Camp History

Brookwoods was born in 1944 when Dr. Lawrence H. Andreson, founder of the camp, purchased one hundred and ten acres which were to become Camp Brookwoods. The rugged natural beauty of our property on Lake Winnipesaukee with a quarter mile of waterfront has always enchanted people during the years that Brookwoods has existed.

Two powerful forces motivated the foundation of Brookwoods and continue to play an important part in the camp’s development today. Integrally woven into the camp and its future has been the development and operation of a unique camper-centered environment which is founded upon the historic Christian faith, centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through the years Brookwoods has utilized God’s exciting wilderness for campers to see the hand of God and to learn from it. Leaders committed to Christ, well-trained and able to teach, have been instrumental in developing campers’ deepening commitment to Jesus Christ. Careful programming has been designed to accommodate the different abilities and needs of each individual camper.

Today, Brookwoods remains dedicated to the development and perpetuation of our unique concept of camping. Brookwoods has always sought to present Christ to every camper in a compelling fashion, emphasizing personal commitment and values founded upon the Word of God. Dr. Andreson recognized that in order to fulfill his objective, he would have to offer Christian camping experiences not otherwise available to young people. Bible teaching, sound personal relationships, exciting staff members, and wilderness camping all helped to give Brookwoods a reputation for innovation and excellence which is well-known in the camping profession today. Over the years, Brookwoods did much to influence the growth of Christian camping.

Although Brookwoods had a small beginning with approximately 25 campers, the success of Dr. Andreson’s approach to camping helped Brookwoods grow to an enrollment of 100 for each camping session, a capacity that has remained unchanged for many years. During these years, Brookwoods’ facilities and program expanded to encompass a diversity of activities and experiences for hundreds of young people who have participated in the camp.

The summer of 1964 brought the opening of Deer Run, a sister camp to Brookwoods, comparable in every way in terms of purpose, philosophy, program, and leadership. This was the beginning of the exciting, innovative, and fruitful ministry of Deer Run as a Christian girls’ camp.

Late in the ‘60’s, along with most other segments of the economy, private camping began to sustain an increasing number of economic problems. With more camps closing every year, Brookwoods and Deer Run would have to undergo certain structural changes and program renovation if it was to retain a place of prominence in the camping profession in the remaining decades of this century.

God miraculously preserved the unique camping ministry of these two camps in a most gracious manner through the purchase of Brookwoods and Deer Run by Christian Camps & Conferences, Inc. The new Board of Directors developed long-range goals for the camps, as well as implemented immediate plans and projects. With many new ideas and the added impetus of more hands at the helm, Brookwoods and Deer Run became a very active and inspiring place. Along with campers, former staff members assisted in the development of a modern and relevant Christian camping program.

In 1999 the area that became known as Moose River Outpost was donated to Christian Camps and Conferences, Inc. The 7,000 acre facility is one of the largest camps in the United States, and contains room for unlimited possibilities. Since 1999, Moose River Outpost has been transformed with updated facilities, ready to open up with Great Adventures for the summer of 2005.

We have always felt that activities should be both fun and instructional. The program emphasizes activities that are educational and exciting, providing beyond any doubt that learning can be fun.

As might be expected, many of our activities in New Hampshire are water-related. We are fortunate to have a natural sand beach within the large, protected Chestnut Cove where most of our water activities take place. Swimming instruction under competent WSI staff members is carried on in the small cove, while sailing, canoeing, skiing, and playaking are extended throughout the large cove area.

Due to the tremendous number of water-related activities, we feel that campers who are unable to swim miss out on a great deal of the program thrust. For reasons of safety, we feel it is imperative that young men and women be able to handle themselves competently in the water. Thus, instructional swimming is required of all campers until they are able to demonstrate a proficiency that we feel adequate and which enables them to participate in our water activities safely.

Throughout their history, the camps have offered a program where direction and elective choices are combined in the best interest of the individual camper. Swimming is the only required activity. Naturally, their elective choices do not go unsupervised, especially for the younger campers who often need assistance in planning a well-balanced program. Older campers appreciate the responsibility and freedom that a program like this offers. Campers are able to select activities on a long and short term basis and are encouraged to try a wide number of activities while concentrating on the development of real skills in a few areas of particular interest.

In keeping with our concept of wilderness living, campers continue to carry their own equipment, including food and personal gear. Lightweight packs and frames are used along with adequate food for extended trips. Campers are encouraged to participate with limitations being set by their own desire, skill, health, space requirements, and parents’ permission. Although many of the older campers find longer and more demanding trips to their liking, all of our trips are not rugged expeditions. A great deal of informal sleeping-out is done on the camp property. The informal camp-outs are a particularly good way to introduce young campers to the excitement of camping without ever having to leave camp property. In the event of wet weather, our camping equipment permits us to carry on with little inconvenience or any health hazards.

