Favorite moments from Camp Reed

We asked our Facebook friends to relate their favorite memories of Camp Reed. The responses span decades. Here’s a sampling:

Patrick Lordan

The Hon. Tom Foley (D-Washington and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives) spoke at a benefit for Camp Reed some years ago and told this story. Foley was a camper at Camp Reed in the 1940s, while it was still a boys-only camp. Each day one camper was allowed to ride (walk) a horse up the road about a mile to fetch the mail and walk the horse back. On the day Foley got a turn, he rode out, arrived at the mailbox, then reached in and pulled out the newspaper with the headline, “Japan Surrenders: WWII Is Over!” Forgetting about the rules, the future congressman galloped the horse all the way back to camp, shouting “The War is over!” – That’s the sort of thing that happens at Camp Reed all the time. It’s The Best.

Libby Kennedy

I remember how happy I was when I found out I got hired at camp, it was like my childhood dreams coming true … how often does that happen? Most likely because normal kids want to be princesses and presidents, I just wanted to work at Camp Reed! I adored every second of the two summers I spent working there and I learned some of the most valuable lessons. I remember one summer when we planned an all-girls overnight, three female counselors, our three female junior counselors and at least 21 campers – all girls under the age of 11. We took them all up to the horse pasture for a night of camp stories, roasting marshmallows, and once it got dark a lively game of boom go back (flashlight tag). Our girl power evening was going off without a hitch until it came time to play boom go back, and I’m going to stop here to insist that to this day I believe what we saw, but at some point during the game instead of catching sneaking campers with our flashlights, one of us caught glaring shiny eyes instead … Deer, no problem … it wasn’t until 5 minutes later when the shiny deer eyes were running into the forest we caught another pair of eyes (I swear) that seemed low to the ground. We radioed down to camp and our office staff asked if the eyes were yellow, I just about peed my pants and although the color of the eyes now is a little hazy, you better believe we accounted for every camper and hiked them all back down to camp and had them singing at the top of their little lungs, you know, just in case. We enjoyed a lovely campout on the deck of the general store, and I spent the summer enduring cougar spotting jokes!

Tim French

In the summer before seventh grade, I went to Camp Reed for a week. I was nominated for the trip by faculty and parents from Indian Trail Elementary for academic achievement. My most memorable part about the whole experience was skipping Mass, and getting caught. I wouldn’t have been caught, had I not stepped onto a huge bees nest and been stung so many times that I had to run back to camp (where most everyone was enjoying church) and search for medical attention. Oops!

Rachelle Montanaro

I spent every summer at Camp Reed from 1989-2002 as a camper, counselor in training, junior counselor and counselor. Camp Goodtimes was my favorite week and one camper in particular absolutely changed my life. We were sitting around the campfire on our overnight and she started telling a story about how she was lucky. I thought to myself, how could a 9-year-old girl with cancer feel lucky? She went on to tell a story about how her elementary school principal changed the school rules allowing her to wear a hat at school while she underwent chemo. It meant so much to her and she was so wise beyond her years. I learned to notice, appreciate and be grateful for all the little things. She had such a profound impact on me that I’ve spent my career working in a nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research.

Darrin Myrick

I spent some of the best summers of my early life at Camp Reed in the ’70s. I still remember the mile hike to the other side of the lake to sleep out underneath the stars. And the climb to the top of the – what I thought was a mountain – for the ghost stories by the campfire and one of the counselors jumping out to scare the crap out of us. The dances in the mess hall. Learning to ride a horse. Fishing from the dock and swimming across the lake and back for my badge. Catching turtles in the “mushy pancake” at the far end of the lake. Following the creek up to the top of the hill. It was truly a magical place.

Casey Miller

Spent five summers there as a camper, all great memories. Still catch myself singing songs in my head that I learned there over 20 years ago.

Valerie Kuney Whitman

I met my husband while we were both counselors at Camp Reed. Celebrating our 21st anniversary this October. Tater and Cano!

