Doe River Gorge Ministries adds two new lodges for summer campers

Photo by Dave Boyd Doe River Gorge Ministries has been a busy place during the off-season, as two new lodges are being built to accommodate 56 students each. Also, new and larger restrooms are being added to the existing lodge, and a new and larger Big Top Tent will provide space for dining and evening worship.

By Rozella Hardin
STAR STAFF
rhardin@starhq.com

   Doe River Gorge Ministries, located on 700 acres bordering the Cherokee National Forest, this past year launched the largest expansion in its brief history -- a long-term facility plan that will complement the Gorge property and maximize the facility to reach thousands of young people with the message of Christ.
   The first phase of the plan is being implemented now. Construction is now under way on two new lodges that will house 56 students each. The lodges are expected to be complete in time for the summer 2004 season. Each lodge will have eight air-conditioning sleeping rooms, carpeting, private baths, and balconies overlooking the beautiful Gorge property.
   In addition, a new and larger Big Top Tent will provide space for dining and evening worship. New and larger restrooms are being added to the existing lodge in order to provide convenient facilities when students are away from their housing areas.
   Terry Maughon, director of the Ministries, in a report last year said that the facilities "are to prepare the way so that up to 600 more students can attend 'Adventure Quest' over the course of the summer. Last year 200 students were placed on a waiting list and during the last seven years over 2,000 students were turned away due to a lack of space. Space will now be available," reported Maughon.
   Doe River Gorge is a place of adventure, acceptance, trust, love and a whole lot of fun.
   "When a kid comes to Doe River Gorge, we want them to experience fun," Maughon said.
   The Gorge has a manmade lake and a zipline ripping across the water. "We really see us as a catalyst to build relationships with kids," he said.
   The Gorge offers almost a one-to-one ration of campers to staff members, with constant supervision in an environment that can get nerve-racking.
   Other attractions at the Gorge include the Burma Bridge, where campers walk along a cable and hang on to two ropes suspended 70 feet in the air for 155 feet.
   This past year mountain biking was added to a long list of high adventure activities at the Gorge. Maughon said getting the bikes, providing close trails and someone to run the program for the summer fell into place. "From the beginning, it was evident that God's hand was on the program," he said. The bikes were purchased at Hampton Trails Bike Shop, and the trails are located on the Hampton Watershed, only a few hundred yards from where the bikes are stored.
   Just what does mountain biking have to do with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? "The kids learn about perseverance physically, and then learn how to apply that spiritually," Maughon explained.
   Other activities at the camp include rock climbing, rappelling, a high challenge course, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain boarding, canyoneering, whitewater tubing, technical tree climbing and lots more.