The staff is drawn from all over the country and also includes a handful of international staff members. We recognize them as the vital ingredient to the complete camping operation. The number one priority is the selection and training of these young women and men to offer campers teaching from God’s Word, inspiration, and a strong, committed camper-counselor relationship to Jesus Christ. Staff and campers live together in an informal and relaxed atmosphere which encourages a real awareness of others and growth in the discovery of God. While we require competence and talent in our activity instruction, utmost importance is placed on the association of each counselor with the campers in his/her cabin. A camper’s summer experience depends largely on the components of their cabin experience. Happiness and confidence in the cabin experience usually opens the door to a challenging and rewarding summer. Much time is given to cabin activities, and staff are encouraged to take cabin trips and to plan special cabin events.

Although there are many new aspects to the program, there is also much that remains unchanged. Buildings are carefully integrated into the physical surroundings, the cabins are spaciously scattered, connected by a series of paths. Skill areas and athletic fields are safely and beautifully located throughout the camps. The food is outstanding and with good reason — our food is always wholesome and substantial, with great variety and always well prepared. Tables are arranged family style, and campers share the responsibility for waiting and clearing the tables.

There is much more that can be said about Brookwoods, Deer Run and Moose River Outpost; however, the main thrust of our camps is found in a commitment to Jesus Christ and the finest staff, program, facilities, and spiritual emphasis for Christian camping. As there is much that words cannot convey, we hope that our campers will help you to communicate what we are doing and saying to you. We will be happy to furnish you with the names and address of representative camp families in your area whom you may contact about their experiences.

CAMPING PHILOSOPHY

Brookwoods was founded in 1944 for the express purpose of providing Christian parents with a camp that offered sound instruction, understanding leadership, wilderness experience, and a camping program thoroughly dedicated to the historic tenets of the Christian Faith. Brookwoods, Deer Run and Moose River Outpost uses the outdoor wilderness learning experience as a valid tool to develop maturity and confidence in the lives of young men and women. Camping experiences of this quality and dimension create challenge for our youth and provide opportunities for maximum growth in learning that cannot be obtained in the midst of the affluence and comfortable living in today’s cultural structure.

The heart of the program is strong commitment to an inspiring program of spiritual teaching and counsel based upon the Word of God. Every camper spends some time each day learning the Word of God and faces the challenge of developing a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Campers are challenged to: learn the essentials of personal Bible study, to seek Christian companionship, to dedicate their lives to the service of God and mankind, and to be faithful stewards of their possessions and talents.

First and basic to every phase of camp life, is health and safety. Our second concern is for the individual camper — what he is and what he can become. Each camper lives in a small group of approximately 12 individuals closely guided by mature members of the staff. Here the camper learns to live with others and makes new friends from many other communities and states.

Living in the woods is, in itself, a tremendous benefit of a summer at camp. Campers learn how to live in the woods and to develop an appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature.

We want all of our campers to develop physically through our regular program. Camp is a time for fun, for freedom from close regimentation. We give campers free choice in activities, encouraging them to take advantage of different types of activities. The emphasis is on individual development through skills and learning experiences. There are numerous opportunities to grow in personality, in character, in new skills, and in a broader outlook on life. Camping, as a vital segment of the educational process, utilizes the staff as the focal point of its approach to the campers.

The daily schedule is a carefully planned but flexible program which includes a wide scope of activities. Campers choose these activities and attend on a weekly basis. The camp offers choices in over twenty different activities under competent instruction. Camp activities vary by location, but might include: Horseback Riding, canoeing, sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, riflery, archery, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, campcraft, crafts, jet skiis, music, mountain trips, canoe trips, fishing, nature and wildlife, and Bible study. Evening programs are carefully planned and are among the most vivid memories of all our campers.

The framework of camping philosophy is the same for each camper whether he attends camp for two, or four weeks. Our goals are:
  1. To provide a challenging experience of adventure, discovery, and learning in God’s fascinating wilderness.
     
  2. To develop personal skills in a unique program of woodsmanship, wilderness canoeing, and mountaineering.
     
  3. To develop a sound set of values, personal human relationships and meaningful lifestyle through dedicated Christian leadership and teaching based upon the Word of God.
     
  4. To develop a growing understanding of oneself as well as maturity in decision-making and problem-solving.

The implementation of these goals come through:

  1. A structured instruction-oriented program with controlled freedom of choice and participation.
     
  2. The use of the wilderness for overnights, extended canoe trips for those in our Leadership Development Program, and mountain expeditions with graded challenges for the youngest and oldest campers.
     
  3. Alert, dynamic, well-trained leadership, able to stimulate self-reliance, resourcefulness, a love for God and His great out-of-doors.
     
  4. Selected areas of instruction, both group and personal, in woodsmanship, water-related activities, wilderness canoeing, and mountaineering.