In 1972 the first batch of campers settled into their cabins for what would be the first of 50 years of summer camp ministry at Broken Arrow Ranch. Fifty years of campers later, it is almost impossible to track how many people have been blessed at BAR. In my time alone, over 2,000 young people have attended. Each summer we average around 53 staff members and between 320-350 campers. So it is safe to say that thousands of people have been a part of Broken Arrow Ranch over the past 50 years.
Each summer over the last 50 years, we have faced struggles and rewards. In 2019 Tuttle Creek flooded with 75 vertical feet of extra water. This meant our go-kart course and archery range were completely under six feet of water. It was tough, but God blessed in a powerful way forcing us to get creative with how we do our program and activities. We learned how to trust God to give us ideas to keep the program going.
In 2020 we faced a closed summer camp due to the coronavirus pandemic, but we had a core team of dedicated staff who spent a month cleaning and painting and giving the camp some much needed care. In 2021 we reopened again with limited numbers and programs to keep our campers and staff safe, and still provided a meaningful ministry to our campers and staff. This summer we were faced with fewer staff than normal, but it amazed me how God filled in the gaps.
No matter what happens each summer God is always in control. This summer we were blessed with 48 percent of our campers making a decision to follow Christ. We had 130 decisions to follow Christ, 72 requests for baptism, and four on-site baptisms this summer. God did a powerful work in and through us this summer. I look forward to seeing what God does in the next 50 years of summer ministry at Broken Arrow Ranch.
Tim Floyd is the Youth and Young Adult director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
