There is a race run at Camp Travis each Wednesday of the summer. In looking through the epic photos, we can't help but see God's Word coming alive. And if we listen closely enough, we see how it reminds us how to run the race we are in daily (just with less mud ... hopefully).

The course is set for the Dual Dash. Partners are tethered together. The Start is lined with those cheering. The bibs are on. The hearts are pumping. It's time to run the race.


Some Campers are all in to compete. Some step in hesitantly perhaps, pushed by a bit of FOMO. Some are convinced by a Camper or Coach who believe in them. And some don't know how they got to the starting line. But they are all there. They are all about to compete in the Dual Dash.

As those competing line up, the other half is lining the sidelines. They are waiting for their heat, their time to run. Their waiting is productive as they hand out water and cheer on those taking the next hard steps in the race.

They are an important part of the event, the morning, and the experience, there is no doubt in that.

As an adult, you see the photos of the race and think about how much fun these Campers are having, how proud you are of them for doing this hard thing and how there is NO way you could ever do such a race at your current age.

And then you lean back in your chair and let your mind settle in and you see those photos transform into the race you are running right now. The race that the Lord has put in front of you ... your life.

Like the Campers at the mud obstacle, some look all in ready to go. Some look hesitant and timidly taking the next step. And some look like they tripped right into the situation. Our days have hard, messy things in them. Sometimes we feel strong enough, in step enough, with the Lord to dive straight in. While other times, we timidly take the step with The One (God) we are tethered to, and realistically sometimes, we feel thrown into the race, not really ready.

In the same way our Travis Campers do, we keep going, taking the next wise step. Sure, sometimes we feel like God is pulling us faster than we wish, and that's why we tether ourselves to Him. We scale the hard climb, we lift the heavy burden, we move through the obstacles and when the time is right, we cheer on the ones in the race.


Those competing take step after step to get to one place. The finish line.

And we are doing the same, tethered to our Author and Perfecter of our faith, we take one hard climb, one burden carried, one more obstacle.

It's worth every step, our finish line is Heaven! And as hyped as a Camp Travis Finish Line party is ... Heaven is going to be even better. And there we get to give God all the Glory!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2

And sometimes ... we just need to suit up in the right way for the race ... at least at Camp Travis we do!

Braxton Zella, former Camper, Coach, and Director encourages and challenges us while sharing his journey and the impact T Bar M has had in his life.

"We’re all on a journey. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan illustrates this journey by telling the story of a traveler or pilgrim in a foreign land heading toward a celestial city. This journey truly begins as the kindness of God transfers the traveler from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

The journey toward heaven involves joy and triumph, accompanied by triall and tribulation. My journey involved fear; it sought to rule me. Conquering fear in my life began on the heels of some moms talking about a summer camp in New Braunfels at a little league baseball game. This was the catalyst for God to work in the hearts of my parents to send me to camp, which was the ultimate medium God would use to capture my heart and begin my journey with Him. In 2006 (D’Vine Impact) I walked through the gates of T Bar M for the first time as a camper riddled with fear. I left a week later more confident than I’d ever felt.

Throughout the rest of my adolescence, and many more summers as a camper, I ended all of those weeks of camp with similar strides in confidence and Biblical identity formation. Mid-way through college I found myself serving for a couple of years on summer staff. Then I took the leap into a year on the Timothy Team, and shortly after that my journey led me to take a job as the Discover Camp Men’s Director.

That scared kid in 2006 didn’t know that his journey would lead him to grow up to be a camp director for a few years, but he dreamed of it. That scared kid also didn’t believe that his journey would ever see that day that the kindness of God would have him conquer fear, but he certainly believes it now. If you’re reading this it’s likely that God has used camp to impact your journey also. I’d challenge you to reflect on God’s kindness, patience, and mercy – all freely given to you (Ephesians 2:8-9) – along your journey.

Lastly, let me remind you that the Christ-centered adventure never ends. That list of core values that we all signed in the staff handbook every summer while we were dreaming about our next meal (or our CC’s) wasn’t just a formality or a spiritual waiver. Living out the Christ-centered adventure (Colossians 3:17) demands that you be a servant leader (Philippians 2:1-11), that you excel still more (1 Thessalonians 4:1), that you practice God’s truth in relationships and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16), that you grow in wisdom, physical fitness, and in relationships with God and others (Luke 2:52), that you remember that it’s all about His kingdom, by His power, for His glory (Matthew 6:13), and that you never stop having fun along the journey (John 10:10).

