Rebuild Update · 2026

The building burned down. The mission didn't.

Late one evening on April 9th, a volunteer stepped outside his cabin and was met with a devastating sight the bathhouse, a place where God had met him and ministered to him years earlier, was fully engulfed in flames.

What happened

A volunteer had finished using the sauna and believed the fire had gone out. A few hours later, stepping outside, he found the bathhouse fully engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived within 17 minutes and worked quickly but the structure was lost.

The next morning, neighbors, volunteers, and staff came together without being asked. They cleared every piece of debris and cleaned the slab completely. In the middle of heartbreak, the community showed up. Our ministers were ministered to.

What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for his good.

— Bear Paw Camp Board

We chose to rebuild right

The following Monday, Bear Paw representatives contacted the county. We learned that moving forward meant meeting current Washington State codes a fully engineered and permitted rebuild.

The Bear Paw Board made a decision: if we are going to rebuild, we are going to do it right. No cutting corners. No bowing to the spirit of poverty or fear. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace we chose to trust Who would carry us through.

Engineers, architects, contractors, and volunteers came together to design something greater than what was lost. The plans include The Upper Room a second-story multi-purpose space with sweeping views of the river and the entire camp.

View Full Plans

Rebuild Timeline

Apr 9 Fire — bathhouse lost

Apr 10 Community cleanup — slab fully cleared

Apr 14 County contacted — engineered rebuild initiated

May 5 Damaged footings removed — site graded

May 11 Architectural drawings completed (Rev 06)

Coming Strong foundation poured

Coming Framing

Coming Roofing

Coming Plumbing · Electrical · Insulation

Coming Drywall · Paint

Jul 10 🎯 Phase 1 Completion Goal

We chose to rebuild right

To date, approximately $37,000 has been given toward the rebuild. We’re grateful for every gift. We need to raise $185,000 total to complete phase one by July 10th.

The building burned. The mission of Bear Paw Camp did not. It just intensified. Every dollar moves us forward.

Give to the Rebuild

$185,000 — Goal $148,000 $111,000 $74,000 $37,000 — We are here $0

raised of $185,000 goal

$148,000 still needed

Progress 0%

20% of goal reached