Staff Orientation

Right now there are around 50 young men and women, mostly 18-22 years old who are spending a week at Camp preparing for the next 9 weeks. These 9 weeks will be a powerful, exciting summer, and will bless these young people like no other summer. This week is Staff Orientation, and is a week full of instruction, encouragement, laughing, learning, bonding, fellowship, singing, worship, and growth.

Some of the staff members have been on staff before, so they now what its like to be a staff member at Camp Deer Run. Others were campers last year, so part of this week for them will be learning what it means to be a staff member instead of a camper. Others are spending their first week ever at Camp. They may have friends that convinced them to come work this summer, or heard Ty talk during a college visit and decided they wanted to spend the summer serving God.

I always loved the week of Staff Orientation. It allowed me the opportunity to reconnect with my best friends, people I spent 5 summers with. It allowed me to meet new people, and see them learn what Camp Deer Run is all about. It also gave me the chance to develop new relationships with former campers that were new staff members. One of the things that we did to bring all of these new people together was to do some team building activities. These first 2 pictures show some of us doing just that.

During Staff Orientation you have to go over all aspects of Camp. So we would take time to tell all of the stories that are told during a typical Camp session. In this picture all of the staff is gathered together on Hoche Ballfield to talk about Sadie Hawkins Day, or Killi Olympics, or some other special day.
My last summer on staff, or fearless leader and then Camp Director David Ward, decided he wanted show everyone exactly what the Indian was supposed to do on Indian Day. He dressed up and acted all crazy like a crazy Indian. He ran off into the woods and all of the staff had to run after and chase him down. Then they had to cleanse him, for some reason in the pool, of his crazy illness.
The most important part of Staff Orientation is teaching the staff the importance of their job during the summer. Some staff members will be counselors, some will work in the canteen, some will even work with the horses, but each staff member will be working in God's Kingdom, and each one of the campers that will be at Camp will be watching them and listening to them. The staff's most important job is to show the campers the joy that life brings when you are following God. So this week, be thinking about the staff members at Camp, and pray that they are being prepared in a way that will bring glory to God this summer.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Reminder...Pass the Torch

Camp Deer Run 2011 is only a week away. I wanted to take a the time to remind everyone about Pass the Torch 2011. It is this Saturday from 4:00 to probably around 9:00. This event is for former Camp Deer Run staff members, and is a wonderful night with lots of fun, fellowship and worship. There will be swimming, softball, dinner, singing, and a special devotional time. This is a day where the former staff can be around this summers staff, and talk to them about what working at Camp Deer Run means. I know that it is very beneficial to this summers staff to be able talk to the former staff, to be able to ask them questions, and to hear the encouraging words from people who have been in their shoes.

If you plan on coming out send an email to Ty Ford at ty@campdeerrun.com. And if you aren't going to be able to attend, spend time in prayer asking that God is able to prepare the summer staff for the job they have in front of them. It is going to be a great summer, and God is going to work in many ways, and the 50 staff members are going to be very important in showing the campers God's glory.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

The Rec Hall Then, The Rec Hall Now

Over the years Camp Deer Run has seen many changes. One of those things that has changed the most is the Rec Hall. And one of the things that hasn't changed much at all is the Rec Hall. As confusing of a statement as that is, I think its true. Just look through some of the pictures that I've posted and you can see what I mean.

The Rec Hall is the first "building" that people see when they enter through the Camp gates. And while I'm sure that some people think it is an eyesore, most Deer Runners know how much history is painted inside that Rec Hall. It may not be the best looking place in the world, but some of the best singing I have ever heard has happened in it. The floors in the Rec Hall are just as sandy today as they always have been. Campers today look up at the names in the rafters just like they always have. Mellow Night and Killi Kapers, Worship and Hymn Time are conducted under that roof just like they always have. Camp starts on Sunday night with Worship and silly songs, and ends on Thursday nights in the Rec Hall beginning Cross Devo. The Rec Hall is probably the most important building at Camp, and has been for many years.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Middle Sundays

A few weeks back, I posted about the plans for Family Fun Day. I haven't made any other posts about it because Family Fun Day has actually been canceled. Instead of Family Fun Day, it has been decided that if you are wanting to come out and visit camp this summer, that you should come and visit Camp on one of the Middle Sundays during a two week session. Those dates are:

2nd Session--June 19th

4th Session--July 10th

5th Session--July 24th

Middle Sundays at Camp have always been great. Wonderful worship, and chance to catch up with old friends and to make new friends. This year is going to be even better. In the past, campers were able to go to town with the family to get lunch, do laundry, or whatever else. This year, for the first time, all campers are going to stay at Camp. This really is going to be a wonderful thing. Now Middle Sundays will be more Campish, meaning that Camp will not stop operating for 5 hours like it has in the past. There will be lunch, and plenty of activities to show all visitors what Camp is like every day. There will be plenty of time for family and friends to visit with each other, all at Camp. These 3 days will be a blessing for all who come to Camp. If you have been wanting to visit Camp, I highly encourage you to do so on one of these days. You will be happy you did.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Picture of Jesus

