Worm. He was a fixture in the Crafts Hall singing some Acappella.

CDR Alumni: What years were you camper or a staff member?

Worm: 1980-1982 I was a day camper, 1983-1992 I was a camper 1988-1992, I was a Stamper (Staff/Camper), and 1993-1996 Staff Deer Runner til the day I die.

CDR Alumni: What brought you to Camp Deer Run as a camper or staff member? How did you find out about Camp?

Worm: My Great-grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, Aunt and several other members of my family have been working @ Deer Run since the late 60's early 70's. My biggest influences in keeping me coming back were MaMa Smith and David Ward.

CDR Alumni: Share a favorite memory from your time at CDR.

Worm: I have a lot of great memories. Deer Run spans Decades for me, so I have seen a lot of changes. Here are some key phrases that will strike some memories for others: Chubby bunnies, River Rats, Best outcamping chicken ever, TW's, biggest Deer Run pillow fight ever, horse in men's 7, 3 weeks of rain non stop followed by floating Tankawa camp fire and collapsing canteen porch, the real Killi Killi wash wash song,and last but not least the place I truly met Jesus. Sorry so long. I have seen the ups and downs of Deer Run, but the same things happen to me as do most people, if you ask me about CDR I light up with good memories. I can't really pick a favorite moment, but my favorite thing was Hymn Time.

CDR Alumni: How did your time at CDR impact your life?

Worm: CDR quite literally shaped my whole life. Truth be told, I liked having fun at CDR and never really cared about God until mid the 80's. The unconditional love of PaPaw Smith, MaMaw Smith, Jay and Gay Spencer, Billy Ray Dean, David Allen, Shannon Big Red, Kirk Bradford, and David Ward (the list could go on forever). The rest of my life falls into place like dominoes. I never heard of ACU and never would have attended ACU if not CDR. God knows I am Thankful for ACU and CDR.

CDR Alumni: Tell us everything you would like people to know about your life since camp; What do you do for a living, are you married, do you have kids, etc.

Worm: I have gone through a lot of trials in my life since I left CDR. I was apparently sick since I was young and didn't know. I have high blood pressure since I was 13, congestive heart failure at 20 and 21,heart attack at 26, kidney failure at 27. Did dialysis for a few years and now 3 years into my kidney transplant. Don't you dare feel sorry for me, because in all of this I am truly blessed. I have wonderful wife and four beautiful children. I got to be children's minister, youth minister, church leader in a young growing hispanic church, song leader, sing in acappella singing group, and perform the wedding of my best friend and his wife.

CDR Alumni: Please tell us more about your family, names, ages, anything you would like to share.

Worm: Aneissa LaSha Buchanan 9 yrs old (CDR is calling her name), Trevon DeAnte 6, Truett EliJah 5, Harrison Isaiah 2. My wife Julie and I will be married 10 yrs this summer.

Thanks Worm for taking the time to answer this survey so that we can all get caught up with you and your family. If you haven't filled out an Alumni Spotlight Survey, please do so. This has been a great way to catch up with people from Camp Deer Run's past.

Tomorrow is 4th Session Middle Sunday and it is also the very first Camp Deer Run Baby Roundup. It promises to be a fun day, and I will make sure to post a full recap of the day. God has been good to Camp this summer, and I know that the lives of the campers is being changed on a daily basis. Continue to pray for the good work that is being done at Camp.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

4th

Today starts 4th Session, and it is also the 4th of July. Every year that the 4th of July falls during a Camp session, usually 4th, a big fireworks show takes place at Camp. It is always a fun and festive time to watch the show, and to sing patriotic songs. It is one of the few times during the summer that campers and staff alike realize that they are participating in a unique moment at Camp. When the 4th falls during outcamping, all of the campers and staff will gather together on top of the hill, nasty and stinking from outcamping, and watch the show together. So tonight, while you are watching fireworks, think about campers and staff doing the same thing at Camp Deer Run.

Next Sunday is the Baby Roundup. If you are planning on going, or have been thinking about it, please email Ty Ford to let him know that you would like to be there. It is going to be a very fun and exciting day. We would love to have as many little ones running around, while their parents chase right after them.

Camp has been going great, and is amazingly half way over. Continue to keep everyone involved in your prayers, and we would love to see many of you out there visiting this next Sunday.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Cross Devo

Thursday nights at Camp are often the most emotional nights of each session. It is the final night of Camp, and while there are many fun activities, but the night finishes with the most powerful activity of each session, Cross Devo. This is THE most important part of the day and is basically the last part of Camp for the campers to see.

Like most other parts of Camp, Cross Devo has been a very long standing tradition, and a very important part of Camp. But just like other parts of Camp, the way Cross Devo goes down has been changed over the years as Camp changes. There are some parts of Cross Devo that worked well 20 years ago that don't work today, so some things have been changed. But the message of Camp, and of Cross Devo has always remained the same.

For an entire week, or maybe two weeks, campers are taught about what love God has for us, and that His love was shown to us when he sent His son to this earth and He was sacrificed for us. The campers are also told about what this amazing sacrifice means for each of us. Cross Devo is a chance to give the campers a visual of what happened during the days leading up to His death, and then also the hope that He gives with His resurrection.

The skit starts by lining the campers up by cabin in the Rec Hall. They are instructed that the staff members are the actors of the skit, and that they are not professional actors, and that the props used are minimal. Even though it is not perfect, the intent is to give the campers an idea of what that time was like for Jesus Christ. The campers Jesus praying in the garden with his disciples, and they see Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. They see Pilate asking the crowd if they would rather he release to them Jesus or Barabbas. The last thing they see is Jesus being mocked and beaten by the guards. The time in the Rec Hall is a very quiet time that allows the campers to understand how those days went for Jesus.

After this part, the campers are instructed to walk up the hill with the staff members to see the second part of the skit. Once everyone makes up the hill, Jesus is forced to carry the cross through the crowd while the guards are mocking him and whipping him. When Jesus gets to the crowd he falls down and Simon carries the cross the rest of the way.

Jesus then is hung on the cross while the 4 group leaders stand by with torches so that the crowd can see Jesus on the cross. It is such an amazing sight to actually see someone on a cross. The campers can also hear Jesus and is pain, they can hear him crying out to God. Then they hear Jesus say it is finished, and then hang his head in death. At this point the staff sings a few songs with an emphasis on the cross. It is a very moving moment, and tends to bring out tears from more than just a few campers.

While the singing is going on, Jesus is taken down from the cross, and a large bonfire behind the cross is lit. Then the campers see what makes Jesus death so special...that he rose from it. Jesus then appears to his disciples and shows Thomas the scars on his hands and his side. Then the staff sing more songs, this time focused on the joy and happiness that Jesus' resurrection offers to all of us.

After the singing the Program Director will get up and share a final message for the campers. He will usually tell the campers about how they can use the things they have learned during their session in the lives away from Camp. It is a time of encouragement, and a time of finality, because it signals that another session of Camp is over. Finally the staff gathers together to sing a song that shares the message that they all hope the campers are able to hear.

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful,

May the fire of our devotion light their way,

May the footprints that we leave,

Lead them to believe,

And the lives we live inspire them to obey,

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

It is such an emotional night for the campers, but it is the best way to end what is hopefully a great session for each. To be able to send the campers home with the images of the things Jesus went through is a great way to leave a lasting impact. If you have ever seen Cross Devo, then you can probably visualize a little more easily the sacrifice that was made for us. Which after all, that is the message that is most important for the campers to receive during their stay at Camp.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky