Changes at Camp...Pavilion

When I started doing this blog, part of my intent was to provide former Deer Runners with a look into Camp today. I know that there are lots of Alumni who have not been out to Camp in many years, so I want to show them what Camp is like today, and how things may have changed over the years. In all parts of life, change can be looked at in a negative light, and Camp is no different. Its important to understand that the changes that have been made at Camp are made with the purpose of bettering the work that is done there every summer...preaching the Gospel to the thousands of kids that come to Camp. There is always much thought and prayer put into all the decisions, and making sure that Camp stays the same place that we all fell in love with. If you haven't been out to Camp in over 15 years, some things may look different, but you would be able to see that Camp is the same as it always has been. So, I would like to show some of the things that have changed at Camp, and bring everybody up to speed on what Camp is like today.

The first "new" addition to Camp that I would like to highlight is the Pavilion. I say "new", but it was built 12 years ago. I'm starting with it because I think it is the best thing built at Camp since I became involved with Camp almost 20 years ago. The Pavilion was built and named in honor of E.H. Smith, or PaPaw to most people. It was built between Cheuk and Hoche Ballfields, and met several needs immediately. The Pavilion is a true multi use facility. It is used for cabin and group activities, especially for application lessons. On mornings when it rains, Flag Devo can be held underneath the roof so that campers and staff don't have to start the day off soaked.

Before the Pavilion was built, the only place to play basketball was on an uneven, bumpy stretch of pavement out by Hoche Ballfield. It was not a very safe place to play, and was difficult to get a good game going. The Pavilion has a full length basketball court with goals on both sides.
On special occasions such as Pass the Torch, or the 50th reunion, tables and chairs can be set up to serve a meal underneath the shade.
The best use of the Pavilion though can be seen on any Middle Sunday of a 2 week session. This summer during 4th Session, there was close to 600 people worshipping together in the Pavilion. Before the Pavilion was built, all worships were held in the Rec Hall, which is just big enough to squeeze in around 200 people. Obviously this would not be an adequate place to hold worship with 600 people. Being able to worship together in the Pavilion, all under one roof, lifting praises to God, really captures the true spirit of Camp Deer Run.
If you haven't been to Camp in many years, I encourage you to mark your calendar to come out to some of the Alumni events we have planned. I really think that you will be happy seeing Camp today and understanding the impact that it is still having today on the Campers that come through the gates every summer.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Mark Your Calendars

About 8 months ago I met with Ty Ford and we discussed the need to reach out to former Camp Deer Runners, or Alumni. We decided it was time to embrace technology to be able to spread the word about Camp, and started this blog, as well as getting a Camp Deer Run Facebook page running. The Camp Deer Run website has been redesigned and has a great new look. These things helped to get us off to a great start with reaching out to CDR Alumni, and will help things to only get better. Through this blog we have been able catch up on Alumni during the "Alumni Spotlight" posts, and have let people who aren't able to make it out to Camp see what it is like today.

Part of the plan of reaching out to Alumni was to organize times for Alumni to get together with each other and have fun catching up with people you may not have seen in years. We had the first one of these this year with the first "Camp Deer Run Baby Round Up." It was a great success and will have another one in 3 years. Close to 30 little children were at Camp with their parents who worked at Camp in the past. I know that everyone who attended had a wonderful day. Now it is time to expand on these gatherings. There have been several things planned for the next year, and you need to know about them now so that you can put them on your calendar.

February 4-6

CDR Alumni Men's Retreat

This is obviously for men only. There was a small Men's Retreat last year to see how well it went over and it was a great time. This year we are expecting a big turnout. If you are a former male Deer Runner, then this is for you. It will be a time of fellowship and worship, with plenty of time to catch up with old friends.

March 25-27

CDR Alumni Women's Retreat

This is obviously for women only. Same idea as the men's retreat.

June 11 OR June 25

CDR Alumni Family Day

We are not sure which day this will be, but should know within a week or two. This is going to be a day for anyone who has been a part of the Camp Deer Run Family to come out and enjoy a Saturday at Camp with other former Deer Runners. It is being called Family Day not because it is only for "families", but because we are all part of the Deer Run Family.

Hopefully all three of these events will have big turnouts. As we get closer to the dates I will be posting updates with schedules and other information, but for now, make sure to put these on your calendar. Friendships that are formed at Camp are so special, and these events will give us all a chance to catch up with each other and strengthen those relationships. Don't worry about contacting anyone right now about your plans to attend, just plan on being able to attend these events. If you have any questions you can email me at cdralumni@gmail.com.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Summer Recap

Its been over for about a week, but there are still many campers and staff who constantly have Camp Deer Run on their minds. If you take the time to ask anyone who spent time at Camp this summer, they will tell you that they had an amazing experience. Every summer at Camp is special in its own way, and this summer was no different. Each camper left Camp at the end of their session with a fire burning inside of them that was ignited at Camp. They left with a strong desire to live life for God, and will have many stories and memories to lean on during the year. If you were able to make it out to Camp this summer, then you know how great things are going. But I thought it would be fun to share some numbers from this summer at Camp.

