Day 5
Last night was a really special night as all the campers gathered outside to release their “prayer lanterns.” We all watched the night sky as the beautiful lanterns got higher and higher and finally became so far away that they looked like stars. Our dance party was tons of fun and everyone danced their hearts out. Today we had the specialty showcase for parents to get the opportunity to see what their students had been learning during the week. 
We started off the showcase with a few fun worship songs. Afterwards, our fabulous camp director Rick Johnson handed out weekly awards and returning staff/camper awards. Each specialty group came up and either performed, spoke about, or showed what they had been working on this week. Some awards were handed out to the kids from the athletic specialties for holding records in various specialty competitions. There was plenty of applause from the audience! When the showcase was over, campers headed back to the cabins with their parents to pick up their luggage and check out with their counselors. This week has been so much fun; it’s sad to see it come to an end! Many hearts were touched and many good memories were made. Hopefully next year we will see the familiar faces of many returning campers!
Day 4
The republic showcases last night were very fun; each republic showed off their creativity and different talents. This morning campers received their 2011 “Pieces” t-shirts from Barefoot and we took republic, group, and individual pictures with them on. The campers enjoyed the last full day of specialty classes as they prepared for the much-anticipated specialty showcase tomorrow morning. Our biggest highlight of the day so far, however, was BRAVEHEART: a huge food fight. The goal for each republic was to protect their counselors from flying flour, noodles, tomato sauce, and macaroni & cheese as best they could. Whichever republic had the cleanest counselors at the end won. Everyone headed to dinner after every child and counselor was showered and dry. 
Right now everyone is gathered in the D.C. to share testimonies after praise and worship. Tonight is a very special night as we get to hear how the Lord has worked in the hearts of the campers throughout this week. Later on, each republic will get a chance to do something really cool together to symbolize prayer. We will light paper lanterns (inspired by the movie Tangled) with prayers to God written on them and release them into the sky. Afterwards, we will celebrate with a dance party in the D.C.! It has been a fun, meaningful day and everyone here is super pumped about the specialty showcase in the morning!
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
Aidan | Louisville, KY | Age 10
What do you think about Barefoot so far?
“I think it’s a great camp. There are Christian people here who believe in God – it’s fun and we use teamwork here.”
What’s your favorite memory of this week?
“Probably when we did Iron Man in the rain. That was pretty fun and intense. At the end we had a two-way tie with our team and another cabin.”
What do you think about the diversity here at Barefoot?
“I think it’s a good thing to spread the Word with different countries of people so we can get more people to believe in God.”
Dayana | Guatemala | Age 10
What has been your favorite part of Barefoot so far?
“Iron Man- because we got to work together even though we won second place.”
What do you think about the diversity at Barefoot?
“It’s great. We get to learn stuff about how we are different and how God made us unique.”
What do you think about Barefoot?
“It’s wonderful.”
Troyce | Franklin, TN | Age 10
Why did you come back to Barefoot this year?
“I just felt warm and comfortable here and it was like no other camp. Barefoot is somewhere where you can be yourself and not have to worry about people messing with you. That made me come back.”
What do you think about the diversity at Barefoot?
“I think that the diversity is better because some camps you know are only for this kind of people and these kind of people… I feel like this camp is where everybody can come and be themselves without having to worry about getting picked on or anything.”
Do you feel like your relationship with God gets stronger at Barefoot?
“Yeah – because once we started doing family devo we had ten minutes of quiet time to ourselves. I feel like I should cherish those moments and I really feel like I’m getting a better relationship with God.”
What would you say to kids who have never experienced Barefoot before?
“If you went there, your mind would be blown. It’s an awesome camp. They have fun activities, you get to meet new people, and you get to be around a different race than you are – which is awesome because you get to know other people’s culture. And it just brings you together.”
Elysia | Texas | Videographer
What do you think about the diversity at Barefoot?
“It’s good. I like it. It’s hard to find a camp that has everything for everybody – no matter what race, gender, etc.”