“My name is now Christian, but my name used to be Graceless.” -John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress"

--Braxton Zella

Each week, we see many of YOU, former T Bar M Campers and Coaches, bringing your Campers (and we are banking on future Coaches) through the Gates. Sure, we reminisce about the "good ol' days" ... pointing out what cabin we were in, talking about the "walk to the dock" before there were stairs, laughing over pranks, and remembering how God changed us all. This week, watching you all catch up with one another, invest in bringing your kids to a place that shows them Jesus, and tearing up over who God is in your life, reminded us that YOU are indeed not just living in the "good ol' days" ... but living in the Glory Days.

The quick reconnect and meaningful conversations we are a part of is where we see it the most. It's how we see God shining (and we imagine He is smiling too!). As we gather all together and welcome the Alumni, their kids, and their spouses, we tend to kid that this "reunion" will be easier than a High School reunion: We are way more fun! One "new to Camp" husband shared his first (and very quick) impression, "y'all go deep on conversations fast. No shallow talk, straight to the heart and care ... I love that! I have never experienced that anywhere."

I suppose it might be us falling back into our old roles. Talk fast, while you wrangle 12 campers to the Chuckwagon. Sincerely ask how you are doing, as you harness 20 teenage boys. In the "good ol' days of summer". We learned to care fast and mean it. It was one of the biggest lifelines the Lord gave us at Camp ... one another.

It's a T Bar M core value lived out: God's Truth, practiced in relationships and conduct. (1 Timothy 3:16)

It's this year's theme lived out: Glory Days, now and forever. What we do gives God the Glory. (Psalm 115:1)

It's not just living out the "good ol' days" ... it's living out the Glory Days. And y'all do it well!

Take another practice from the past ... huddle up with your people.
How do you see your lives give God the Glory through your relationships and conduct?

Most young adults are going through a period of studying, learning, and training for their lives in the workforce. But what about our walk with Jesus? What ways are young adults are studying, learning, and training for their lives as followers of Jesus?

For over 25 years, the Timothy Team has been helping young adults be better equipped to walk with Jesus. The Timothy Team is a community of people learning how to be better apprentices of Jesus in a 9-month paid discipleship program. We take 10-13 young adults and spend 9 months orienting their lives around reading the scripture together, training in the spiritual disciplines, working in service toward others, and fellowshipping alongside each other.

If you know someone who would love to set aside the time to join our team, please have them apply through the link.

Kaiti shares how her experience as a Tim Teamer shaped her life.

It feels a bit like Thanksgiving as we gathered with our Alumni families before they dropped off their kids at Base Camp. It makes sense: We are family. In one area, there was a kids table and an adult table. At all the tables you heard laughter, telling stories of "remember when", and catching up on the past year. While we didn't all serve the same summers or sing the same theme songs, we had a lot in common. It was the same thing that the young, college Coaches across the room will have in common in years to come.

A summer of life change.

Some of us might still sing the elbow song at our dining room tables or bid the kids to do "hi hos" on the weekend while we really want F.O.B.

But the way our lives were changed then, is still being lived out now because of how we lived the summer we served at
T Bar M. We know how to ...

We are just ending Session 2 and have LOVED seeing Alumni at our Sunday lunches, Saturdays in the Loft, and around Family Camp tables. Those bringing campers this summer ... our hearts are FUAGNEM to see you. Those that are passing by Camp ... head through the gates, we would love to catch up!

You might remember him as Super Mike ... the families at Prestonwood Schools know him as Superintendent. Mike Goddard shares how his days at T Bar M were used to shape him as he continues to run fast after Christ in the field of Education.

"After serving as a Coach and in Leadership in college at Camp, my dreams of playing in the NFL didn’t pan out, so the day that Jaw-Knee-Poke and Randy Sims called me to work at T Bar M as the Men's Director at Sports Camp, they did so in a way that wasted no fun. They “drafted” me, T Bar M style around the same time the NFL draft. That decision changed my life forever. I fell in love with a Christ-centered impact, never wasting fun, and the joy of seeing others impact kids' lives for Christ. After my time at T Bar M, I worked in Dallas for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In that role, I saw Christ make a Kingdom Impact happen on 85 junior high, high school, and college campuses and was the chaplain for area professional sports teams. God then led me to teaching at 30, where I walked into a classroom, and I felt like I had met the most significant opportunity for missions I’ve ever seen. It’s been over 25 years, and I’ve seen lives change in many ways for the better.

I’m thankful God planted that seed when I was a college kid with 13 to 14 Campers each as I served as a Coach in Winchester Cabin. That’s the time in my life that God laid on my heart to do what I do today.

I’ve since had the chance to be named CEO of the year, superintendent of the year, and every accolade that the world would say shows success, but my most tremendous success remains in the picture that I have behind my desk, and those guys from the Winchester cabin way back when.  That’s what makes me want to serve. That’s what makes me want to make a difference. That’s what gets me up every day. That’s what helps me work through the hard times and the good times as I celebrate. It’s what Christ can do through me and in me when we give Him everything."

