Faith-based Camps Connect Faith and Fun

Camp is opportunity to be outside, away from electronics in positive setting

Camp Gifford campers enjoy learning to sail.

The goal of the Salvation Army’s Camp Gifford is to give children and youth the opportunity to be outside, away from electronics in a positive environment where they can be kids.

“We seek for them to develop a love for swimming, sailing, boating, geology, fishing and other activities that may carry over into future interests,” said Gerriann Armstrong, the camp registrar.

Discovery Camp is for children seven to 12 years old who do arts and crafts, swimming and boating.

Camp Cougar, a wilderness camp for teens 13 to 17 years old, focuses on team building, self-reliance, hiking, a climbing wall, high ropes and a giant swing. 

About 125 campers come each week from June 25 to Aug. 3, and about 75 paid and volunteer staff are on site for each camp.

In 2018, there are two new options, a Band Camp July 2 to 7 for sixth to eighth graders, and a Sailing Day Camp from 9 a.m. to noon for the six-week camp season.  Regular campers also have access to sailing.

Each year, Camp Gifford brings international young adult staff through the Salvation Army Discipleship School in Australia and Camp America.  Usually about 10 come to give the campers an opportunity to learn about other cultures.  The international staff have an opportunity to learn about U.S. life at camp and to travel six weeks after.

Gerriann, who grew up in Spokane and moved with her family in the military, studied social work at Southern Connecticut University. She returned to Spokane in 1995 and began working with the Salvation Army’s program on homelessness in 2000.  She joined the Salvation Army then.

She took a few years off to be with her child who has autism. She does autism advocacy locally and statewide.

In the winter, Gerriann raises money in the Red Kettle program.

“Those funds supplement costs for families who cannot afford to send their children to camp.  Those funds also support other Salvation Army programs for children and families,” she said.

For information, call 329-2759 or email gerriann.armstrong@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Copyright © June 2018 - The Fig Tree