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Camp Courageous #1
Camp Courageous
They say these are the best years of my life. I’m not sure I agree. Sitting on the threshold of not quite a man, not quite a boy isn’t a very comfortable place to be. My name is Jonah and in 1999 I was sixteen. That summer was the summer that changed everything. My parents sent me to camp to find God… I found him in the eyes and actions of a sweet country boy named Neil.
This is a story about love… first love so pure and true. This is a story about faith and finding the courage to be who you are regardless of what anyone else thinks. It’s a story about growing up and realizing what makes the measure of a man. Hint, it’s not how tall you stand or how wealthy or intelligent you are.
It’s about having the courage to admit to yourself the truth… whatever that may be. This is my heart song. This is my battle cry. This is my threnody. It’s the words birthed from the heart of a boy who fell in love with his best friend at summer camp… his only friend.
This is a story about love… first love so pure and true. This is a story about faith and finding the courage to be who you are regardless of what anyone else thinks. It’s a story about growing up and realizing what makes the measure of a man. Hint, it’s not how tall you stand or how wealthy or intelligent you are.
It’s about having the courage to admit to yourself the truth… whatever that may be. This is my heart song. This is my battle cry. This is my threnody. It’s the words birthed from the heart of a boy who fell in love with his best friend at summer camp… his only friend.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2021
45 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Elijah Sanderfer
192 books114 followersDaniel Elijah Sanderfer is an internationally best-selling author of more than one hundred fifty books. He was born in Stuart, Virginia, and raised in the Southside region. He's lived in numerous places across the eastern United States but now resides in rural Lee County, where he lives with his husband of twenty years, William.
His books feature LGBTQIA+ characters from all walks of life but primarily focus on rural living. He's received several award nominations, including Best Author on Goodreads and Best Y.A. Short Story. His works can be found primarily on Amazon, as well as other retailers nationwide. Several of his works are also available in audiobook format.
Before he became a writer, he worked in the hospitality industry for fifteen years, where he received the R.O.S.E. award nomination two consecutive years in the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan Area. His works showcase queer and other characters living their authentic truths. They always contain messages of hope, as well as life lessons. He's a proud, gay own voices author with a large fan following on social media.
You can find information about his life, as well as news on upcoming releases, in his Facebook fan group, Sanderfer's Socialites.
His books feature LGBTQIA+ characters from all walks of life but primarily focus on rural living. He's received several award nominations, including Best Author on Goodreads and Best Y.A. Short Story. His works can be found primarily on Amazon, as well as other retailers nationwide. Several of his works are also available in audiobook format.
Before he became a writer, he worked in the hospitality industry for fifteen years, where he received the R.O.S.E. award nomination two consecutive years in the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan Area. His works showcase queer and other characters living their authentic truths. They always contain messages of hope, as well as life lessons. He's a proud, gay own voices author with a large fan following on social media.
You can find information about his life, as well as news on upcoming releases, in his Facebook fan group, Sanderfer's Socialites.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 29, 2025
Short coming of age story where Jonah is sent to a religious camp at 16 by his minister parents where he meets Neil, who changes his life and outlook. Nice.
July 18, 2021
Fresh, Exciting, Enjoyable and yet, Disappointing!
Neil and Jonah are post puberty sixteen year-olds who are coming to terms with their newly acquired potency. They have much in common: the sons of preachers, an active participation in their local church – and a growing attraction away from girls. They meet at a summer bible camp where they share a cabin in which nature takes its course.
I really enjoyed the piece, given a freshness by the author’s often lyrical prose. His main characters are credible and appealing. His choice of language is descriptive and pleasantly restrained
This is not a novel, it is a short story, of which the essential parts are contained in only thirty, or so, short e-book pages. The boys’ growing attraction to each other is endearing and credible. The author appears to have a problem by interjecting his opinions for justifying a gay lifestyle, which I found distracting. There’s too little already of this (potentially) quite excellent story without going ‘off-piste’ and away from the developing storyline.
I want to say I loved the work, and did so until the final chapter where I, as a reader, felt cheated. The author ‘kopped-out’ no doubt by the lure of commerce to end this story abruptly to ensure there can be no continuance of the delightfully crafted affair: and get on with the next one. Therein lies my disappointment. The job has not been finished as well as it deserves to come to the end it promises at its outset.
The author is well on track to produce a work worthy of five-stars, but (in my vexed opinion) he gave up at the three-star point.
Neil and Jonah are post puberty sixteen year-olds who are coming to terms with their newly acquired potency. They have much in common: the sons of preachers, an active participation in their local church – and a growing attraction away from girls. They meet at a summer bible camp where they share a cabin in which nature takes its course.
