camparrowhead.org

chum bum, no. 1 · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:46 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 M, Adam K, and many others. All of which have changed my life forever. I will never forget and will always remember Camp Arrowhead.
Sincerely,
Ford C

arcdiverusc · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 2:38 am Post subject:

Dude, im not sure what to say, that was an awsome letter, one that hit home more ways than ever, i was a camper under Roger like u have been a camper under me. And i remember a lot of things from camp arrowhead when i was a little kid, ok well i was never very little, but i remember having a lot of awsome experiences, meeting some insane crazy awsome people like, Nigle, Sam, Roger, and Tad. These were adults who did nothing but look out for me, and take care of me. And then i got to meet people like the DK's and Ben G. and Rumburger, and Clisby, Robert H. and countless others, who are some of my true and best friends. All of these people wither they realize it or not have changed me.
Reading ur letter made me remember all that, and made me also remember that being a camper changed my life in so many countless ways, all of them for the better. Now that ive worked for Camp Arrowhead for some years i realize what all goes on behind the scenes, and what all it takes to do our job, and its hard, really hard, but when i get to sit down at the end of the day, or the end of the week, or whenever and think back on my summers, i get to remember kids like u, chum's and ur brothers, and even kids like jim and tony and jez. And those memories, those moments in my mind are all that matter to me, a good friend once said "its camp blood that runs through our veins!," and hes right, i live, breath, and eat away every moment waiting to return to the evergreen covered hills, and i check my mail daily waiting to get those leaves, just to touch something from home. All i can say is thanks for all of those memories, the ones from my childhood, and the ones from the past few years. Cant wait for next summer, cant wait to see all of u, ya even u Seaburger, and u too dash, and gezz way to many of u too name. Bradford, ps, BOOTS!!!!!!!!!

GoneFishing · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 5:04 am Post subject:

Props to both of you guys for some great posts! Reading them made me camp sick.. We truly are a brotherhood, the brotherhood called Arrowhead!
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....and the forests will echo with laughter, remember laughter?.....

jez · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 9:42 pm Post subject: Homesick

What can I say but if your not homesick after those two posts then you should'nt be at arrowhead. Thanks guys for making my day just that little bit better.
jez
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Life is all about having fun.

KT · Oozala Joined: 04 Sep 2026 Posts: 23

awwwww, those letters where great. Now i'm campsick! wait, I was already, but more so now. Ford, its awesome you can write a letter like that to a dude you've never met. Guess thats what being part of the arrowhead family's about. Peace out guys, keep smiling, and see you next summer! -KT

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

Ford -

Though we haven't met, I can tell by your words that we would get along quite well. You spoke, I think, for all of us with your description of how camp impacted you.

It's also absolutely great to hear the other guys share their thoughts about camp. Here's a cool thought -- a bunch of guys who otherwise would be total strangers, have somehow by the grace of God created a kinship and brotherhood that thousands of miles or dozens of years will never break. I know that even though I will never meet all of the guys that spend their summers at Arrowhead, a small piece of my spirit was imparted to them, because I spent time at Arrowhead and gave it my all. From the first Iron Men we initiated, late one night in the blacksmith shop (unfortunately, further info on the Iron Man brotherhood is "classified"...) to the last council fire story I told nearly 10 years later, I know that a piece of me was passed on to others, and I got to contribute to this living, growing, constantly improving, life-changing legacy called Arrowhead. And the great thing about it is -- the things that I did to add to Arrowhead pale in comparison to things that you guys have added since I left, and to the many incredible things you guys who follow us will add in the years to come. Knowing that we are ALL part of this process, that we are ALL obligated to continue shaping and molding camp, and are responsible for HELPING and LEADING those in our charge, is a staggering concept. But it's a concept that ties us together. I find that it gave me a permanent sense of mission in my life -- particularly when I was at camp -- that made me wake up with wide-eyed enthusiasm to see what the day would bring. When you get older, you'll realize how few men ever have ONE DAY where they feel like that. The rat-race, the grind, the whatever, that they happen to chain their life to forces them to trudge along day after day, never having an inkling about how high God could let their spirits soar, and how important they could be to a group of young guys who just want to follow them around a place like Arrowhead and learn from them. I just feel utterly blessed to have had that in my life.

So, if you can't tell, Camp Arrowhead changed my life too.

I now can't come to camp as much as I would like -- but I think God works in mysterious ways... for though I'm on the West Coast, somewhat domesticated (but never FULLY domesticated), I now have three sons, all with that same energy and curiosity of the kids I knew at camp. My strategy is -- if I can't come to camp, I'll just populate my own. It seems to be working so far... I've been doubly blessed. But I envy you guys who get to return to Arrowhead. I implore you -- if/when you return to camp, never, EVER let yourself feel like you don't want to be there b/c of something back home. If you start thinking about that girl back home, or your buddies back at school, set your mind back on camp. For camp passes so fast, and your buddies, and that girl, will still be there. If she isn't, she wasn't worth the worries anyway... but camp -- you have to take it by the horns and live it, 100 MPH. Because when the summer's over, I think you all can agree that world seems to become a very quiet place...

Anyway, these are just more thoughts from a veteran Arrowheader. Sorry for being sentimental, but I figured this is the place to say this type of thing. I hope you guys have a great year.

Regards,
Roger Chandler

chum bum, no. 1 · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 9:35 pm Post subject: Rodger-Many thanks

Wow, Rodger, that was quite moving. Thank you for that. Your letters have taken my feelings for camp and added many new concepts to the thought of being at a place that can't be described in words. If you have the time, I strongly suggest that you look at the pictures my dad took. I really think they portray the camp evironment as it exists today.

Again, thank you for you're words, your thoughts, for they have truely spoken to me.
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Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

Ford

SpazingSmither · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2026 11:47 pm Post subject:

wow, ya'll have a way with words! I;m impressed,
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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

flood · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2026 10:13 pm Post subject:

i wish i could be like ford he always knows wat to say
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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 11:06 pm Post subject:

true dat
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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

flood · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2026 8:25 pm Post subject:

see i'm not desperate

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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: Tue May 04, 2026 10:11 pm Post subject:

not desperate for what?
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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

flood · Posted: Tue May 04, 2026 10:13 pm Post subject:

for posts
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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!!!!!!!!