CWR now and then...

As I sit in my cushy Southern 8 boxcar at the infamous Camp Willow Run, it occurs to me that a few things have changed in the 12 years (holy cow - that long?!) since I first worked here. I tried to explain this to one of the female counselors the other day and I got the "Wow. THAT was a long time ago" look. You know, since it was before electricity and the invention of the wheel.

First of all, all the buildings (except the gym) are now air conditioned. No longer do staff and campers have sweat dripping off their noses into the corn dog nuggets during mealtime. No longer to you have to listen to speakers in the Crossing while fanning yourself profusely to cool off. The best is when you think you have a bug crawling inside your shirt, only to discover it is a river of sweat trickling down. Or so I've heard.


Counselors have a new sport they play during their time off...they walk around aimlessly in the field holding a cell phone trying to find the few spots where they can get a signal. It's a fun sport to watch here from my boxcar. Although cell phone signals are hard to come by, camp has wireless Internet. Counselors just sit on their front steps and can have instant access to the outside world.

There are lots of improvements in the rec areas. Fancy ski boats with fancy wake boards, knee boards and skis. Large tarps and tents have been erected in the ropes course, climbing wall, and archery field to keep you in the shade. Tons of improvements on the ropes course (no more rope tunnel!!).

They have a person on staff whose job is to walk around and take pictures of everything. Then, at the last night of camp, they show a slide show set to music. Campers can buy a CD/DVD of said slide show AND videos of the skits AND the music for the low cost of $10. Camp is now high tech, indeed.


The Crossing has been renovated with bathrooms outside AND a fancy-smancy sound system built in. Again, with AIR CONDITIONING.

Hot Rod drives a cool Gator (no more old mail truck!) and there is a small fleet of golf carts that staff other than full-timers can drive. No fair!


These staffers don't know how great they have it. Thankfully, though, there are timeless things that will never change... the same full time staff (that feels like my 2nd family!), good food, the most amazing sunsets, HEAT, pin dodge ball, buddy checks, "Pharaoh Pharaoh", funny rules skits (now on video!), one-on-ones on the boxcar steps, and the sound of laughter everywhere. Most important of all is the life-changing love of God that is taught, sung about, and felt so strongly. There is nothing more precious than a child's new excitement in accepting Christ for the first time.

Truly, there is a "Sweet Sweet Spirit" in this place.