Every year, we ask four 16 year-old campers to lead our four camp teams, the Eagles, Bears, Bobcats, and Wolves. They are veteran campers who have shown themselves to be exemplary campers who live the Creed in their daily lives. And every spring, we ask the parents of those Leaders to write a blog looking back on their son’s years at Deerhorn. Our Eagles Leader for 2025 is Bennett Blaustein. He’s from Denver, Colorado, and this summer will be his 8th as a Deerhorn camper. Many thanks to his parents for sharing their thoughts about Bennett’s Deerhorn experience!
2025 will be Bennett’s 8th summer at Camp Deerhorn. We were a bit surprised at how eager and adventurous he was at the age of 7 when we first shipped him off. Who knew this was going to be one of the most important journeys in his life. At a young age, with likely a roller coaster of ideas running through his mind, he took a leap of faith.
The first full day was his 8th birthday, and we were nervous as parents how he would react to be away from home. Bennett was able call home but didn’t want to talk long. He was so eager to get back to it all. We could envision the smile on Bennett’s face as he described the Bappy Hirthday tradition. At that very moment, we realized we had made the right decision.
Bennett thrives in different ways every year in the Great Northwoods. No summer is ever the same. Bennett’s confidence and independence has grown. He is more patient, more tolerant, and more open-minded. A real “regular fellow”. These are all traits that will continue to serve our boys throughout their lives. Camp Deerhorn has helped show Bennett the value of community. It really has become his second home.
The brotherhood bonds that have been formed are so genuine and strong. Perfect example: we’re walking through a grocery store in the mountain town of Avon, Colorado this winter. Bennett was wearing a Camp Deerhorn fleece and was stopped by someone 10 years his elder. It was a vaguely familiar face and name. They figured out he was a counselor in Bennett’s first summer. They dabbed it up and stopped to chat for 10 minutes. Meanwhile I bumped into another camper’s mom and next thing you know it, we’re all exchanging stories and taking pics in front of the deli counter. Who knew.
Bennett is excited to be a leader and continue the legacy for those that cleared path for him. He definitely takes the responsibility seriously, and can’t wait to get started alongside this solid crew of leaders (Walker/Zach/Mark: he may or may not be mock drafting). We can’t wait to see the personal growth he experiences this year. His mom is hopeful it’s more than just a mustache.
