ALL ABOUT US
Discover your paradise.
Nestled in the mountain valley of McCall, Idaho on the shores of the Payette Lake, Paradise Point Camp was founded in 1935. Our Camp welcomes campers who are ready to engage in spiritual growth and leadership development through faith, fellowship and FUN.
We offer an incredible variety of programs and activities, with an unbelievably beautiful rustic setting and qualified staff who are committed to the enjoyment and safety of all our campers. Join us to create your own memories. You’re invited to find out for yourself why so many campers return to Paradise Point Camp year after year.
PARADISE POINT CAMP PROGRAMS
Building Friendships & Confidence
ADVENTURE COURSE
Paradise Point Camp's adventure course is a place for campers to build strong connections with their team and experience the exhilaration of swinging from the pines. Camp's low ropes course is where cabins become teams, communicating and working together to solve problems. The high ropes course, zip line, climbing wall and natural rock climbing areas encourage campers to stretch their bodies and minds with the encouragement of staff and peers.
WATER SPORTS
Our amazing Water Sports program is an integral part of life at Paradise Point Camp. From traditional activities like free swim, to something a little different like our inflatable obstacle course (the wibit), we guarantee a fun and exhilarating time for all participants. Campers can experience canoeing, kayaking, SUPing, paddle boats, tubing and (for older campers) wake surfing on the beautiful Payette Lake.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
Camp time is a gift to unplug and center ourselves in God's creation. Campers engage in spiritual connection at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and in quiet meditation at the labyrinth. Weekly Eucharist is shared at Paradise Point Camp under the loving guidance that "all may, some should, none must." Learn more about the Episcopal Church here.
TARGET SPORTS
Nothing beats the *ping* of a slingshot ball hitting its target. Try out different bows at the archery range or, for those 12 and up, see if you can burry a hatchet in the target at the axe throwing range! Slingshots, archery and axe throwing challenge campers' focus, stability and precision as they gain confidence in their abilities.
CERAMICS
Creative expression thrives in our ceramics program. Try your hand at the wheel or create a masterpiece by hand. Campers staying at Paradise Point for more than one week can take home completed, glazed works of art.
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES
Campers enjoy easy and moderate hikes on Paradise Point's preserved property. Deer, foxes, osprey, wildflowers and the prized huckleberry all make their home at camp. Campers experience overnight campouts, sleeping under the spectacular view of the Milky Way.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Campers in our Leader In Training (LIT), Staff In Training (SIT), or Junior Staff (JRS) programs are preparing themselves to be community and camp leaders. Campers discuss what leadership looks like and put lessons into action, caring for Paradise Point Camp and younger campers. Leadership Development campers are on the path to being engaged, thoughtful and service-minded world changers.
WHAT DO EPISCOPALIANS BELIEVE?
We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
FROM OUR CAMP FAMILIES
Camp has taught me more about myself and the type of person that I want to be than any other place. It taught me how to love and accept myself for who I am and who I will become. I’ve grown so much over my years of being there and I will always hold the lessons it has taught me close.
Amanda (Leader In Training Camper)
I started going to camp at three years old with my grandparents and haven’t missed a summer since. This might have something to do with why I come back every year. But I think it’s the friends and the variety of activities. I think this is what makes me go back every year.
Henry Crumrine (Youth Camper)
We had our wedding here and all we can say is that it is the most incredible place on earth. The staff, location, and everything about it exceeded all expectations. Marty and Megan were able to provide everything we needed and made it and outstanding experience. We hope to return every few years as it is now one of our favorite places on earth. Love you paradise point!!
Brandon Sturm (Guest Group)
PARADISE POINT CAMP HISTORY
This beautiful setting of Paradise Point Camp has been available to be enjoyed by members of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho for over 85 years. The Point's 20 acres were acquired, by the then “Missionary District of Idaho”, for a summer camp in the fall of 1935. Initially there was no road access and the only access to the camp was by boat. In 1936 Bishop Bartlett obtained a $4,000 grant from the “Women’s Auxiliary of the Diocese of New York” to build Barnwell Hall, which is still used today as the camp dining room.
The first camping season started in 1938. Also in that year, 30 additional acres were added to the camp allowing the property to eventually obtain road access. In 1939 a film crew making the movie “Northwest Passage” filmed some scenes at the camp. If you have seen the movie, there is an evening scene, with a group of Native Americans launching their canoes from the camp beach. You can clearly see the familiar rocks of the Point and the interconnecting island chain in the background. As you might guess, the camp program for that summer was interrupted as the campers spent time watching the moviemakers.
In the 1940’s Paradise Point Camp eventually added a number of small sleeping cabins and a bathhouse. During the early years primarily the District clergy and their families used the camp as a place for study and recreation. In 1941, 50 people were reported to have used the camp to attend “training school”. By 1953 programs were developed to provide programs for “young people and adults. In 1957, 217 people used the camp and plans were being made to provide a recreation hall, to upgrade the electricity, water and plumbing systems as well as providing additional sleeping cabins. By 1962 the District raised the money to build the present Foote Recreation Hall.
In 1982 King Hall was built as a place with more modern conveniences. Today the King Hall provides six sleeping rooms with shared bathrooms, and the present Health Center. Also during that time, the original infirmary was built; a building that now serves as the staff bathhouse. With the formation of the McCall Sewer District the camp was finally connected to the McCall city sewer system.
In the mid 1990s the State of Idaho required an upgrade for the camp drinking water supply. A new water treatment facility was built and the camp now has a modern water treatment plant supplying some of the cleanest and safest drinking water in the state
TODAY AND TOMORROW’S CAMP
Since the early 1990’s and continuing on today, there has been an effort within the Diocese to make the camp a more integral part of the diocesan youth and Christian education programs. The camp is a resource gem for the Diocese, and the camp program continues to use the natural beauty of Paradise Point to help campers of all ages to relate to the beauty of God’s natural creation. The operations side of camp has an ongoing emphases on safety, staff expertise, lots of fun, and good food, so that once someone has been to Paradise Point Camp, they always want to come back no matter what their age.
Today this fabulous camp location and Christian education gem for the Diocese is still being improved and the program and camp operations continually expanded into the spring, fall and even winter periods. As the program, safety and capabilities of Paradise Point Camp are expanded and improved, it is important that the members of the Diocese of Idaho contribute their time, talents, and treasury to continue the work started by those early visionaries some 85 years ago for the use and improvement of this true “Gem of the Mountains”.