I really enjoyed the piece, given a freshness by the author’s often lyrical prose. His main characters are credible and appealing. His choice of language is descriptive and pleasantly restrained
This is not a novel, it is a short story, of which the essential parts are contained in only thirty, or so, short e-book pages. The boys’ growing attraction to each other is endearing and credible. The author appears to have a problem by interjecting his opinions for justifying a gay lifestyle, which I found distracting. There’s too little already of this (potentially) quite excellent story without going ‘off-piste’ and away from the developing storyline.
I want to say I loved the work, and did so until the final chapter where I, as a reader, felt cheated. The author ‘kopped-out’ no doubt by the lure of commerce to end this story abruptly to ensure there can be no continuance of the delightfully crafted affair: and get on with the next one. Therein lies my disappointment. The job has not been finished as well as it deserves to come to the end it promises at its outset.
The author is well on track to produce a work worthy of five-stars, but (in my vexed opinion) he gave up at the three-star point.
September 19, 2023
Nature brings nurture to courageous and loving boys
Some of the most difficult challenges of growing up are around the age of 16. Living chaos rules the mind, body, emotions, and dreams as hormones interact with the daily interactions with family, friends, school, church, and community in unpredictable ways.
Love has different types and patterns that apply based on religion, family, relationships, and friendship, but sexual love is the most difficult to control and respect. Secret feelings and touches often lead to sounds and demonstrations that make it impossible to remain secret. But the young love of boys for each other, especially with church ministry parents, is a special love never to be forgotten or ignored.
Some of the most difficult challenges of growing up are around the age of 16. Living chaos rules the mind, body, emotions, and dreams as hormones interact with the daily interactions with family, friends, school, church, and community in unpredictable ways.
Love has different types and patterns that apply based on religion, family, relationships, and friendship, but sexual love is the most difficult to control and respect. Secret feelings and touches often lead to sounds and demonstrations that make it impossible to remain secret. But the young love of boys for each other, especially with church ministry parents, is a special love never to be forgotten or ignored.
August 6, 2021
Thoughtful, albeit a bit elementary, the author takes you into his thoughts during the first summer he falls in love. Intriguing, and easy, would recommend for a quick jaunt down memory lane!
July 3, 2021
Short and Sweet
An accurate depiction of that Age of Enlightenment that every young gay man reaches at some point in his life; that moment of realization that what is pure and natural cannot be wrong. Tender.
An accurate depiction of that Age of Enlightenment that every young gay man reaches at some point in his life; that moment of realization that what is pure and natural cannot be wrong. Tender.
October 11, 2021
Courage
The only thing I did not like was the end. It is a wonderful story to read. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to come out.
The only thing I did not like was the end. It is a wonderful story to read. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to come out.
June 19, 2022
First times
Great first love mixed with inhibitions imposed by religion and guilt. Mom boy ever forgets his first magical and innocent love.
Great first love mixed with inhibitions imposed by religion and guilt. Mom boy ever forgets his first magical and innocent love.
September 10, 2022
Camp courageous is a good it made me cry at the end when Neil died I really 'cause it reminds me of my ears that the teenager
November 8, 2023
Camp Courageous #1
Camp Courageous
Daniel Elijah Sanderfer
Jonah has a number of issues. He’s a PK, he’s 16, and he likes boys. Not something to discuss with his Gospel thumping parents. Sent to a Christian Summer Camp for the duration it sounds like holy hell until we meet his closeted gay roomie Neil, son of the campground owner, a Baptist minister.
Half way through the story all they’ve managed to do is hold hands. The author uses his characters to get on his soapbox and do a lot of preaching on his own which detracts from the story of Jonah and Neil whether or not you agree with him. Is being married to Jesus a gay relationship?
I was born in sin, in sin did my mother conceive me. Such belief demanded the immaculate conception else Christ would be born in sin. Homosexuality, beyond the pale. Does such belief justify spying on a child, threatening him with torture, lying to his friend, declaring him dead? Which is the greater sin?
If sex be sinful it is still necessary for the propagation of the species. Is being gay a lifestyle choice, a matter of conversion or a matter of inherent being?
The same kind of thinking gives the pregnant daughter a shotgun wedding and then casts her out of her home forever.
The texts needs further editing.
Camp Courageous
Daniel Elijah Sanderfer
Jonah has a number of issues. He’s a PK, he’s 16, and he likes boys. Not something to discuss with his Gospel thumping parents. Sent to a Christian Summer Camp for the duration it sounds like holy hell until we meet his closeted gay roomie Neil, son of the campground owner, a Baptist minister.
Half way through the story all they’ve managed to do is hold hands. The author uses his characters to get on his soapbox and do a lot of preaching on his own which detracts from the story of Jonah and Neil whether or not you agree with him. Is being married to Jesus a gay relationship?
I was born in sin, in sin did my mother conceive me. Such belief demanded the immaculate conception else Christ would be born in sin. Homosexuality, beyond the pale. Does such belief justify spying on a child, threatening him with torture, lying to his friend, declaring him dead? Which is the greater sin?
If sex be sinful it is still necessary for the propagation of the species. Is being gay a lifestyle choice, a matter of conversion or a matter of inherent being?
The same kind of thinking gives the pregnant daughter a shotgun wedding and then casts her out of her home forever.
The texts needs further editing.
July 12, 2022
This is a sweet tale of young love, flourishing courageously against the odds. I read this book at one sitting, quite unable to put it down.
As a Briton I find the American spellings and some of the background (for example, Bible camps for young people are far rarer here than there) a little difficult to cope with, but Mr Sanderfer writes in a style which is very easy to read, without irrelevance or verbal flourish.
His characterization comes across strongly and clearly; many a lesser writer would have provided cardboard cut-outs where he, with commendable economy of words, gives us living, fully rounded characters. Long may he continue to entertain us.
As a Briton I find the American spellings and some of the background (for example, Bible camps for young people are far rarer here than there) a little difficult to cope with, but Mr Sanderfer writes in a style which is very easy to read, without irrelevance or verbal flourish.
His characterization comes across strongly and clearly; many a lesser writer would have provided cardboard cut-outs where he, with commendable economy of words, gives us living, fully rounded characters. Long may he continue to entertain us.
July 25, 2021
Thanks Daniel
You are a very talented writer. I love your story’s especially the ones that you have narrated. I think you hit a cord with this one and everyone should read it to get a feel for the real world and how others try to dictate how love should be for others. It is not their love, so let love be the love of the ones involved.
You are a very talented writer. I love your story’s especially the ones that you have narrated. I think you hit a cord with this one and everyone should read it to get a feel for the real world and how others try to dictate how love should be for others. It is not their love, so let love be the love of the ones involved.
April 2, 2022
Amazingly relatable
Having grown up in the exact environment of the main character, everything he describes and feels is very on point. It invokes memories of both good and bad and honestly ends with how I wish my youth could have. I never had the courage to be as bold as Jonah or Neil unfortunately so this story is what I wish my young summers were like.
Having grown up in the exact environment of the main character, everything he describes and feels is very on point. It invokes memories of both good and bad and honestly ends with how I wish my youth could have. I never had the courage to be as bold as Jonah or Neil unfortunately so this story is what I wish my young summers were like.
July 14, 2021
A great read!
This book was a great read because this is something so many people feel and go through. This is a wonderful and true coming of age story.
Don’t let anyone try to force you to be what they think you should be! Hugs!
This book was a great read because this is something so many people feel and go through. This is a wonderful and true coming of age story.
Don’t let anyone try to force you to be what they think you should be! Hugs!
October 13, 2021
First Love
Two teens meet at a church camp, Camp Courageous, and feel an immediate attraction. They fumble through discovering their feelings for each other, as first loves. A great story for teens and young adults.
Two teens meet at a church camp, Camp Courageous, and feel an immediate attraction. They fumble through discovering their feelings for each other, as first loves. A great story for teens and young adults.
March 22, 2024
Much like one of my summer "bible" camps
A boy from a different part of the state who was sweet and beautiful. We were a little younger and could not quite get there. But the truth of all the emotions resonates.
A boy from a different part of the state who was sweet and beautiful. We were a little younger and could not quite get there. But the truth of all the emotions resonates.
June 28, 2021
Very good book.
A young budding relationship between 2 boys who happen to be alike in matters of the heart. No spoiler here but there’s a whole lotta love between these two.
A young budding relationship between 2 boys who happen to be alike in matters of the heart. No spoiler here but there’s a whole lotta love between these two.
July 4, 2021
Camp courageous
I didn't expect that this book would have the two main characters getting together like they did.. I really enjoyed the book. I probably would read it again.
I didn't expect that this book would have the two main characters getting together like they did.. I really enjoyed the book. I probably would read it again.
January 15, 2022
Didn't see the ending
This is a typical teenager who is gay with religious parents and the child is as usual afraid to come out as gay. Great short story
This is a typical teenager who is gay with religious parents and the child is as usual afraid to come out as gay. Great short story
September 29, 2024
Such a cute story! Loved it.
April 29, 2025
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story by Daniel this time set in a boys camp. Great storyline and two very good main characters. A poignant ending.
Another excellent story by Daniel this time set in a boys camp. Great storyline and two very good main characters. A poignant ending.
June 3, 2025
Sweet
Camp Courageous is a sweet tale of two boys coming of age and accepting themselves. Both are fundamental ministers. Daniel writes poetically about their love and coming out.
Camp Courageous is a sweet tale of two boys coming of age and accepting themselves. Both are fundamental ministers. Daniel writes poetically about their love and coming out.
June 29, 2022
Young love.
A very quick and joyful read! I would of liked to know more about Neil's death. Love is special and glad these two men found it!
A very quick and joyful read! I would of liked to know more about Neil's death. Love is special and glad these two men found it!
November 9, 2023
camp courageous is one of my favorite books
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews