We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Brimhall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what principle do you value most?
Joy is the most important principle in life. It is through joy that you can be inspired to be creative, be a more understanding of others, and become empowered to be and do something great! Our family motto is Find joy in it. Even when you have to wait. Even when you’re going through a rough patch. Even when your working 15 hours a day to finish a project. Even if you lose the race. You can still focus on joy which with drive you to do better, be better and keep moving forward.

Joy is bigger than self. It comes with giggles, hugs, love, friendship, encouragement, persistence, empathy, and adventure. Joy means seeing the bright side of things, giving others the benefit of the doubt, allowing you to dream, allow you to celebrate the accomplishments of others and allows you to learn and grown with you fail sometimes.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As medical care providers, my husband and I have always had a drive to help other people become healthier and return to an active and joyful life. About 14 years ago, our family saw a need to help the community and started a local charity White Mountain Youth Foundation and founded the High Mountain Half Marathon to encourage healthy lifestyle, provide equipment and scholarships to students, and to bring community together through a weekend of running events. As we came to love and support our community family, my orthopedic surgeon and outdoor enthusiast husband began volunteering as a team physician, basketball coach and soccer coach; and I too began volunteering as a school board member, soccer, track and cross country coach, and philanthropist. Getting to know our community and our youth made us realize we needed to do more. In our community, we have 2-3 times the state average for suicide, drug addiction, obesity and poverty and we are passionate about providing opportunities for all people to learn and grow and become successful. So, we began throwing around the idea with another providers in our area to begin a youth performance training center.

In spring 2019, they were approached by leaders in the White Mountain Community to help save an almost 70 year-old the Historic Camp Grace and immediately we knew that this was the place we could start our leadership, performance, and adventure training programs. As a family, we undertook a large restoration and expansion project at Camp Grace with the vision of improving mental and physical resilience through innovative education, personal and community leadership, athletic performance, and wilderness adventure. Since that time, they have impacted thousands of youth, families, and community members at Camp Grace. Some of our greatest achievements include providing free summer camps to over 1500 kids throughout the state of Arizona. Last year we were recognized as a “bright spot” camp in Arizona and received 5 of 10 awards.

In our camps we focus on teaching campers goal setting, entrepreneurship skills, leadership skills, and wellness through adventure activities such as archery, wilderness survival, culinary, cultural celebrations, ninja warrior, horseback riding, sports development, theater performance, geoscience, STEM, and high adventure activities. We teach these children to have GRIT and finding JOY by doing hard things in these adventure activities. And one of the best parts is being able to work with over 60 of the greatest educators and young adult camp counselors on the planet!

Being a president of a camp is absolutely a blast and having not only a background as medical care providers but also educators and mentors has made for a sweet and unique purpose for our adventure programs. We are also working our way to becoming a center for family activities and adventure for the White Mountains. We do this through hosting concerts, community serve and learn programs, and a venue for weddings and other celebrations. And over the next year were are focusing on providing family, corporate and wellness adventure programs year-round. Again, I cannot say enough positive things about our great team that is creative and passionate and dedicated to Camp Grace

Was remodeling a historic 1950’s summer camp effortless? Was being shut down our first and second season to Covid easy? Was recreating camp programs a breeze? No way! But it is still is a load of fun, challenges us to be creative, surrounds us with amazing people, and will be work in progress (probably forever).

What are some lessons we’ve learned along the way? Galvanized pipe is no bueno. Don’t run so fast that you don’t take the time to define clear structure within the organization. Documents the wins and losses and you will see how far you’ve come. Slow down and take the time to really know people and through that you will redefine what really matters. Have a clear vision and ask yourself, “Does this idea support or detract from your vision?” If it doesn’t build or even detracts from your vision… don’t waste your time on it. Don’t shrink under pressure and be flexible/teachable because some of the most devastating challenges can become your greatest blessings. You got this! Find JOY in it!

What do we want the world to know about us?
CAMP GRACE is truly a unique getaway retreat where “kids” of all ages (from 2-102) of varied abilities, cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and celebrate the best moments of life. Being uniquely situated in the tall pines of Pinetop-Lakeside Arizona, nestled next to the trailhead of the Mogollon Rim Trail, and neighboring Camp Tatiyee and White Mountain Apache Tribe, there’s a richness in culture and a feeling of togetherness when you venture here. Our vision is to provide a creative and majestic place where youth, families, friends, entrepreneurs, and communities can come together to celebrate special moments of life, encourage each other to experience new adventures and discover new gifts that will build confidence, creativity and wellness. With this new found confidence, creativity and health, our adventurers will then inspire others to seek new adventures, discover new gifts, and most importantly have JOY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Umm, Camp Grace? No, just kidding. There is so many wonderful things around the White Mountains. Hundreds of miles of trailheads for mountain biking, hiking, running and quad riding. Sunrise ski resort is just 30 minutes away and my very biased opinion is that it has the best ski runs in Arizona. There are local eateries that have amazing steaks and sushi and Mexican food. We have weekend farmers markets where you can get locally grown produce and eat amazing sweets. There are a smattering of local coffee shops that blend their own coffee and have the best hot cocoa.

It’s hard to pick favorites but I love Persnikketies, Annie’s, Darby’s, and the House restaurant but there are tons of great mom and pop options. Some weekends there is dancing at Hungry Buffalo or concerts at Charlie Clark’s orchard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where to I begin? There are so many people that I can give a Shoutout to, but first and foremost, I would like to give a shout out to my diligent husband, my 4 spunky kiddoes, my caring-heart parents, and my passionate family who laugh and play and work and support me in all my/our wild adventures and who instilled in me a need to improve the world around me.

I also want to thank my Camp Grace team and board who tirelessly push towards our dreams to accomplish something great.

Website: www.campgraceaz.com

Instagram: campgraceaz

Facebook: campgraceaz

Other: Events can also be scheduled at theivorygrace.com (proceeds from events go towards our summer camp scholarship program) ivorygraceaz (instagram)

Image Credits
Jalin Parish, photographer Annelise Jensen, photographer

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