I returned to my redneck roots for one week this summer, serving as a counselor at Camp Appalachia in West Virginia, near my hometown.

It’s not a “church camp,” but it is run by Christians and emphasizes wholesome living and wholesome fun. We have daily Bible classes and devotionals, in addition to sports activities and recreational classes that run the gamut from crafts and chorus to archery and riflery.

I attended Camp Appalachia in the late 1970s and early 1980s during its first few years. I loved the experience then and even more this year as an adult.

I taught two fishing classes and a session on photography. The highlight of the fishing classes was forcing the students, girls and boys alike, to make “stink bait” so we could try to catch some catfish. I figured that was less of a liability than making them go “noodling.”

The highlight of the photography class was seeing my students put the simple lessons we studied into action as we wandered around the campground each day. They took some truly artistic shots, which I plan to post here eventually.

I knew the campers and other counselors had as much fun as I did, so on the final morning of camp, I asked them to explain why, for the benefit of future campers and counselors. This is a video montage of their answers:

I loved Camp Appalachia because the campers chose me as “the counselor who was the most fun to be around.” For a man who was called a curmudgeon by a colleague at the ripe, young age of 25, that award was an utter shock to me. I’m sure the stink bait put me over the top.