Summer Camps of Faith Communities - By Emma Maple

Camp Spalding expects a more 'normal' season

By Emma Maple

Camp Spalding, founded by area Presbyterian churches in 1957, has recovered from the sting of COVID, and enters this year stronger than ever, said executive director Andy Sonneland. It will have to a more normal season with eased COVID restrictions.

"Since the beginning, we have followed all state mandates as they pertain to summer camps," Andy said. "At this time there are no required COVID restrictions."

Some improvements that have been made include a new screened dining deck.

The camp in the Selkirk Mountains is also planning to build about $650,000 of waterfront projects. These plans have already been cleared by five different government agencies.

Camp Spalding is also working on is a complete rebuild of their high-ropes course.

Even though registration has not closed, Camp Spalding has filled five summer camps.

"We have more campers registered at this point in the spring than at any time in our 65-year history," Andy said. "It's hard to know where things will end up, but we're off to a great start."

To accommodate the campers, Camp Spalding has hired a total of 38 summer staffers, including some from Ohio, Arizona, Colorado and California.

For information, call 447-4388, email andy@clearwaterlodge.org or visit campspalding.org.