Emily Hartsell first experienced Camp Deer Run in the summer of 1997. After camping and working on Staff, she also married a lifelong Deer Runner, Cameron. They have two kids who are both Deer Run campers too.
"For those of us living in the city, Camp is a tool that God uses to show us his creation and his people that is so different from our every day - and that is life-changing."
Beginning in 1975, Randy enjoyed 6 years as a camper followed by four years working as summer staff. His wife, Patti was a camper in the 1980s and all of their three children have both camped and worked on summer staff. Randy has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2010.
God continues to use Camp Deer Run as a sacred place where young people can put away the distractions of the world for a few days so that they can clearly see God manifested through nature and through the examples of the Summer Staff.
Mary Brown has served as a Board Member for Camp Deer Run since the Fall of 2019. She was a camper in 1988 and served on Staff for three years in 1996-1998. Mary met her husband Lane Brown, a fellow Deer Run Staffer, while they both worked and served here. They have two fantastic teenagers, Dane and Sydni, who have also enjoyed their time as campers and have been impacted by the wonderful work and service of Camp Deer Run.
Clay enjoyed 9 great years as a camper at CDR beginning in the Summer of 1988. He then worked for 6 years on staff and met his wife Maurine there in 2001. He proposed to her just behind the crafts hall where he carved her wooden ring the following summer! Now they get to watch their five daughters enjoy the place that means so much to both of them.
"Camp Deer Run continues to effectively introduce children to God and model what it looks like to serve him. Those two things sound somewhat understated, but the reality is that they make a profound impact on a lot of people that lasts a lifetime."
Dr. Jay first went to Camp Deer Run in 1962. He camped every year after that until he began working on Staff from 1969-1974. He met his wife, Gay Hobbs Spencer, while they were working on Staff. In 1989 and 90 they came back to help fill the role of Director during a time of transition. His three children were campers every year they could go, and all of them worked multiple years on Staff. He now has 11 grandchildren who are all campers. Dr. Jay has served on the board of directors since 1994.
"At Camp one can almost escape the world and its distractions. Once there is a little quiet, the campers are able to focus on their faith. With the staff teaching and modeling Jesus in God’s wonderful creation, it all begins to come together and a deeper faith that is their own emerges. This all happens while everyone is having the time of their life and forming relationships that will last a lifetime."