Overview of Deer Run for Girls

Deer Run is a well-established, accredited camping program for young girls ages 8-16. Our main focus is to develop an outdoor camping program filled with adventure and fascination and to present Camp Deer Run as an inspiring program of spiritual teaching and counsel based on the Word of God.
We have always felt that activities should be both fun and instructional. The program of Deer Run emphasizes activities that are educational and exciting, providing beyond any doubt that learning can be fun.

Activities

We want all of our campers to develop physically through our regular program. Camp is a time for fun, for freedom from close regimentation. We give campers free choice in activities, encouraging them to take advantage of different types of activities on a weekly basis. The emphasis is on individual development through skills and learning experiences. There are numerous opportunities to grow in personality, in character, in new skills, and in a broader outlook on life. Camping as a vital segment of the educational process utilizes the staff as the focal point of its approach to the campers.

The following is a list of typical activities offered:

Archery Basketball BB ‘s
Biking (Mountain) Blobbing Canoeing
Ceramics Climbing Cooking
Cross Training Dance Diving Great Explorers Field Hockey
Fishing Flag Football Touch Football
Games Lacrosse Narnia
Drama Riflery Rocketeering
Sailing Scuba Singing
Skin Diving Soccer Softball
Solo Street Hockey Swimming
Tennis Touch Rugby Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball Wateraerobics Water Skiing
Wind Surfing Woodpainting Woodworking

Camping Philosophy

Deer Run use the outdoor wilderness learning experience as a valid tool to develop maturity and confidence in the lives of young women. Camping experiences of this quality and dimension create challenge for our youth and provide opportunities for maximum growth in learning that cannot be obtained in the midst of the affluence and comfortable living in today’s cultural structure.

Scriptural Foundations

The heart of the Deer Run program is the strong commitment to an inspiring program of the spiritual teaching and counsel based upon the Word of God. Every camper spends some time each day learning the Word of God and faces the challenge of developing a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Campers are challenged to: learn the essentials of personal Bible study, to seek Christian companionship, to dedicate their lives to the service of God and mankind, and to be faithful stewards of their possessions and talents.

Program Goals And Implementation

The framework of camping philosophy is the same for each camper whether he attends camp for two, or four weeks. Our goals are:

1. To provide a challenging experience of adventure, discovery, and learning in God’s fascinating wilderness.

2. To develop personal skills in a unique program of woodsmanship, wilderness canoeing, and mountaineering.

3. To develop a sound set of values, personal human relationships and meaningful lifestyle through dedicated Christian leadership and teaching based upon the Word of God.

4. To develop a growing understanding of oneself as well as maturity in decision-making and problem-solving.

The implementation of these goals come through:

1. A structured instruction-oriented program with controlled freedom of choice and participation.

2. The use of the wilderness for overnights, extended canoe trips for those in our Leadership Development Program, and mountain expeditions with graded challenges for the youngest and oldest campers.

3. Alert, dynamic, well-trained leadership, able to stimulate self-reliance, resourcefulness, a love for God and His great out-of-doors.

4. Selected areas of instruction, both group and personal, in woodsmanship, water-related activities, wilderness canoeing, and mountaineering.

Camping at Deer Run is for youth ages eight to sixteen. The camp is divided into units according to the age of the campers, thus allowing for the various needs and interests of the different age groups. Campers live and learn with others of like ability. This quality in our program is most important for the sound social, mental, and physical well-being of the campers. Deer Run is sufficiently large in enrollment to provide age groupings which enable every child to have many suitable companions in his/her instructional and recreational classes.

First and basic to every phase of camp life, we put health and safety. Our second concern is for the individual camper — what he is and what he can become. Each camper lives in a small group of approximately 10-12 individuals closely guided by mature members of the staff. Here the camper learns to live with others and makes new friends from many other communities and states.

Living in the woods is, in itself, a tremendous benefit of a summer at camp. Campers learn how to live in the woods and to develop an appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature.

We want all of our campers to develop physically through our regular program. Camp is a time for fun, for freedom from close regimentation. We give campers free choice in activities, encouraging them to take advantage of different types of activities. The emphasis is on individual development through skills and learning experiences. There are numerous opportunities to grow in personality, in character, in new skills, and in a broader outlook on life. Camping as a vital segment of the educational process utilizes the staff as the focal point of its approach to the campers.

The daily schedule is a carefully planned but flexible program which includes a wide scope of activities. Campers choose these activities and attend on a weekly basis. Afternoon activities are offered on an optional daily basis; the camper may choose any activity he desires. Intercamp contests such as archery, riflery, and soccer, along with ball games are scheduled at this time. The camp offers campers the choice of over twenty different activities under competent instruction. Camp activities include: Horseback Riding, canoeing, sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, riflery, archery, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, campcraft, crafts, music, mountain trips, canoe trips, fishing, nature and wildlife, and Bible study. Evening programs are carefully planned and are among the most vivid memories of all our campers.

