Jeremy Beckett came to Family Camp at Birchwood as a 3 year old in 1991. The Chugach mountains, Psalm Lake and the rustic setting became his spiritual home, over the years. He thrived in the Christian community that was shared in the variety of camps. He wanted to share that with other folks and went on to dean youth camps and eventually served on the Camp Board.
In the 33 years that Jeremy was given on this earth, he came to value the joy of physical fitness, the skills that play develops and the community that grows from bringing it all together.
When his family and friends discussed how his legacy might live on, a multi-purpose play surface flowed quite naturally. It is a huge undertaking but we’re reminded of his words, “Don’t downgrade your dreams to fit your reality, upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.”
We hope you will be inspired to give generously and match the destiny. For generations to come, Birchwood Camp will continue to build community on common ground.
A Letter from Lydia, Andy, Emily & Liz:
Advent Blessings to you! In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I (Andy) had the privilege of being a counselor, dean and staff person for multiple summer camp programs at Birchwood. I had the distinct blessing of getting to see first hand how camp served as a catalyst for discipleship growth among so many children and youth. One of those campers was Jeremy Beckett. Jeremy LOVED Birchwood Camp. Whatever the activity, he was all in. From swimming to boating, to eating in the Dining Hall, and especially playing any kind of game at the makeshift basketball hoop with a dirt surface, or playing kickball or dodgeball on the undeveloped playing field, at Birchwood Jeremy found all the ways he could more closely connect with the God who created him, and called him to follow.
Fifteen years later I (Emily) got to know Jeremy as self-appointed “Shepherd of the Interns” at Birchwood. With interns arriving from all around the country for a summer in Alaska, Jeremy took it upon himself to ensure they had a fabulous time at camp AND fell in love with Alaska in the process. Jeremy planned weekend get-aways for the interns, arranging travel and accommodations for them all over the state, whisking them from Psalm lake to Seward so they could come back to camp the next week refreshed and ready to do it again. Through it all, Jeremy gave abundantly. He never asked for anything in return. The community cultivated on those weekend trips sustained us through the long-days of leading camp and provided a model of the abundant love the interns then shared with the campers.
Until the day he died, Jeremy was an instrumental part of the Birchwood camp board, serving as the
personnel chair alongside me (Liz). He worked with the executive director on year round staffing, summer interns, recruiting deans, setting goals for camper registrations, inviting pastors to be present, and so much more. He brought expertise, consideration, and fun! The Beckett family, along with many others, decided a sports pavilion at camp might be the best investment for improving the camp’s programmatic offerings and honoring Jeremy’s memory; a lasting, permanent structure that will contribute to years of activity, laughter and gathering of people as they experience and grow in God’s love. All things Jeremy himself embodied.
Birchwood Camp is excited to announce that we have over $200,000 in cash and pledges received towards the building of the Memorial Sports Pavilion! MANY THANKS to all who have contributed already.
This project is well on its way to fruition thanks to YOUR generosity! Over 200 people have already
contributed. Your contribution is a reminder of that same abundant love for Birchwood camp that Jeremy
shared. Each gift gets us that much closer to breaking ground.
We now have an exciting opportunity to participate in a $100,000 Matching Grant. Every contribution no
matter the size, matters. $1 becomes $2, $100 becomes $200, $10,000 becomes $20,000. Birchwood is a place where love and joy are multiplied and so does your support for this project! We invite you to join us in donating to help us reach our goal of $500,000!
I know that Birchwood Camp matters to you. It matters to us, too! We pray this pavilion will support our
mission to create community on common ground and to extend Christ’s unconditional love to all who grace our grounds as we continue to grow the Birchwood family.
We can accept gifts by cash, check, credit card, appreciated stock or required minimum distributions. Gifts can be made on our website at www.birchwoodcamp.org or by check to PO Box 670049, Chugiak, AK 99567.
Your gift has the potential to bless countless campers, guests, and staff for generations to come. Thank
you for your prayers and financial support! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Partners together in the mission of Christ and Birchwood Camp,
Rev. Lydia Wilson (Birchwood Executive Director)
Rev. Emily Carroll (Birchwood Board Member)
Liz Ashlock (Birchwood Board Member)
Rev. Andy Bartel (Birchwood Fundraising Committee Member)
P.S. Birchwood Camp plans to break ground in the spring of 2026 for the Jeremy Beckett Memorial
basketball court and sports pavilion. We need your help to make it happen! Please consider a gift by
donating today, and may Birchwood love continue to multiply for you and yours this Christmas season.
a breeze skims psalm lake
birch trees rustle
loons murmur
campers giggle
there’s something about this place
that feels like holy ground
love feels close
life feels possible
friends feel known
god feels present
for thirty years jeremy roamed the trails
and dining hall and cabins
making campers laugh
encouraging counselors
supporting interns
playing kickball
leading worship
roasting s’mores
he knew what we know about camp
when someone finds a place where their
full self is welcome
seen
loved
everything changes
so when you walk the trails
sit by the lake
sway in worship
hear campers laugh
know that jeremy’s
love lives here too
a camper and a child of god
forever
— Jenny Smith, Jeremy’s big sister
