Grant Langley doesn’t remember a summer without Redwood Christian Park.

As a child, Family Camp became part of his family’s annual rhythm. Every year, they packed their bags, headed into the Santa Cruz Mountains, and spent a week together surrounded by towering redwoods, meaningful worship, and a community that quickly became like family.

What began as a childhood tradition soon became the week he looked forward to more than any other.

“Family Camp at RCP is hands down the best week of the entire year. It’s exciting. It’s fun. And most of all, it’s a great place to relax and reconnect—with others, with your own heart, and most importantly, with Christ” Grant shares.

As Grant grew older so did his appreciation for camp. The adventures were still there, from climbing the rock wall and cooling off in the pool to hiking through the redwoodsd, but he bagan to realize what kept drawing him back wasn’t just the activities. It was the way Family Camp stengthern his faith and surrounded him with a community that would become part of his life for decades.

Year after year, Grant returned to Family Camp, where he made lifelong memories and was surrounded by people who encouraged him to grow in his faith. 

One of his favorite traditions is hiking to the cross. 

He says “Going for a hike to the cross—whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it for 30 years—is just an unbelievable experience. Looking out over the whole valley is something you’ll never forget.”

Surrounded by towering redwood trees and breathtaking views, the hike became more than a scenic overlook. It became a place to reflect on God’s faithfulness and the ways He had been at work throughout Grant’s life.

The worship services, conversations around campfires, and time spent in the Tabernacle also left a lasting impact.

“When we’re in the Tab or walking to a campfire, the conversations that are had, I can only imagine how much greater they are in heaven,” Greant shares.

Those moments shaped Grant’s understanding of Christian community. Family Camp wasn’t simply a place to have fun. It became a place where his relationship with Christ continued to grow and where his faith was strengthened alongside generations of other families.

After years of attending Family Camp with his family, one summer looked very different.

Grant’s mother was undergoing cancer treatment and wasn’t able to come to camp. For the first time, he arrived without his immediate family.

It could have been one of the loneliest weeks of his life.

Instead, it became one of the clearest reminders of what makes Redwood Christian Park so special.

The community that had welcomed him year after year surrounded him with love, encouragement, and support throughout the week. Friends became family, reminding him that he didn’t have to walk through a difficult season alone.

That experience forever changed how Grant viewed Family Camp.

He realized that the relationships built over decades weren’t limited to one week each summer. They were the kind of friendships that showed up when life became difficult.

After spending more than twenty years being shaped by Family Camp, Grant wanted to give back to the place that had given him so much.

Today, he serves as a trustee on the Redwood Christian Park Board, helping ensure future generations have the opportunity to experience the same life-changing community that has impacted him.

“My year is not complete without camp. I can’t imagine a summer not being here. It’s a privilege every single time, and I hope everyone gets a chance to experience it.”

Serving on the Board is Grant’s way of investing in the future of a place that has strengthened his faith, created lifelong friendships, and been there through both joyful and difficult seasons of life.

When Grant looks back, he doesn’t just see twenty years of Family Camp memories.

He sees the place where childhood summers became lifelong traditions. He remembers a community that helped shape his faith and stood beside him during one of the hardest seasons of his life. And now, he has the opportunity to help ensure Redwood Christian Park continues serving families for generations to come.

Grant’s story is one of many that have been shaped by Family Camp, but it reflects what keeps so many families returning year after year. More than beautiful redwood forests, exciting activities, or time away from everyday life, families find a place where they can grow closer to Christ and build relationships that last far beyond a single week of camp.