Personal Challenge, Growth, and Achievement

Deer Run utilizes every phase of their camp programs in the development of camper skills and achievement. Skills are mastered not only because they are needed for success, but they are taught in such a way as to give a sense of mastery. The growth in confidence that takes place is the primary objective. Through involvement in a challenging and realistic personal growth program, campers develop independence, initiative, self-discipline, and confidence.

Experienced and qualified instructors provide the inspiration for campers to walk toward sound and achievable goals. Competition is stressed, not between individuals, but in terms of competing against one’s self and observing personal improvement. Competition between groups is used to promote group closeness and the stimulation of group challenges.

Leadership Development Program

Deer Run recognizes the importance of recruiting and developing staff leadership. There is no short approach to leadership development and considerable time and effort must be given to the development of a sound program.

The Deer Run Leadership Development Program centers around co-ed groups, ages 17-18, with careful attention given to personal growth and skill development. Program activities include backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, rappelling, solo, marathon running, group discussions and dynamics, Bible study and debriefing. Actual experience, insight, and instruction in all these activities are a major part of the program.

It is our belief that through challenging and stressful experiences in the wilderness, individuals are able to mature and expand their development as a total person. It is through these group activities that individuals are made aware of the need for cooperation of all members of the group to succeed as a group. Individuals are helped to realize personal responsibility as members of the group and to the Body of Christ. Each person comes to realize the frailty of man and his constant need for God.

The validity of the Deer Run approach to Christian camping is found in the host of campers who have found the challenge and excitement of God’s great wilderness with enthusiastic Christian leadership at our camps. Seldom do campers return from involvement at camp without a dynamic impact of Jesus Christ in their personal lifestyle and life value system. The results are eternal.

Those interested in this program should request a seprate program application which should be submitted in the fall of their high school sophmore year.

Wilderness Adventures

Ideally located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Deer Run campers are challenged by the 48 4,000 foot mountain peaks, 850 acres of national forests, hundreds of miles of trails and rivers filled with scenic beauty and rugged wilderness. Each cabin group will go on a hike appropriate for the campers’ abilities, yet to provide a challenge.

During the instructional times, our staff will be teaching the following skills:

Canoeing - Basic canoe instruction and techniques prior to their trip. The trips originate in lakes and quiet rivers to develop self-confidence and sound water skills and technics. As proficiency increases, campers proceed, as part of our Leadership Development Program, to more challenging waters such as Saco, Androscoggin in New Hampshire and the Allagash of Maine. Extended 14-16-day trips are taken to Chibougamau , Quebec.

Backpacking - Equipment, and trail orientation proceed the use of graded trails in the White Mountains of N.H.

Swimming - All campers are instructed and tested in the basic Red Cross swimming levels. Vital to all water-related activities and trips are proficient swimming skills.

Supplementing these skills are the following wilderness survival techniques:

Orienteering - Practical use of compass and map.

Woodsmanship - Correct use of an axe, saw, and knife.

Fire Building - The many methods of building a low impact camp.

Cooking/Baking - How to properly prepare food using an open campfire and reflector ovens.

Shelters - How to erect a tent under all conditions including the building of emergency shelters using only native materials.

Tracking - Identification of native wildlife through the use of footprints.

Instruction is always in small groups by college students and teachers who join our staff year after year.

Admission

Admission as a Deer Run camper carries many privileges and responsibilities. Serving campers is a serious responsibility. Most parents send their children to camp because they know the strong influence of a good camp can have a very positive and lasting effect on their lives. Deer Run is an adventure where campers are expected to participate in the whole program - and it is the responsibility of each to do so. This includes the activities of work, play, worship, and living together.

The staff desires to create a relationship with campers that encourages them to talk over ways of facing the pressures of today’s society. However we do not have time nor sufficient staff resources to deal with dependency on alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. If potential campers are unable to give up such habits for the duration of a Deer Run session, they should not apply for admission. Application signifies acceptance of this choice - violators will be sent home.

Campers are accepted on the basis of (1) number of vacancies in sessions, (2) compatibility of camper with his/her peers, (3) consideration of camper’s personal needs for camp life, (4) demonstration of his/her interest in developing camp skills, (5) leadership potential in his/her own school, community, or church, and (6) maintenance of a geographical distribution.

The staff of Deer Run feel a keen sense of responsibility for the spiritual growth of our campers. We will endeavor to provide a strong Christian environment for this to take place.

The return of the application for admission, along with the registration fee, will initiate the admission process. Additional information will follow the receipt of the application.

Distinctives of Camp Deer Run

1. As a Christian camp, the Scriptures establish the basic principles for our development of Christian character and direct all of our behavior. This includes the Word of God in our lives and the careful stewardship of our minds, abilities, time, and bodies.

2. Our program direction focuses upon providing: 1) An environment for campers to discover the beauty and magnitude of God’s creative power in the wilderness, 2) An opportunity to discover oneself, one’s inner strengths and weaknesses, a genuine awareness of others and how to relate and share with them, 3) A growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a camper’s personal development of a daily communion with God through Bible study and prayer.