206...Total number of PeeWee day campers. This is a very important part of the summer for Camp Deer Run, for these campers are introduced to Camp for the very first time, and will hopefully come back when they are old enough to camp overnight.

977...Total number of overnight campers this summer. If you average that number out over 6 sessions you get 163 campers per session. This an impressive number considering that Camp is considered at capacity at 160. So, obviously each session of Camp is full. Kids want to come spend a week or two in the woods surrounded by Godly young men and women, running around getting dirty, playing in the creek, worshipping God. This is a good thing.

1...New pool. The new pool was a physical highlight this summer. Everyone who saw the new pool was very excited about it. I can't think of a better place to cool down during a hot day.

1647...Total attendance for all 3 Middle Sunday worship services.

85...Chickens cooked during Hoche outcamping.

27...Number of little ones who attended the first ever CDR Baby Roundup with their families.

5040...Total attendance for all worship services, both Wednesday nights and Sundays.

27...Campers who decided to take on Christ in baptism. This is the most important number of all, and shows just how successful of a summer this was for Camp Deer Run. A wonderful staff was assembled, a staff that was given the task of being Christian leaders for each and every camper that came to Camp this summer. We know that they succeeded. The 27 baptisms this summer is one way of knowing this, but we also know that each camper was loved during their time at Camp, and that they were shown the love of Christ. They left Camp closer to God, and with a desire to live their lives for Him. These are the things that truly show Camp was a success. You can ask any camper, and they will tell you how on fire they were for God when they left Camp, and how their things they learned at Camp motivates them to live for God.

It was a great summer. I hope that you had a chance to make it there this summer, but if not, maybe through this blog you are able to keep up with the happenings of Camp. Just because the summer is over, the work of Camp does not end. Preparation for next summer has already begun. Continue to pray for Camp and the work that goes on there.

In the next post I am going to share some dates for CDR Alumni gatherings in the next year, that way you can get them on your calendar. Its been a great to get started trying to bring former Deer Runners back into the fold, and there are many great ideas being tossed around to better serve the Alumni. Keep checking back here to get some updates soon.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Wenache Group Leader...Scott Busby

Tonight is the last night of Camp Deer Run 2010. I know it is a sad night for the campers who are experiencing 6th Session, but it is also a sad night for the 50 staff members who have given up their summer to spend 10 weeks in the hot woods of East Texas to share God's love with thousands of children. I want to highlight the Wenache Group leader tonight. Scott has done a great job this summer leading this group. Its very cool for me see Scott as the Wenache Group Leader because I had Scott in my group in 2003 when I was the Wenache Group Leader. It gives me great pride to be able to look at all 4 of the Group Leaders and to remember when they were campers and see what great young men they have become.

CDRAlumni: What years have you been at Camp?

Scott: I camped from 1998-2007 and have been on staff from 2008-2010.

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

Scott: I guess I would have to give the Spencer family the credit for introducing me to camp. I am from Huntsville, Texas and grew up going to church with John Richard and Renee's family who told my parents about it. I guess my parents thought it sounded like a good idea to send my sister and I. Thanks, Spencers.

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

Scott: In 2003 Pete Garner and Sparky led the men of the Wenache nation on a search for a place called "Pete's Pass." After a week of searching for it, we finally found it only to find out a few years later that Pete's Pass was really just a joke. Also, in either 1999 or 2000, Ty Ford led my cabin on a hunt for an "escaped convict." After an hour and a half of searching we caught the convict who turned out to just be Sparky.

Scott (far right) and his cabin at Pete's Pass in 2003.

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

Scott: Cameron Hartsell had a big impact on me when I was a camper. I was a camper in GB6 in 2005 and 2006 and Cameron was my counselor for both of those years. It was evident that Cameron was truly interested in us not only as far as his job as a CDR staff member went, but also as a friend. Since GB6 is at the top of camp on a hill of sorts, Cameron called our cabin the city on a hill, helping us realize the importance of being a Christ-like example to all. Even though he called me a fat-head, his impact on me was immense.

CDRAlumni: What made you decide to be on staff?

Scott: I decided to apply to become a staff member after my first summer as a camper in 1998. At that time I probably only wanted to be on staff because camp all summer long sounded like the greatest thing in the world to me. As I grew older, however, I began to realize that much of my spiritual growth could be attributed to the staff members at Deer Run. I wanted to share in that ministry for future campers. I wanted to bless the campers who I would work with just as much as the staff members who blessed me did.

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

Scott: I think the reason camp is so important is because of the overwhelming sense of acceptance that is felt at Camp Deer Run. People from all walks of life are thrown together in a group at Camp and participate in the weirdest, most fun activities imaginable all while learning what it is to be Christ-like. When everybody is doing something weird, nobody is "too cool" for anybody else and a Christ-like sense of unity shows through. That unity leads to some of the best and most long lasting friendships possible.