What are you most looking forward to?
“I’m looking forward to Saturday (the specialty showcase). We’re doing stop motion with the kids. It’s the first time that the film class has done stop motion without any live action being thrown in.”
How do you feel like you have grown as a person being on staff at Barefoot?
“I’m naturally an introvert- I guess I’ve been a little more energetic than normal. Being here, there’s just a big community of people and I’m not used to that. I think having that in your life just brings out you- new things within yourself.”
Nathan | Franklin, TN | Counselor
What made you come back to Barefoot?
“The love and joy of ministering to kids.”
What’s one of your favorite memories from this week?
“Having one of my guys telling me ‘Nate, I wanna get close to God- I wanna be a role model like you.’”
How does being on staff at Barefoot grow you as a person?
”It helps me build up my leadership skills. It helps me when I preach or talk to other kids- I have to back up what I say and follow my own actions and words.”
What has been your favorite part of the week?
“It’s all pretty fun- there’s no one answer for that. Just the joy and the laughter of hanging out.”
Day 3
Today has been a day filled with running, relays, and rain. In addition to the normal schedule of fun specialty classes and free time activities, campers participated in the amazing 16-leg relay race IRON MAN. Rain started pouring down hard right before Iron Man began, so everyone got out and danced in the rain. Cooled off and ready to go, the “leg #1 campers” got ready to start. Some campers had to run down to the lake and canoe, others had make a soccer goal, some had to slide down the slid-n-slide, and much more! After all six republics had completed Iron Man, a ceremony was held to honor the two winning republics.
After dinner, Katie Miller led us in some great worship music and Pastor Chan spoke about unity. Counselors awarded several daily awards to campers who demonstrated helpful attitudes or strong leadership today. Right now, the campers are preparing to show everyone what they have been working on during “showcase practice” every day. Our judges will decide who has the best republic showcase by awarding points for creativity, unity, and theme-based messages. It has been a fun and busy day; we can’t wait for tomorrow!
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
Monce | Nashville, TN | Age 9
Taylor | Nashville, TN | Age 9
Monce, tell me something special about Taylor:
“Well she is really funny and I like her. She’s good at dancing.”
Taylor, what has been your favorite part of the week so far?
“I like that I got to meet new friends and new people instead of seeing the regular people I see all day.”
What are both of you looking forward to this week?
(Monce) “The food fight because it’s fun!”
(Taylor) “What I’m looking forward to is doing more drawing than I usually do.”
What is something both of you like doing?
“We both like to dance, we’re both in the first class of dance (first specialty).”
What would you say to kids who have never been to Barefoot before?
(Taylor) “I would say ‘this is a good place and I hope you enjoy it and you will meet new friends and good teachers here.’”
How much do you love Barefoot?
(Taylor) “I love it this big (stretches arms out) from the bottom of my heart.”
Kenneth | Nashville, TN | Age 9
Jackson | Nashville, TN | Age 9
Jackson, tell me something that Kenneth is good at:
“He’s good at running and really good at basketball.”
What’s something that both of you like to do?
“Play football.”
What’s your favorite thing that you’ve done at Barefoot this week?
(Jackson) “Probably extreme sports during free time.”
(Kenneth) “Same thing.”
Do you learn more about God at Barefoot?
(Jackson) “Yeah- everyday we have Bible study. We don’t do that as much at other camps.”
What would you say to kids who have never been to Barefoot before?
(Kenneth) “You should come to Barefoot because it’s an excellent camp- it could be the number one camp in the world.”
Do you have anything else to say about your new friend?
(Kenneth) “He has a good heart.”
(Jackson) “He is a good friend.”
John | North Carolina | Counselor
What is your favorite memory of the week so far?
“Probably seeing all the kids engaged in worship and how playful and carefree some of them are- it’s refreshing sometimes, coming out of a regular church scene.”
What are you most looking forward to this week?
“I’m excited to see what God will do in the camper’s hearts and through the rest of the staff around us.”
What would be your words to prospective volunteers?
