-Day 1-
The campers are finally here! Our first group of junior high campers arrived this afternoon and jumped right into the fun. After every camper had found his assigned republic, each group decided on a name and a chant. A couple of the names they came up with are “the reflectors” and “mighty mirror men.”
Everyone got to preview both specialty classes they signed up for today. Campers got a small taste of what their classes (including stomp, horseback, water sports, basketball, and visual arts) would offer them in this coming week.
This group of campers is super duper excited about being here this week; chants are loud, smiles are big, and republic spirit is high. Tonight we had a group competition that required each republic to come up with a rhythmic gymnastics routine. The kids really got into it, silliness and all. The campers have even more to be excited about for tomorrow!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FROM DAY #1 HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lYXJmJfXu4&list=UUfSJdrsPBOqK-03uDaXiDug&index=2&feature=plcp
-Day 2-
Our first full day of session two has come to a close! Our day started off bright and early at 7:30 AM with a wonderful breakfast prepared by chef Ronda and Barefoot’s support staff. Today each republic went down to the low ropes course to conquer some team building activities. Some of the challenges included the trust fall, the spider web, and the mohawk walk. Each camper had to learn to trust his fellow cabin-mates with his life in order to complete the challenge. Specialty classes lasted the full hour and 45 minutes to allow the students to prepare for the showcase saturday morning.
Free time consisted of paintball, horseback riding, basketball, volleyball, and more. Everyone gathered in the Sparrow Amphitheater for evening program where we sang praise and worship songs, played a messy game with cheese puffs and whipped cream, and heard a message on the story of the prodigal son. Afterwards everyone competed in a huge decathlon event to win points for their republic. It has been a really fun day and we are looking forward to tomorrow!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FROM DAY #2 HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Rnnu5K73E&list=UUfSJdrsPBOqK-03uDaXiDug&index=1&feature=plcp
-Camper + Staff Interviews-
Daniel | Age 12 | Brentwood, TN
What made you come back to Barefoot this summer?
“It was really fun and exciting last year. We did activities all the time and that kept me excited for the next thing that’s gonna happen.”
Tell me about your cabin mates:
“Well, everyone’s pretty different but we talk to each other a lot and we play games with each other.”
Why do you think it’s important to have diversity at Barefoot camp?
“Because we can have all the different types of children of God together at one time.”
Puja | Age 13 | Nepal
What do you think of camp so far?
“I love it. Here people are so nice. I like everything over here and it’s so fun.”
What are you most excited about?
“I want to ride a horse. When I was little I tried, I fell down, and I wouldn’t try. So now I want to ride.”
What do you think about your cabin-mates?
“They are so nice. We have each other. I like all of them. We knew each other so fast. We work together, eat together, and we pray.”
What have you learned about God at Barefoot?
“God will control us and God will save us from sin. God is so great. We don’t have to worry about anything- any problem- God will solve those problems.”
Darius | Franklin, TN | Counselor
“Counselor to me is just being a leader for the kids- to set an example for them and let my light shine.”
“My favorite part is meeting the boys on the first day, making our chant, going up on stage, and getting everybody hype. I like getting everybody hype.”
How do you hope to see God work in the lives of the campers this week?
“My cabin is a little separated right now- not working too much as a team -but I think with a little push in the right direction it will be a good building experience for our cabin to connect with each other. I just hope for them to have a good experience and to know that someone loves them and cares for them. I’m not sure that all the campers at home might feel that love or have a person that wants them. I just pray that they feel loved this week- to have a big brother if they don’t have one.”
Tressa | California | Counselor
“I’m just hanging out with the girls, being a counselor, and just having fun with the kids. I’m also gonna be teaching the vocal performance specialty and dance.”
What made you come back to Barefoot this summer?
“I just love the community. I love the mission of Barefoot. I just love what God does here too- how it’s set up for the kids to really grow, to learn from each other, to work together, and to form a really true sense of community that they may have never had before in their lives.”
What is the most exciting part of camp for you?
“The last night of testimonies- to see how kids have grown from maybe not even talking very much to really opening up and sharing their heart and what God taught them.”
-Day 3-
Day three has been full of adventures, laughter, chants, and new experiences. After praise and worship this morning, each republic went down to the volleyball court, fenway, and the soccer field to conquer new team building challenges. Campers played monsoon volleyball, angle ball, and crab apple whiffle ball together. It is obvious that each republic is becoming stronger as a unit and beginning to trust and lean on each other more. 
