One week after Theology Beer Camp 2026, Bo and I are still catching up on sleep and still processing what happened in Kansas City. Bo brought a top 10 list of camp reflections, and I had no idea what was on it. Along the way, we got the backstories: Bo discovering that the Tolkien scholar he was about to interview had been his third-grade camp counselor, a quiet guy at camp handing me a wad of small bills “for Bo’s bike parts,” and a Sunday-afternoon dive bar with dollar pitchers that turned into a surprise reunion with a camper’s whole small group. Camp director Josh Patterson joins for the second half to talk about surviving his first camp, the plans for next year’s 10th anniversary, and why Bo is training to be its wrestling villain.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Bo’s Top 10 from Beer Camp
#10: Prom dresses and zombie makeup at the upside-down ’80s apocalypse prom
#9: Books, resources, and swag, plus a host church that took hospitality personally
#8: The flood of camp photos and videos on social media afterward
#7: Oktoberfest: beer floats, a bonfire on a swamp, and Squeeze Play the polka band playing the SpongeBob theme
#6: Meeting like-minded people, including a rural Montana pastor Bo will meet for lunch on his ride across the Great Divide next summer
#5: The panels (and my idea for rating breakout sessions by nerd ABV)
#4: The tech team that made every stage and stream work
#3: The volunteers, and the beer and hospitality teams led by Ben and Brynn
#2: Cornel West: his beer from Vine Street Brewing, his dance moves to “Billie Jean,” and the way he gave everyone his full attention
#1: The closing ceremony with communion
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