General News

Jesus’ birth was a time of fulfilled hope, transcendent gratitude, and the rejoicing of a long-awaited miracle. Sprinkled throughout the ages, regardless of any Christmas tradition, the true meaning of celebrating this season has been divinely anchored to the feelings of those who witnessed Jesus’ birth. All of us can recall the sweet anticipation of Christmas morning as a child, the traditions passed down from one generation to the next, and the shared meals with loved ones gathered around a ...

May I ask you a couple of questions? Who is a person that you are close to? How do you interact with each other? For me, the person I am closest to is Bev. We have been married for 44 years and counting. Our interaction has many expressions. It ranges from profound conversation to working on a project. There is laughter and joy. There are times of sorrow and comfort. We pray together. We help carry each other’s load. We ...

Sitting down with The Lights of Christmas Manager, Kayla Castiglione, she reflected on the event’s journey over the last several years, “When looking at the last 29 years of The Lights of Christmas there are many moments the event grew. Some of the moments were natural growth, like adding more lights every year or introducing new displays and activities for people to enjoy at the event. Other moments of growth were forced, like pivoting to a different format during a ...

Emma joined the Horsemanship program two years ago, at the age of ten. Like many children her age, she is still discovering who she is and learning what she is capable of. Middle and high school can be a challenging time, with constant pressure to compare oneself to others. Confidence and anxiety are major issues for kids today, and social media often keeps them indoors, limiting opportunities to develop real-world skills. What began as a simple love for horses has ...

Hay harvest is a highlight of the late summer season at Warm Beach Horsemanship (WBH). Haying season brings together members of past and present WBH team members, volunteers, family, and pony clubbers to achieve the ambitious goal of moving literal tons of hay from fields to the hay barn. This effort necessitates many moving parts from hay cutting, raking, baling, picking, stacking, driving, re-stacking and managing. All hands are needed, welcome, and valued. It feels natural to reflect on just ...

During the month of December, Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center transforms into a beacon of light and hope, drawing thousands of individuals from all walks of life to enjoy the festive atmosphere of The Lights of Christmas. Every detail of The Lights of Christmas, from over one million lights and dazzling displays to the larger-than-life Nativity scene and the kind hospitality of event staff, hints toward something more miraculous at work behind the scenes. Last year, while working down ...

“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” Galatians 3:2-3 NLT What is it with us? Why are we so willing to substitute ourselves in for the ...

In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety can easily overwhelm us, leaving us feeling depleted and disconnected. Between work pressures, family responsibilities, and societal expectations, finding a peaceful place to slow down and quiet the mind can seem nearly impossible. However, there are sacred spaces—places where the noise fades, and we can reconnect with God and find peace. Where God’s Presence Feels Near One of the Warm Beach Camp staff members shared, "For over three decades, one of my most cherished sacred ...

Every winter, The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, Washington, transforms Warm Beach Camp into a breathtaking winter wonderland — a place where over a million twinkling lights illuminate the night sky, joyful music fills the air, and hearts are warmed by the true meaning of Christmas. But behind the magic lies something even more beautiful: the hundreds of volunteers who make it all possible. Volunteering at The Lights of Christmas isn’t just an opportunity to give back — it’s an ...

At Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center, the Horsemanship Program has long been more than just riding lessons. It’s a ministry of movement, trust, and faith — where horses become powerful teachers, instructors become mentors, and kids discover confidence, community, and God’s love through every ride. As Program Director Lisa Tremain recently shared, the heart of horsemanship at Warm Beach is about more than reins and saddles — it’s about helping riders navigate life’s challenges one step at a time, ...

We are excited to welcome Brightyn Bokare to the Warm Beach Camp Staff as a new Guest Service Coordinator. She comes to us after completing an internship at the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church. After the internship Brightyn and her husband faced a pivotal decision: move back home to Indiana or seek out opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. “We were debating if we were going to move back home to Indiana… or look for other opportunities in Washington,” Brightyn explained. ...

This summer, my daughter participated in the EPA (Equine Professional Apprentice) program at Warm Beach Horsemanship. Although she was younger than the other participants, she entered the program eager to learn and grow and put herself completely into the Summer. It turned out to be a season of personal development, filled with challenges and lessons—not only about horsemanship but also about herself and her relationship with God. She discovered her capacity to tackle difficult tasks, even when she felt exhausted. ...

When you think about Outdoor School at Warm Beach Camp, towering evergreens, tidal mudflats, and playful harbor seals might come to mind. But tucked quietly below the water’s surface lies one of the most powerful yet overlooked ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest—eelgrass meadows. These underwater grasslands don’t just support marine life; they also transform how students experience science through hands-on, place-based learning. What is Eelgrass and Why Does it Matter? Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a native plant that grows in ...

“One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.” Matthew 16:1 NLT The religious leaders wanted Jesus to prove who he was by demanding a miracle or miraculous sign. In so many areas of life we ask people to give proof that they are who they say they are. Passports or Enhanced Driver’s Licenses for travel are needed as proof of who we are. It ...

As the sun sets on another summer at Warm Beach Camp, we find ourselves reflecting on the countless stories of faith, joy, and transformation that unfolded across our grounds. From the laughter of day campers to the tender worship moments around campfires, this summer has been one of growth—not only for campers, but also for staff, volunteers, and guest groups who experienced the presence of God in powerful ways. Seeds of Faith Planted in Day Camp Day Camp Manager, Sara ...

When Jessica first arrived at Warm Beach Camp as an intern two years ago, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What she found was a life-changing experience filled with growth, faith, and community. “I love being around people. I love community,” Jessica shared when asked why she chose Warm Beach over other opportunities. Her connection to the Camp runs deep—her grandparents had volunteered at Warm Beach for years. What started as volunteering grew into a calling: “I didn’t expect ...

God has blessed us with a beautiful summer and a highly anticipated month of camps at Warm Beach Horsemanship! Horse Camps kicked off this August with Pony Club Camp, which Warm Beach Pony Clubbers look forward to all year. Staff and Pony Clubbers enjoyed this week of focused learning, riding lessons, horse games, as well as other exciting activities like swimming, archery tag, and crafts. It is in this window of opportunity that students build deeper connections in their walk ...

I had the opportunity to be a part of the Equine Professional Apprentice program at Warm Beach Horsemanship in Stanwood, WA, last summer (2024). It was such a great opportunity to work with a variety of horses and people, learn how a barn runs, and see Jesus be present throughout! God really used this time to teach me more about His heart. He gave me experiences to grow my faith and confidence. The beautiful thing about being an equestrian and ...

In 1956, cattle and forestry land along Port Susan Bay was purchased to develop what is now lovingly known by hundreds of thousands of people as Warm Beach Camp. The property came with the original farmhouse, a smaller second house, and some barns for cattle operations. The original farmhouse (now called Bayview Retreat House) became the home for Elmer and Eva McDowell (my grandparents). These two sold their business in Centralia, WA, to come and play an essential role in ...

At Warm Beach Camp, something truly beautiful is blossoming — a summer experience that is changing lives, forming deep connections, and offering joy in its purest form. That something is Camp Sun Sparrow, a day camp designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But we can’t do it alone. We need volunteers — people like you — to help bring this extraordinary vision to life. We created Camp Sun Sparrow to meet a very real and often overlooked need. ...