3. Our main source for recruitment of campers comes from the recommendations of parents, campers, alumni, friends, and directors. We contact families who first express interest in us.

4. Each year we find an increasing number of children of alumni enrolled at camp; in some cases third generation!

5. Campers are placed in groups according to age, grade in school, skills, maturity, and friendships to insure amost happy, successful experience.

6. We have one counselor or junior counselor for every 6 campers. They provide strong camper/counselor relationships for every cabin group of boys and girls. The senior staff includes the Executive Director, Camp Directors, Waterfront, Swimming, Boating, and Tripping Directors.

7. College faculty, graduates, and teachers comprise a good portion of our staff. The others are college students including our own trained former campers.

8. In addition to our trainees, we seek new staff to add new dimensions to camp life. All new staff members are care fully screened and selected.

9. Minimum starting salary for those staff who finished one year of college is $2000.

10. Usually over half the previous year’s staff returns. Some of our senior staff and other key staff have been with us for over 7 years.

11. All counselors attend a 9-day pre-camp training session dealing with our camp’s philosophy, objectives, daily routines, safety precautions, and methods of programming, discipline, and guidance. Each June we send several staff to special schools to better qualify them to instruct riflery, tripping, nature, boating, archery, and aquatics.

12. We always have two nurses in residence and a well-equipped Health Lodge. Regular hours in the Health Lodge are scheduled for camper visits. We have a camp doctor in Wolfeboro and Huggins Hospital available when necessary.

13. In 60 years, we have had no fatal injury or serious epidemic. We praise God for this! All campers and staff must be examined and medical forms filled out by a physician prior to arriving at camp.

14. We own 1800’ of lakefront with 21 cabins and the Deer Run Lodge, each having electricity, and flush toilets. Campers are responsible for keeping bunks neat and clean.

15. Our campsite is beautifully developed and functional. We have 4 asphalt tennis courts, 2 athletic fields,
2 volleyball courts, archery and riflery ranges, Moose Hall, riding stables, hiking trails, and 130 acres of mountain property.

16. We have a beautiful sandy bottom bathing area, 2 beaches, 15 sailboats, 12 kayaks, 30 canoes, and 2 waterski boats. We have Red Cross swimming and lifesaving, water polo, waterskiing, and blobbing.

17. We have a boathouse, craft shop, trip locker, camp offices, camp store, married staff quarters, and bath houses.

18. Campers eat with cabinmates in a beautiful dining hall. Food is served family style. All take turns on service.

19. We offer over 30 activities including horseback riding, skin diving, scuba, softball, ecology, dramatics, arts and crafts, tennis, gymnastics, waterskiing, soccer, basketball, water aerobics, baseball, football,boating, field hockey, sailing, mountain biking, riflery, archery, swimming, and tripping.

20. Canoeing, mountain climbing, fishing, hiking, and mountain bike riding are all available according to age, ability, and camper interest.

21. We offer many varied activities so campers of differing physical, emotional, and intellectual capacities may, through their choice of skills, develop a sense of achievement, recognition, and belonging.

22. After determining campers’ aims and needs as revealed in their activity choices, guidance is offered by providing a creative environment with friendly, mature, and understanding counselors.

23. Highly skilled instructors direct each activity. Most instruction is geared to the individual rather than the group and focuses upon each camper’s capabilities. Activity directors report on the progress of the campers in their program.

24. Three basic types of programming are used in which campers’ interests are motivated: 1) Each week campers may individually or with friends select up to three activities of their choice from a list of options; 2) At times campers have activities with their cabinmates, either selected by the group itself or occasionally assigned by the camp; 3) Campers may be assigned a specialist from the staff for individual instruction in activities which they especially wish to learn.

25. Competition is available on varying levels: 1) Individually to improve one’s skill; 2) With fellow campers in tournaments and team sports.

26. A main focus is to provide campers with experiences in self-discipline and discipline evolving out of the needs of fellow campers.

27. The direction is unfolded through excellent physical resources and surroundings, abundant utilization of God’s great wilderness areas and leadership that is committed to Jesus Christ and able to teach, train, and inspire campers.

28. We offer a 2-year Leadership Development Program to train our most qualified campers. Tuition is reduced for the first and second year. The following year upon recommendations, as Junior Counselors, young men and women may receive up to $1750 for the season.

29. We offer a Scholarship Program each summer, the funding of which is supported by camp families, alumni, and friends.

30. Deer Run is a member of the American Camping Association and Christian Camp and
Conference Association. It is periodically inspected and re-certified.

31. Campers have come mainly from the Eastern States, but the West, Mid-West, South, Canada, South America, Europe, and Asia are also represented. The largest groups are from Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and North Carolina.

32. 65-70% of our campers, aged 8-16, return each summer. Our oldest campers are returning for their 6th, 7th, and 8th seasons.