If I had to pick a favorite daily activity at Camp, it would probably be Night Devo. I've never felt closer to God than I have during that time. What an amazing blessing it was to be able to have that feeling every night at Camp. There's just something so special about standing under the stars shining in the pitch black sky, while circled around singing praises to God. During the summer of 2003, I was a Group Leader and I was in charge of finishing the day for my group with a short little message during Night Devo. One that I did every week was based off of a song I had heard. In this song the singer tells a story of how he knew a man that, in his mind, was the picture of Jesus. He felt that by looking at this man that he was seeing what Jesus was like. I would talk to my campers about how important it was for others to look at us and see Jesus. We are instructed to model our lives after the life that Jesus lived. If we claim to be Christians, then people should be able to look at us, and see Jesus. I would tell my campers how it was easy to live like Christ while at Camp, or while at church. The time that was most difficult would be when they were around non-Christians, people who didn't show what Christ was like. I challenged my campers to step up during those moments, and to show others what Christ was like. This applies to us today, out in "the real world". Do people see Christ in you? Can people tell that you are living your life trying to copy Christ, without you having to tell them. Sometimes this can be a challenge, as we all are faced with temptations to make us turn from God. But I want to challenge you in the same way that I challenged my campers to stand apart from the world, and show people a Picture of Jesus.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Swinging Through History

Swinging is such a smooth, relaxing motion...except at Camp Deer Run. Over the years, The Swing has become one of the most exciting things to do at Camp. It is an activity that has brought both fear and joy to countless campers. It has been such an important activity for Camp, that when one swing is deemed to no longer be operational, a new swing is created. I have no idea how many swings have been in service over the years at Camp, but judging by the pictures I have, its at least 4, maybe 5. Here's a look at some of the earlier versions of The Swing. This swing/swings came a little before my time, but look very fun. And I also believe that this is the swing that is the center of "The White Lady" story that is told around fires at Camp.

This next swing is the one that I did a post on a few weeks ago. It was The Swing until 1998, when it was replaced by a truly safe swing. It was probably a good idea to shut this swing down, because even though it offered an amazingly satisfying ride, it was actually pretty dangerous. I know that because I saw a man, on two separate retreat weekends, fall off of The Swing at night, while doing it with no lights on and rolling to the bottom of the hill, and then later on break his leg when he hit a tree while swinging. Like I said, it was a little dangerous.
This next swing was the first one that had all sorts of safety regulations, harnesses, safety clips, special knots, and hours of training for the staff. It also started off the modern era for The Swing. It was always pretty scary to climb up tree to get to the tiny platform, where a staff member facilitated the whole event, but once you were able to muster up the confidence to lean off the platform, it was a pretty great experience.
The Swing above only had a life span of about 11 years, because a lot of the cables used for it were anchored to trees that couldn't do the work any longer. So this past summer the newest Swing was put into operation. It still has all of the harnesses and ropes and cables, but is much easier to operate. There is no need to climb a tree or platform, just put on the harness, strap on a helmet, get tied in to the swing, and let your cabin mates hoist you up in the air. I haven't been on this swing yet, but I am told it is a pretty great rush.
Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Happy Mother's Day

My mom is obviously one of the biggest influences on my life, and is a huge reason that my life has turned out the way it has. One of the best things she ever did was to encourage me to start camping at Camp Deer Run. My mom, Annette (Woodall) Smith, was a camper and a staff member during the 1970's, and Camp was an important place to her even when she was no longer out there. I know that she was excited to be able to send her kids out to Camp to share in her experiences. Unfortunately I presented a problem for her. As a kid I was a picky eater, and therefore leery of spending a week away from home when I had no say in what I ate. Looking back, I realize I cost myself a couple of years of great memories. At any rate, when I was 11 years old I finally gave in and spent my first of many weeks at Camp Deer Run. My mom kept encouraging me to give it a chance, and because of that encouragement, I finally gave in and my life was changed forever.

I know that I'm not the only person who has a story similar to this. Moms are such and important part of the success of Camp Deer Run. And I know that many of you who read this are great moms today because of your time at Camp Deer Run. I hope all of you have had a wonderful day, and know how much you mean to those you are surrounded by.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

New Cabins

For so many years, Camp Deer Run had 10-12 cabins that all looked the same. They were not very big at all, maybe 16x16, if that, and were used by 10 campers and 2 staff members, along with all of their stuff for up to 2 weeks as shelter, and a place to rest at night. This is a picture of Men's 1, one of those original cabins, and one that will soon be retired.

I tried my best to get a shot that showed how limited space was in these cabins.
These older cabins have slowly started to deteriorate, to the point where they have begun to be replaced. This is sad for many people, knowing that the cabins they camped in are no longer there. My first 2 times at Camp were spent in Men's 3, and it is no longer in service. But these cabins needed to be replaced. Knowing that the cost would be too high to replace all of the cabins at once, the powers-that-be at Camp decided to replace one cabin a summer. This started happening about 7-8 years ago, and is probably about half-way complete. Here is a picture of the newest cabin on the boys side. Construction for was completely just a few weeks ago. As you can see, it is an upgrade from the older cabins.
While these cabins are new, they embrace the same attributes of the old cabins...mainly no frills. The only are conditioning these cabins have are open windows covered with screen, just like the old ones. The new cabins do have nice porches out front, which offers a cool place for the campers to have Cabin Bible, or to just hang out during the down time.
The new cabins are designed with the idea of holding the same number of campers and staff as the old cabins, but as you can tell from these pictures, there will be more room for all of the stuff that they bring to Camp.
Its great to see how Camp is able to change and grow, but at the same time be able to give the campers the same experience that campers have had for the past 50+ years.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky