SOLID ROCK BIBLE CAMP - ALASKA
| Written by - Josh Dahlheimer |
The summer season in Alaska is obviously much shorter than the lower 48 states, but thankfully the sun doesn't set, giving campers a weeklong opportunity to participate in wakeboarding and water skiing at Solid Rock Bible Camp. Solid Rock Bible Camp is located in Soldotna, Alaska and offers an entire week of wakeboard and water ski camp every summer. This exciting week is an opportunity for campers to get out on the water and "test their limits, overcome challenges, and build healthy relationships with peers and positive role models, " with the hope of encountering the transformational love of Jesus.
Solid Rock Bible Camp has been around since 1958, however their first water ski camp wasn’t held until 1986. From a partnership of Youth for Christ in Anchorage, Alaska and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
This special week of camp originated from an innovative waterski ministry led by Mike Botti, through partnering with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth for Christ in Anchorage, Alaska. Correct Craft was a major sponsor of the camp and O’Brien donated all the ski equipment.
Solid Rock Bible Camp runs this camp on two lakes with four boats, offering multiple sessions for campers to get out on the water and learn to wakeboard, wakeskate, wakesurf, water ski, barefoot or slalom ski, just to name a few! The continued opportunity for wakeboard and waterski camp is made possible by having coaches travel from around the nation to Alaska for the week, sharing their love and passion for water sports. Kids are taught to get up for the first time in truly "pass the handle" moments and the camp tends to see campers return year after year during this week, progressing their riding in just a few weeks’ time.
The camp has had several coaches throughout the years (brothers Reed and Trever Hansen, Matt Manzari, Sam Langley, and OneWake's own Jacob Simmons to name a few) that volunteer their time and share the sport of wakeboarding with campers. My wife, Megan, and I, were fortunate to have the opportunity to go to Solid Rock in the summer of 2022 for the first time after being asked by our good friend Matt Manzari. It was during this visit that we fell in love with the camp, the staff, the campers, and Alaska. Despite the water being in the 50’s, the kids willingly jumped in, time after time, without hesitation. Some years the weather cooperates with sun and warmer temperatures, and some years with rain and cold, but despite what mother nature throws, the campers get out behind the boats to push their limits and share the stoke for wake sports.
Much like the coaches volunteering their time, over the years most of the equipment has been volunteered, donated and well-loved. It became apparent to us that the campers could use some new gear. But how do you replace an entire quiver of boards? Through a connection with WakeWell, we reached out to Anthony Kennedy from OneWake. After a small fundraising campaign, were able to raise a portion of our financial goal. Combining our fundraising, and OneWake’s blessing, we were able to take six completely new wakeboard setups and four brand new wake rope and handle combos to Solid Rock! To see the faces of the campers we have gotten to know for the past few years light up when they saw new gear, was a moment we won’t forget. The excitement to try new tricks, including the infamous “dock hop,” was at an all-time high. To our fundraising supporters and OneWake, it may have just been a donation, but to the campers at Solid Rock Bible Camp, the donation shows the campers they matter, they’re worth it, and they are seen and known.
