The information on this page is second, third and fourth hand!  Little historic information exists at Camp presently. If you have any history of the Deer Lake region, Camp Gifford or The Salvation Army's work in Steven's County please e-mail us and let us know.  What did camp look like when you were here?  Where were the cabins, campfire pit and etc.   Send us any information you have!

E-mail us with your personal camp stories or camp history!!!

We'd also like to have more recent history - personal stories about your experiences at camp as either camper or staff member.  Did you meet your wife or husband here while on staff? - Did you meet Jesus Christ here while you were a camper? - E-mail or write us (addresses can be found on Camp's Home Page).

CAMP HISTORY - The property which is now Camp Gifford was purchased in the early 1920's, most likely 1921.  At that time the Deer Lake area was undeveloped with the exception of logging roads and a few cabins around the lake.

Camps began at Camp Gifford (then named Camp Cougar) in the mid-1920's.  Camp was not much more than tents and open fires - but the lessons the kids learned were much the same as today.  They were taught about nature, learned new skills and learned about their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Camp was not near to power, water or sewer.   There were few stores or amenities within many miles of our location.  Bears, cougar, elk, deer...wildlife of all types were at times prominent at Camp Cougar.

In the 1930's the first cabins were built on the Camp.  The camp occupied only a small section of land between Deer Lake Road and Deer Lake itself.  Over the next decade more cabins were built, a dining facility was created and camp began to take shape.   In the 1930's the name of Camp was changed from Camp Cougar to Camp Gifford (in honor of Captain Gifford, a Salvation Army minister who was said to have loved children) - one reason for the name change appears to have been that mothers in Spokane were afraid to send their kids to a place called Camp "Cougar".

Over the next 30 to 40 years the camp grew little by little.  Additions were built onto the dining hall,  the little cabins that were built were occasionally moved to different locations, a boat house (in fact a few different boathouses) were built, the White House by the beach was built.  The next major addition to Camp was in the early 1970's when a group of A-frames and central bath facility were built across the road from the rest of camp's buildings.  The boy's moved into the new cabins across the road and camp was now able to accept more campers!

The next major physical improvement to camp came in the 1980's when another group of A-frames and central bathroom were built a couple hundred yards from the first A-frame village.  Came was now able to accept 120 children or more for all ten weeks of the summer!

In the mid-1990's the cost of providing ten weeks of summer programming became a larger expense than the Salvation Army Corps (church) in Spokane could bear.  A decision was made to open the camp up to retreat groups for rentals, conferences and special occasions.   A year round Camp Administrator was hired (in addition to an existing Caretaker) and the work began!  During the years of 1995 and 1996 much work was done to physically enable Camp to operate throughout the winter months.  Mailings were sent out to local churches and non-profit businesses to generate business.  In 1995 only five rental groups made use of Camp - but last year, in 1998, 22 groups made use of our facility.  Not only does this enable us to make use of God's property at camp to provide life-changing experiences to our rental groups - it also enables us to make on-going improvements in programming and property changes at the camp.

In 1994 a new Pavilion was built funded by the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary.  This was the first major project of many funded by the Women's Auxiliary (and they are still going strong).  The golf tournament and dinner/auction that the ladies hold each year has raised a phenomenal amount of money, much of which has come to camp to benefit the children that attend here.  You will note as you continue to read that much of our new growth has been a direct gift of the Women's Auxiliary.  In addition to all the direct good they have done they have also been a catalyst of growth and an inspiration to myself and others.

In 1997 some major changes were accomplished with help from a combined State and Federal program called "Americorps" (working through a local state program called "Educational Services District 101").  Major David Bowler (the then Spokane City Coordinator) and Ray Anton (director of the Americorps program) began the challenge of allowing a group of young men and women, so with troubled pasts, to take on a major construction project.  Bathrooms were built onto the A-frames (campers no longer needed to go out into the dark to find a restroom) and two new homes were built for permanent staff at camp.  The project was a huge success.  The new homes are beautiful and the bathrooms were a VERY welcome addition to our staff, campers and weekend guests.  Currently, working with the same program, Camp Gifford is preparing to build a new Dining Facility - a big step in providing retreat income and in paving the way for more campers.  Ultimately we would like to increase our capacity to 150 campers and 40-50 staff (right now it's about 120 campers and 35 staff).