Josh Law

I went the summer after sixth grade for a week after being nominated from Stevens Elementary. So many memories to be honest. From watching “Spirited Away” outside by the lake, to having a mattress-jousting tournament by the mess hall. But the best was sneaking out at midnight to steal and hide all the chairs in the counselors’ cabin. Then the counselors of the cabins that took part in the raid took lawn chairs to the morning meeting.

Beth Benefiel Bakulich

We moved to Spokane in 2013. Our oldest son transitioning into middle school had the most difficult year, letting us know daily for an entire year that he hated Spokane, how we ruined his life, he had no friends and he was miserable. The final week of school, our son came home and asked if we knew about Camp Reed and that all of his friends were going Week 6, could he go? Camp Reed changed our son’s perspective, and he hasn’t looked back. With two summers at Camp Reed, he looks forward to being a CIT next year. This mom is forever grateful for Camp Reed for the fun, positive difference the entire camp can have on the life of a child. Thank you.

Ginger Smith

I bet I spent at least four or five summers (‘72-’76) at Camp Reed. It was wonderful; I loved riding horses, learning to shoot a .22, did Judo, campfires and singing every night! The list could go on and on. It was a magical place full of wonderful people, and wonderful memories!

Darci Nelson Hastings

I first went to camp as an 8-year-old in 1984 … continued on through the counselor in training and junior counselor programs, and then as a counselor in 1994-1996 and 2002. Now I am on the Camp Reed board and my daughter attended mini-camp for the first time this summer! I can without a doubt say that Camp Reed was the most influential factor in my childhood and college years and my best friends to this day are the people I worked in the summers with.

Becca Hogg

Attended 2010-2012. Some of the best weeks filled with the best memories with the best people. Loved the canoe and bike trips, star tripping (and pranking our buddy cabins). Run by some of the most passionate people (Bucky and Loco) that you’ll ever meet. Truly a place for unadulterated fun for kids and teens. My favorite memory has got to be on the first night the last week I attended. We hiked out to an old and filled sulfur mine and got lost on our way back to the cabin. Cracked jokes and told stories and got a feel for the rest of the people in my cabin and in our buddy cabin and made light of a rather outputting situation. Then there was the task of running through the camp two hours past curfew without getting caught! Sure we were exhausted, but it was worth it and super fun; got to see a lot of cool places that night.

Kaela Marie Byrne

I remember having to sing upfront because I was late for breakfast. Haha. I was so scared and nervous. What a wonderful camp. I hope one day my kids can go to it!

Jenna Hudlow

(Referring to a 300-mile bike ride around Lake Coeur d’Alene undertaken by CIT groups. Hers was in 1999): I was 14 on this trip, and man, it was one epic way to learn a huge amount about endurance, friendship and faith. I attended Camp Reed as a camper, counselor in training, and junior counselor during formative preteen and teen years and I loved my summers spent on Fan Lake!

Bob Votava

Went in 1974 and have great memories of the kids I went with and especially my counselor “Wood Tic Rick,” a kind and awesome soul. My daughter is on the CIT ride this week and every time I drop her off or pick her up, I feel home again.

Adriana Gabriela Campbell

Fourth grade, held a hissing cockroach and someone had some whole small fish jerky that I ate head first on a dare. 

Erik Remington

Summers 1977 and 1978. Swimming across Fan Lake, late night hiking, capture the flag and first kisses.

Cara Mortlock

I met one of the most influential people in my life at Camp Reed. She was my best friend for years and years. She changed my world for the better, and she is missed daily.

Lindsey Marie Bekemeyer

My sixth grade class went for an overnight field trip. We were there for a couple days and on the last day it was my birthday. My grandparents ordered three sheet cakes from Costco to feed the entire camp!

Victoria Jared

My son was chosen this year by his principal and teachers to go for a week. I was so thankful that he had the opportunity to go. We never would have been able to send him. He had the best week!

Randy Berg

I just found letters from me to my Mom from there PLEADING to come home. It didn’t last long … the camp was too fun.

Kevin Carlin

I loved my time here. I sold butter toffee peanuts for months to save up for my time there. I loved capture the flag, scary stories and the whole environment. It was awesome.