Deerfoot Lodge

Deerfoot Lodge isn't a typical summer camp. Since 1930, this organization has focused on a single mission: building godly men in Christ-centered community through wilderness camping. What started as founder Alfred "Dad" Kunz's dream on the Kunjamuck River in the Adirondack Mountains has grown into a multi-generational ministry that now operates two locations.

After running at capacity with waitlists for years at its Adirondack location, Deerfoot made a bold decision. In 2015, leadership began exploring opportunities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. By August 2015, the organization entered a purchase contract for Trout Lake, a 340-acre property located near Cashiers, NC with a pristine 20-acre private lake.

"The Deerfoot community, now face the daunting God-sized challenge of building the camp on this beautiful new property."

Deerfoot Lodge Blue Ridge opened for the first time in summer 2019. The property sits in a mountainous wilderness area with clear lake water, no motorboats, no power lines, and abundant wildlife including deer, black bear, beaver, otter, fox, and mink.

Campers spend their days hiking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing in the backcountry. But the wilderness experience is only the vehicle—the real work happens in community.

• •The Wilderness Component: Deerfoot deliberately removes modern distractions. No radios, stereos, TVs, or motor boats. This shared unfamiliarity with surroundings forces boys to work together, build friendships, and step outside their comfort zones where real growth happens.

• •The Community Factor: Life at camp—tired feet, warm campfires, shared meals, cabin mates—creates tight friendships and meaningful conversations. Campers learn to support one another, work as a team, and discuss subjects of deep importance.

• •The Leadership Model: Counselors live alongside the boys and demonstrate Christian living one relationship at a time. Rather than lectures, boys see faith modeled by trained leaders who are often not much older than they are. This creates authenticity that resonates with young men.

Chief Nick Dotti serves as Summer Camp Director at Blue Ridge. A Lone Eagle (Deerfoot's highest camper achievement) and longtime staff member, Nick served 20 years in the US Army Special Forces before joining Deerfoot full-time. He met his wife Martha at a Deerfoot Work Weekend; Martha now serves as Registrar and Office Manager.

Chief Ron Mackey serves as Executive Director overseeing both Deerfoot locations. An ordained minister with a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he's been with the organization since he was a camper.

All counselors and support staff undergo thorough screening including multi-page applications, reference checks, background checks, and director interviews. Before camp begins, staff complete 3 weeks of training in wilderness first aid, lifeguarding, backcountry skills, and spiritual preparation.

"The counselors and support staff at Deerfoot Lodge share a genuine sense of purpose and God-given mission. This is what makes camp special."

• •Susan Gnade, Parent: "Deerfoot provides something that we as parents can't provide. Coming here opens opportunities to achieve things and experience things that otherwise wouldn't be possible. Especially spiritually."

• •Chris Bilezikian, Camper & Staff Alumni: "Deerfoot is my favorite place in the world. I spent 16 consecutive summers at Deerfoot from 1998-2013. My life, friends, and relationship with God were forever changed."

• •Lucy Burks, Parent: "DL has touched, influenced, and encouraged 3 generations of men in our family; my father, my brother and cousins, nephews, and all 3 of our sons."

Deerfoot's approach is explicitly Christ-centered. The organization publishes a Statement of Faith and requires staff to agree with core theological convictions. Rather than generic character-building, Deerfoot's mission is to "build godly men in a Christ-centered community through wilderness camping."

The camp serves as a catalyst for personal, spiritual, relational, and missional growth. Campers learn about themselves, their relationships with others, their responsibility in society, and their walk with God.

Beyond attending as a camper, boys age 17 and up can work on seasonal staff. The organization also recruits volunteers for Work Weekends and accepts donations to support the continued expansion and debt-free growth of both locations.

Registration opens in phases throughout the year through CampInTouch, the camp's registration platform. Multiple session dates and rates are available for the Blue Ridge location near Mills River, NC. The organization also maintains its original Adirondack location for families in that region.