Camp Deer Run Wedding

Yesterday two former Deer Run Staff members got married. Andy Garner and Kara Keith both worked at Camp Deer Run for the past few summers, and actually met at Camp. This was a true Deer Run wedding, even with CDR Directer Ty Ford performing the wedding. These are not the first 2 Deer Runners to be married, and surely won't be the last. Many couples over the years have met at Camp and developed a relationship that led to marriage. Camp is a great place to meet someone you could fall in love with, because you really get to see the real person. There are not many other places that you can impress the opposite sex by doing things such as mud sliding, or serving dinner, or playing Capture the Flag 6 times in a summer. At Camp, you see the real person, and you can see how committed a person is to God. Its a great way to start a friendship, and maybe that friendship becomes a romantic relationship. Obviously this doesn't happen for everyone, and it shouldn't, but Camp can help teach people what they need to look for in a spouse.

Whenever there is a Camp wedding it has become tradition to have a Camp picture taken with everyone in attendance from Camp.

And of course a silly picture is taken also.
Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Follow The Leader

The first 2 Week Session of the summer came to a close today. The campers will be going to their homes and will think about the great memories that they made during their time at Camp. They will think about the games they played and the laughter they shared. But hopefully what will stick out most in their minds will be the lessons they learned from God's word taught by the wonderful staff at Camp Deer Run. The campers were blessed by having a staff that led them this week, taught them what it means to follow Christ. This summer's theme is "Follow the Leader". It is based off of Luke 9:23 which is, Christ said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Now the campers are away from the comfort of Camp, where it is easy to "follow the leader", and out in the real world where following the world is more appreciated. We are all like the campers leaving Camp today, we live in the real world, and need to make sure we are following the true Leader. Make sure that the way you live your life is the same way that Christ lived his life. He showed us what it meant to take up His cross. Are you taking up your cross daily? Its a struggle, but its a fight that we have been told will have a glorious prize at the end. Take time to look at who you are following, and if its not Jesus, then you need to take up your cross and follow Him.

The first 2 sessions of the summer are over. Pray for all of the campers who have come been at Camp so far to continue to work hard to fight away Satan, and all to continue in their walk with Christ. Pray for all of the campers yet to come, ask God that their hearts be open and prepared for the many blessings he has prepared for them. Finally, pray for the staff, ask God to keep them full of excitement and energy, ready to do His work at Camp Deer Run. The first 2 sessions have gone well, and God has many great things left for the summer.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

2nd Session Middle Sunday

This past Sunday was the first Middle Sunday of the summer, and was a wonderful day for all involved. It was a day of fellowship, and worship. A day of laughter and joy. It was a day of parents getting to spend time with their children. Friends were able to catch up on old times. Most of all it was a day for Christians to come together and enjoy spending time with each other.

For the past 4 years or so, when people pull up to Camp on Middle Sundays, they are great by this lovely face, always with a smile and instructions on where they should park and what the should do next. As always, well done Andrew Panter.

The morning started off with Bible classes for all of the campers and guests, and then was followed up with everyone gathering in the Pavilion for Worship. The singing was great as always, and Scott Busby did a terrific job bring the lesson to us.
For the first time, everyone was asked to stay at Camp for the day, instead of going somewhere else to eat. In order to feed everyone, several guys came out to Camp early with their grills, and cooked up some hamburgers for everyone. It turned out to be a great lunch.

After lunch, the first ever Festival of Games was held. This was a carnival type activity where the staff members were in charge of different games that the campers and the guests could compete in throughout the afternoon. There was also a competition going on amongst each Camp Group, and the group that won the most points got some sort of special reward during their cookout.

I hope you can tell from the pictures what a fun day this was for everyone at Camp. I hope you can make it out to one of the other 2 Middle Sundays this summer. You will have a blessed time.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Its Crazy Crazy Let's Go Outcamping Day!

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

This Sunday is Middle Sunday

This coming Sunday is one of 3 Middle Sundays that will happen at Camp Deer Run this summer. All Alumni are highly encouraged to try to come spend they day at Camp. This is going to be a wonderful time of worship and fellowship, and a great time to catch up with old friends. If you haven't been to Camp in several years, you should use one of these days to come check out what Camp has been up to since you left. Bible class starts at 10:00 am with worship following at 11:00. For the first time, campers will not be allowed to go to town with their parents. All are asked to stay at Camp for the day. Also for the first time, the traditional Sunday lunch will not be served. With the potential of 600 mouths to feed, it has been decided that grilling hamburgers will be much easier. After lunch there will be the traditional Camper/Staff football game as well as a volleyball game. There will also be several other activities taking place throughout the day that will make everyone's experience at Camp a memorable one. If you can't come out this Sunday, you will have 2 more chances to make it. Maybe you want to come out every Middle Sunday, that's great too. The other 2 Middle Sundays will be 4th and 5th Session, July 10th and 24th. I promise that if you are on the fence about visiting Camp, come out one of these Middle Sundays and God will bless your decision to do so. I hope to see you there.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Passing the Torch

Once again, as the summer camp season was about to begin, many former Camp Deer Run Alumni gathered at Camp last Saturday for the annual Pass The Torch event. It was a great time that allowed the former staff to fellowship with the present staff.

The day started off with some softball, which I didn't get any pictures of, and then was followed up by some swimming.

After the swimming everyone gathered in the pavilion for food, fellowship, and fun.
Something that was done this year for the first time was a Prayer Walk. After eating, Ty encouraged everyone to spread out in groups and go throughout Camp and spend time in prayer, asking God to bless that place during the summer.
The last event of the night was having everyone gather together in the Rec Hall, and singing praises to God. After this, several former staff members took the opportunity to talk to the current staff about the job they have this summer.
It was a great way to get Camp off to a good start. I know that God blessed this first week of Camp, and will continue to do so throughout the summer.

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky

Big Smith's!

Its Thursday night of Staff Orientation. That can only mean one thing...Big Smith's. A tradition that began many years ago, Big Smith's Night is always one of the highlights of Staff Orientation. After several days at Camp, the staff gets a chance to clean up and head out to a very cool barbecue joint that is between Sulphur Springs and Yantis. On Thursday nights they have all you can eat beef ribs, and, well, the staff eats all the ribs that they can. There is usually a lot of very messy faces, because some people think it is fun to eat all of the ribs they can while refusing to use a napkin on their face until they are done. Unfortunately I only had one picture of a group at Big Smith's, and it doesn't involve any messing faces. It doesn't tell the whole story of the night, but you can see the joy in everyone's faces. It is a great night that allows the staff to bond in a completely different way than they have been doing at Camp. Its a wonderful way to make memories that will be talked about all summer long. I think its time for some BBQ!

Hail, Dear Ol' Deer Run,

Sparky