Celebrating 70 Years of Grotonwood: A Legacy of Faith, Fellowship, and God's Faithfulness!
Seventy years of memories. Seventy years of ministry. Seventy years of lives transformed by God’s love!
What an incredible day of celebration, gratitude, and joyful fellowship!
On Monday, October 12, 2026, the TABCOM family, friends, former campers, and supporters gathered to celebrate a very special milestone—the 70th anniversary of Grotonwood Camp & Conference Center!
From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Grotonwood was filled with laughter, excitement, and the warmth of community as guests enjoyed tours, rides, historical exhibits, and opportunities to revisit treasured memories. Old friendships were rekindled, new connections were made, and stories of God’s faithfulness through the generations were shared.
And what would a celebration be without wonderful food and music? A special thank-you goes to Daniel Kaleo and his amazing staff, who prepared a delicious catered lunch featuring baked chicken or salmon, accompanied by risotto and asparagus. The food was outstanding, and the fellowship around the tables made it even better!
Adding to the festive atmosphere was the talented Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Hicks, who delighted guests with music spanning the decades. We extend a special thank-you to him for sharing his musical gifts and helping make the day even more memorable!
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Embracing the Future
One of the most meaningful moments of the day was the dedication of Grotonwood’s beautiful new Prescott Word of Life Pavilion. This wonderful addition to the camp represents more than a new building—it symbolizes continued growth, renewed possibilities, and an enduring commitment to sharing God’s love with future generations.
The dedication ceremony began with Breeze Everitt, Grotonwood’s Director of Programs and Pastoral Care, who reflected on the camp’s remarkable journey over the past seven decades. Breeze highlighted the many ways Grotonwood has grown, the new programs introduced over the years, and the countless lives touched through its ministry.
Together with her husband, Danny Everitt, Grotonwood’s Executive Director, Breeze helps lead this extraordinary ministry with dedication, passion, and a deep commitment to serving others. Their leadership continues to strengthen Grotonwood’s legacy while opening doors to exciting new opportunities.
The program continued with a moving musical offering by Jennifer Sanborn, TABCOM’s Director of Development, who shared the song “Thank You for This Day God.” Her performance honored our Indigenous brothers and sisters and acknowledged their care and stewardship of the land on which we gathered. The beautiful rendition offered a heartfelt moment of reflection and gratitude for the many blessings of the day.
Be sure to watch the video below to hear Jennifer’s song and enjoy highlights from this memorable celebration!
Jennifer also offered heartfelt tributes and special recognition to Ed Guerard, his wife Joan, and their family, along with the many generous donors who helped make the new pavilion possible. Individuals, churches, and associations contributed in countless ways, demonstrating the power of coming together in support of a shared vision.
Of particular significance were the generous leading gifts from the former First Baptist Church of Weston and Jack Alves and his family, whose gift included naming the building to reflect its faith-filled purpose.
Special recognition was also given to Beth Bumbarger, whose generosity launched the TransFORMation Fund, an endowment established to support TABCOM’s regional ministries and camp and retreat centers for generations to come.
Also acknowledged was Steve Cromack, a Grotonwood staff alumnus who played an instrumental role in organizing this wonderful celebration. His dedication, along with the efforts of so many others, helped make the day a tremendous success.
A Glimpse Into the Heart of Grotonwood
Another particularly touching moment came through a beautiful video presentation created by Naveen Kingsly, a member of Grotonwood’s 2026 media team. Through the eyes of one camper, we were given a heartfelt glimpse into what makes Grotonwood so special.
The video served as a powerful reminder that behind every program, activity, and camp experience is a life being touched, a memory being created, and a story worth telling.
We invite you to watch this moving video below, along with a live Facebook video shared by Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana Emanuel, capturing the joy, excitement, and spirit of this memorable celebration.
These videos remind us that Grotonwood’s greatest legacy is found not simply in its buildings or its 70-year history, but in the people, relationships, and lives that have been shaped by this extraordinary ministry.
More Than a Camp—A Place Where Faith Comes Alive
For 70 years, Grotonwood has been so much more than a place to spend a summer. It has been a place where children discover the joy of belonging, young people deepen their faith, friendships grow into lifelong relationships, and individuals and families experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Through Christian camping, retreats, fellowship, and programs that welcome people of different ages and abilities, Grotonwood has created a legacy that reaches far beyond its beautiful grounds.
Generations have come through its doors, and countless lives have been changed. What began 70 years ago continues to flourish today, reminding us that when God plants the seeds of ministry, the harvest can bless generations yet to come.
As we reflect on this incredible milestone, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped plan and organize this celebration, to the dedicated staff and volunteers, to the generous donors and supporters, and to every camper, family, church, and friend who has been part of Grotonwood’s story.
Most importantly, we give thanks to God, whose faithfulness has sustained this ministry through seven remarkable decades.
Here’s to the next 70 years of growing in faith, building community, creating memories, and transforming lives!
“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Happy 70th Anniversary, Grotonwood! The best is yet to come!
One editorial suggestion: Since you have several videos, I would place Jennifer’s musical video immediately after the paragraph about her performance, and Naveen’s camper video and the Facebook video immediately after the “A Glimpse Into the Heart of Grotonwood” section. That way, readers can experience each special moment as they read about it, rather than having to scroll to the bottom of the page.