In 1998, with the help and foresight of Major Ben Markham (the current Spokane City Coordinator) nearly 120 acres of property abutting Camp Gifford was purchased.   Until that time camp had occupied only about 20 acres.  The land incorporates hills, a small lake (or large pond - about 30 acres of surface area) and lots of useful space for new, exciting programming.  A teen wilderness program, referred to as "Camp Cougar", began the summer of 1998.  It has continued to grow and thrive since then.  In recent years our teen camper spots can fill up prior to summer beginning.  The Women's Auxiliary in Spokane has been helping to build and fund the wilderness program from the very beginning.  In 1999 they helped buy wall tents (or platform tents), backpacks and cooking equipment.  In more recent years they have helped build a small dining/storage facility, composting bathrooms, canoes and camping equipment.

In the year 2000 "Goliath", Camp Gifford's climbing tower was built by the Program and full time staff at camp under the supervision of an accredited engineer.  Goliath was funded entirely by the Spokane Women's Auxiliary.  The wall has been used by hundreds, possibly thousands, of teens, adults and children to stretch, grow and discover.  It has been an important part of our team and self building programs, especially working with teen populations.

Also in the year 2000 our new big BEAUTIFUL modern lovely dining hall.  The Women's Auxiliary, Comstock Foundation and trust money was used to build our current dining hall.  It is roughly four times as large as our old dining hall (which was literally falling apart and sinking into the ground!) and contains meeting and sleeping rooms, a canteen, a craft area and an amazing modern kitchen. 

A new office/infirmary was built in 2003.  This long needed addition freed up the old office space for use by the Program Team in the summer (boy was it crowded in there before the new office was built) as well as providing a MUCH nicer Infirmary.  When kids get a little sick at camp they now have a comfortable, cool (or warm as the case may be) place to hang out - with private bathrooms and modern equipment.

In 2007-2008 the A-frame bathrooms were updated to create a more sanitary and inviting environment.  The floors were tiled, new shower and bathroom stalls were designed and put into place to enhance privacy for our children and rental groups, and space was created by moving the sinks into the sleeping area of the A-frame.  The remodel was a welcome change as campers from prior years returned to see and use them.

In 2008 we are in the process of putting in a ten hole mini-golf course, a professionally designed and built low ropes area and an 800' zip line.  These projects, once again, are fully funded by the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary in Spokane. 

Over the years the face of camp has changed over and over.  Things grow old and need to be fixed or replaced.  But the heart of camp has remained constant.  Our mission and our resolve to achieve our mission continues to drive our efforts all year long.  The children who come here are frequently the children whom other camps won't  accept - whether for financial or behavioral reasons.  Camp Gifford has given thousands of at-risk children the opportunity to find new foundations and to believe in themselves even when they live in an environment where no one else may believe in them.  We tell them that they can be whatever dream is in their heart if they are willing to work hard and make good choices.  And we teach them about a powerful God that loves them soooo much and that can help them to achieve their goals and strengthen who they are.

Camp has a lot of beautiful buildings and property and cool stuff.  But the reality is that none of those things can actually change a child's life.  People change people, and God changes people through people.  In order for camp to succeed we need money.  We pay our staff so humbly to work so hard!  And even so we frequently struggle to pay our bills.  We would love to have you be partners with us in our ministry.  And please remember us in your will as well.  If you are interested in planned giving concerning camp please give us a call.  There is specific wording that needs to be in your will or trust that will make sure your money is used exactly how and where you want to use it.  We would love to help provide that information to you.  Just email us at "campgifford@aol.com" or give us a call at 509-233-2511.

That's it for now.  But check back in awhile.  Things are happening at Camp Gifford.  And remember - God loves you!