The Forge campground offers a wide range of spiritual and outdoor activities.
Rappelling
Secure anchors have been installed atop a 90 foot granite precipice with a beautiful view of the surrounding valley and the creek below. Certified facilitators and proper equipment must be provided by each group, and a safety waiver must be signed by all participants prior to use. See Safety Guidelines for more information.
Obstacle Course
The obstacle course includes a handhold-less scaling wall, two balance beams, a peg-board wall, a climbing rope, a pull-saw station, a hot-lava swing (actual lava not included), and many other activities. Many activities require teamwork and provide a healthy dose of competition.
Hiking
The Forge property itself has many hiking trails, with more to come. We also share a border with the Catherine Creek young women’s camp and Wallowa-Whitman National Park, both of which offer many additional hiking trails.
Swimming
Catherine Creek runs through The Forge campground for more than half a mile. A secluded wading area is being established and undergoing further development.
Burden Hike
Sometimes we choose to unnecessarily carry the burden of our sins and sorrows alone. When we turn to our Savior, He can take away that burden. For the burden hike, young men start with empty backpacks. As they progress along the uphill trail representing this life, rocks are added to their bags until they stagger from the weight. At last, when they reach the highest point on the property, their burdens are lifted from their backs, and a devotional is given relating their experience to the burdens that each of us carry, and the power of Jesus Christ to lift us and make us free. They are then free to head back down the path without any burden at all.
Rocks are provided, but young men must bring their own bags.
Tree of Life Experience
In 1 Nephi, we read about Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life, where an iron rod leads faithful followers through the mist of darkness to the safety of our Father’s love. For the Tree of Life experience, young men are blindfolded and told to follow the “iron rod.” Branches may claw, roots may trip, and the voices of trusted leaders may soon try to lead them astray, but if the young men are faithful, they will reach the beautiful Tree of Life.
All props are provided.
Handcart Trail
The early members of the Church waded through much suffering and affliction. One such trying task they faced was crossing the plains by handcart. Help young men appreciate the sacrifice of their predecessors by pulling their own handcarts up hills, over rocks, through trees, and back to the safety of the camp. Half-day and full-day handcart routes are available.
Twenty sturdy handcarts are available and may be rented for $10 each. Fee helps cover repair costs.
Enos Experience
In the Book of Mormon, we read about Enos and his prayer that lasted all day and all night. Young men are invited to find their own quiet place in the woods to connect with the Lord, for perhaps an hour. Many lives have already been changed by this simple yet profound experience. And, no props needed!
Service Projects
The Forge exists thanks to the generous contributions of many kind people. Your group is invited to participate in the ongoing camp development. See the Service Projects page for a list of our current projects.