Deer Run Staff FAQs

Camp Brookwoods is a boys’ camp and Deer Run is a girls’ camp. Brookwoods was started in 1944 and Deer Run started in 1964. They share the same property and administration. Brookwoods is on one side of the Main House and Deer Run is on the other side. Many activities throughout the day (for example, waterskiing) are co-ed and most evening programs (Unit Night and Cabin Night) are separate. Each camp maintains their own traditions.

At camp, we want to share the love of God and the gift of eternal life with our campers, all the while helping them have the time of their life. We are not associated with any particular church denomination or tradition but adhere to the basic teachings of the historical Christian faith and leave the rest to parents. Please read Bob Strodel’s blog post about being a Christian camp.

Yes, our program is based on Biblical teaching and the Christian faith. You don’t need to be a Biblical scholar, just a follower of Jesus. If you are applying to be a counselor, you should be comfortable leading Bible studies. (During Staff Week will cover the summer’s Bible study curriculum and give you and your co-counselor time to prepare.)

All of our staff are at least 18 years old.

The maximum number of campers in the regular camp program is 118 at Brookwoods and 130 at Deer Run. (This does not include older campers in the Leadership Development Programs). Campers are assigned to cabins based on their age (as of June 1st). Each cabin has 12-13 campers and 2 counselors. Deer Run has 11 cabins and Brookwoods has 10. Campers are divided into two units based on age: the Junior Unit is typically 8-11 year olds and the Senior Unit is typically 12-16 year olds. Each unit is made up of 5-6 cabins (50-60 campers) and is under the guidance of a Unit Director. The respective “UD” organizes age-appropriate programs.

See the “Staff Positions” page for details.

• Counselors
• Program Staff and Specialists – Skill areas, Boat Driver, Swim Instructor, Tripping Staff, Horseback Riding, Woodworking, Craft Shop, etc.
• Facilities
• Food Service
• Medical Staff
• Business Office

Yes… and no. You don’t need to be an outdoor enthusiast, but you do need to have a good attitude. Your ability to be adaptable speaks volumes as a role model for campers who aren’t crazy about the outdoors or are anxious about their overnight hike.

All summer staff work 6 days a week with one full day off and one evening off. Each day counseling staff will get one hour off.

7:00 – Wake Up and Cabin Cleanup
7:30 – Devotions
8:00 – Breakfast & Singing
9:00 – Bible Study
10:00 – Morning Activities
12:30 – Lunch
1:30 – Rest Hour
2:45 – Afternoon Activities
4:00 – Open Waterfront
5:30 – Dinner
6:30 – Evening Program
9:00 – Return to Cabins/Devotions/Lights Out

All staff are required to come to “Staff Week” training before camp. This training is approximately two weeks prior to the start of the first camp session. Lifeguard Training is offered before Staff Week begins, which includes First Aid and CPR. If you are able, we encourage everyone to be a lifeguard. You will get an email with dates from Tim Nielsen, our Director of Ministry Services. To see this year’s camp calendar, please see the “Dates and Rates” page for the official start date of camp.

Camp ends for all staff on Sunday after the last Outgoing Day. After campers leave on Saturday, we clean cabins, activity areas, and put camp back together for the conference season. We celebrate the summer with a “Staff Banquet” on Saturday night. Sunday morning our Senior Staff take over the kitchen for a made to order breakfast. We gather in the Chapel for our last worship service, followed by final camp staff meetings. Sunday attendance is required unless otherwise approved by your respective director. To see this year’s camp calendar, please see the “Dates and Rates” page for the official end date of camp.

Counselors stay in cabins with campers. Support Staff stay in the “back room” of cabins. Deer Run (girls) have sinks, toilets and showers in their cabins. Brookwoods (boys) have sinks and toilets in the cabin, and a common shower house.