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

Scott: Night games and Night devo would have to be my favorite two parts of any camp day. Games like steal the bacon, three deep, and pull apart are so fun to play and then the day ends in worship to God through night devo with an amazing view of the stars. That portion of the day combines the two purposes of camp, fun and worship, in the best way possible.

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

Scott: This is my first year to hold this position and so far, I have loved every minute of it. The responsibilities involved in group leading can sometimes be tough, but are extremely rewarding. A huge difference between counseling and group leading is the amount of preparation involved. It is now my job to plan activities, games, Bible lessons, etc. for the whole group, for ten weeks, which can be challenging. I am now also responsible for the staff members in my group. It is my job to set an example for them but to also encourage them in all that they do.

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?

Scott: I want campers to leave camp knowing that God is alive and that he is working. I think just being out in the woods, in God's creation, for one or two weeks is enough in itself to show that God is alive and that he is powerful. Often, the world outside of camp may seem very dark and discouraging. But I hope through camp that everyone who comes here will see that God is alive and working in the world. You just have to look a little harder than you would have to at camp.

CDRAlumni: What is your least favorite part of Camp?

Scott: My least favorite part of camp is camp improvement. It's just not campish to be cleaning when you could be in the creek.

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

Scott: My proudest accomplishment at camp has been the two baptisms that I have been priveleged to perform. This year I have baptized Cheyenne Wolfe and also Britt Moody. I was so fortunate to have that opportunity to study with them and to baptize them into Christ. I am so glad that God was able to use me to that end.

CDRAlumni: Anything you would like to say to alumni?

Scott: To former CDR Staff, I'd just like to thank you for the hard work that I know you put in while you were working here. You may not have been in my group ever or even been working while I was camping but I know that the example you set for me just by being here has helped mold my faith. So thank you so much for that. To those who camped in the past and even to former staff I would ask that you would be in prayer for the mission of camp at all times. Pray that God's will can be done through camp and that He can continue to work through the memories made here even during the school year, that those memories will only serve to spur on a deeper faith in God.

Thanks again to Scott and the other Group Leaders for answering some questions and letting us know what it means to them to be a in charge of a group at Camp. Its been fun talking to these guys and getting their perspective on their job.

The Camp offseason is just about upon us. But continue to pray for the campers throughout the year and for Camp as a whole as there are many projects to be done and needs that need to be met. Thanks for supporting Camp Deer Run this summer and for the many prayers already offered.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Alumni Spotlight...Robert Martin

Time for another Alumni Spotlight. This time I am highlighting Robert Martin, or you may know him by his Camp nickname, Ol' Blue. Robert was at Camp as a camper from 1989-1993 and was a staff member from 1994-1996.

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

Robert: I was actually told about camp through my preacher's son at the time Brent Nichols. At that time I was 12 or 13. I started off as a Nashami and moved up through the Hoches, and fell in love so much with all the staff and camp that in 1994 I went and got my lifeguard certification and became the men's lifeguard for 3 summers.

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

Robert:Wow there are so many. I will have to say that most of my favorite memories as a camper and even as a staff member had to be all the friends that I made through the years. I totally grew attached to staff members like Trevon "Worm" Buchanan, and John Boles, and Mark "Tree" Taylor and even David Ward.

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

Robert: I had always grown up in the church and loved the Lord with all my heart, but it wasn't until I started going to CDR that I truly got to see Him move in the lives of people. To this very day, once I walk through the gates I can still feel His presence and see His glory and greatness in that place.

CDRAlumni: 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.

Robert: Well, I have had some major ups and downs since I was last at CDR on staff. I played around in college and thought that working was more important. My mind set wasn't on bettering myself, it was on trying to work and get paid. Then I thought that getting married was the answer, but apparently I was wrong on that too. Went through a nasty divorce, but I got 2 of the greatest things that God could've ever blessed me with, my kids. I now have custody of my 9 year old daughter and my almost 8 year old son.

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

Robert:My family is a little different from others since my kids and I have lived with my best friend and his wife and kids for almost 7 years now. My daughter Makayla is 9 and my son Micheal will be 8 in September. Because of my best friends Robert and Heather Wheeler, I have been blessed with 4 god children. My oldest god daughter Alexus is 15 and just went to CDR for the first time 2nd session of 2010, my oldest god son Matthew is 13, my youngest god daughter Emilee is 10 and my youngest god son Cameron is 6. So with all of us living under one roof you can guess that there is never a dull moment with a 15, 13, 10, 9, 7, and 6 year old living together.

Thanks to Robert for taking the time to share his story with us. It is fun seeing how people are living their lives today. If you would like to share your story and be highlighted in an Alumni Spotlight Post, fill out this survey. Now that summer is almost over, I would like to be able to do several of these type of posts a month, but will need many people to spotlight. So if you haven't done so yet, take the time to answer the questions. And if you send me pictures then you will be moved to the front of the pack.

Summer is almost over, and in the next couple of weeks I hope to be able to share some exciting news about plans that are being made with CDR Alumni in mind. Pray for Camp to finish strong and for the fire that was started in the campers hearts this summer to continue to burn brightly for the Lord.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky