Personal and Spiritual Renewal
Change Lives for the Better—Forever
Ferncliff’s remarkable growth is a testament to the generous commitments of those who believe in providing hope, healing, and formation for all. Join us in our mission to maintain Ferncliff as a safe, sustainable, and enjoyable sanctuary for everyone. By making a gift today, you ensure future generations have access to the transformative power of creation, the warmth of community, and the revitalization of their personal and spiritual selves for generations to come.
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Lives Changed
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- “In the midst of one of the most difficult times in my life, Ferncliff provided a place that I could step away and heal.”
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- “The counselors go above and beyond to get to know our kids and their differences, their uniqueness, and include them.”
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- “It is here that I developed quality standards for work environments. It is here that I learned to value relational ministry.”
Connect. Inspire. Transform.
Ferncliff’s goal is to bring people together, inspire them, and make positive changes in their lives. But in order to continue making a big impact, Ferncliff needs to improve its facilities.
We have already started planning to make things better by building new structures and renovating older ones. Once these improvements are complete, Ferncliff will see significant growth.
If you want to learn more about the projects and how they will improve people’s lives, you can download the Case for Support document.
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We’re building momentum and it’s all powered by the incredible support of this community. Let’s keep going. Give today and let’s finish strong.
Thanks to you, we’ve already renovated Evergreen Hall into a vibrant, gathering space. Belden Pond has a whole new energy with a spacious deck and dock, an expanded beach, and an exciting Aqua Park already making waves with our campers.
And now, construction is officially underway on Ferncliff Commons – a new facility that will serve campers, guests, and community members for generations to come.
Campaign Projects
Stream Restoration
Ferncliff staff and board members have spent substantial time considering what to do about the lake on the conference center side. While iconic to many guests, it creates problems with upkeep, transportation, and maintenance. It is difficult for campers to interact with the lake because of the marshy and soggy shoreline. This artificial lake does not align with our values as conservationists.
- Enhanced Habitat
- Improves water quality, removing sediment, and creating a healthier aquatic ecosystem.
- Increased Biodiversity
- Creates a thriving ecosystem for flora and fauna including butterflies, moths, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
and mammals.
- Creates a thriving ecosystem for flora and fauna including butterflies, moths, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
- Interactive Experiences
- Tours, Guided Experiences, Educational materials, videos, and signage developed to enhance understanding and connection.
- Improved Accessibility
- Increased access to the stream includes rock beaches, trails and numerous paths, boardwalks and seating areas.
The open air chapel will become the focal point of the conference center area at Ferncliff. Perched above the stream, this space will invoke a sense of connection to nature and provide a great view of the moving water.
At this time, Ferncliff does not have a chapel or covered worship space in the conference area large enough to accommodate groups of any significant size. This chapel would allow guests to worship outside, hold weddings or use it for other important events. The chapel will be designed to hold 100+ people but also be intimate enough for small gatherings. The chapel will make Ferncliff ideal for faith based conferences and retreats, weddings and other religious services.
Williams Lodge has served Ferncliff for over 50 years, but time has taken its toll. Persistent water damage, plumbing issues, and a failing foundation have made the building increasingly difficult—and costly—to maintain. Its current lodging no longer meets the needs of today’s guests and is not suitable for future conference use.
Due to its location and the cost of repairs, renovating Williams Lodge isn’t a viable option. Instead, Ferncliff plans to replace it with a new, purpose-built lodging and meeting facility—designed for comfort, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.
Once complete, this project will allow Ferncliff to:
- Host regional and national conferences, generating up to $500K annually
- Add 14 adult lodging rooms, accommodating up to 5 guests each
- Welcome thousands more visitors each year
- Offer outstanding hospitality to retreat and conference guests
- Advance our mission to help people learn, grow, and be restored
Ferncliff Commons
✅ Project Complete
The Ferncliff Commons serves as a youth dining hall for up to 120 people and offer flexible indoor programming space. It provides a cool, sheltered spot during hot days, inclement weather, and for special events like camp closing programs. The building features an easy-to-use commercial kitchen, allowing retreat groups to prepare their own meals – something many have requested.
Remodel of Evergreen Hall
✅ Project Complete
The transformation of Evergreen Hall—Ferncliff’s original dining hall and more recently called the PAC—is now complete! The former enclosed porch is now a spacious, light-filled meeting room. Renovated bathrooms and new guest and professional laundry facilities make the building better equipped to host larger groups year-round.
The space now includes upgraded A/V capabilities and high-speed fiber internet, while site improvements enhance both function and aesthetics.
In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, renovations prioritized energy efficiency, with high-efficiency lighting, appliances, eco-friendly finishes, and water-saving fixtures—ensuring this historic building is ready for a greener future.
Belden Pond Improvements
✅ Project Complete
Belden Pond has always been a favorite Ferncliff destination—where campers swim, canoe, and splash their way through summer. As one of the most-loved and most-used areas of camp, it recently received some much-needed upgrades.
A new dock and spacious waterfront deck are now complete, offering safer, more functional access to the water and a welcoming space to gather. The Aquapark, first installed in 2023, was expanded in 2024, and the beachfront was widened ahead of summer 2025 to create more room for water games, lounging, and lakeside fun.
With these upgrades, Belden Pond is better than ever—ready to welcome the next generation of campers.
