Happy Fall from all of us at The Vineyard Camp!
Fall 2026 Grapevine
The camp is no more beautiful than it is in the autumn. Yes, it’s quiet and still, but there is something majestic and awe-inspiring about seeing the leaves change from green to amazing shades of red, yellow, orange, and beige. I don’t know why God designed for leaves to change their hues like this—I can’t see how it’s essential for creation to sustain such beauty, but it does reveal the depth of His attention to detail, beauty, and hidden revelations of His love. I wish every parent, staff member, donor, and camper could be here for the two or three weeks that this mountain becomes a quilt of colors.
Praise God for the seasons of nature… and life.
From Our Pets
If you were here this past summer, you met our newest pet—and our mascot—Grace. For over 40 years, a wolf has been our mascot, and she is the seventh in a glorious line of friends. She was born April 15, 2026, and is already bigger than all the camp dogs except for Meg!
This past week, for the first time, she began to howl—and what a beautiful sound. It’s a bit eerie and ancient, and it’s sure to get your attention. She is still quite playful and gentle, and she’s losing her fear of new people. We hope that each of you will become her friend this coming summer and take home a photo of you with her.
From Dean’s Desk
Dear Friends,
We had dinner last night and for some reason Snoopy, the beagle, got angry at all the other dogs—two dachshunds, a wolf, and a Great Pyrenees. We’re still not sure why, but Snoopy is the most passive and gentle of the pets. So when she began to fight with the smallest dachshund, I naturally intervened. To my total surprise, Snoopy turned on me and bit my hit—several times. Nothing life-threatening, of course, but a little blood and a lot of pain!
Everyone at the table was angry at Snoopy, of course, but it’s my own fault for letting them eat scraps from the table and for putting my hand in front of his mouth! I will recover quite soon, but it’s amazing how quickly you “learn” when the teacher is “pain”. And the more pain, the quicker you learn!
Spiritually speaking, I would argue that pain is essential if one wants to grow in Christ. C.S. Lewis said, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
Too often, when we get hurt, or tired, or we encounter something painful or unpleasant, we avoid, stop trying, give up, or surrender. But better to learn from pain and thank God that He’s given us the ability to respond to pain by becoming wiser, more alert, more grateful, and as a reminder to listen to God when He is trying to tell us something.
I wonder if you are experiencing some pain right now and you don’t know why. I can’t answer for everyone, but pain can lead to a straighter and more expeditious path to God than an easy or pain-free life….
Warmly,
Dean Barley
Founder
Our Annual Capital Drive
Each year our camp raises money for three purposes:
Camperships—that is, funds to help campers attend our camp that could not were it not for help from someone else. This is our greatest need every year.
Debt reduction—funds that help us retire the debts we have taken on since Covid a few years ago. We want to be debt free, and remain that way!
Special Projects—such as the pool’s renovations this year, expansion to our dining hall, and landscaping all over the camp.
As a non-profit foundation, we depend upon the generosity of the parents and alumni who believe in our work here on Brown Mountain. Your support is both encouraging to us and might prompt others to give as well.
As a challenge, just this week, Greg Miles, one who has been here for several years and loves this place, has donated $1000 in the hopes that twenty more people might match his gift—before the end of this month.
Will you? Let Greg know—it will encourage him! (greg@vineyardcamp.com)
Summer Staff News
1. Greg got married September 19! Many of you were there to share in the celebration of Greg and Ashley. It’s been going on for ten years now (their romance), and now the knot is tied! The couple now live in the Gate House, and Ashley is turning the house into a home. We pray God’s blessing on the Miles.
2. Christian and Bryan have now departed but are helping us in Mexico to recruit 50 campers and 10 staff. Dean plans on visiting them in February. Bryan and Christian are the only brothers to ever both receive our highest honor—the XiRho award. Please pray for their efforts in Mexico!
3. Rey Velasco, a camper and staff member from long ago, along with his sons who attended our camp this past summer, Gregorio and Jeronimo, are helping us promote our camp once again in Colombia. Alejandro will also assist us, and we expect quite a few campers and staff from Colombia this summer! Dean will be traveling there after his trip to Mexico this February. Colombia was at one time the biggest market for our camp!
4. Jamie Nelson, our Grounds Manager, is creating fences and helping us improve the overall appearance of the camp. If anyone has a free weekend and wants to help with cutting up trees, making firewood, cleaning up the grounds, spreading mulch, etc., please let us know!
5. Dean’s other sons, Tate and Tommy, are helping all over the camp to make sure the trash is emptied, the grounds are raked neat, and that the guest housing is always ready for alumni. Let us know if you want to visit! We get full the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, but we can make room if we have enough notice!
(Tyler is spending the fall with friends in Pennsylvania!)
