Staff Feature: Colton “Toad” Venner

What are the personalities behind Pine Cove? There are the head honchos that everyone is familiar with. There’s the directors of camps who lead the charge. Then, there’s the lesser-known program directors and resident staffers. Who are they? What are they like? This article is the first in a series to help you get to know our staff!

Colton “Toadashii” Venner graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a degree in communication theory. He has worked at Pine Cove for five summers, first at the Shores, then the Woods, and Chimney Point, where he served this past summer. Summer 2017 was his first summer as a full-time staffer.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a singer/songwriter.

How did you get to Pine Cove?

Dexter Carter (Camp in the City Site Director) is a good friend of mine from college and he told me about it. I ended up working every summer from my freshman year until I graduated.

How did you get your camp name?

My camp name is Toadashii. Toad is because I have a large tongue, and then Tedashii like the rapper. Me and my friends all free-style rapped in high school and college, so during my name game, they picked three things for me to rap about and there it was.

What are some of your favorites?

In life, definitely sad music, Chick-fil-A, disc golf, and hats. I really like hats.

Favorite part about your job?

I just love working at Pine Cove in general. I love the people I work with and the mission of Pine Cove. I get to have fun while telling people about Christ. Practically, I love the high energy at camp. I love doing things that are not socially acceptable in public but are celebrated at camp. I love skits. That’s probably my favorite part of program. I love getting to know campers. I love making an environment where people can be crazy and fun and more themselves, and it’s totally okay.

Favorite skit character you’ve ever portrayed?

I really enjoyed a character I did one summer. His name was Bad Sal. He was the stereotypical bad guy who ranted about how bad he was. I like this good guy I did called Mo-Liberty. It was fourth of July and he was a boxer. Right now, I’m doing this guy named Doug Pendleton. He comes out and does stuff for the first time because Chimney Point is new, and that’s really fun.

Favorite Bible verse?

1 Corinthians 15. The second half is a passage I find myself looking at a whole lot. It’s a promise of what’s to come when we are with Christ. It’s very encouraging to me because it reminds me of the goal of life.

What spiritual truths have been revealed to you lately?

I’ve been reading James, and it’s reminded me that God will give wisdom to those who ask for it. Other than that, I’ve been very reminded of the importance of memorizing God’s word.

Awesome ways God has moved at camp?

Right now, since I’m at family camp, it’s awesome to see parents talk about how beneficial Pine Cove is to their families in general. That just has to do with the world today. It’s not as common to find college people who really want to live for Jesus.

What staffer has had the biggest impact on you at Pine Cove?

Man, I don’t know if I can choose. The person I am the most similar to is Taylor Jervis. He was my first camp director. But, I’ve also learned a lot from Broflex and G-Stat. And now, Bunga is really teaching me a lot.

In what ways has coming to PC changed you?

It has just taught me the importance of how to spend my time and how to live righteously. It’s also taught me a lot about how to put others before myself for the sake of others knowing the Lord. Camp is really where I learned to value God’s Word.

What is your most embarrassing camp moment?

This is a hard one. One year at the Shores, I wore these shorts that everyone made fun of me for. It’s not really embarrassing, but it really sticks out in my mind. Another one is from the Shores as well. We would play soccer on Fridays. I’m terrible at soccer. Week eight or nine I got my first goal. Everyone went crazy, and it was only because I was so bad at soccer.

You’re stranded on a island and you’re the only one there. Which Pine Cove staffers would you want to organize your rescue?

I would pick Jake Collins because I know that he would save me in a very manly way. Then I would pick TJ Connor to be the right hand man because he knows how to be the life of the party. Last but not least, I want Josh Sperle because he knows exactly what to say to make me laugh.

What are some of the weirdest things a camper has said or done to you?

Well, this isn’t really weird, but one time at the Woods talent show, this dad did turkey calls for his talent, and I came out dressed as a turkey. Then we rapped together. It was awesome.

Working at Pine Cove is a unique experience because it’s place that cultivates fun and high energy. Many staffers have interesting and funny stories involving life at camp. Stay tuned for more Q&A sessions!