MCA Football Deer Run Retreat

So, it has been forever since I have been able to update this. It has been a combination of being too busy with MCA Football, life, and lack of commitment to it. I am going to try to be more proactive and consistent in this.

This past weekend we, The MCA Football team and coaching staff, took a retreat to Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson's Station, TN. (http://deerrunretreat.org/) Deer Run is a Christian based retreat center that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet environment away from all of the day-to-day stress and noise. The objective of the trip was to help the boys grow closer together as a team and closer to God in their daily walk.

We spent three days and two nights out there that proved to be a trip that was invaluable. The week leading up to our retreat the boys spent eight hours a day in football camp where they were challenged physically and mentally. This included two-a-day practices and chalk talk sessions Monday -Thursday. This is normal practice among most, if not all, high school football programs in the nation. However, this had a little more special value to us as a school, community, and team. This is the first ever football team in the history of McClain Christian Academy.

On Friday, July 23, 2010, we loaded up and headed to Deer Run, where upon arrival we unloaded and made a bee-line to the lake. I am still unsure if all the boys even changed into a swim suit! After the long-hot days we had a lake was like finding a pot of gold! The boys (and coaches) played on the lake for two hours without any break in activity. This was either swimming in the water, playing on the aqua park trampoline, launching Rex and the other smaller players into the air off the blob, or riding a zip-line 20-30 feet above the water and dropping in to cool off. (The water was about as warm as bath water, but no one cared)

Later that night we had a team whiffle ball game and wow, it was an experience. Deer Run has a turf whiffle ball field complete with a fence and lighting! After getting settled into the game, it was a home run derby for six innings. (My team losing 35-34) Following the game we headed over for a devotional at the camp fire lead by Pastor Erik Reed and Shawn Allen from The Journey Church here in Lebanon, TN. (@erikreed and @shawnmallen) This was a great bonding time for the boys to spend in God's Word and to see men and young men let their guard down. I am very grateful and thankful to Erik and Shawn for the great job they did!

The next day was full of more lake time and a low ropes course. If you have never completed a low ropes course then it is highly recommended! The low ropes course consists of mental and physical challenges that everyone in your group must complete as a team. This is not an easy task! It included team work, trust, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. I am very proud of the boys and their progress during this three-hour test!

The boys played from daylight to dark and never slowed down. I couldnt be more proud of the group of young men they are becoming. I am prayerful that they will take this trip and use it to their advantage throughout the season. I want to thank all of the kids, their parents, and especially the dads and coaches who stayed with us throughout the trip!