Just Believe

'JUST BELIEVE'....When I was in elementary school I remember telling my classmates on the playground about the wild dreams I would have and they would just make fun of me and called me crazy. I learned that people are quick to call you crazy when they don't understand you. People are quick to belittle and ridicule you when they are jealous or envious of you. As I got older I remember one of my teachers encouraging me to write down my wild dreams, and would tell me not to let anyone discourage me and just believe in myself. - Randolph Randy Camp
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Class n' Strength

My heart hurts sometimes when I think about today’s world in which our young people must navigate through. During my visits to schools I love meeting kids who are so optimistic about the future in spite of the hatred and negativity around them. I’m always a bit pumped up after our classroom discussions because more times than not, a certain viewpoint was made and something truly amazing was said by a student and it just blew my mind. These kids give me hope…hope that brighter days and times are possible.


Over the years I’ve learned to concentrate on my own life and do whatever I can do to make my life better and to make the world a better place, instead of complaining about things or concentrating on what others are doing.


For those of you out there going through rough n’ tough times but yet you’re not cursing at the world and not cursing at those around you, well, that takes a lot of strength and you have a lot of class. When I was younger I used to blame others sometimes for my own doings but now I know exactly where to point my finger…at myself. What I’ve learned from my past misgivings and mistakes is that my focus is on not what took place yesterday but what I’m doing today and what will I do tomorrow.


No, it’s certainly not easy staying positive especially in this sometimes chaotic world, but whatever you do, please don’t let others dampen your spirit. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Your Neighbor's Name

I love being invited to classrooms and speaking to students. Our book talk discussions can get pretty deep sometimes, and often jumps off-topic into the students’ personal lives.


Current news events, such as the recent bomb scare, and race relations in America are usual topics discussed during these meet-the-author sessions. I often learn a lot from these bright young minds, and I’m always honored when the students ask me for advise or my opinion about certain things.


Recently, after reading my novel ’29 Dimes’ as a class assignment, which has the undertone of race relations, several students wanted to know my thoughts on how America could improve its race relations. I told the students that I love this particular question because my response is always the same, which is, “Just simply get to know your neighbors, get to know your neighbor’s name.”


Too often, we only describe our neighbors as “the lady who drives the red car”, “the old man with the blue pickup”, “the family up the street with the mixed kid”, etc.


I further explain to the class that getting to know one another strengthens you and strengthens your neighborhood, your community, etc. (We tend to make bad and wrong assumptions about people when we don’t even make an effort to know them.)


By the way, my neighbors are Donna, Mike, Dennis, and Larry. Have a great day Everyone. – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Trying To Get It Right

I’m certainly not perfect and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. But, today, I’m trying to get it right.


One of the greatest joys of my life is to see a young person take flight, especially if they’ve had a bumpy start. Taking Kaira under my wings has been a real blessing. Ironically, I think that I’m learning more things from her than she from me.


Fostering and mentoring a youth is challenging and rewarding, and I highly recommend finding out more about it in your local area.


Have a great day Everyone, and as Kaira and I continue on this journey, please keep us in your thoughts as we try our best to get it right. – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Your Discovery

I’m so truly blessed to have such genuine caring friends, fans and followers in my life. I hope that all of you are encircled with people who sincerely want to see you flourish and rise (and not those who secretly laugh at you if you should stumble.)


It’s March 12, 2018 and once again, I’m reminded of that old familiar adage, “There’re two important dates in your life, the day you was born and the day you discover why you was born.” Regardless of your age, the color of your skin, or where you come from, I honestly believe that there’s something uniquely special inside each of you.


Thank you EVERYONE today for your Birthday Wishes, and if you haven’t already, I hope that you will soon discover why you was born. – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Raise Your Voice For Safer Schools

We’ve reached a sad point in America when sending our kids to school has become a safety issue. Periodic shooter drills have become the norm in a lot of school districts, and now I’m hearing talk of arming certain teachers and giving them a bonus.


The pay bonus part is long overdue. In fact, all teachers everywhere should be given a pay raise immediately. But, personally, I don’t like the idea of arming our school teachers though. Going to school and working within the school system should be a fun, peaceful learning experience for everyone. Imprisoning our schools, I think, will only invite unnecessary stress and anxiety into our classrooms. Years ago, when I was a little boy growing up in rural Virginia, school was my sanctuary. I absolutely loved going to school back then, and the kids today certainly deserve an enjoyable school experience as well. It’s 2018 now, and I truly believe that we can make our schools safer and give parents and caregivers more peace of mind when sending their kids off to school each morning.