“Just be ready to be a servant. God asks us to serve our whole lives, and when we sign up for things life this sometimes we think we’re signing up for very specific roles and that’s all we’re expected to do- but God calls us to so much more. That attitude and that spirit will actually be the key to having fun in an environment like this where things change all the time – it’s what God wants to happen.”
Debbie | Nashville, TN | Female Head Counselor
What are some of your favorite memories from camp so far this week?
“This week I have a couple. I work at Preston Taylor Ministries and I’ve got about 12 students with me here this week. There’s one student who I was not expecting to have the experience she’s had. I caught her in the middle of evening program; I thought she was doodling but she was taking like literally 12 pages worth of notes from the pastor’s talk and I just loved seeing how excited she was about learning that she was valuable and what God thought about her. Also, this is my sixth summer teaching dance. This year the dance has been the most diverse group and also the most fun to work with; they’ve been really encouraging to each other and they’re excited to work together. One the very first day they just went around and told each other the things they liked about each other, which usually doesn’t happen until the last day.”
Why is the diversity at Barefoot such an important thing?
“For me, I work in a predominantly lower-class, inner city group and I live in a middle, upper-class group. That division is really sad to me. I feel like we really miss out on a lot being divided by our cultures. I just love the opportunity for everyone to come together, learn about each other, and learn that God is a little more creative than making cookie-cutter people.”
Day 2
Our campers began their first full day with a bang. Meeting bright and early outside of the D.C. for breakfast, campers shouted the “good morning chant” at the top of their lungs. Today campers were able to experience both of their chosen specialty classes in full. The “making of the band” class worked on the song “Every Move I Make,” the visual arts class began working on their group project, basketball worked really hard on drills and played a five on five game, and much more! Everyone went down to the low-ropes course for some awesome team-building exercises including the “spider web,” the “human knot,” and “the block.” Campers learned to trust the other people in their republics in order to complete the challenges. 
Later, kids were able to choose from a variety of free time activities to do including paintball, canoeing, visual arts, slip-n-slide, and fishing. Group competitions were held afterwards in the athletic field. Kids competed in the “wet clothes competition” and the nasty food-eating relay “Survivor.” Before Evening Program representatives from each republic competed in the challenging “Oreo game.” We sang some great worship songs with worship leader Katie and listened to Pastor Chan speak on being members of God’s family. Right now, we are gearing up for the campers to come grab a bag of popcorn, pick up a snow cone, and settle down for the “drive-in-movie” Tangled. It has been a super fun-packed day and we can’t wait for the excitement tomorrow will bring!
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
Bryce | Brentwood, TN | Age 8
What do you think of your specialty classes this week?
“I’m doing making of the band, and outdoor adventure. I think making of the band is pretty cool and in outdoor adventure we get to go camping tonight.”
What are you looking forward to most this week?
“Braveheart. It’s a humongous food fight and you get to peg people with sponges with spaghetti filled in them.”
Has Barefoot changed your life?
“Yes, yes it has. Last time I was here I led my heart to Jesus.”
D.J. | Nashville, TN | Age 11
Favorite thing that you’ve done so far this week?
“I think my favorite thing is that we’ve gotten into the Bible study. We’ve gotten to talk about the Bible and Jesus.”
What do you think about the guys that you have met in your republic?
“I think they’re super cool and they support everybody.”
What are you most looking forward to doing this week at Barefoot?
“I’m most looking forward to camping in outdoor adventure.”
Keni | Nashville, TN | Age 10
What has been your favorite part of the week so far?
“The first day because we get to meet new people from different backgrounds and stuff.”
Has Barefoot changed your life?
“Yeah- they teach us the ways of God.”
What are you looking forward to this week?
“What kids usually want to do- which is have fun! Paintball, the slip-n-slide, and canoeing.”
Katie | Nashville, TN | Age 8
What do you think about Barefoot so far?
“I love it! We get to do fun things that I’ve never done before.”
What are you most looking forward to this week?
