|
Summer 2007 Recap
In 2001, Patrick Henry welcomed high school students from across the country to four one-week camps, and since this inaugural year, Teen Leadership Camps has developed into a thriving program with over 1800 camp alumni. The Teen Camps blend of challenging classroom sessions with traditional camp fun, all presented from a distinctly Christian worldview, offers a unique opportunity for high school students to participate in the mission of Patrick Henry College.
 Teen Leadership Camps 2007 included eight separate camps over six weeks in June and July. Some camp offerings were perennial favorites, like Journalism and Debate; others, Shakespeare and Cultural Engagement, were brand new offerings for 2007. During Shakespeare camp students watched, acted, and discussed this great playwright of the English language; Cultural Engagement campers analyzed a wide spectrum of movies and music with the aim of developing discernment and passion for influencing modern American culture. Constitutional Law camp featured personal instruction by PHC Chancellor Michael Farris on such timely issues as religious freedom and judicial activism. Political Theory provided campers a chance to explore the factors of lasting political and cultural change. With two separate camp weeks, Strategic Intelligence was by far the most popular camp offering. SI camp exposed campers to all facets of the intelligence community, tested their espionage skills in covert mission operations, and emphasized the necessity of learning to apply a biblical worldview to the often difficult ethical questions within the intelligence community.
Most importantly, 2007 teen campers were challenged daily through chapel, small group Bible studies, and informal conversations to make Christ their highest, their “Summa.” The prayer of the Teen Camps 2007 staff is that our campers left Patrick Henry’s campus with a clearer understanding of God’s plan for their future and a passion to serve Him with excellence in the next step of their lives.
Summer 2007 Highlights
My experience this summer as a PHC Teen Leadership Camps counselor was overwhelmingly positive. Perhaps the only thing better than being a camper is being a camp counselor. I myself have been a camper, and I benefited enormously from counselors who encouraged me in my walk with God and helped point the way when I had questions and doubts. It is with joy then that I had this opportunity to do the same for campers whom I see as younger siblings in Christ.
 One vivid example comes from Political Theory Camp. Tuesday and Thursday nights during camp are wing chapel when all the campers meet with their respective counselors and wing mates for a Bible study. Wing chapels were after long days spent in classroom sessions (with our amazing Dr. Mitchell) followed by intense recreational activities (soccer, ultimate Frisbee, sand volleyball) and team competitions (campus-wide counselor hunts, the Teen Camp challenge course, etc.); or, on Thursday, following a crammed-pack field trip in Washington, D.C. Needless to say, campers and counselors were often drained by the time wing chapel came around. Nevertheless, I was impressed that my political theory campers seemed to draw energy out of our chapel discussion and were so genuinely interested that we hardly covered half want I had planned to say that night. When I told them we would continue the study on Thursday they immediately suggested having an extra wing chapel Wednesday, and we did. I was also impressed with their breadth and depth of knowledge coupled with a spirit of humility in wanting to learn more as they latched onto our wing’s theme that week of becoming the men God created and saved them to be.
I count it an immense privilege and honor to have had this small part in campers’ lives this summer as a Teen Camp counselor.
- Jeremy Smith, PHC Sophomore
“Welcome to Mankobo, a West African, sub-Saharan country rife with regional conflict, civil unrest, terrorists, and dictators. Your mission as an officer with the US intelligence community: maintain your cover identity, support the current ruler and neutralize the threat of a radical Islamic organization. Trust few, suspect all. And don’t forget to wear your nametag.”
 Strategic Intelligence camp at PHC Teen Leadership Camps stands out among its excellent peers. Unrivaled in excitement and atmosphere, this camp treated Summer 2007 campers to dead drops, double agents, interrogations, and renditions – all orchestrated to complement daily classroom instruction and to highlight the ethical dilemmas that a Christian working in this field must face. Whether the students were debating real-world decisions in policy briefing scenarios, learning from experienced and energetic classroom speakers, or conducing missions “behind enemy lines,” they got the rare chance to experience the intricacies of a simulated intelligence world on the beautiful (and safe) campus of PHC.
Perhaps it’s the excitement radiating from the campers after they complete a successful mission, the joy of seeing teams come together and campers grow in leadership, or the satisfaction of a camper remarking, “This is so REAL,” but the SI camps have always been my favorite to organize and participate in as a counselor. It may have something to do with my major, but hey, that’s on a need-to-know basis… J
-John Curry, PHC Junior
PHC Debate Camp 2007 was a cross between academic intensity and pure awesome. If you think these are contradictory concepts, you have never been to debate camp. The debaters I worked with were a smart, hardworking lot (it was no surprise that two of my guys won the round robin tournament!). They researched, planned strategies, and formed cases. But it wasn’t all work and no play. Between field trips, “epic” games of Teen Camp Clue, water fights, and late night “wing solidarity,” the debaters in my wing were a great deal of fun. Of course, the only way to really understand is to see it for yourself. I certainly recommend Debate Camp to anyone who enjoys thinking critically (or thinking period) and would like to have a good time while being stretched spiritually and academically.
-Tim Snyder, PHC Sophomore
Debate camp was incredible. Who could forget the good times in the research labs, or the sigh of relief when the 1AC was finally finished? Intense debate instruction, research, and preparation were surrounded by study breaks with the Rec Team and many other activities that drew campers together as a team. And what of Harper’s Ferry, hiking up the mountain to the overlook? Or the great Journalism and Cultural Engagement camps happening simultaneously?
Some of the best memories were spending times with the campers throughout the week. Talking and laughing during meals. Introducing the “Baby Shark” song with Tim. Singing songs and telling jokes on the bus on the way into Washington, D.C. Watching the guys from my research Cell Group win the Novice debate tournament. Sharing the Gospel. These things made debate camp incredible.
-Parker Broaddus, PHC Junior
We have a few camps that appear year after year like Debate camp and Strategic Intelligence camp. This year, we added two new camps to these staples: Cultural Engagement camp and Shakespeare camp. Despite being less established, these camps were a great success! In Cultural Engagement camp, we had the opportunity to interact with movies and music while learning to evaluate their quality and to view them through a biblical worldview. Through our discussions and the instruction of Dr. Les Sillars we were able to help each other better evaluate the culture around us. At Shakespeare camp, we spent the week reading, watching, and enjoying the works of Shakespeare together under the guidance of Dr. Steven Hake. Everyday featured a different play. We read the play, watched a film version of it, discussed it, and even had an opportunity to perform parts of it. The highlight of this camp was definitely our trip down to Blackfriar's Playhouse in Staunton, VA to watch a live performance of Romeo and Juliet. Like all PHC Teen Camps, these new camps were full of learning and a lot of fun. It's always exciting to see camps that explore new areas backed by the same energy, academic rigor, and passion for truth that forms the foundations of our more established camps.
-Dominique Deming, PHC Senior
Photo Galleries
Remember that slideshow on the last day of camp? See your pictures now on our online photo gallery!
Strategic Intelligence I
Political Theory / ConLaw
Shakespeare / ConLaw
Journalism / Debate
Cultural Engagement / Debate
Strategic Intelligence II
|
