Camp Gifford: Where Courage Climbs Higher
This week marked an exciting milestone at Camp Gifford as we hosted our first large Outdoor Education camp program. While we’ve welcomed smaller rural school groups in previous years, this week’s campers came from an inner-city neighborhood in Spokane… and the impact was immediate and unforgettable.
Throughout the week, stories of growth, courage, and transformation unfolded across camp.
One chaperone shared that her daughter is typically shy, reserved, and reluctant to try new things. But after conquering the climbing wall, something changed. For the first time, she began stepping outside of her comfort zone, gaining confidence and opening up to those around her.
Another student arrived terrified of climbing onto the top bunk in his cabin. He refused to use the ladder and insisted on sleeping on the bottom bunk. Later in the week, he challenged himself on the climbing wall and made it halfway to the top. That single experience gave him a new sense of courage. Immediately afterward, he asked his chaperone if he could move to the top bunk because he finally felt brave enough.
It wasn’t just the younger campers who were transformed.
Before the elementary students arrived, a group of (mostly) high school seniors spent a full day at camp helping prepare for the week. Through leadership development and team-building activities, staff watched these students grow in confidence almost overnight. Many initially arrived quiet and hesitant to participate. But by the next day, they were leading activities, encouraging younger students, and stepping into leadership roles with enthusiasm and confidence.
For many of the students attending this week, camp offered something even more profound: their first real experience in nature. Again and again, students shared that their favorite part of camp was hiking through the forest trails and discovering the beauty of the outdoors. Watching children experience nature for the first time was powerful for everyone involved.
While Camp Gifford’s summer camp ministry remains central to our mission of helping young people encounter Christ, Outdoor Education has become a meaningful extension of that mission. These experiences build confidence, foster connection, and create memories that can last a lifetime.
None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our retreat staff. From preparing meals and cleaning cabins to teaching classes and leading activities, every member of the team played a vital role in making this week successful. Their care, flexibility, and commitment created an environment where students felt safe, encouraged, and valued.
As more Outdoor Education camps are scheduled in the coming weeks, we are excited to continue growing this program and expanding its impact on children throughout our community.
For many students, this was more than just a few days away from school. It was the first time they discovered they were braver than they thought.