Hidden Gems: Meet Jalisa Danhof of Camp Newaygo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jalisa Danhof.

Hi Jalisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always known that camp would be part of my life’s work. I actually decided to become a camp director when I was nine years old, after winning a speech contest that sent me to summer camp for the first time. From that week on, I knew I wanted to create spaces where kids could be themselves, build confidence, and feel part of something bigger.

I grew up through the Florida 4-H Camping Program, worked on staff for several years, and earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Administration with an emphasis on Camp Management from Florida State University. Shortly after graduating, I landed a full-time position in camping – and I’ve never looked back.

Today, I serve as the Camp Director at Camp Newaygo, a 100-year-old girls’ camp and youth program in West Michigan operated by TrueNorth Community Services. Over the last 15 years, I’ve had the chance to lead major facility expansions, develop new youth leadership programs, and build year-round connections between camp and the local community.

Outside of camp, I stay deeply connected to both the professional and local community. I currently serve as the Chair of the American Camp Association’s Michigan Local Council of Leaders, and closer to home, I’m the PTO President for my kids’ elementary schools. Balancing those roles- as a camp director, leader, and mom of two – has shaped my perspective on how youth development and community service can work hand in hand.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes the work meaningful. When I first moved to Michigan, I didn’t know a single person in the entire state. I came here from Florida for the job at Camp Newaygo and had to build a new community from the ground up. Starting over in a small town was tough, but it pushed me to get involved beyond camp – joining local clubs, volunteering, and finding ways to connect.

As a camp director, the biggest challenge by far was navigating COVID-19. In the summer of 2020, Camp Newaygo was one of only 49 camps nationwide that operated in person with zero cases of COVID-19. We were determined to open, and to do it safely, because our campers needed a sense of normalcy, connection, and hope during a time when so much had been taken away. It was the most exhausting and inspiring season of my career, and it reminded me what camp truly means to kids and families.

I’ve also believe that “work-life balance” is a falsehood. You can have it all, but not in separate boxes. The key is blending the personal and professional in a way that works for you and your family. For me, that means letting my worlds overlap – bringing my kids to camp, having my community show up at events, and building a life where my work and family enrich one another.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Camp Newaygo?
Just 45 minutes north of Grand Rapids, Camp Newaygo is a nonprofit program of TrueNorth Community Services that offers year-round opportunities for children, families, and adults to connect with nature and one another.
Our beautiful lakeside property is home to one of the best traditional camping programs in the United States, offered at an affordable rate for families. Each year, we provide more than $100,000 in scholarships, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, can experience camp.

But Camp Newaygo isn’t just for kids. We host girlfriends’ getaways, family camps, weddings, and community events all year long. Whether someone comes for a summer session, a retreat, or a weekend with friends, the goal is the same: to help people slow down, reconnect, and remember what it feels like to truly belong.

One of the things that makes Camp Newaygo unique is our on-site catering company, Ridge Catering. It not only provides phenomenal food that elevates every event, but also helps diversify our income so that, as a nonprofit, we can continue to fund our mission and keep our programs accessible. Our guests often say the food at camp is one of the best surprises.

Thanks to two major capital campaigns since 2002, our facilities are also exceptional: modern, comfortable, and designed to make the outdoors welcoming to everyone. We believe great food and beautiful spaces remove barriers that might keep someone from experiencing nature.

Unlike many camps across West Michigan, Camp Newaygo is not religiously affiliated. We welcome people of all backgrounds to come together in a space built on community.

What we’re most proud of are the relationships we help create and the love for the environment we inspire. One alumni quote says it best:

“Camp Newaygo taught me to love myself for who I am, not who I thought I was supposed to be.”

That sentiment captures the heart of our work: helping people of all ages find connection, confidence, and joy in the beauty of nature and within themselves.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that almost anything can be solved with passion and perseverance. Challenges will come from every direction: people, logistics, weather, you name it, but if you care deeply enough and refuse to give up, there’s always a way forward.

Pricing:

• Girls’ Overnight Camp: starting at $960 per week
• Friends’ Getaway: $350 per adult (ages 21+) for the full weekend
• Girlfriends’ Getaway: $315 per adult (ages 21+) for the full weekend
• Weddings, Retreats & Rentals: pricing varies by program and facility rental
• Scholarships: more than $100,000 awarded annually to ensure every child has access to camp

Contact Info:

• Website: https://campnewaygo.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campnewaygo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampNewaygo
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/camp-newaygo
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/campnewaygo
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@campnewaygo
• Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user49772917