Along with progressing in the specialty classes, campers worked on their showcase for tomorrow night. Each cabin will perform to see who can best creatively exemplify this year’s camp theme as a republic- through dance, drama, or song. Tonight’s evening program was full of energy; there was a dance party, chants throughout, and heartfelt testimonies from staff and campers. Right now, sno-cones and popcorn are being prepared for the campers to enjoy during tonight’s movie. We are excited for the fun things planned for tomorrow!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR DAY #3 HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8qw7lARooE&list=UUfSJdrsPBOqK-03uDaXiDug&index=1&feature=plcp
-Camper + Staff Interviews-
Abbie | Age 11 | Spring Hill, TN
Why did you come back to Barefoot this year?
“Just the fun atmosphere. At other camps, if you speak about Jesus, you might be shunned or something. But here…it’s just here! It’s definitely fun, sometimes crazy. Our cabin is absolutely bonkers, but it’s awesome.”
How has Barefoot changed your life?
“It’s a place I can look forward to every year and tell my friends about- I just love it. You feel Him here; when you’re here you feel His presence. Like when you’re listening to the pastor, it just feels like He’s right there.”
If you had to describe Barefoot in one word, what would it be?
“Words can’t describe it.”
Lelan | Age 12 | Nashville, TN
“I love Barefoot. It’s like so fun! I get to meet all my new friends- some of my friends are from Nashville, Georgia, West Tennessee, etc. I just like it at Barefoot. It’s a great camp.”
What’s your favorite part of Barefoot?
“Skateboarding, singing, dancing- and I like paintball too. Most excited about messy games.”
What have you learned at Barefoot?
“Well, they’re people of God and I’m a son of God. The people- they’re so nice. They’re kind.”
Mikaila | Age 11 | Illinois
Why did you come back to camp this year?
“All the girls are really nice and all the activities we do are really fun.”
What are you looking forward to?
“All the water sports!”
Why is diversity important here?
“It helps to make you more comfortable with different people.”
How has Barefoot changed your life?
“I’ve learned a lot, like how to be myself.”
How would you convince someone to come to Barefoot?
“Well you don’t get homesick because there’s so much to do, you’re never bored, there’s always things to do and everyone is really nice.”
Matt | Southern California | Camp Director
“I think my favorite part of the week is (1) watching all of the kids laugh. I think laughter is a sign of health. It’s great to watch some kids who don’t usually get to laugh with heartiness. And (2) just watching the kids worship. It’s really neat to see them singing and lifting up their hands and to really throw themselves into it.”
“My favorite part of being camp director is… I get to learn a lot of names- from all of the different cabins. I get to interact with everybody.”
What are you most excited about?
“I’m excited to see the showcase. I want to see how the cabins have come together as families- what they’ve planned, what they’ve been working on- to see a final product that represents themselves.”
Jessica | Panama City, FLA | Counselor
What was your first impression of Barefoot this week?
“I was a little intimidated at first, just because this is my first experience with a camp, but I had a great first meeting with people and once the kids came I really enjoyed it.”
“My favorite moment was the trust fall today- and all of our girls did it- but one of the girls did it and actually took Candace with her as she came down- but it was still a good time.”
How do you hope to see God work this week?
“As for the campers, I just hope that they come to understand how great His love really is for them: their worth and how valuable they are to Him… and that they leave here feeling His love. That they feel encouraged, uplifted, and accepted. For myself, just being reminded of those simple truths is nice.”
-Day 4-
Today has been a full, fun, exciting day! On top of our normal specialty classes and showcase practices, campers participated in a team building activity called the “right foot, left foot line.” Through a series of questions about the way people grew up, the privileges they had, and the rough times they may have gone through, campers learned more about each other. Some may have been surprised to find that the stereotypes they had assumed about each other weren’t as accurate as expected. 
A much anticipated event also took place this afternoon: IRON MAN. This relay tests the cohesiveness and speed of each republic as they work together to conquer all the different legs of the challenge. Paintballs are fired, mental puzzles are solved, basketballs are shot, and flags are footprinted. After building a pyramid at the end, they must walk/run across the soccer field without unlinking their arms. Our six republics beat several of the record times set by our senior high campers from last week! Right now, campers are wrapping up at evening program. It was awesome to hear several campers come up to give their testimonies tonight and worship God together! Next they will prepare in their republics one last time before our highly-anticipated republic showcase tonight. We are all excited to see what creative performances they come up with that will exemplify this year’s camp theme!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR DAY #4 HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7V22GqZP_M&list=UUfSJdrsPBOqK-03uDaXiDug&index=1&feature=plcp
-Camper + Staff Interviews-
Jacqui | Age 12 | Spring Hill, TN
What do you think of Barefoot so far?
“It’s amazing. It’s a lot of fun. You’re free to be yourself.”
“I love my cabin. Everyone is my cabin is so sweet and nice and cares for each other.”
Why is diversity important at Barefoot?
