Koinonia Christian Camp and Retreat Center Corp

Located in Central Washington, Camp Koinonia is surrounded by the Cascade Mountains with 111 acres to explore.

With a rich history of campers, retreaters, camp staff, volunteers and donors, Camp Koinonia provides guests with a unique experience in the woods. Nestled in the tall pines and towering mountains, Koinonia offers a rustic hideaway with several perks. 

Camp Koinonia is reaching out to invite you to support our outdoor education experience that has a lasting impact on young people—on the trail, in the water, on the farm, in the studio, and by the water’s edge.

Through our outdoor education program and day camp, students gain hands-on learning, confidence, and a deeper connection to the world around them. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to step outside the classroom and learn by doing—exploring ecosystems, working together, and discovering new strengths in unfamiliar environments.

Swimming is a particularly meaningful part of our program. For many low-income students, access to safe swimming opportunities and instruction is extremely limited. Learning to swim is not only joyful and empowering, but also a critical life skill. In a supportive, supervised environment, students build confidence in the water, overcome fear, and experience success that often carries into other areas of their lives.

With the development of our new farm and garden, students would spend time learning on a working farm, which is a transformative experience for many. On the farm, students connect their food to the land, learn where meals come from, and develop respect for the labor that sustains their communities. Caring for plants teaches them how fruits and vegetables are grown and get to taste from the earth which builds responsibility, patience, and pride—especially for students who may not otherwise have access to green spaces or hands-on learning.

Fishing in our pond offers students a different but equally valuable kind of learning. Time spent fishing teaches patience, focus, and respect for nature while giving students a quiet space to reflect and connect with their surroundings. For many, it’s their first experience fishing, and the sense of excitement and pride that comes with learning a new skill—or catching their first fish—can be truly unforgettable. Fishing also reinforces environmental stewardship and an understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

In our new ceramics program, students would be given the opportunity to experience growth through creativity and self-expression. Working with clay helps students slow down, focus, and take pride in creating something with their own hands. Ceramics encourage persistence, problem-solving, and confidence, especially powerful for students who may struggle in traditional academic settings.

Through our Mountain Biking program, students build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.  Mountain biking teaches far more than riding trails. Students learn goal setting and perseverance, trail stewardship and environmental responsibility, risk management and decision-making, teamwork and peer encouragement, physical fitness and mental wellness.

This year, we’re working to raise $25,000 to ensure that cost is not a barrier for any student who wants to participate. Your contribution will help cover swimming instruction and life jackets, farm and garden programming, ceramics supplies, fishing gear, new mountain bikes and maintenance and scholarships for students who otherwise couldn’t attend.

A gift of any size truly makes a difference whether you are fulfilling a specific program or a gift to go towards sponsoring a student’s outdoor education experience.

If you’re able to give, you can donate here. If you’re not able to contribute right now, sharing our mission with others is just as appreciated.

Thank you for helping us provide meaningful outdoor, creative, and hands-on experiences that inspire confidence, curiosity, and lifelong skills.