1 of 5
Photos courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
Camp Briarwood to celebrate 50th anniversary 1
Camp Briarwood organizers attribute the event’s longevity to a low counselor-to-camper ratio, which they say provides lasting memories of the experience. Often, they said, campers become counselors when they reach high school, and many volunteer into their college years. Photos courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
2 of 5
Photo courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
Camp Briarwood to celebrate 50th anniversary 2
Camp Briarwood organizers attribute the event’s longevity to a low counselor-to-camper ratio, which they say provides lasting memories of the experience. Often, they said, campers become counselors when they reach high school, and many volunteer into their college years. Photos courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
3 of 5
Photos courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
Camp Briarwood to celebrate 50th anniversary 3
Camp Briarwood organizers attribute the event’s longevity to a low counselor-to-camper ratio, which they say provides lasting memories of the experience. Often, they said, campers become counselors when they reach high school, and many volunteer into their college years. Photos courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
4 of 5
Photo courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
Camp Briarwood to celebrate 50th anniversary 4
Camp Briarwood organizers attribute the event’s longevity to a low counselor-to-camper ratio, which they say provides lasting memories of the experience. Often, they said, campers become counselors when they reach high school, and many volunteer into their college years.
5 of 5
Photo courtesy of Scott Hannah/Camp Briarwood.
Camp Briarwood to celebrate 50th anniversary 5
Camp Briarwood organizers attribute the event’s longevity to a low counselor-to-camper ratio, which they say provides lasting memories of the experience. Often, they said, campers become counselors when they reach high school, and many volunteer into their college years.
Camp Briarwood
Email quest@briarwood.org
Call 776-5237
At the time of the inaugural Camp Briarwood in 1964, families paid 10 cents for a pay phone call. They could drive a Ford Mustang off the lot for around $2,300 and fill it up for 25 cents a gallon.
The economic climate has changed considerably since then, but a week outdoors for a student on summer break has held its value.
This spring, Camp Briarwood will celebrate its 50th year. Operated by Quest Recreation Outreach, a ministry supervised by Briarwood Presbyterian Church, the camp is open to all students in elementary and middle school.
Camp Director Scott Hannah said more than 70 percent of attendees aren’t Briarwood members, but many return to the camp year after year. He attributes it to an emphasis the camp places on building relationships.
“When we train counselors, we teach them to become fully invested in the children around them,” Hannah said. “We teach them to listen — to find out not just who the child is but all the circumstances that make up that child’s life. From there, it’s an amazing thing.”
Separated from sitcoms and status updates, counselors invest a week with about five individual children. Through that experience, they mature as role models, caregivers and friends.
“What drew me at first was the camaraderie,” said Brice Jackson, day camp director for Camp Briarwood 2014. “But the lasting power comes from watching kids’ hearts light up as they learn and grow.”
Jackson started with Camp Briarwood as a counselor in 1994 at age 14. Now in his 20th year, he said he was one of the many who were changed by the experience.
“In our culture, where most young adults think the goal of life is to look out for themselves, I remember that as a 15-year-old counselor I was encouraged daily to deny myself and passionately serve God and others,” Jackson said. “That’s why, as a 34-year-old, I am still serving children and helping with Camp Briarwood.”
Camp Briarwood might take pride in its grown-ups, but it’s all about the kids.
Hannah and his staff spend more than five months planning the camp. They recruit counselors, the majority from previous years, for Camp Briarwood’s two locations. Day Camp is held at YMCA Camp Hargis in Chelsea, and Overnight Camp is held at YMCA Camp Chandler in Wetumpka.
Each weekly session includes discussions, stories, songs and chapel services to help each child build relationships. Other activities include hiking, swimming, canoeing, riflery, archery, arts and crafts, horseback riding, sailing, skiing and a high ropes course.
Jackson said that a week in the woods, even if all their time isn’t spent there, is wonderful for children as it gives their developing brains a break from the urgency and distraction of modern life.
“So much of their daily lives is spent in front of a device,” he said. “Even with day camp, kids are out in the boonies for few hours getting sweaty, going swimming and going on hikes.”
Registration for Camp Briarwood 2014 begins this month. Hannah said organizers are holding three-day camp sessions this year, which begin June 9, and three overnight camp sessions, which begin July 7.
For more, visit campbriarwood.org email quest@briarwood.org or call 776-5237.
What Camp Briarwood means to me
Tyler Bingham
Camp Briarwood was a wonderful growing opportunity for me, not only as a camper but even more so as a counselor. The focus is on the campers, their physical and spiritual growth. However, we as counselors learned so much from the children, seeing how God worked in their lives.
Jennifer Brakefield
"We are from Camp Briarwood. We call it fun, but you may call it madness." Our family is on their second generation of Briarwood Campers and it makes my heart smile. I love that my kids get to find the joy in wet sneakers from the canoe fight while hiking over to archery, ropes courses or fishing. I've been blessed to have over 30 years participating in summer camps on some level. I've been a camper, counselor, special areas leader, guest speaker and these days a camp nurse. Stay here with us and you'll forget your sadness. Happy campers are we.
Ronda Reynolds
My son, Carson, attended Camp Briarwood for the first time last year. He has autism, and we've been reluctant to let him attend overnight camp. I cannot say enough about his experience at Camp Briarwood. He was surrounded by the love and acceptance of his peers and counselors. He came home with more independence and self-confidence. The counselors were amazing and made sure he had a successful week at camp.
Shannon Cline
My Camp Briarwood memories start around 1994. My twin girls went to day camp and were Purple Popsicles. I had the honor of being camp nurse for day camp that year and actually love on children, counselors, and staff as well as watch my children thrive at camp! Over the years all four of my children have enjoyed day and overnight camp, and I have had the privilege of being camp nurse over and over again.
Brent Latta
We have loved Camp Briarwood for our two oldest children and can’t wait to send our other two. My son enjoys the activities and the “cool” counselors while my husband and I are so thankful that he is seeing older kids live their faith and disciple them throughout the week. My 9-year-old daughter has really enjoyed the traditional camp experience away from all of the electronics that infiltrate everything in regular life. She has also made very close friends. The Christian perspective is so important and that common experience with other Christians, even at a young age is so valuable. We are so grateful they’ve had that experience!
Barbara Lindsey
Camp Briarwood has meant the world to both my husband and I. When we first met, our connection was this very camp. His sister, Bridgette Lindsey, was my camp counselor my first summer. I remember being a nervous camper, unsure of what to expect. Within the first few hours of being at Camp Briarwood, my whole world was changed. I was not only making friends and experiencing new things, I was continually seeing Christ in all areas of the camp. I went every summer after that summer and would take new friends with me each time.
Hannah Lester
Camp Briarwood has been a part of my life for the past seven years. It is an amazing place where children can come to learn more about our savior in Christ, grow in their relationships and have a blast! I loved Camp Briarwood for five years as a camper, and for the past two I have enjoyed it as a counselor. This is a place like no other that leaves a lasting impression on your life that you can’t forget.
