By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

If a picture is worth a thousand words, and a long-winded Camp Gray blog post is literally a thousand words, then how many more words must a video be worth? 84 Camp Gray Films videos have been created over the course of the past 3.5 years – all created to be worth perhaps as many as one hundred thousand words in telling the story of Camp Gray.

We love creating videos to tell the story of our vibrant Camp. Our hope is that when you view our videos, you experience the LOVE that we feel for Camp Gray, and in turn, your LOVE for Camp Gray grows! Now, it’s your turn to tell us a story – tell us why you LOVE Camp Gray! While the deadline of the Inaugural I Love Camp Gray Camper Video Competition is inching ever closer (Monday, Mach 3rd!), there’s still time to tell us your story (winner receives a $50 gift card to the Camp Gray Canteen Store!).

Recently, in thinking about the Inaugural I.L.C.G.C.V.C., I began thinking fondly of the many stories that we’ve told over the years with video. The 84 Camp Gray Films videos that you’ll find on the CG YouTube Channel collectively have over 43,000 views by people in all 50 states and 97 different countries.

In fact, there are so many videos, at times I get concerned that some of the “oldie but goodie” CG Films will get buried beneath the plethora of new videos that we’re consistently updating our channel with. Because of this, I thought it’d be appropriate (or at the least, it’d be fun) to create a list of my FIVE FAVORITE CG FILMS VIDEOS OF ALL TIME! Here now, with a bit of information included about each video, is that list…

Brief aside:
It’s cold outside! While watching the entirety of this list will no doubt warm you, may I also suggest first brewing a fresh pot of coffee to sip from. The combination of Camp Gray Films and fresh-brewed coffee has been scientifically proven to increase ones temperature by as much as a full degree (Fahrenheit!).

Thanks for your support of Camp Gray!

5. Children of God
This video, created to celebrate our great staff in 2010, is one of the first films that premiered on the Camp Gray YouTube Channel. It’s also, I might add, the breakout performances of Ryan & Pat, both of whom have had illustrious Camp Gray Films Careers.

 

4. The 2013 Cassidy Games of Camp Gray
You’re not familiar with the Cassidy Games? After you watch the video below, please visit the Cassidy Games page of the CG website to learn more (the Cassidy Games page was recently dubbed “the best page [on the CG website] ever!”).

 

3. The 2013 Summer Staff Sings the Camp Gray Song
Well over 100 hours of work was put into this masterpiece by Camp’s 2013 Summer Videographer, Molly Sweeney. You might think I’m using the word “masterpiece” a bit loosely. Well friend, watch for yourself…

2. Bless Us for the Journey – on sale NOW!
While this video is quite short and fairly simple, it being ranked so high is more of a reflection of the honor I felt being a small part of the creation of the Camp Gray Music CD. To witness the great generosity of these folks in giving of their time to help make the dream of this project a reality – well, it was a true, true blessing. Thanks to all those involved in the creation of “Bless Us for the Journey!”

 

1. Tom isn’t 75
This is a video of a gaggle of staff singing a song at the end of a meal during Summer Camp. Post-meal songs have been taking place at Camp Gray every meal of every Summer Camp day since the Eisenhower Administration. Why does this video rank so high? I think this video most beautifully demonstrates the LOVE shown at Camp Gray. Grab a tissue…

Do you have questions (about CG, sports, faith, coffee… anything!) for the semi-regular ‘Tuesdays with Topher’ mailbag? Please email any questions you might have! Thanks to those that have already emailed over questions! Check out the latest mailbag by clicking here.