Day 6:
This morning was our highly anticipated specialty showcase! Many parents came out to see their campers participate. The dance class did their dance choreography, the stomp class made a lot of noise, the photography class showed off their photos, the basketball specialty talked about what they did this week, and much more! Also, weekly awards were given out! The “Barefoot Award”- awarded to the camper who best exemplifies the mission of Barefoot Republic Camp- was awarded to Ann Richie and Marley Carter. Other campers and some staff members were awarded a cool Barefoot Republic water bottle and blanket for having been a part of Barefoot for at least three years. It has been a week full of fun, sweat, excitement, worship, cheers, and changed lives. The last day of camp is always a little bittersweet, but the campers went away with great memories and will hopefully return next year!
~Camper Interviews~
Moniquea | Age 17
Why did you come back to Barefoot this year?
“Because I had such a great time…and it’s like you can get away from the home life and come out here, learn about Jesus, and have fun.”
Do you feel like your relationship with God is strengthened when you come here?
“Yes. Because when you come here and you have so many different people come from so many different places and you guys are getting closer – you’re amazed by the diversity here and it just makes you wanna learn about God more and give yourself to Christ. They tell you how God loves you and is not judging you- He wants you to be in Him.”
Shane | Age 17
Why did you come back to Barefoot this year?
“Because I had an awesome time last year and I’m gonna make this year even better!”
Day 5:
It has been an incredible friday here at Barefoot Republic Camp. After family devotionals, campers and staff met outside to take photos in the 2011 camp t-shirt. Campers enjoyed their last day of specialty classes as they prepared for the showcase tomorrow morning. During free time there was a camper vs. staff basketball game. Staff won! Whoohoo! Afterwards came Barefoot’s biggest tradition: BRAVEHEART. What is Braveheart, you ask? It is a giant food fight between every republic to see who can keep their counselor the cleanest. After all of the noodles, flour, tomato sauce, etc. was washed off of every camper, we headed down to Sparrow Amphitheater for evening program. It was a powerful night as many campers made commitments to Christ and shared incredible testimonies about how God had worked in their lives this week. 
Next, paper lanterns were handed out to each republic. Everyone wrote down things that God had cleansed them of or prayers that they wanted to “send up” to God. Inspired by the movie “Tangled,” the lanterns were all lit at the same time and we released them one by one into the sky as a symbol of prayer. Afterwards, we enjoyed s’mores and a big campfire- courtesy of Crew leader Matt Black. We had a rockin’ block party in the D.C. to celebrate a wonderful last day at camp. Tomorrow morning, the campers will have the chance to show parents and other campers what they have been working on in their specialty classes. We are so excited for the specialty showcase tomorrow and you should be too!!
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
J.D. | Age 15
Dylan | Age 16
Did you guys know each other before you came to Barefoot?
(J.D.) “No, we did not.”
J.D, what do you think of Dylan?
“Dylan is the MAN. He is really, really awesome.”
What do you guys have in common?
(Dylan) “We both play basketball a little bit. We won Iron Man- new record. We kind of like the same music.”
What do you guys think of the diversity at Barefoot?
(Dylan) “Because all of the boundaries that are sometimes in normal society are gone.”
(J.D.) “How did you know that?? I was thinking the same thing!”
What would you tell people who have not experienced Barefoot before?
(J.D.) “Come to Barefoot, because Barefoot is awesome and you need this experience!”
Abby | Age 14
Timisha | Age 15
Honour | Age 14
What do you think about the diversity at Barefoot?
(Honour) “I think it’s really great. I didn’t really have many friends and last year I met my best friend here who is African-American. So I feel very blessed to be able to not be in a community where we’re all the same. We can all be different but still be one.”
(Abby) “I think it’s great because where I live there’s no diversity at all- it’s just white people all the way down.”
List some things you have in common.
(Timisha) “I’m amazing and funny and Honour’s funny and Abby’s funny. And amazing too.“
(Honour) “We’re all very sarcastic and hyper.”
What has been your favorite part of the week?
(Timisha) “Team building, because we’re all together and no matter If some people don’t wanna do things we still come together and it’s fun.”
Do you plan on coming back to Barefoot next year?
(Honour) “Duh! There is absolutely no way I’m not coming back!”
