camparrowhead.org

Rogeroger · Oozala in training Joined: 05 Oct 2026 Posts: 3

Hi Guys-

The site looks great! It's refreshing for an "old timer" like me to see so much activity and momentum behind such an amazing place like Camp Arrowhead. Arrowhead is something different for everyone, I feel, but I think no one can refute the IMPACT that it has on everyone's life when they spend any length of time there. It's usually not apparent until the off-season, when you get back into the grind of school or work, and you find yourself day-dreaming about those incredible summer days, and those strange, twisted foreign people you got to befriend, or all of those rubber chickens.... And while it always has an impact on us -- we have such an immeasurable impact on the young guys that look up to us, as staff members. My most important lesson was when I finally realized how much each kid I interacted with looked up to me, and somewhere in his mind, as he watched what I did, he was storing that memory away to possibly emulate it himself when he grew older. Counselors are shaping people. The experiences and lessons we share with the campers become the building blocks for the type of man he will eventually become. It's pretty exciting, but pretty scary if you think about it too much.

I spent 8 summers at Arrowhead -- more than most folks, but fewer than others. My first summer there was 1990, the year they moved from the old location to the newly updated camp facility. I remember driving in to report for duty, and the only building standing was the dining hall -- which didn't have a roof. Orientation was spent planting grass seed and building dining hall tables and benches. Every summer was different, filled with a host of dramatic life-lessons, and introducing me to a countless number of interesting (somewhat insane) new friends. But most of all, Camp Arrowhead taught me how to be comfortable being myself. It's just invaluable for someone to be able to have a place to go where the peer pressure is gone, the destructive influences of the world are removed, and the insecurities we all deal with are finally shown to be based on our own imaginations.

Seeing Arrowhead make the new turn to towards being a Christian camp is utterly fantastic. My relationship with God actually began while I was at camp, and the first year that I was the director -- 1996 -- I was actually baptized in the Arrowhead Lake by a local pastor. One of the kitchen ladies was watching, and being a very vocal Christian, she let loose with a "PUUUHHHH-RAAAAIIIISSSSEEEE GOOOODDDD!!!" war cry yelp that almost scared the pastor to death. But it was all good.

I envy you guys who have the opportunity to return to Arrowhead. You may not realize it, but slowly, that window of time where you can easily dart off to Tuxedo for the summer and have another life-changing experience is slowly shrinking. I tried to extend that period for as long as I could in my life, but now I'm married, have a corporate job on the other side of the country, and have three small sons of my own to be a "counselor" for... time passes quickly. To use an old cliche' -- carpe diem (sieze the day). Not to be confused with carpe dentum (sieze the teeth).

Good luck building men, my friends. I hope to rejoin you soon with my own sons... who, judging by their current energy levels, will most likely be responsible for the destruction of several, critical camp structures. But we'll deal with that day when it comes.

Regards,
Roger Chandler

GoneFishing · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2026 2:44 pm Post subject: Welcome Home Roger!

ROGER!! WELCOME HOME!!
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....and the forests will echo with laughter, remember laughter?.....

chum bum, no. 1 · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:31 pm Post subject: Dear Rodger, about Camp Arrowhead

Rodger, I have never had the oppurtunity to meet you, but I believe we share one main idea about Camp Arrowhead. It is magical. I have spent four summers there, and plan on spending as many as possible. I can not put into words the level of appreciation I have for this place. It goes beyond words, it enters the realm of experiences. I have had countless awe, tear, laughter and amazment inspiring expereinces at Arrowhead. I agree with you in saying there is no other spot on Earth I would rather spend a summer than Camp Arrowhead.
I beleive that this place has changed my life in a level of degrees more than anything I have ever encountered. I have met people I will remember for the rest of my life. I have hiked through the Appalachain Mountains. I have camped inside of a thunder storm. I have seen a black bear from 20 yards away. All of these things are incredeble, but none amount to the people I have met. People like Jim Warren, Jim Ligori, Dave McGlashan, Jeremy Blanchard, Tony Fritts, Brad Davis, Jeff McRenolds, Adam Kovaly, and many others. All of which have changed my life forever. I will never forget and will always remember Camp Arrowhead.
Sincerely,
Ford Chumley

SpazingSmither · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2026 5:31 pm Post subject:

man, ya'll truly know arrohead, i think that if you had to strip away tha layers of any person on earth and find the core, it would look a lot like arrohead, a quiet palce with unsurpassed beauty and life long friends.
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When the end of the world comes , its gonna be Keith Richards, three cockaroaches, and a box of eggo waffles. Keith Richards will say to the cockaroches, "You know i smoked your uncle, did you know that?". The waffles will just sit there...mmm, waffles

SpazingSmither · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2026 5:31 pm Post subject:

man, ya'll truly know arrohead, i think that if you had to strip away tha layers of any person on earth and find the core, it would look a lot like arrohead, a quiet palce with unsurpassed beauty and life long friends.
_________________
When the end of the world comes , its gonna be Keith Richards, three cockaroaches, and a box of eggo waffles. Keith Richards will say to the cockaroches, "You know i smoked your uncle, did you know that?". The waffles will just sit there...mmm, waffles

flood · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2026 9:12 pm Post subject:

dude josh that was like deep I think the past two years have changed my life and I think that jim L jim w jez brad tony adam and all the counselors have done what roger said about building men i think that they're doing a good job and i kno they will continue to do so
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all u have to decide is wat to do with the time that is given to u

Mackfoot 1 ALways GTERRDUNNNNN!!!!!!!!

SpazingSmither · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2026 11:25 pm Post subject:

right on
_________________
When the end of the world comes , its gonna be Keith Richards, three cockaroaches, and a box of eggo waffles. Keith Richards will say to the cockaroches, "You know i smoked your uncle, did you know that?". The waffles will just sit there...mmm, waffles

flood · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2026 7:47 pm Post subject:

thanks josh
_________________
all u have to decide is wat to do with the time that is given to u

Mackfoot 1 ALways GTERRDUNNNNN!!!!!!!!