Mt. Shepherd campers get unique experience

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A U.S. Geodetic Survey marker sits atop Mt. Shepherd. Larry Penkava/The Randolph Guide

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June 18, 2010

Larry Penkava Staff Writer The Randolph Guide Fri Jun 18, 2010, 05:08 PM EDT

ASHEBORO — Mt. Shepherd is truly summer camp in the mountains.

The mountain, located off U.S. 64 west of Asheboro, tops out at 1,165 feet, and a relocated 125-foot fire tower offers campers breathtaking views of the central Piedmont. On a clear day you can see Pilot Mountain.

“We’re open to all folks ages 6 to 17,” said Kent Shrader, the camp director and an ordained Methodist minister.

He said that although Mt. Shepherd Retreat Center is owned by the United Methodist Church, it’s open to boys and girls of any denomination or creed.

Mt. Shepherd offers both day camp and overnight camp, each session lasting a week. It’s open for summer camp from June 13 to July 31.

Cabins sleep eight campers and one counselor, who stays with them from the moment they arrive until they leave for home. Bethlehem Cottage, designed for retreats, is used for overflow.

There’s even a “Taste of Camp” for younger campers who aren’t sure if they want to stay a week. It’s three days and two nights.

Opportunities abound at Mt. Shepherd, with something for everybody. Water sports include the Wet Willie 100-foot waterslide, a zipline over the lake and the Saturn for playing king or queen of the planet. Then there are pedal boats and canoes on the lake, or swimming in the pool.

There’s a 40-foot climbing/rappelling tower, crafts, games, a petting zoo, pottery with Ben Owen III, hiking and camping, cookouts and nature walks.

Oh, and one more thing – campers can climb up the fire tower for the best view in Randolph County.

A day at camp begins with breakfast and devotions, then energy-sapping activities. After lunch is FOB – flat on back. Shrader said campers and counselors alike welcome the chance to rest.

Then it’s more activities, with aquatics in the afternoon. After dinner is evening worship and games. Lights go out at 10 p.m.

Shrader said the petting zoo has goats, a donkey, a rabbit, a pair of chinchillas and a pet corn snake. Children are allowed to feed the animals from outside the compounds. Animals are tested for pathogens.

“We try to teach children to take care of the environment,” he said. “We teach them not to kill snakes – they’re part of God’s creation.”

Staff members are mostly college students who have undergone background checks and training, Shrader said. “They’re a very mature, excited staff, trained in all the activities.”

All are certified in first aid and CPR and are even required to take a 15-passenger-van driving test administered by the Tabernacle Fire Department.

The theme for this summer is “Be a hero! Living Like Jesus.”

“Our mission is to teach children to do unto others as they would have others do to them, as God would lead them,” said Shrader.

Mt. Shepherd was donated to the United Methodist Church by Mr. and Mrs. Delos Hedgecock for the express purpose of a summer camp, Shrader said. “The first camping experience was primitive camping and cooking over a campfire. Now there are cabins, a bathhouse and a pool. We’ve improved the facilities so much.”

Registration is currently open. Scholarships are available for families with financial needs.

For information or a registration form, log on to www.mtshepherd.org or call 336-629-4085.

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