Johnathan | Crewmember | 3rd year
How do you feel like you’ve grown as a person being on staff here?
“I’ve just been serving, like cleaning out messy food stuff, cleaning off tables, just a lot of work that no one really sees but that sets the kids up to have a good time. Matt Black and Will Koon have been just teaching me- I didn’t really use to care about that stuff but I feel like now I have a real appreciation because I’ve been down there in the trenches.”
What are your thoughts on the diversity at Barefoot?
“I feel like God is so multifaceted- He’s a diamond- I feel like this camp is a diamond. You turn it this way you have a black person, you turn it this way you got a white person- it’s so diverse and we’re all from different backgrounds- all from different ethnicities-and when we all come together for Jesus it’s like something we can all relate to because he’s our savior. No matter what background we’re from we all come together for Christ.”
What would you tell people who have never been to Barefoot before?
“Man try it out. Give it one week and you’ll probably want to stay the whole summer.”
Day 4:
Today has been super busy and super fun at Barefoot Republic Camp. On top of our typical schedule of specialties, worship and free time electives, everyone met in the athletic field for a really unique team building exercise about the way the world tries to separate us by our race, gender, background, or socioeconomic status. Standing in a huge circle after the activity, we physically symbolized the way we are united in Christ no matter our backgrounds.
Another highlight of the day was Iron Man: a 16-leg relay race including paintball, canoeing, running up steep hills, eating nasty food and more! The girl republic and boy republic with the best times were awarded medals in a special ceremony including the National Anthem. Tonight each republic will compete for the judges at the republic showcase: who will have the most creative, unifying, entertaining and theme-based act of the evening? We are about to find out…
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
Kayla | Age 16 | 5th year
What makes you come back to Barefoot each year?
“Just the love that is all around when I come here. I always see all my friends and I’m really accepted here no matter where I came from, no matter what clothes I’m wearing, no matter my skin color. It’s just really accepting here.”
What’s your favorite thing that you’ve done this week?
“Team building and doing “the wall”. We were all really nervous but we got almost everybody up the wall- everybody who was scared went up the wall. It was really nice to see how everybody trusted everyone.”
Michael | Republic Leader | 1st year
What do you think about Barefoot so far?
“I think it’s a really unique place- different than any other camp I’ve ever seen… probably one of the most fun places I’ve ever been.”
Do you think that your relationship with God has been strengthened at Barefoot?
“Absolutely- so many new situations have arisen that have made me unable to rely on my own strength and knowledge- I have to go somewhere else to get that strength. And also, through leading kids I learn about myself- my own weaknesses and my own strengths. It’s been a refining process.”
Alan | Age 17
Why did you come back to Barefoot?
“Well the first year I came was last year and I just came because of the church but I realized that ‘Wow, it’s just such an amazing worship of God.’ You find that hunger for God. I discovered that passion and since that moment on I’ve been worshipping God more and more everyday and learning more -like taking lessons in and using them in my daily life- that’s what Barefoot is all about is coming into a family. And I love love love that the theme this year is Pieces coming together.”
What are you looking forward to most this week?
“I look forward to what I learn here. It stays on my heart, and when I go back out into the world (where I know not all my brothers in Christ will be there) I have the energy and the mentality to stay strong with God, you know? I don’t want to be strong here and then go out there and be different- I want to stay the same… for forever and ever.”
Jasmine | Six Week Staff | 4th year
How have you grown as a person on staff at Barefoot?
“Serving selflessly in the kitchen has strengthened me a lot. Also knowing the kids are really looking up to me, and they come to me when they need something- that strengthens me.”
What would be your message to people who have not experienced Barefoot before?
“BAREFOOT ROCKS!! I think everyone should experience something like this… Because being friends with people of the opposite race- this is a picture of Heaven. If you believe in God then I think that you would love Barefoot.”
Day 3:
With every republic shouting their cheer at the top of their lungs to get into breakfast this morning, the atmosphere around Barefoot Republic was super hype as day three began. Campers continued in their specialty classes, preparing for the specialty showcase on Saturday. Paintball, canoeing, and slip-n-slide were all offered again as free time activities. Republics were strengthened as units during team building on the low ropes course. The trust fall, the wall, and the “block” all require each member of a republic to trust the other members in order to complete the challenges.
