"When I think of UGM Camp": Hear from Phil Altmeyer

Every summer, about 500 children from Spokane’s low-income neighborhoods are invited by their local church to spend a week at UGM Camp. While UGM provides the wonderful riverfront campground, facilities, and support staff (including a behavioral specialist and nurse), our partner churches provide the programming, speakers, camp counselors, and ongoing connections with the kids. It’s a process that has worked year after year. Kids and their families get connected with their local church and they get a free summer camp experience that helps foster strong relationships with kids their age and trustworthy adults who care about their future.

Hear from Phil Altmeyer, UGM Executive Director, on what Camp means to him.

Good friends

“When I think of UGM Camp, the first word that comes to mind is friendship. There is something about a childhood friend. Those early bonds impact our lives in a way nothing else does—for better or worse. I know when Caryl and I were raising our children, we kept a close eye on the kinds of friendships they were forming. At UGM Camp, kids get to build quality relationships within a safe, supervised (and fun!) setting. Through trust-building exercises, team sports, and a group-oriented challenge course, kids experience the power of working together. And in the evenings, cabin leaders facilitate more intimate discussions about faith, family, and whatever struggles the campers are facing. In this setting, not only do kids enjoy time with new and established friends, but they develop skills that will help them navigate future relationships with wisdom.”

“What I loved most about UGM Camp is that I made new friends, tried new things, and I also hung out with some of my best friends from school.”

- Alliah, 2022 UGM Camper  

The Great Friend

Phil says, “In His great wisdom, the Lord wired us for friendship. He never meant us to do life alone, and neither does He ask us to save ourselves from the chaos and confusion of the world. At the cross, Jesus offered every one of us the outstretched hand of salvation, meaning the troubles faced by children today are never too much for His grace. We want every child to leave on their last day of Camp knowing that Jesus is the greatest friend they will ever have. He is the only friend who will never turn away, never change His mind, never fail to love.
  

“When campers encounter the saving love of Christ, they receive a life-changing hope that goes with them into their schools, their homes, and into future generations."

“I loved getting to go in the river and have a lot of fun. And getting to know Jesus more.” 
- Violet, 2022 UGM Camper  

You can give the gift of Camp for $152  

Thanks to sponsorships from generous community members like you, the chance to attend UGM Camp is provided at no cost to campers or their families. And because we accept no government funding, we are free to teach the good news of Jesus Christ every day.

“Whole or partial sponsorships are greatly appreciated. I also invite you to pray over these young lives. A week of summer camp is a huge gift, but the reality is we’re providing so much more than a camp experience. Being raised in unstable or broken homes is a common denominator among the majority of adults who wind up in UGM shelters. By inviting these children into the safe, healing environment at UGM Camp, we’re helping break the cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction in our region.” – Phil Altmeyer

“I want to thank all the people who made this possible!”

- Alliah, 2022 UGM Camper