Clothing & Equipment List

NECESSARY:

• 6 t-shirts or shirts
• 2 pair blue jeans
• 2 pair pants
• 8 pair athletic socks
• 4 pair shorts (athletic)
• 2 pair wool socks
• 2 modest bathing suits (one-piece for girls)
• 8 sets underwear
• 2 pair sneakers/tennis shoes
• 1 wool or fleece sweater
• 1 pair hiking boots/shoes
• 1 dress outfit for banquets (modest)
• 1 long sleeve heavy cotton shirt or sweatshirt
• 1 flashlight with extra batteries
• 1 alarm clock (non-electric)
• 1 rain jacket and pants (waterproof, NOT water-resistant)
• Laundry bag
• Bible, reference books, & lightweight journal/notebook
• Toiletries
• Sleeping bag (lightweight, compact) with stuff sack
• Bedding, towels
• Stationery, postage stamps, and writing utensils
• Insect repellent/Afterbite/sunscreen/lip balm
• Eyeglasses/sunglasses
• Watch

SUGGESTED:

• 1 windbreaker-type Jacket
• 1 long sleeve heavy wool shirt
• 1 daypack for daily use around camp
• 1 pair rain boots
• 1 pocketknife with can opener
• 2 bandanas
• Sports equipment (i.e., racquet, ball glove, etc.)
• Musical instrument

Please refrain from bringing any small electrical appliances: hairdryers, curling irons, radios, handheld computer games, etc.

An important note about footwear:

Good quality hiking boots or shoes are necessary because of our tripping program. We highly recommend that you break these in before coming to camp. Don’t forget to wear your wool socks!

Many foot injuries at camp are the result of improper footwear. Camp is a tough environment with an abundance of rocks, roots, sticks, along the paths and dirt roads. The BEST footwear you can wear are closed-toed shoes that will stay on your feet while running. Campers will not be able to participate in an activity if they do not have on the appropriate footwear and we have the same expectations for staff. Flip flops are permitted at the waterfront.

We realized that staff would spend an entire night off doing laundry, and that’s not much of a night off. Camp hires an outside laundry service to pick up staff laundry once a week. We are not liable for damaged or lost items, so please choose carefully what you bring to camp.

The food is great. Our Food Service Director takes pride in serving well-balanced meals. We have a good variety of options including a cereal and fruit bar in the morning and a salad bar for lunch and dinner.

Salaries depend on your position, skills, and how many years you’ve worked at camp (returning staff members will get a pay increase). Please see the “Staff Positions” page for general salaries.

No, you do not need a car; however, many of our staff do bring cars and you may if you like. On most days off, staff will fill up their cars and head off camp for the day.

Yes, you may, but computers are not allowed in your cabins. Computers must be kept in the respective staff rooms at Deer Run Lodge or the Main House, where they can be used when you are “off.” Personal computers come in handy when you are working on camper letters.

June can be cool and sometimes the evenings can get down into the 40s. July and August can be warm with highs in the upper 90s. Solution? Pack layers for cool nights, warm days, and rain! Not only for your wardrobe, but also for your sleeping situation.

Yes, the state of New Hampshire requires that you have a signed physical form within two years of arriving to camp. Our Medical Form can be found online.

Yes, each cabin has a bathroom. Our facilities are modern and designed with health and safety in mind. Deer Run cabins have sinks, toilets, and showers.

Daily clothing should be modest and appropriate. Please do not bring shirts with suggestive graphics.

For women, tops should have straps that are two fingers wide and long enough to completely cover their stomach. Shorts should be a minimum 3″ inseam and not too tight. If staff wear leggings, they must wear a shirt that covers the bottom completely. Tops should be no lower than a hand-width from their neckline. Only modest one-piece bathing suits are permitted. End-of-month banquet dresses and skirts should also be a modest length. Please do not plan to wear strapless, spaghetti strap, or backless dresses and tops at camp. Please don’t put camp in an uncomfortable position. We reserve the right to change clothes if deemed inappropriate.

On Sunday mornings we require staff wear their camp uniform shirt with green or khaki shorts for Deer Run.

Camp Brookwoods, Deer Run, and Moose River Outpost are accredited members of the American Camp Association (ACA), Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) and Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). We work hard to meet their requirements for membership and to earn the highest recognition with these organizations. The ACA accredits member camps every three years by qualified personnel and camp directors to determine their compliance with industry standards.