Tim Britt, the camp’s “handyman, is renovating the old staff lounge—the log cabin on the way to the dining hall- so that it can serve as a classroom during the off-season. He’s also making repairs to the Rock House, Gate House, and Guest House.
Presentations around the world
As we did before COVID, we are not presenting our camp all over the world. We will travel to France, Colombia, Mexico, and perhaps back to Bolivia—we need a sponsor there!
We’re prepared to travel to China if the number of Chinese campers increases, as well as to Spain and Italy.
If you’re an alum and you want to host a presentation in your home, please let us know!
Camper Enrollment
Since the crazy summers of COVID, the camp has grown each summer. The 2027 summer will be our biggest, God willing, and if the trend continues, in many years! Already, 60 placements from China alone have been reserved for campers, and we will return to Mexico and Colombia, for the first time since COVID, to present the camp to families and schools.
Have you registered yet?
Nate’s Place is Coming….
Something new is taking root at the Vineyard Camp: Nate’s Place at the Vineyard, a Christian ministry being developed to help young men facing difficult circumstances find hope, purpose, and a path forward. At its heart is a simple conviction: through the love of Jesus Christ, caring relationships, and opportunities to grow, young men can discover that their past does not have to define their future.
The initial program is planned for seven young men who will spend nine months living and learning at the Vineyard. They will be at the camp during the months when summer campers are not present. Alongside their schoolwork, residents will participate in Bible study, music, sports and fitness, and practical job and life-skills training. Caring mentors and house parents will help them build healthy habits, develop confidence, and learn responsibility. The Vineyard’s beautiful setting will provide space to reflect, form friendships, and experience the encouragement of a Christian community.
Here is a preview: https://holding-page--three-things-preview.netlify.app/
Nate’s Place reflects a desire to meet young men where they are and walk alongside them as they grow in faith, character, resilience, and service. As preparations continue, we invite the Vineyard family to pray for the young men who will come, the people who will guide them, and the work ahead. We look forward to sharing more as this ministry takes shape—and to seeing what God will do through it.
DISCOUNTS FOR CAMPERS IN 2027
You’ve missed our biggest discount if you are not yet registered, but there’s still a way to save about 20% if you register before November 15, or about 10% if you register before January 15. All the applications, in English, French, and Spanish, are on our website.
We also help families that need help with tuition. Don’t be afraid to ask. We’ve never denied admittance to a camper because of financial limitations since we began in 1983.
New For 2027
As mentioned earlier, our big projects for 2027 will include total renovations on our Pool, repairs and expansion at Whitfield Lodge, remodeling of the old Staff Lounge, and also a new Blob and a New Inflatable to join the Water Slide!
Please let us know of other things you'd like to see us complete before camp begins—the list is endless!
FROM GREG
🍂 Fall Has Swept In!
Fall has arrived, the leaves are falling, and what a crazy way to wrap up the summer!
I’m officially a married man, and I’m incredibly thankful that my wife signed up to put up with me for the rest of our lives! 😂❤️ We’ve hit the ground running and have been working hard around here. Between marketing, putting travel plans together for the upcoming season, creating promotional materials, making phone calls to parents, and a hundred other things, there’s never a dull moment!
We have a lot of exciting things in the works, and we aren’t going to give too much away just yet. However, I can tell you that The Vineyard Camp is expanding its ministerial reach—not geographically, but vertically! We’re working on new ways to connect with young people, strengthen our ministry, and reach our local community in ways we haven’t before. More on that soon!
What an Incredible Summer!
Looking back, I believe we had an incredible summer. Injuries were practically nonexistent, the fun was at an all-time high, and many campers made the decision to be baptized! What an incredible blessing to witness young people taking steps in their faith. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do, and we couldn’t be more thankful that our mission continues to be fulfilled.
Come Visit Us!
We would absolutely love to see you all during the upcoming holiday season! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, the doors of the Vineyard family are always open when we can accommodate you.
Just give Dean a call before coming to let him know you’re planning a visit and make sure we have room for you!
Taking the Ministry Around the World 🌎
Dean will be traveling to France soon, and I’m hoping there’s enough interest and demand that my wife and I can join him! We’re also looking at opportunities in Mexico, Colombia, and Bolivia. We’re excited to see where the Lord opens doors and how we can continue reaching young people around the world.
Counting Down to Next Summer!
We’re already counting down the days until next summer! There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, including plans for capital improvements, new ministry initiatives, and other exciting developments. We look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.
Finally, I want to offer a sincere thank-you to all our donors, supporters, volunteers, campers, parents, friends, and everyone who makes up the Vineyard family.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. And to those who took the time to attend our wedding or send their congratulations and best wishes, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! It means more than you know.
We’re grateful for each and every one of you, and we look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for the Vineyard Camp in the days ahead.
With gratitude,
Greg Miles The Vineyard Camp
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