While many doctors prescribe routine pills and/or diet changes for most ailments, two local doctors of the White Mountains, Jennifer Jensen and Ian Brimhall, tell their patients to take “two weeks in nature and call them in the morning.” 

A growing trend across the globe, Time Magazine published an article in April 2022 with the same claim, entitled “Why Doctors are Prescribing Nature Walks.” Though it’s not an intended cure-all or meant to replace needed medications for serious illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes, studies over the past century encourage youth and families to take regular outdoor adventures as another resource to battle depression, anxiety, and other related mental health issues.

Enter Camp Grace.

The Camp Grace Mission statement features a “majestic place” for families, youth and the community with active verbiage to discover, celebrate, seek adventure, build confidence, and inspire others along the way. In other words, it’s a place to belong and discover who you are without the distraction of the world.

“As soon as you walk onto camp, there’s an amazing spirit here,” said Dr. Jennifer Brimhall, Camp Grace founder and director. The spirit found on the grounds dates back to the 1950s, long before the towering trees of Pinetop-Lakeside became an official city in 1984. The Camp Grace legacy began in 1953 as a young women’s camp for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Young girls ages 12-18 gathered around a campfire to sing, develop skills and find solace from the modern world. At that time, the camp was built just outside the more developed areas at the top of the Mogollon Mountains at almost 7,000 feet in elevation. In the 1980s, Mission of Grace became the proprietors of the camp and added a chapel and fully equipped kitchen. Endless summer camps for many youth groups and families began at this time through Mission Grace, a non-denominational Christian faith. Today, the current program has kept the same affiliation for campers.

Fast forward 40-plus years, a series of unfortunate economic events soon found the camp in serious disrepair and at risk of being demolished. The property nearly became commercialized into a strip mall. Then in 2019, the Brimhall Family was invited to save the historical camp. After many years of coaching and town leadership, the family was known for creating a culture of love for the community and a passion to restore rather than destroy. They accepted and quickly began to round up support and revitalize the grounds. The focus was to expand opportunities for adventurers with an emphasis on sports, mental clarity, and physical fitness.

“Though it’s a major challenge, our goal is to bring it all back to its former glory,” Brimhall said. Plumbing, structural, and electrical problems continue to plague the major undertaking, but Brimhall said many of the obstacles have been conquered with a little creativity. Because Camp Grace is non-profit, grants and other related resources continue to fund the major costs, often exceeding 100K annually. Local critters such as squirrels, elk, and raccoons feel quite at home on the campgrounds as well, adding to some of the damages and upkeep.

Outreach youth programs such as Elevate + Grace, a non-profit leadership, performance, and adventure organization, and Ivory + Grace which hosts celebrations, events, and other events year-round help support the camp. In partnership with White Mountain Development Company and The She Corporation, other programs for the present and future development phases are also in the works. 

The efforts to revitalize the camp and provide more youth programs for the community are just a few of the motives behind the Brimhall’s drive and desire to improve the camp experience each year. 

“Navajo County has 3 times the average in drug-related deaths and close to the same average of deaths by suicide,” Brimhall continues. “To be quite honest–I can’t stand by and watch another one of my friends or family members lose someone dear to drug abuse or suicide.”

Future Projects in honor of those lost include a rock climbing wall, Chase Tower, and the blue spruce tree path named Jaden Forest, where 42 blue spruce trees point upward toward heaven. These personal memorials add more charm, spirit, and inspiration to the 1,400 campers who experience Camp Grace annually. Campers are given opportunities to learn archery and high-altitude athletic skills through the low ropes courses or to feel the wind high in the trees upon a zip line. Horseback riding, swimming, Ninja warrior courses, sports, and music theater camps are also offered. This year’s sports camps included basketball and soccer with a plan to expand to football and volleyball next year. The camp followed a Finding Neverland theme with day and overnight programs offered. More so, all campers had the opportunity to attend camp free of charge for one week or more due to 2022 grants found to cover costs.

One of the purposes of the camp is to provide some of the same opportunities given to kids and families in bigger cities like Phoenix, but with a hometown twist. Another focus is to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth gracing its halls and grounds in order to create a more happy, healthy, and fulfilled life.

“People can have homegrown, homemade, Pinetop-Lakeside experiences right here. This is meant to be a gift to our community.” Brimhall said.

Camp Grace centers their efforts and activity on 5 main components designed to stimulate life fulfillment–Creativity, Togetherness, Endorphin related events, Adrenalin rush, and last but not least, Meditation.

The Brimhall's also wish to call the community to action and contribute to another goal. The aim is to collect more stories, photographs, and events from its almost 70-year history for a future documentary. The hope is to learn more about this treasured, sacred place amid the towering pines of the White Mountains. If you have any questions, information, or photographs about Camp Grace or would like to sponsor or donate to the camp, go to www.campgraceaz.com.