Sadly, America is a money-driven society. We shouldn’t let the NRA-backed officials put financial gain ahead of public safety and common sense. Why should we promote and further advocate guns by arming our school teachers when we have the technical know-how to disrupt and make a shooter’s weapon inoperable? In this modern, digital age of driverless vehicles, voice-activated devices, GPS, drones, countless smart gadgets and phones, we are certainly far too intelligent and technically advanced to cope with a contemporary 2018 issue, such as gun control, with outdated 1970’s ideas and solutions.


Although we don’t hear too much about this, we already have a few companies out there that can show retailers and gun manufacturers how to install software and micro-chips in their products that could make the guns unusable in certain specified areas, such as schools. Additionally, wouldn’t it be nice if the local police or the school office could be automatically alerted when a concealed weapon (or otherwise) enters the school perimeter. It’s an outright disservice to our kids to knowingly have this capability and not use it to make them feel safe at school.


If you’re a kid going to school now with a touch of fear, and if you’re a parent wanting more peace of mind when sending your kids off to school, then please use your voice and raise your voice by contacting your Federal and State Senators and Congresspersons. Too often, we feel helpless when we hear the tragic news of school shootings. You can make a difference. Tell folks how you really feel. Take a few moments and reach out to your local government. Ask your local representatives if they are aware of these existing companies that have the knowledge and capability to inconspicuously disengage a shooter’s weapon. And if they do not, then raise your voice to tell them to wisely use their time and taxpayers’ dollars to check these companies out for our kids’ sake.  – Randolph Randy Camp

Book Talk Event with Author Randolph Randy Camp

Click the following LINK to read the full article about Writer Randolph Randy Camp return to his hometown for a Book Talk Event in Spotsylvania County on December 9, 2017.  http://www.fredericksburg.com/entertainment/arts/books/locally-born-author-of-young-adult-fiction-to-speak-at/article_8c1415b1-a28b-56ea-b13f-c5a5a20a6391.html

A Sort of Homecoming for Writer Randolph Randy Camp

A sort of homecoming for writer Randolph Randy Camp as he returns for a book talk event in Spotsylvania County, Virginia on December 9, 2017. http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/education/returning-to-his-rural-roots-spotsylvania-native-author-says-his/article_4cb4e727-f8d0-56f5-87f1-58e54122dce2.html

A Healthy You, A Healthy Valentine

I think that I do more things wrong than I do right. For instance, when it comes to eating nutritious foods, most likely, I would get a ‘D minus’ in that department.


I’m very blessed to be able to write, travel and meet some of my readers and fans. I find myself on the road quite a lot these days, appearing at book signings and classroom book talks. Maybe, just like some of you, I don’t always eat the best foods, especially when I’m on the go. I’m certainly guilty of indulging on all of the fatty menu items of any roadside café. And I definitely stand accused of consuming too many quick-fix, unhealthy foods from the convenient gas mart.


But, at least once a week, and sometimes twice, I actually do eat more nutritiously though. From my travels and readings years ago, I’d become aware of certain African tribes that would eat nothing but vegetation for at least a whole week out of the month just to cleanse their digestive system from toxins and various parasites. Through the years, I’ve been practicing this same healthy habit, although I’d modified it a bit. To rid my body of any toxins or parasites from my fatty consumption of unhealthy foods I will eat one, and sometimes, two fresh pineapples per week. Eating fresh pineapples, along with fresh garlic and so many other natural fruits and vegetables, are a great way to cleanse your body and stay healthy.


With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, chocolates and other sweet treats are always big sellers. If you’re not particularly a frequent produce-buyer, may I suggest, for you and your special Valentine this year to try adding some fresh fruits or vegetables with that box of chocolates. In all of the different ways in which we can say that we really care and love someone and that we want them to stick around for as long as possible, maybe nothing says it better than a fresh pineapple…..along with the chocolates, of course. – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Shining Brighter: 2018

Every year we all make new resolutions. Sometimes we accomplish them, and sometimes we just let them fade away. For me, personally, I’ve learned over the years to not put too much pressure on myself by setting strict deadlines or making strong commitments, which were unrealistic in the first place. For 2018, I simply want to shine brighter.


Shining brighter could mean different things to different people. Shining brighter, in my own life, is simply trying to reach and inspire more people than the previous year.


Setting goals and accomplishing goals are two separate things. Personally, taking baby steps instead of giant leaps have been greatly beneficial to me. We all get discouraged, but don’t throw in the towel, just keep taking those small steps. Life is always a struggle, and realistically, things will get rough at times, but in your own special way, I hope that all of you will find a way to shine brighter in 2018. – Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp