2025 Summer Camp Series

Director uses skills at Ross Point Camp

 

Since Jan. 17, Adam Gustafson has been applying his skills as an aerospace machinist, nonprofit volunteer, associate pastor and camper in his role as interim executive director of Ross Point Camp and Conference Center at Post Falls.

After graduating from Ferris High School in 2006, he began doing precision hand machining to make dies for fasteners like airplane rivets. Two years ago, after 17 years in that work, he decided to focus on ministry.

At Engage, the South Spokane church he has attended for 25 years, he has been on staff for three years in youth ministry, audio-visual and multimedia communication, construction, administration and finances.

Realizing his call to ministry five years ago, he is now in a seminary program with Kairos, which trains clergy through mentorship.

At Ross Point, where Adam was a camper for many years, he coordinates a staff of managers responsible for food services, guest services, maintenance, administration and resource development. When the maintenance manager was away and a pipe broke, he fixed it. When equipment broke, he used his welding skills to repair it.

Ross Point is a camp in the summer and conference center year-round, renting to faith groups and others.

The 2025 camps begin the first week of June with Veterinary Leadership Experience.

For the next two weeks St. Joan of Arc, a Catholic program, will use Ross Point for a one-week boys' camp and a one-week girls' camp.

Alderwood, a church in Lynnwood, will then rent Ross Point for two weeks of youth camps.

Next is Camp Journey, which Ross Point once operated and is now an independent nonprofit for families and children whose lives are touched by cancer.

Heritage Baptist Church in Post Falls is planning a family camp in mid-July.

After those camps that run their own programs, Ross Point staff and volunteers, from July 20 to Aug. 9, will offer two weeks of youth camps and one week of family camp for churches of Mission Northwest, with which it is affiliated. Campers and volunteers come from those churches and many different denominations, Adam said.

From Aug. 14 to 17, Ross Point hosts "Beats and Rhythms," a cardio camp for youth with heart problems.

In late August, small groups will use the camp simultaneously for short events such as family reunions, church retreats, a women's quilting group and silent men's and women's retreats by Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Post Falls.

"Our role is to show Christ's love through hospitality to people whose theological beliefs may differ," he said.

Campers experience Christian community through spiritual development, education, social groups and recreation, like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, high ropes, climbing, softball, basketball, volleyball, mini golf, horseshoes, crafts, campfires, singing and more.

For information, call 208-773-1655, email rp@rosspoint.org or visit rosspoint.org.