About

Deerfoot's Purpose
We are fully committed to providing a Christ-centered community in which men can grow to be like Him. God has blessed Deerfoot with an ideal wilderness setting for this purpose. Boys who grew up under Deerfoot’s program yesterday are leaders today in their homes, churches and communities. Built into the camp program are challenges for growth, as well as the teaching and encouragement needed to meet those challenges. In this way, skills are developed and self-confidence takes root. Exposure to the wonder of God’s creation through a structured camping program will encourage a young man to learn more about himself, improve his relationships with others, reconsider his responsibility in society, and grow deeper in his relationship with God.

What We Believe
Foundational to the success of our mission is calling young men to hear and live out the teachings of Scripture. Deerfoot’s belief that the Bible is the Word of God guides the content and purposes of our teaching. We believe that a commitment to the message of Good News in Scripture-- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth in human flesh to die for sins and bring salvation to everyone who believes-- is at the heart of what it means to be a godly man. At Deerfoot, boys are taught the truths of Scripture in a clear and relevant way. They are encouraged to respond in discussion and commitment, but they are never pressured to make a commitment that they are not ready to make. We understand that each boy must decide for himself matters of faith, understanding and growth. Our goal is to meet boys where they are at in their own faith journeys and to help them understand Scriptural truth and its relevance to their lives.

The Deerfoot Lodge Statement of Faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
4. We believe in the unique nature of man as a moral and rational being created in the image of God and in the historic fall of man into sin thereby bringing all men under divine condemnation.
5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, and that all who believe in Him are justified through his shed blood.
6. We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life as our High Priest and Advocate.
7. We believe in the salvation of all those who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that although sin may interrupt our fellowship with God, salvation is unto everlasting life.
8. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
9. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Location
Deerfoot is located 1 mile off the paved road on beautiful Whitaker Lake, 6 miles north of Speculator, N.Y. on highway 30. (If you are traveling north on Rt. 30, turn right after reaching the "pig rock," a boulder with a pig face painted on it.) Camp is 60 miles from both Amsterdam and Utica exits of the New York Thruway in the heart of the Adirondacks.  Click here for Driving Directions

Environment
Deerfoot strives to be unlike almost any place you can imagine. The lake's water is pure and clear. There are no motor boats, power lines, radios, stereos, or TVs so the croak of the bull frog may be enjoyed in all its fullness. Deer, black bear, beaver, otter, fox, mink, raccoon, chattering red squirrel, and chipmunks all call Deerfoot home. Deerfoot is in the midst of sights, sounds, smells, and "feels" of the deep forest.

Policies / The Deerfoot Tradition
Tradition is important to DL campers, particularly in our rapidly changing world. Each fall a camper questionnaire is mailed to the previous summer's campers. The last question is "What can we do to make DL an even more special place for you?" Many respond with statements like "NOTHING!" "Keep it the same," "Nothing, it is great the way it is." We also get excellent suggestions which we use.
     At Deerfoot we seek to provide a healthy environmental change — hence no electronic devices such as radios, tape players, etc. — but lots of water, trees, animals, fun, challenges, and excellent staff for our campers. If history is an indicator, your son will grow to love being "away from it all." Self-confidence, dependence upon God, and being comfort- able with quiet are often the result.
     To keep Deerfoot Lodge the special place it has been for more than 75 years, we need your cooperation with the following camp policies:

Telephone Policy
Deerfoot does have a telephone, which is for office use only. It is NOT for calls to or from campers, or for parents inquiring about the general well-being of their camper.

Visitor Policy
There are no times when campers may be visited during camper sessions. Please call the office in advance to schedule a suitable time to visit the camp for other purposes.

Problem Camper Policy
When a camper is significantly disruptive to other campers and to the DL program (tobacco, drugs, behavior, language, etc.), such behavior is unfair to those who come to camp to be away from these things. The issue will be discussed with the disruptive camper and then with his parent. If the problem is not resolved very quickly, arrangements will be made to have the camper return home. Such campers may also be removed from our mailing list.

Care Packages
Due to the activities of bears and other wild animals, care packages are NOT allowed at Deerfoot. If you need to mail equipment or some other necessary non-food item to your camper, please mark the outside of the package with this information. The camper will receive the package but be asked to open it in the office so that its contents can be verified as being in accordance with this new policy.

Camp for the Rest of the Family 
Two excellent adirondack camps for girls are Tapawingo and Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks (formerly Adirondack Camp Cherith).  Nearby Camp-of-the-Woods provides a family vacation site for Mom and Dad while the girls and boys enjoy camp.    

The Board of Directors

Other Information
Deerfoot Lodge is owned and operated by Christian Camps, Inc., a non-profit corporation. Rules for camper acceptance and participation in the Deerfoot program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color or national origin.