In God's unique and FUANGNEM ways ... the story continues. Mike's son (Brock Goddard) attended Camp, worked as a Coach and leader at camp, and … married a girl (Brooke Tomlin) who attended Camp and worked at Camp (her dad, JD Tomlin, and Mike also worked together at Camp in college). And now they have a future T Bar M Camper in their new granddaughter, Olivia. 

Working at T Bar M brings a lot of intangible benefits that help make up for the low pay and plastic mattresses for a summer.  We all walked away with:
...a deeper love for the Lord,
...heightened work ethic,
...great memories,
...changed lives.

The Lord changed our lives through the people we served alongside. Those people, those relationships, sure make the end of the summer a bit harder when we are called to go on our own paths and say goodbye.

It happens for those of us that work here year-round, too. Sometimes we, as “adults”, get to say goodbye as God takes us on new paths.

Chris Shelton, who has served as our Director of Camps and Camp Travis Director, has his current season at
T Bar M coming to an end.  (But yay for us … the Shelton Family is remaining in New Braunfels).

Much like we all experienced with relationships in our summers at camp, Chris’ impact in leading the Camp Travis staff and the entire Director Team is dear because the Lord uses His people to sharpen others … just like God intends it to be.  “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”  Proverbs 27:17.

Chris (and his “camp relationship” turned wife, Rachel) have sharpened many people as they have served at T Bar M. Below, the staff he serves with now share how they have been sharpened while working with Chris.   We gladly share this list with you and hope it is a challenge for you too!

14 things we learned from Chris Shelton

"He is so caring and thoughtful not only in the workplace, but he and Rachel have invested in me personally. Which makes me want to shepherd and steward the people and work that I am involved with in every area of my life."   – Kenna

"I have learned the balance of being a leader and a friend. He pursues me as a team member & friend. Chris models what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in caring for the people around him as he jumps into action when things are hard."  – Chris O

"I learned to always believe the best about people!" - Cassie

"I learned more about the importance of prayer through the way he modeled it for us." - Will

"The way Chris leads out of vulnerability and honesty is encouraging, challenging, and inspiring."  - Emily

"Taking care of your people is the best way to take care of your ministry." - D

"Three words true of Chris – Belief, Vision and Activator. He leads with strong beliefs, holds fast to his conviction, and is excellent at capturing and casting vision for the mission. He initiates action in others, calls us to “excel still more” while instilling deep faith in us as a team. These qualities are highly impactful to our team as it has cultivated a team culture of passion, purpose, and being proactive!" - Jena

"Through Chris Shelton, I have seen 1 Thessalonians 2:8 lived out. He doesn't just lead our team but shares his heart and life with us." -Nola

"Chris has taught me that anything worth fixing or correcting is worth every bit of the time, energy, and resources needed to make it happen. His work ethic is admirable and something I strive for!" - Ryan

"Chris embodies the principle that "if you love someone, you show up." He is there for others in times of need, going out of his way to make them feel cared of, regardless of what it cost him." - Austin

"Chris models a supreme example of hospitality, a passion for the Word of God and graciousness in hard conversations." -Matt

"Every time he finishes a meeting he says, 'I like you, guys'. That, along with him and Rachel inviting me into his life expresses his genuine 'I’m glad you are here.'" -T ori

"He is a great example in being the hands and feet of Jesus." - Jordan

"I learned to invite people into my life the way he and his family does." - Drea

It has always been a prayer at T Bar M that those whose life was changed by Jesus while serving at Camp, would go and make an impact wherever they land. Like many others, Jason Phillips is doing just that.

The summers of 1994-1996, you would find Jason Phillips with a basketball in hand, smile on his face, and great conversation going. He spent his college summers on the courts of T Bar M "Sports" Camp discipling campers and college students. And now, through "Hoopes for Hope" he continues to be a part of changing the world for Christ "one bounce at a time".

He had a great support those summers at camp and still does in Jennifer Dugan (now) Phillips. She and their two children (Hadley and Hudson ... we can't wait for Hadley to serve at Travis this summer!) share an equal love for Sports, God, and Loving on kids. In fact, they are praying and trusting that your passion for all these areas has not waned as you transitioned away from camp life. Jason shares, "In my years at camp I learned that no matter what someone’s demographic background is, sports (not just basketball! Ha ha) can break down any and all barriers that hinder friendship/relationship and then ultimately the open up the opportunity to share hope and the Gospel with children. "

The Phillips personally experienced relationships forged through God's Good News in Uganda as they watched Hudson (their son) teach basketball to children. In Uganda, one of the children gave Hudson a picture and letter for Hudson to take back to home with him. This seems like a small token, but the children in Uganda have almost nothing, so giving this gift is a deep sign of friendship.