“Because you need to learn to branch out to other people and not just be with your kind of people.”
What have you learned about God?
“He’s always there for you no matter what. He’s always loving you no matter what you do.”
Matt | Age 12 | Nashville, TN
What made you come back to camp this year? (came two years ago)
“Well, since I didn’t come last year I missed having this fun experience- all the chants and all the action going on this year. That’s why I came back.”
What has been your favorite part of camp so far?
“Probably my second specialty, making of the band; I’ve really enjoyed that a lot.”
What have you learned at Barefoot?
“I’ve learned that you really need teamwork as a part of life. You really need- and can’t live without- Jesus- He’s something you can’t live without.”
“My cabin mates are hilarious. They’re smart and they’re fun. They all have different personalities, so I enjoy them a lot.”
What are you most excited about?
“Probably the showcase on Thursday night. I’m really looking forward to doing that. We get to act out our crazy skits and have fun with it.”
Virginia | Age 12 | Franklin, TN
What do you think of Barefoot so far?
“It’s very fun; I feel like I connect with the girls and we are all a big family.”
What have you learned here?
“I’ve learned that God accepts you no matter what.”
What has been your favorite moment this week?
“Yesterday’s evening program. I felt that the presence of God was really close. The presence of God is everywhere, but I felt that it was really nice and tender over us.”
Mabel | Pennsylvania | Counselor in Training
What was your first impression of Barefoot?
“It’s just a really awesome place. Everyone here is so incredible and super nice.”
What has been your favorite moment this week?
“I’m absolutely obsessed with evening program- like obsessed, to the 20th power…like testimonies- when the kids get a chance to go down last week and talk is really awesome… Great turnout.”
What has God taught you this week?
“Just to rely on Him more. Sometimes I try to do things by myself – just to rely on Him for strength and patience and to let Him talk through me to the kids.”
What do you hope the campers gain from this week?
“Just trust in Him. Especially with some of the struggles that the kids are facing…just that they know God puts us through things that sometimes are hard, but He knows we can handle them. At the end of every dark tunnel there’s a light and He’s there.”
Why does Barefoot stand out?
“The openness to bringing everyone together from all different socioeconomic classes, races, and ages- to bring them all together,mix them up, and not be afraid to put them together in a cabin and hope for the best. I think that’s really awesome.”
It is bittersweet to see our last full day of session 2 come to a close, but God has done mighty things this week. After praise and worship this morning, campers and staff came together for republic and group photos down at the amphitheater. Specialty classes ended today as instructors and students put finishing touches on their presentations for the specialty showcase tomorrow (parents are invited!). One of the most highly anticipated events of the week also took place this afternoon: BRAVEHEART. This epic battle challenges each republic to protect their counselors against flour, tomato sauce, noodles, and other leftovers from this week. Whoever comes out with the cleanest counselor at the end of 10 minutes wins. Campers showed a valiant effort to keep their counselors clean by covering them up with their own bodies and launching food at opposing republics. After hosing off and showering, campers ate spaghetti and meatballs and headed down to evening program. 
T.J. | Age 12 | Nashville, TN
Oliver | Age 11 | Franklin, TN
Luke | Age 12 | Brentwood, TN
So you guys are friends, right?
“No! We’re brothers!”
How did you three become so close?
Oliver: “Well we’re all in the same cabin, cabin #3.”
TJ: “We feel the same for each other.”
Oliver: “At evening program, we always told each other stuff. We always grabbed arms and sang together.”
TJ: “Sometimes we even cry together- like brothers should.”
Luke: “We kind of just go through everything together.”
What is your favorite moment from this week?
TJ: “Lunch. Lunch is funny. Oliver is always coming up with games and stuff.”
Luke: “TJ is always spilling things.”
Oliver: “…and then putting hot sauce on everything. He even put hot sauce on his orange.”
What’s the best part about your friendship?
TJ: “We can tell each other anything.”
Oliver: “If one feels down, the other two feel them and understand what they’re going through.”
Luke: “The fact that we can tell each other anything and we won’t be embarrassed about it.”
Ana | Age 12 | Honduras
Djimon | Age 12 | Atlanta, GA
How did you become friends?
Djimon: “I had first come in and I was nervous and Ana was the first one who had waved to me. It just started to move on from there- we just started talking and we had some things in common.”
What has been your favorite moment together from this week?
Ana: “Iron man.”
Djimon: “I would have to say the low ropes. It got me and Ana close together to work out some differences of the obstacle courses like the web and the Mohawk walk.”
What is the most special part of your friendship?
Ana: “God has brought me here to make a new family here and we became friends.”
Djimon: “My favorite thing about Ana? There’s so many. I would have to say her funniness and her hair. Her hair is so long and pretty- I just want to style it and make some pretty styles with it.”
