My name is Chad Barnes, but I was more frequently called “Bogey Bear” from 2003-2005. During those three years at Pine Cove, I served full-time as the Ranch Guest Services Coordinator, and during the summers as Ranch Counselor (’03), Ranch Senior Counselor (’04), and Bluffs Impact Director (’05).
Of course, I had mass quantities of fun during that time running ropes courses, swimming, doing very random, very goofy skits, playing lots of basketball, jumping at Club like I’m out of my mind, etc. But fun stuff is to be expected at camp. That’s what camp is. But the fun, though incredibly… well… fun, is not the reason I’m most thankful for Pine Cove.
Let me explain.
There are hosts of things I could discuss here (i.e., the value Pine Cove had in preparing me for student ministry, the training I received in biblical manhood, the humility God produced on Sunday afternoons in the fall and spring while picking out of the carpet the candy that shouldn’t have been eaten in the cabin in the first place, all while thinking, “What am I doing? I have a college education!”, the God-centered community I enjoyed there, the great relationships I had with my campers, etc.).
But there is one reason I’m thankful for Pine Cove that surpasses all the others. Pine Cove is not only the means by which God provided me with a beautiful wife (Amanda “Super Soaker” Barnes), but also the means by which God most prepared me to be a godly husband. The wisdom and training I received from conversations with and up-close observation of the lives of men like Craig “Dutch” Langemeier, Wheeler “Gumbowl” Renshaw, and Chris “Knightlight” Legg have resulted in the still-stunning statement I periodically hear from my wife: “I have a wonderful husband.”
Thank God for Pine Cove!