Hoops for Hope International is where they have found joy in serving the past 10 years. This organization has allowed them to and so many others to take trips abroad to teach basketball skills with a message of hope. Jason serves on staff with Hoops for Hope in growing their reach across our state and world. Check them out for great mission trips as well as local outreach opportunities.

Four Guys ... four faithful friends experienced something that they wanted their buddy to experience. Though there was a bit of a physical challenge to get him there, that didn’t stop them from loading up their friend who could not walk and taking him to Jesus. Not near Jesus, but TO Jesus. They lowered their friend through a roof and got him right in front of Him. And people are STILL talking about it today.

This is Andrew McAllister's favorite account in the Bible (Mark 2:3-11). Because he is living it.

By the faith and unconventional thinking of Andrew's family, he experienced T Bar M as a young camper. His adventure started with zipping down the zip line and water skiing with Cole at Camp Travis, and then serving as a Day Camp Coach. Just as the paralyzed man’s friends did, Andrew had a dream where he picked up the mat and carried other kids to Jesus. He dreamed and planned how he could bring those with limitations closer to Jesus in ways the world might think to be unconventional. After a conversation between Johnny and Andrew, Camp Hope and the Believe it Foundation were created, and we are still watching the stories unfold today! He claims, "Without T Bar M, I would not be where I am in my confidence or profession."

Recently, another faithful friend of Andrew's, Ross Ormand, posed the idea of running a marathon together as a duo team. Sitting in the hotel lobby, before their first race in Chicago, the next unconventional idea came to mind: Let's do the SIX World Marathon Majors. They set off on their adventure. Five of the six marathons are done, with Boston being the most recent. Unconventional? You bet! Bringing others to Jesus and great experiences? Absolutely!

You see, Andrew believes this: Through experiences and life change at T Bar M, alongside the impact of his local church, St. Andrews in San Antonio, the love of Christ shines in his life, and he knows he needs to share his experiences with others.

Andrew, Ross, and so many others are linking arms to pick up the mats so others can be brought to Jesus.  Kids zipping at Camp, Duo Teams in marathons, talking about Jesus in a broken world. All unconventional ways of this world. And all ways, we will be talking about through eternity!

I was having lunch with a friend last week, and we were both relating over how God uses Camp to bring people into our lives who better us. She said, “There is something just different about Camp friendships.” I couldn’t agree more. As summer is up to bat, I find myself wanting every Coach to make friendships that God uses to show more of Himself. I find myself wanting every Coach to find a friend like Grace.

I first met Grace during a puzzle-like game that put us in our covenant groups during training week in 2019. We didn’t know each other before, though we had many mutual connections through Texas A&M (WHOOP!). It didn’t take long for us to laugh hard together, which is one of my favorite parts about our friendship to this day.

Grace served the first half of summer but returned for an extra week to be a Coach with me in our dearly beloved Southbay at Camp Travis. We have countless stories from that one week when I got to see her firsthand love campers that needed a listening ear and compassionate heart. We also laughed a lot (a recurring theme with us). The next summer, I was honored to step onto the Travis Leadership Team where Grace was in the covenant group I got to walk with. Lots of stories from that summer involved masks, and distance yet still, lots of laughing together. In 2022, God placed both of us back at Camp Travis on the Leadership Team, and we got to serve alongside one another once again. We joked that we have been co-cov members, co-Coaches, my cov girl and co-workers.

Grace is now in graduate school studying Speech Pathology at UT Dallas, while I have gotten to jump on full-time here at T Bar M. Though our time on summer staff has come to an end…for now (who knows what God will do), Grace has continued to be steady friend, and someone who reminds me of Jesus. There really is something different about a Camp friendship.

So ... let's link arms with this summer's coaches!!

As these groups gather this summer, let's send them encouragement, prayers, and a bit of fun from those that have served as they will.

We have 68 covenant groups serving between at Base Camp, Camp Travis, Family Camp, Discover, and Day Camp. Isn't that amazing!

It's as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. Simply email alumni@tbarm.org and we will send you the information you will need. Covenant Group Leader and Coaches names as well as the Camp terms and the Camp addresses. (We'll even send a list of ideas to make it even easier 😉
  2. You will send them one care package in June and one in July, as well as encouragement notes or emails throughout the summer.
  3. Then ... we will all watch God use these coaches do MIGHTY things this summer at the place we love.

Email Abby & Kelli at alumni@tbarm.org if you would like to Adopt-A-Cov!

Covenant Groups are an intentional foundation of the discipleship of T Bar M, fashioned after the covenant that David and Jonathan made in 1 Samuel 18:1-5 and still a foundational part of the DNA of Coaches’ summer experiences.