John Vandervelde - Program Director

It is quite late Monday night as I write this entry.  I just want to take a minute to give you a quick update from Colorado Springs where we (Scott, Liz, and I) are attending the Christian Camp & Conference Association national conference.  So far the conference has been great.  It has been fun connecting with other camp professionals from around the nation.  We've all enjoyed the large group meetings with inspiring speakers and moving worship.  We've also enjoyed the small group seminars and have already learned some new ideas and ways we can improve what we are doing at HoneyRock.

The most powerful experience for me today was a seminar I went to entitled "Upon Further Review".  This course was led by Bob Kraning and Chuck Geiser.  Bob is the former Executive Director of Forest Home in California, one of the largest camps in America.  Chuck is a HoneyRocker who went on to serve as Director of Deerfoot Lodge in New York for 25 years.  Combined they have over 55 years of camp ministry experience.  These men shared the 7 things they would do differently if they were starting out in camp ministry leadership today.  They shared with passion, they shed tears, they spoke with conviction, and they inspired me a great deal.  It was a very special moment for me and the others gathered there to gain so much wisdom from such great men of God and heroes of Christian Camping.  The trip to Colorado Springs was worth it just to sit and learn from these leaders for an hour and a half today.

I hope I never fall into the trap of thinking I have it all together and stop listening to those who have gone before me.  Equally, I hope those who have gone before me continue to look back and share their tools for navigating the journey successfully.