“I’m looking forward to free time because I heard that you get to do fun stuff like the slip-n-slide and paintball.”
What would you tell someone that has never been to Barefoot before?
“It’s really fun, you get to meet lots of fun friends, and you get to do really fun stuff.”
Maggie | Nashville, TN | Age 9
What do you think about Barefoot so far?
“It’s awesome!! It’s very fun because of all of the diversity- that’s one of my favorite things about it. I also like how they have so many different activities for you to do… And the D.C. is awesome.”
What are you looking forward to most this week?
“I’m most looking forward to the outdoor adventure because we’re going on a camping night!”
What would you tell somebody who has never been to Barefoot before?
“That it is one of the most amazing camps I’ve ever been to! I already love it even though I’ve only been here about a day.”
Essence | Nashville, TN | Age 10
What do you think about the week so far?
“I think that it’s going to be very fun and I like the activities that they give. I think this week is going to be awesome.”
What are you most looking forward to?
“I want to canoe, play paintball, sing, and pray.”
What do you think about the diverse people here at Barefoot?
“You’re supposed to love them anyways- they might be different skin colors or different hair styles and stuff but you’re still supposed to love them because they’re your brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Toni | Pennsylvania | Counselor and Six Week Staff
How do you feel like you are stretched or grown as a staff member at Barefoot?
“I feel like I am stretched and grown every single day. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around children and it’s just been interesting getting used to being around children 24/7 and seeing the ways that they like to test you, push your buttons, and see which ways they can try to get you to bend and break – but it’s just been great just finding out how much they need to be loved.”
Favorite memory from camp so far?
“I really have enjoyed Braveheart every single time. The first two times because I got to watch it, and the last time because I actually got to be in it. It’s just been hilarious to watch everyone throw food around, have a great time, scream, have fun, and laugh afterwards. It’s been one of the great bonding experiences this week.”
Rick | Maryland | Camp Director and Six Week Staff
Why do you come back to Barefoot year after year?
“I just love serving- it’s a great opportunity to love and grow- not only as a person, but an opportunity to grow as a diverse community. I come back every year because I love kids, I love Jesus, and I love unity.”
What do you think about the diversity at Barefoot?
“I’ve learned to appreciate the diversity, appreciate the differences. It gets boring after a while being around all the same people all the time: people who talk the same, look the same, like the same music, worship the same-you gotta mix it up sometimes- live life on the edge. That’s what God calls us to do.”
One of your favorite Barefoot memories?
“One of my favorite memories was the year before last year during senior high at the culmination of the week’s messages on Friday night called “Carry Your Cross.” It’s the “alter call” experience or invitation to Christ for a lot of the campers. I was going around praying for each and every one of my campers, laying hands on them and praying for them. After that I just felt so exhausted; it was a long week and I just knelt at the foot of the cross praying by myself. I could feel one of my campers lay hands on me and a I began to hear him start praying for me. I was just so humbled by that; I didn’t ask him to do that. Just that they saw I was in need, that they were able and willing to return what I had been pouring into them all week. It meant so much to me that my guys were doing that. of your favorite Barefoot memories?”
Day 1
Our second batch of 3rd-5th graders arrived today and was introduced to their counselors and fellow cabin mates. Once they got settled in, each republic (cabin group) made up a name for themselves and their very own republic chant. Afterwards, each republic showcased their chants for the other republics. We played a game of “Air Rock Band”; the kids rocked out hard and won points for their republics! 
The campers got a small taste of both of their specialty classes this afternoon; we are excited to see how the classes progress this week! Everyone met at Sparrow Amphitheatre for the week’s first “Evening Program.” The incredible Katie Miller led us in some rockin’ worship music and we listened to pastor Chan speak about our identity in Christ Jesus. Next we assembled in the downstairs of the D.C. for some fun messy games including ketchup and mustard nose writing, backwards lemonade, and whipped-cream gummy searches. It’s lights-out for the campers and their counselors right now, but I’m sure tomorrow is going to be a blast!
