2025 Summer Camp Series

Camp Spalding attendance continues to grow

 

Camp Spalding, founded by area Presbyterian churches in 1957 on Davis Lake, "remains faithful to its founders' dream to be a place for people of all ages to hear the Gospel and grow in relationship with Jesus," said Andy Sonneland, executive director.

This year, it begins its summer camping programs with an overnight camp experience on June 13 to 14 called Mom/Dad and Me for one parent and one child. Next are sessions through Aug. 13 for various age groups, plus a family camp from Aug. 13 to 17.

The camp has seen physical, program and management improvements over the years.

"This summer we will complete our Waterfront Expansion and Enhancement Project. We started raising the money pre-COVID," Andy said. "It will significantly increase the usable square footage at the beach to accommodate our growing number of campers."

The $1 million project includes new gathering areas with an expanded sandy beach and a 5,000-square-foot cascading patio with a fire pit. That gives campers space beyond the existing beach and docks. It includes restrooms and a covered snack bar in the beach pavilion. It also replaces the current boathouse with a larger, more functional one.

Camp Spalding has been experiencing record attendance since COVID.

"We've had a record attendance of about 1,700 campers a year since then," Andy said. "Interestingly, our two high school camps—182 campers per week—are our most in-demand weeks. All spots sold out for high school girls within 24 hours of registration opening, and both camps were entirely full within 10 days." 

Camp Spalding still has room in some of the elementary camp sessions.

Andy believes the teen camps are popular because "the life-giving presence of Jesus at camp draws them back."

"The Gospel is still Good News," he said.

The camp is staffed by 42 college and recent college graduates who have been hired to work at the camp. Seventeen come from outside the Pacific Northwest. 

Andy asserts that word of mouth from past staff is their best recruiting tool.

The mission is for campers to come to know and grow in a relationship with Jesus, he said.

The biggest goal is to build additional cabins to accommodate their waiting lists and to replace older cabins.

For information, visit www.campspalding.org