Category: Blog

For the first time, I got to spend all summer at Camp. On bus days, I checked in campers at our Richmond office and made sure they were on the bus, and then followed the bus to Camp. It was a summer of seeing first hand so much of what I had heard about from my own kids. I ate meals in the Dining Hall. I filled water pitchers and set tables, and then shared a meal and got to talk to campers about their day and their lives. It is a Biblical idea that we share so much around a table, and these times were sacred (and loud and chaotic). A couple of evenings I was on creek duty. I got to watch campers wade in the creek, skip…

I started my graduate degree at Camp Alkulana before I even finished college. I just didn’t know it yet. When I first came up the driveway about 10 years ago, nervous and not knowing anyone, I had no idea that I was preparing myself for my future career. I was hoping to have a fun summer outside and make a little money–which I did for many years, but I also gained confidence, lifelong friendships, and skills I still use every single day. Some nights around the campfire or while eating lunch at the top of Flag Rock, I’d think, Man, I wish I could be a camp counselor forever. I still haven’t figured out how to do that and have decent health insurance, but I think I’ve found the next…

Repacking Christmas presents for Alkulana campers and their siblings is truly an experience filled with gratitude and humility. What moves me isn’t the bags filled with gifts, the amount of behind-the-scenes coordination required on the part of many dedicated individuals, or even the chaos that inevitably comes with the whole experience. Each year, I am more and more aware of two things. First, parents have entrusted us with the care of their Christmas morning,with the responsibility of making it special for their little ones, which is an honor and a privilege.Second, someone took time and resources out of their busy day to Christmas shop for a child they’ve never met. Those two things never fail to amaze me. As we sit amongst the bags and bags of gifts, Beth and…

View Gracie's service here:

Beloved friend, mentor, and former camp director, Gracie Kirkpatrick passed away in her sleep on Monday, November 4, 2024. Gracie began her work at Camp Alkulana in 1966, as a swim instructor, and later, program director. In 1978, Gracie became the Camp Director and provided leadership for the camp for the next thirty years. Gracie considered Camp Alkulana “a very definite calling” in her life, and said her purpose was “to help children to know that they are loved—by us, and even more so by God—and that they don’t have to be anything other than who they are to be loved.” She sought to create “a slice of heaven” for children and staff within the camp community, and ended up finding her chosen family there too. Gracie’s dedication and leadership…

Buy your tickets now! Join us at the most anticipated event this year: Lights, Camera, AUCTION! We're rolling out the red carpet for you. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 5 pm at Derbyshire Baptist Church.

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It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share about of the death of our beloved camp counselor and friend, Taj Gregory, who passed away unexpectedly on November 28. Taj is remembered for his gentle spirit, loyal friendship, and hilarious sense of humor. Our camp staff, his family, and an entire community are grieving. This is a space to share memories of Taj. Simply type your stories in the comment thread below. Stories bind us together and help us heal, whether they’re funny or serious, recent or from the far past. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. [gallery columns="4" size="large" ids="3759,3760,3761,3762"]