Ana: “She’s funny and she is a good person to go hang out with.”
Shontia | Age 13 | Nashville, TN
Keshabi | Age 13 | Nepal
What made you two want to be friends?
Tia: “At the beginning of Barefoot when we first came in and we had to meet each other, we had to get to know each other and me and Keshabi were sitting next to each other. Everything that she said was funny to me and everything that I said was funny to her. So then we just started talking and laughing and having fun. We’re always laughing at each other’s jokes.”
Keshabi: “She has fun with me and I like when she’s laughing; she makes me laugh- she is too funny.”
What’s the most special thing about your friendship?
Tia: “When we cry together. When we worship.”
Keshabi: “When I was crying she said ‘don’t cry, I also gonna be crying.’ She’s gonna be family with me.”
Tia: “Whenever I’m not in a happy mood and I want to laugh I can always laugh with her. Whenever it’s time for us to go to sleep in our cabin we don’t sleep we just look at each other and start laughing.”
Chloe | Age 12 | Nashville, TN
Katrina | Age 10 | Franklin, TN
How did you become friends?
Katrina: “We’re bunk buddies. We got to know each other when we helped each other make our beds and clean up.”
Chloe: “And then we started hanging out and then talking to each other.”
Katrina: “And then we started going to all our free times together.”
Chloe: “Yeah and then we just became friends.”
What has been your favorite moment this week?
Both: “Probably water sports.”
What are your favorite things about each other?
Chloe: “She’s like really nice and I think she’s a really good friend.”
Katrina: “She’s really funny. She likes to pull pranks on us.”
Chloe: “Yeah last night I hid under Mary’s covers.”
Katrina: “Everybody woke up with flashlights looking for her.”
What’s the most special thing about your friendship?
Chloe: “I think it’s just that we care for each other.”
Katrina: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If we come back next year then we’ll be able to see each other, but like we never get to see each other…”
Chloe: “I could give her my address because we’re only like 15 minutes away!”
Bharat | Age 12 | Nepal
Matt | Age 13 | Nashville, TN
How did you begin to be friends?
Matt: “We just started talking and getting to know each other.”
What do you have in common?
Bharat: “A lot of things. We’ve both been to places outside the U.S.”
What has been your favorite moment from the week?
Matt: “In the cabin. It’s fun. We talk and stuff.”
Bharat: “We mess around with each other.”
What are your favorite things about each other?
Bharat: He’s cool… like when I need him he’s there for me. Sometimes I get him mad when I throw apples at him…”
Matt: “Not like really mad, I just mess with him.”
Bharat: “Yeah he plays around with me and I play around with him.”
Matt: “He’s good in soccer, he’s cool, he’s got some nice hair.”
Matt: “We got to spend a lot of time together.”
Bharat: “We have fun, we work hard on stuff together.”
Matt: “We use a lot of teamwork.”
Michael | Atlanta, GA | Counselor + Specialty Instructor
What has been your favorite moment from this week?
“It’s probably been during outdoor adventure when we voyaged down the creek, swam through water above our head- and we kept having to call one of our little guys back because he kept wanting to catch snakes and frogs and everything else -but it was just wild, and it was a lot of fun.”
What is God teaching you this week?
“He’s teaching me a lot just about how wonderful childhood is and how important it is to preserve that and minister to that in kids. Also, how its just restorative and healing, I think, for me and other adults to be around kids as well to just remember what it was like to be carefree, just joyful- to play and to laugh and to live.”
What made you come back to Barefoot this year?
“Barefoot’s just a unique atmosphere. Just the freedom and the joy that’s here is real and I think it’s a better image of the kingdom that anything else I’ve ever seen. It’s just a vibrant place to be. There’s nowhere else I’d really rather be.”
-Day 6-
The campers have left and the campus is quiet once again- we will miss the laughter and joy the junior high campers brought us this week! The group we had this week was truly special; they bonded together like a family and were eager to soak up the lessons of God’s love, majesty, and forgiveness. This morning they showcased their gifts in dance, music, stomp, drama, and more. All of the sports specialty classes also spoke about what they learned this week. 
Awards were given out to outstanding students including the Barefoot award (for the male and female campers that best exemplified the mission of Barefoot Republic Camp this week). Several of the campers participated something called “cardboard testimonies.” They wrote how they felt at the beginning of the week on one side and how they felt at the end on the other. Campers went from “lost” to “found,” “excluded” to “accepted,” “feeling unloved” to “loved”, and “shy” to “confident.” Seeds of Christ-likeness were definitely planted in each camper this week. It was sad to see everyone pack up their bags to leave, but we have no doubt that we will see some of those faces again next summer!
