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Howdy Session

MAY 26 – 29

A shorter overnight camp session for 8 to 11 year olds. Tailored specifically to help younger campers transition more comfortably to full-length overnight camp, pure & simple.

Explore Howdy Session!

HOWDY!

Welcome to the all new Howdy Session at Camp Deer Run! This shortened overnight session was created to give 8 to 11-year-old campers a smoother transition into our full-length Overnight Camps. With a shortened daily schedule, and only 3 nights away from home, it’s the perfect way to introduce Camp to kids who aren’t quite ready for the a full week or two away from home.

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WELCOME TO HOWDY WEEK!

ALL THE BEST PARTS OF OUR OVERNIGHT CAMPS, SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO YOUNGER CAMPERS!

FLAGPOLE DEVO
GROUP BIBLE
CANTEEN
GROUP ACTIVITY
CABIN ACTIVITY
CABIN BIBLE
QUIET TIME
HYMN TIME
WORSHIP
NIGHT GAMES
NIGHT DEVO
COOKOUT

The Howdy Session will be a blend of our PeeWee and Overnight Camp programs, modified and tailored to fit campers who have grown out of Day Camp but may not be ready for a full Overnight Camp session.

The daily schedule will be a shortened version of the one-week session schedule for our youngest age group. Some of the most notable changes to the schedule will be an early bed-time and shorter windows for some of our more strenuous games and activities.

A full schedule for the Howdy Session will be posted here soon!
Our full Summer Staff will be onsite facilitating our Howdy Session.

During the Howdy Session, new Staff will have an opportunity to get more hands-on training before our full-length sessions begin as they are paired with veteran Staff members who will show them the ropes as they care for our Howdy campers.

The Staff are throroughly vetted with an intensive application, interview, and background check. Throughout the spring semester, Staff are trained extensively on our program, camper safety, and our employee expectations.

Staff are trained in camper safety based on our S.T.O.R.M. policy. S.T.O.R.M. stands for Stop Bullying; Touch, Talk, Territory, Obvious Safety Risks, Rule of Three, and Modesty. Click the button below to learn more about S.T.O.R.M. and how we keep our campers safe!

Howdy Session Key Details

DATE: May 26 – 29, 2026

 

AGES: 8 to 11 years old

Campers must be of eligible age on or before September 1, 2026.

PRICE: $325 per camper

Includes meals, canteen, activities and a t-shirt!

CHECK-IN: Tuesday, May 26 from 2 – 4 pm


CHECK-OUT: Friday, May 29 from 9 – 11 am


PARENTS LOVE CAMP!

This was our first experience sending a camper to Camp Deer Run, and we loved everything about it. We are excited to keep coming back!

1st Year Camper Parent

As a first-time Camp Deer Run parent, this was incredible. From the staff to the overall experience, it was absolutely phenomenal.

1ST YEAR CAMPER PARENT

As a first-time Camp Deer Run camper parent, this was incredible. From the moment we arrived to pick up, we felt confident in our decision. The counselors were the hands and feet of Jesus, and the care they showed our child was absolutely phenomenal.

1ST TIME CAMPER PARENT

We really love Camp Deer Run. Our camper came home excited, confident, and already asking about next year.

OVERNIGHT CAMPER PARENT

The counselors were incredible. Seeing how they cared for the kids meant everything to us.

OVERNIGHT CAMPER PARENT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Camp Deer Run Safe?

We take extensive measures to ensure the health and safety of our campers. We have at least one medical staff member on site at all times (EMT, Nurse, or Doctor). Campers are supervised at all times and our staff are thoroughly vetted, background checked, and trained on child safety. To read more about our safety policies and procedures, click here.

Who are the Staff?

Every summer we hire 65+ college-aged young adults to serve on our summer staff. These staff go through a thorough application, interview, and background check process. Before the summer, all the staff are trained extensively in camper safety. We only hire staff who are practicing Christians who are members of a church body. 

When does registration open?

General Registration for overnight camp begins January 18th at 2:00 pm.

How do I register?

You can register for all Camp Deer Run camps and retreats at https://events.circuitree.com/CampDeerRun/Account/Login/.

To learn more about creating an account and registering your child for summer camp, visit our Tutorials page for a full video walkthrough that will help you through the entire process!

What do I need to pack?

For a full packing list and more helpful resources to help you and your child get ready for camp, visit our Preparing for Camp page!

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Day 1 - God Comes First

SCRIPTURE:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-6


DEVOTIONAL:

This is a verse that we hear often. It’s a common memory verse. It’s the basis for countless worship songs and hymns. It strikes at the core of all Christian faith and life. These words come from Moses, as He speaks to the Israelites before their entry into the Promised Land. Behind them, there has been a long journey – from slavery to freedom a promise of a land of their own that is very good. But along that journey there has been temptation, and the Israelites have time and time again lost sight of their covenant with God and forgotten the salvation that He delivered to them. Because of that, they spent 40 years wandering in the desert instead of going straight to the new homeland that God had promised.


It’s a lesson to all of us that when we lose sight of God, when we forget about Him and His Word, when our focus drifts away from Him, we end up wandering in a desert instead of enjoying the good things He intended for us.


At Camp Deer Run, we leave behind many of the things in our day to day lives that distract us from God. We leave behind the phones, the TVs, the social media, the stress of school or work, the trials and struggles that we carry with us. When you step through the gates as your session begins, you can leave all of it behind you and just focus on God, pure and simple.
When we set those burdens down, and remove all the distractions that are keeping us from seeing God clearly and putting Him first in our lives, we come closer to Him, we grow deeper in our relationship with Him, we feel His love. And when we know His love for us and understand that we are His beloved children, our love for Him grows too.


But Camp doesn’t have some kind of magic forcefield around it that makes you leave your worries at the door. It’s definitely easier at Camp to leave those things behind. There’s so much fun to be had, so much nature to enjoy, and so many friends to surround you. But at the end of the day, it’s still up to you to let go of the things that distract you from God and to put Him first. Sometimes that’s hard to do, and sometimes it takes a little while to figure it out. That’s ok!


As you prepare for Camp, we just want you to know that God wants to have a relationship with you. God knows you. God loves you. And He wants you to keep your focus on Him, because He doesn’t want you to be lost in the desert. He wants to lead you to the Promised Land!

 

DISCUSSION:


What are some of the things that make it hardest for you to focus on God at home?


Can you leave that behind when you go to Camp? How?


Camp Deer Run is all about seeing God in everything, not just worship or Bible lessons, but in the games and activities and friends and fun. How do you keep your focus on God in all of these different situations?