2025 Grant Recipients
$2,500 Grant Recipients
Kamp Kaleo - Added six new kayaks to their fleet.
Pacific Northwest Conference UCC - for N-Sid-Sen - Camp N-Sid-Sen, in a time of transition, worked together with the Pacific Northwest Conference and put together a consulting team to look at feasibility and a plan to move forward to create a viable and sustainable camp.
Pilgrim Lodge—Added new elements and training for Low Ropes Course
$1,000 Grant Recipients
Heartland Conference Center— Brought 2 German Counselors to assist their summer program.
Slumber Falls— Began developing a low ropes course.
Talahi— Offered scholarships to Gender Diverse Campers
One Camp’s Story
How Pilgrim Lodge Used their Deering Grant
In 2025, Pilgrim Lodge was the grateful recipient of a Deering Grant which supported the funds to get our low ropes course back online after a year of closure. The funds allowed for the addition of two new elements to our low ropes course, a Multi-Swing Nitro Crossing and a KYooB added to our challenge course along with the baseline inspection needed to get our equipment safely back online. Utilizing an opportunity for matching funds for professional development available through a statewide grant program in Maine, we were able to train the full Program Staff of Pilgrim Lodge in low ropes course facilitation to ensure that all staff knew how to provide programming on the new elements added to the course.
Group Challenges using low ropes course elements are an important part of Pilgrim Lodge programming that takes place during an activity period called Family Group Time. Participation in Challenges help campers begin to form group cohesion as a foundation for relationship and trust building to enhance their week together. They provide an experience of risk-taking, vulnerability, and appropriate physical connection between campers, recognizing that stretching beyond comfort zones in a safe and supported environment deepens group relationships and individual resilience. This group cohesion is foundational to the activities of the Family Faith Group which includes creating liturgy together to offer worship experiences for the full camp community and daily exploration of Pilgrim Lodge’s faith-based curriculum. The trusting relationships created through shared experiences of vulnerability and risk-taking at the beginning of the week allows campers to discuss and share perspectives of their own faith and how it influences their engagement with the broader world.
Providing a supportive environment for campers to connect on this deep and powerful level is,ultimately, the value-added and transformational experience that our camp, as an Outdoor Ministries program, is able to offer. The Deering Grant has played a pivotal role in making this opportunity possible. Thank you!