My name is Sophia Wickersham and I have been hired as the Development Manager for Mountain T.O.P. I am from Winchester, Indiana where I grew up with my three older siblings and my two wonderful parents. I just graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership with minors in Public Finance and Marketing. Throughout college I was involved in many different organizations, however most of my time was spent training and competing alongside so many dedicated and hardworking women on the Varsity Women’s Rowing Team. 

Thursday… it has always been a bit of an odd day in camp. It’s in a weird spot, pinched between “Half-Way Up the Mountain Day” and “it’s Friday Y’all!” What do you do with it? Your week’s not quite over yet, but maybe you’ve started thinking about going back to the valley below. For sure your cabin is looking and smelling like it’s Thursday. Truth is, there is still work to be done, people to serve, bonds to strengthen and a God to worship.

We are excited to introduce the 2019 Staff Camp Assignments! During Staff Training we revealed which camp each staffer would be calling home for the next 8 weeks! We couldn’t be happier with each staff! They are coming together and creating an incredible mission experiences for this summer!

On Saturday March 2nd, we held our Annual George Bass Brick and Mortar Dinner. We take time to raise money for the George Bass Endowment Fund and to celebrate outstanding individuals that make Mountain T.O.P. an incredible place to grow and serve. Get to know the recipients of the Community Partnership Award, Volunteer of the Year award, and the latest inductees to the Fisher of People Hall of Fame.

his report captures a few stories of courageous partnership. Behind the numbers are individuals who courageously extended a hand, tried something new, made a change, took the lead. Behind the short quotes of appreciation are grander narratives of lives that are perhaps healthier, bolder, and more connected to their community. As we celebrate the partnerships and progress made in 2018, we pay special attention to how we can continue to answer the call of following Jesus faithfully and courageously.

Throughout my high school years, mission trips looked very homogeneous. They only happened in the summer and involved a long van ride with my youth group friends to Tennessee. Even today the thought of such trips brings to mind the smell of old vinyl. Our church wasn’t strapped for cash, yet we were transported around in a long string of hand-me-down 12-passenger vans. You know, the kind of vehicles that have since been outlawed because of safety concerns.

As a community we made incredible strides in fulfilling Mountain TOP’s mission.  We are proud to present the 2018 Summer Outcomes Report. This report outlines the incredible hard work of our summer staff, volunteers and community members.

Mountain TOP’s Executive Director, Ed Simmons, wrote a brief letter introducing the report. You can find the letter and a link to the Outcome Report below.

This incredible blog post comes from Rachel Bellamy  from Myers Park United Methodist. Read about how day camp not only affects the lives of it’s participants but also it’s campers.