Merry Christmas, All Year Long

Merry Christmas, maybe a day or two late. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this holiday season as much as my family and I have. I really enjoy all of the things that come with the Christmas season...the music, the happiness that it brings to so many people, opportunities to spend time with people I love, and with so many people talking about the reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ. While thinking about Christmas, it actually reminded me of spending time at Camp Deer Run. I love the singing at Camp, I am always happy when I am inside the gates of Camp, I love the people I am around while there. And most importantly, I love that the focus of Camp is telling Christ's message to the kids who are there. Which led me to think of something that may be a challenge for many people, me included. Its easy to keep our focus on Christ during the Christmas season, because we are constantly thinking that "Jesus is the reason for the season". Or we are seeing nativity scenes in every yard. Just like it is so easy to be burning for Christ when we are at Camp. The challenge is to have that same focus about Christ and the things He does in our lives throughout the entire year. We need to make sure that we are sharing the story of Christ in April and May, just like we do during December. Jesus isn't just the reason for the season, He is the reason we have a hope of an eternal life in Heaven. And because of this hope, we are expected to live our lives in a way that reflects Christ. As we start a new year in a few days, make it a priority to live every day in a way that reflects Christ for others to see, so that they are thinking about God's gift to us in more ways than just as a holiday in December. Have a great finish to 2010 and a wonderful start to 2011.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Christmas...CDR Style

Its that time of year. Christmas music is playing everywhere, people are out shopping, cold weather has moved in, and people are thinking about Christ's birth. Unfortunately, Camp Deer Run is a pretty quiet place during this time each year. But that doesn't mean that Christmas doesn't hold a special place in Camp Deer Run memories for many people. Of course I would be talking about Christmas in July!

As you you can tell from the picture above, Christmas at Deer Run is not exactly like the Christmas we are celebrating right now. Obviously some Deer Run flavor has to be added to make it a truly unique experience. Christmas in July is celebrated on July 25th, and is a unique celebration at Camp, since it only happens once a summer, if the 25th is on a day that Camp is in session. Because of this, many people never get to experience Christmas in July at Camp during their years at Camp. Christmas is celebrated all day long, and activities have a Christmas feel to them, like making Christmas tree ornaments in crafts, as well as making gifts to give to friends. It all comes together in the afternoon when the campers and staff gather around the "Christmas Tree"(which is really a small little cedar tree next to the canteen) to sing carols and share gifts. There is nothing like singing Jingle Bells in the 102 degree heat. Finally Santa Claus makes an appearance and shares his holiday spirit with everyone. It might not be the Christmas we all know, but it is a lot of fun and everyone who has experienced Christmas at Camp will tell you how great it is to share this special time with friends at Camp.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Men's Alumni Retreat

The time is getting closer for our first Camp Deer Run Alumni event of the year. The Men's Alumni treat is February 5th-6th, and open to all former CDR campers and staff members 20 years of age and up. Festivities get started at 11:00 on Saturday and we will wrap up the same time on Sunday. There was a smaller Men's Retreat last year with about 25 guys spending the night out at Camp, and it was an absolute blast to be around old friends. The details are being put together and a schedule is being worked on. If you are planning on attending, then go to www.campdeerrun.com and register for the retreat. The cost is $25 each, and covers everything, including meals, a night in a wonderful Camp Deer Run cabin, and a CDR t-shirt. Make sure to spread the word about this retreat as we are wanting to get as many CDR Alumni men to make it out for this weekend of great fellowship and great fun. I promise that this will be a time that you will remember all year, and will be a time that draws you closer to God. Hopefully we can have a good group of guys get together, and we can make this an important tradition that we can do every year. If you have any questions you can email me at cdralumni@gmail.com, or get a hold of Ty Ford on the Camp website. Hope to see many of you there.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky