Our mission is simply
That every camper will have an undeniable encounter with Christ.
Our mission
is simply
That every camper will have an undeniable encounter with Christ.
Overview
Located on 135 wooded acres on the picturesque Pend Oreille River, we are a full-service, all-season Christian Camp and Retreat Center, as well as a rental facility specializing in meeting the unique needs of church groups & non-profits. Bear Paw Camp has been serving northeast Washington and north Idaho area for over 40 years, providing a pristine location and opportunities to foster relationships based on Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tailor a camping experience for your church that Is safe, comfortable, and effective. At Bear Paw you will enjoy:
- An outdoor setting
- Excellent facilities
- Outstanding food
- Professional camp support & planning
History
Bear Paw Camp was originally founded as a boy scout survival camp in 1965. It remained a survival camp until it was bought by Bob and Nancy Suoboda as a Christian camp and retreat Center in 1992 and has faithfully operated as one since then.
Ministry
We love Jesus and People by partnering with local and regional ministries to provide a unique camp experience set in God’s beautiful creation, away from the world’s distractions. We offer a variety of trust activities that could build people’s relationships.
Bear Paw is where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed so that every camper may have an undeniable encounter with Christ.
STAFF
Jason McQuinn
Owner & Camp Director
Jason has been the owner of Bear Paw Camp since September of 2018. His God given vision of Bear Paw Camp has shaped the atmosphere of the camp’s mission statement that “every camper has an undeniable encounter with Christ”. Jason has a passion for youth finding relationships with Jesus and has a heart for equipping God’s people by offering training and encouragement in a camp setting. If you want to hear a radical story of how Jason got the camp click below:
Dr. Beth McQuinn
Co-Founder & Director of Bear Paw Camp
Dr. Beth owns and runs Total Health Center in Newport, Washington as a Naturopathic Physician.
Krystal DeYoung
General Manager
Krystal DeYoung serves as the General Manager of Bear Paw Camp, where she feels called to help steward the ministry and make a lasting difference in the lives of the youth who walk through its doors. Since joining the Bear Paw team in June 2026, she has been involved in a variety of areas, including daily operations, events, fundraising, facilities, social media, software, and marketing.
Her heart is to see Bear Paw Camp be more than just a place to visit, but a place where people can step away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, recenter their hearts on the Lord, and rediscover who He created them to be and the purpose they carry into the world.
Outside of Bear Paw, Krystal has been married for 13 years and is blessed with three beautiful daughters, with a grandson on the way. She and her family enjoy the outdoors and spend much of their time tending to their small farm, caring for their animals, and gardening. She loves the simple joys of family, being outdoors, and watching things grow, both on the farm and in the lives of those God places in her path.
Krystal is grateful for the opportunity to serve at Bear Paw Camp and be part of a ministry that invests in people, builds faith, and creates lasting impact for generations to come.
Garry & Annette Hare
Internship Directors
Chris Thunder
Summer Internship Missionary
Chris is a missionary from Zimbabwe who answered the call of God to come to America and help disciple the next generation at Bear Paw through the summer internship program. Chris is an anointed preacher and teacher and his contagious personality shows the heart and love of God as soon as you meet him.
Why Choose Bear Paw Camp
We are proud members of the
Christian Camp & Conferences Association
