Determination and sure commitment have been at the foundation of Ed and Joyce McClanahan’s lifelong passions. These happily include Camp Cross, where they met, and where Ernie Campbell performed their wedding ceremony.

Joyce says, “We are a Camp Cross family. Our six children have all attended multiple times, and our son, Paul Meyer, spent three wonderful summers working at camp. Another son who lives in the area has begun taking his young family to camp.”

When Joyce and Ed made their decisions about which charities to support this past year, they immediately thought of Camp Cross. Their gift of $5,000 establishes the Camp Cross Endowment, which will eventually help fund the camp through perpetual earnings.

“We support Camp Cross for the unique opportunity it presents as a place quite literally set apart from daily life,” says Joyce. “I love the feeling of magic that starts with the boat crossing. It’s emotionally and psychologically a meaningful, stage-setting experience. It presents a threshold to cross into a sacred place.”

“The Camp Cross experience is a blessing for every person in the Diocese, especially the young who are so open to new life and for those who can ‘lift their eyes.’ ”

Joyce and Ed McClanahan believe that we all deserve the magic of Camp Cross. “Magic happens with such ingredients as singing and roasting marshmallows over a fire by the lake, or in the dining hall on a rainy night; adding pieces to a picture puzzle;playing games; working together on a project to improve camp; taking a hike; participating in sports; trying to pass the canoe test; making a dash to the ‘greenhouse’ at night and finding the way back in the dark; comforting and being comforted by friends; sharing stories; and singing table grace. It’s the magic of sharing joy and praise in His Creation.”

The Camp Cross Endowment represents a new way to invest in the future of our Church. If you would like information about contributing to the Endowment, or to the Camp Cross Annual Fund, please contact the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane Foundation at (509) 624-3191 or foundation@spokanediocese.org.