Joshua Arroyave, originally from Houston, Texas, attended the University of the Ozarks with dreams of playing soccer. However, during his sophomore year, he found himself at a crossroads and decided to leave the sport. Meanwhile, Jean Dodds from Oklahoma had spent her youth immersed in the world of summer camps, both as a camper and a counselor at Dwight Mission. When her beloved camp began to decline, Jean sought a new place to channel her passion for camp life.

In 2019, Josh discovered Ferncliff through friends who had worked there and decided to join as a counselor, seeking a new challenge and a way out of his slump. “I was in a slump and wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” he shared. That same year, Jean, in search of a new camp after her previous one, also found Ferncliff and joined as a counselor.

Upon arriving at Ferncliff, both Jean and Joshua were initially nervous. Josh, an only child, had never worked with kids before, while Jean was adjusting to the larger scale of Ferncliff compared to her previous camp experiences. However, their apprehensions quickly turned into excitement and fulfillment. They bonded during staff training and ‘Camp To You’, a unique camp experience in Rustin, Louisiana, where they brought the camp to a new community.

The summer of 2019 was transformative for both. They found joy in their roles and formed a close-knit group with other counselors. Jean and Joshua’s friendship blossomed during a spontaneous hiking trip, which turned out to be their first date. “I thought it was a group hike, but it ended up just being us,” Jean recalled with a laugh. This marked the beginning of their relationship, which has now lasted nearly five years.

They returned in 2021 and it solidified their passion for working with children. Josh expressed, “Seeing campers from 2019 remember me and ask if I could be their counselor again was the moment I knew I wanted to work with kids.”

Today, Jean is a P.E. teacher, a career choice inspired by her time at Ferncliff. “Many of the games I play with my students are ones I learned at camp,” she shared. Joshua continues to work in education and looks forward to creating more impactful experiences for kids. They plan to celebrate their five-year anniversary in Florida, where Jean will see clear blue water for the first time.

Reflecting on their journey, Josh said, “Ferncliff helped me find my path and passion.” Jean added, “The memories and the impact we have on campers keep us going.” Their story is a testament to the transformative power of camp experiences and the lasting bonds formed through shared adventures.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our donors and supporters. Your generosity ensures that transformative experiences like these continue to shape lives and build lifelong connections. Thank you for making stories like Josh and Jean’s a reality.