Meet Chris Studley & Family
Several have asked who could possibly fill the huge role that Dan Syvertsen played so faithfully in directing our Youth Camp program. Late last month, we had the opportunity to interview Chris Studley, our new Youth Camp/Youth Staff Director. God has blessed us with a great guy who loves the Lord and who has served Him faithfully in leading and discipling youth for several years. He is ready to pick up the reins where Dan left off, and we here on year-round can't wait to get him started! We look forward to welcoming Chris, Kelly and their kids to the Camp Spofford family when they arrive in June.
How did you get into Christian Camping?
I grew up going to stockade (Christian Service Brigade) on Wednesday nights at my church. It was then that I first experienced overnight camp at Northern Frontier, a CSB boy’s camp in the Adirondacks. The activities, the skills, the overnight campouts, the counselors, and the campfires were awesome. I loved both the stockade program (ages 8-11) and battalion program (ages 12-16) and was hooked. At the age of 17 I was thrilled to be on NF staff and work alongside the Godly men I looked up too. I aspired to be like them, sold out for Christ, and really cool. I had opportunities to be the program director, waterfront director, counsel, lead rock climbing, canoeing, and backpacking trips through my college years while at Northern Frontier. For 2 years after college I continued to be involved on a limited basis leading trips and certifying staff in CPR First Aid, and Lifeguarding at Northern Frontier.
Northern Frontier was where I feel I grew spiritually, fell in love with Christian camping and the outdoors, and realized that God has given me the ability to lead, mentor, and train boys and young men for His kingdom.
Who were/are mentors to you? What do you love about them? How have they spoken into your life?
I have had a few mentors in my life. Jack Wright was my stockade leader and continued reach out to me and other teens by investing in my life outside of the church through boats, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. To this day I have felt led to do those similar things (ski, rock-climb, camp) with teenage guys I know.
Dan Schaeffer was a yearly volunteer counselor at NF and would always greet me with a hug and ask me about my spiritual walk. From him I have learned not to be ashamed of the Gospel and to ask directly where a person stands with his relationship with Jesus Christ.
Another is Bruce Baker the previous NF camp director, he saw the potential in me and hired me on staff at NF and modeled Christ in his life everywhere he went from picking up garbage around camp, to encouraging me with spiritual insights, to saying to me “hello handsome”. From Bruce I have learned how to be a steward of the blessings God has given me as well as practicing being a servant leader. I love to serve and work alongside my fellow believers.
Jeff Clemens was my program director at NF and spent his time investing in my life as well as many others when I lacked self worth and confidence as a teenager. He and other collegiate staff accepted me and hung out with me. From movies, go-carts, Mag-light wars, practical jokes, and late night runs for ice cream it was awesome just to be accepted. As a teacher today I see how effective it is in building someone’s self esteem and confidence, and all just by spending time with them and accepting them for who they are, a child of God just like ourselves.
Budd Smith the current assistant director at NF has really always understood me and my desire to want to reach people for Christ. He is a prayer warrior and has a heart to reach and mentor people. Budd has an honesty that I respect and hope to emulate. He is passionate and generous about helping others in need especially those that are trying build God’s kingdom. These attributes I try to model especially with the assets God has given me and my family. Whatever I have was and is given to me by God to use for his Kingdom.
Dan Daugherty is my father-in-law and he has truly shown me how to be a Godly husband, father, and man of God. I have witnessed his life for 14 years and seen how he treats and dates his wife. I have heard from my wife how vital he was in supporting and encouraging her throughout her life. He has listened to my heart and given me support in all my decisions I have made. I want to be a husband and father like him, one that gives endlessly and selflessly to others without regret for God’s glory.
Who are you mentoring now? What are you most excited about in their lives?
There are 4 guys in my life right now between the ages of 18-27 who I have known for many years (over 8). I have prayed for them and continue to talk and meet with them. We hang out, go on adventures together, talking about life. I am most excited for them to follow their heart and serve Him completely. It has been a wonderful opportunity to speak truth into their lives and I am thankful to God for these relationships because these guys build me up and challenge me to live for Christ as well.
Do you have any strong memories of your own camp experiences?
Leading campout trips was always a highlight for me, having no time constraints and just building relationships with others while enjoying God’s creation. From rock climbing remote places in the Adirondacks, canoeing with sails made from tarps and paddles, picking wild blueberries for pancakes the next day at camp, staring at the northern lights, to witnessing Godly men tell testimonies and stories at campfires about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What have you been up to for the past several years?
I am the father of 3 kids (Rileigh – 8yrs, Hudson – 6yrs, Rowan – 11mths) and have been married for almost 14 years to my beautiful wife Kelly. We have lived in Yardley, PA and I have worked as a PE/Health teacher in the Trenton Public School District for 14 years. For the past 8 summers I have been a program director at Northern Frontier a Christian boy’s camp in the Adirondacks.
What do you love about your wife? How'd you hook up?
I met Kelly at a freshman orientation our senior year in high school at Houghton. She and her father had made a comment about this kid's last name - “Studley” about it being funny. Ironic! We officially met at Houghton College entering in as freshmen the same year. She played volleyball and I played soccer. We knew each other and hung out in the same circle of friends. In our Junior year, a friend mentioned that we should date. I was very interested, so by the second semester we were dating. Of course there is more, but you will have to ask my wife for the complete story. We graduated in '97 and got married during the summer of '98.
Kelly’s attributes that I love are her looks, adventurous spirit, passion for loving others, her desire to grow in her walk with the Lord and encourage me as well in my walk, and her love of the outdoors.
What's it like having kids of your own as you work in Christian camping?
I love my kids and having them around me while I serve in camping ministries. I want them to see God using me for His kingdom. I also want them to know that God has called me to love and lead my wife and kids first. I want them to see me taking time out of my schedule for them, if I can’t make time for them and my wife, I shouldn’t be in a ministry that takes me away from them. I think I am capable to do both with God’s help and I want them to know that God can bless that as well.
It has been awesome for them. Over the past 8 years they have caught frogs, gotten muddy, hiked mountains, attended campfires, been around Godly men who pick them up and love them and play with them. They get to swim, rock climb, kayak, fish, and see God’s beautiful creation in wildlife and landscape. What kid wouldn’t want to do that all summer?
Anything you're nervous about in coming to Spofford? What are you looking forward to most about coming here?
I don’t feel nervous, however I am anxious to get started because I want to get my feet wet. Tthat will help relax me a bit. After all, I am a transplant and even though I feel God has led me to Spofford I really haven’t experienced camp life at Spofford yet. I am very excited to be part of Spofford’s administration team and excited for my wife and kids who will be surrounded with other wives and staff kids. That will be a welcomed change.