After dinner, group competitions began. Strange foods in Dixie cups were consumed during our “survivor” relay race. Then buckets of spaghetti water were balanced precariously on campers’ feet. After a quick clean up, everyone met at Sparrow Amphitheatre for the evening program. Wednesday night is “Drive-in-Movie” night for Barefoot Republic Camp. At this moment, campers are getting settled in the D.C. with popcorn and snow cones to watch “To Save a Life.” It has been a really fun day and everyone is excited for tomorrow!
~Camper/Staff Interviews~
Caleb | Age 15
What makes you keep coming back to Barefoot?
“Because it’s a lot of fun and there are a lot of friends here.”
What are you looking forward to most this week?
“Playing a great song in music performance.”
Do you feel like your relationship with God is strengthened at Barefoot?
“Yes, through praise and worship and reading the Bible more.”
Sherrell | Age 16
Favorite thing that you’ve done this week?
“Probably team building. I had a lot of fun doing that today.”
What are you looking forward to most about this week?
“There’s a lot of excitement – people learning about God more – me getting closer to God – you know, just a lot of stuff.”
Mahalia | Counselor-In-Training | From: Chicago
What do you do as a C.I.T. at Barefoot?
“This week I am helping to clean up and get ready for meals, and in between I’ll help out with the girls and have fun with them.”
Do you feel like your relationship with God is strengthened at Barefoot?
“Yeah, I came to some realizations yesterday- it’s like when you have an epiphany. I’ve met some really cool people here. I kinda feel like God puts you in certain places at certain times to let you meet certain people to make you have realizations.”
Day 2:
Barefoot Republic Camp woke up bright and early and got hype for day 2 of camp! The wonderful Rose Factor (Thomas and Dita Rose) led morning praise and worship. As they did the first full day, campers were able to spend and hour and 45 minutes in each of their specialty classes. Dance choreography was learned, songs were chosen and rehearsed, and basketballs were dribbled on the court. 
Campers also had the chance to complete some team building challenges with their republics on our low ropes course. The lessons learned here were both fun and meaningful. After lunch, each republic began to come up with a republic showcase (dance, skit, song, etc.) to show on Thursday evening. During free time, campers had the choice to spend their time canoeing, playing paintball, sliding down the slip-n-slide, or hanging out at the D.C. Pastor Eric spoke again at evening program after a nasty game of “build that cracker.” At this moment, campers are putting together their own trail mix as a snack before they head out for a team-building game of capture the flag. It has been a great, full day and we are excited about tomorrow!
(p.s. don’t forget to check our Facebook page for more photos!)
~Camper Interviews~
Aaron | Age 15
Favorite thing you’ve done so far at Barefoot this week:
“If I had to pick one thing, it would probably be worship.”
What is special about Barefoot Republic Camp?
“It brings people from all different walks of life in- some may come with different backgrounds but we all came for one purpose- and that’s Him.”
Honour | Age 14
Why did you choose to come back to Barefoot this year?
“Barefoot’s just an amazing place, it really lets me keep in touch with God.”
What is unique about Barefoot Republic Camp?
“At Barefoot, it doesn’t really matter who you are and what you’ve done in your life- you get along with people- no matter what. I think at other camps, you don’t feel comfortable as yourself, but then when you come here you just forget you’re different.
Day 1:
Campers arrived today in pouring rain with drenched luggage, but had lots of fun bonding with their “Republics” (cabins) nonetheless. After everyone was settled in their cabins, the Republics came up with Republic names like “Piecemakers” and “Reese’s Pieces” to represent their group.
Everyone met together for the first night of evening program to get hype, worship, and hear Pastor Erik Willits speak on Jesus’ calling on our lives. Camp director Joel Evrist led camp cheers- many of which were new to several first-timers.
Later on in the evening the campers were introduced to the 2011 messy games! Campers competed in making “backwards lemonade,” putting on wet clothes, running around baseball bats, and digging through plates of flour to find a piece of bubblegum.
It was a great first day! Campers were introduced to their specialties and are excited to be a part of those classes during these next few days. We are excited to see how the Lord is going to move in the lives of campers and staff this week!
