Camp Big Fish Opens Nashville Location! | Nashville Moms Network

 

Camp Big Fish has been has been flourishing in Knoxville and Chattanooga since it’s start 11 years ago. This summer, they come to Nashville! Opening their first location in Mount Juliet, the camp will cater to kids ranging from rising kindergarteners to rising 8th graders. They offer everything from art, music, sports, weekly dress up days, weekly theme days, AND weekly field trips while beginning the day with praise and worship. We got the chance to chat with Camp Big Fish founder Jeremy Deitch about this decade long dream come reality.

 

When did you start Big Fish and why?

It started in 2009 in Oolteawah, TN. I had about 10 years experience running camps and my wife and I wanted to start a faith based summer day camp where we lived because there was nothing currently like it or being offered in the area.

 

How old were your kids at the time?

My twins were 8 months old and my oldest was 2 years old.

 

Was that challenging?

Yes, both parents working with younger kids is always tough. But it makes you cherish the time you have with them and try and create fun memories for them growing up.

 

What is it like working together as a married couple?

We actually share an office.  We are like left brain and right brain. We are constantly pushing each other and always looking at ways to get better. We have and are still learning how to turn work brain off sometimes at dinner.

 

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

We dove head first into community activity. Little league, elementary school, our church. The network of friends through the community has helped our camp and program succeed.

 

It’s been 11 years now, that’s awesome! What is it like to see something that started so small flourish?

A lot of people dont realize it has been 11 years and just think we are an overnight success. The 1st 4-5 years were tough. The IRS refered to us as a hobby and said we are not really a business until we turn a profit. We had faith and pushed through. There was a lot of prayer. A lot of nights eating ramen noodles – lol.

 

What does a typical day at Camp Big Fish look like?

We say we are like a VBS and Day Camp all put together on steroids. “The Fun Experts”. We want the kids to leave exhausted at the end of the day. Each day is something different from a theme day to swimming to field trip to sports tourney to a dress up day, etc.  We start every morning with a praise and worship and a small group devotion. We provide a summer calander that shows everything we do. Our kids put it on the fridge and get excited each night looking to see what we are doing the next day at camp.

 

What are some of the day trips the campers can expect to take this summer?

In Chattanooga and Knoxville we love to go bowling, swimming, ice skating, gymnastics centers, indoor rock climbing, minor league day baseball games, movies, science museums, trampoline parks, The main event, etc. We usually go on one really fun field trip a week and swimming once a week as well.

 

What kind of experience do you strive for your campers to have?

We want all involved to leave with lasting friendships and for all to grow in their faith. Have fun and be silly and messy and be a kid for the summer. We arange our camp to have 6-7 week minimums to register so your camper will grow confidence and self esteem knowing their friends will be there each day and week attending. They wont have to worry about making new friends each week.

 

What prompted you to bring your camp to the Nashville area?

Some of our leadership and counselors at our camps and afterschool programs in Knoxville that go to UT are originally from Nashville.  We have been looking for the perfect location the last 2 years in Middle TN to start our camp. We feel with our expertise and experience running camps, parents will appreciate our program plus flexibility and tuition cost.

 

All info and registration is at www.CampBigFish.org  Enter code NASHMOM for Half Off Registration Fees.

 

The 1st 175 total campers that register in January 2019 will recieve a free hoodie.  Call or email if you have any questions:  [email protected] 423-504-1622

 

This post is sponsored by Camp Big Fish.

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