Friendly Pines Camp vows to bring engaged couples and their guests closer to nature with its expanded wedding packages.

The ceremonies are held during the Prescott camp’s off-season and can include lodging and activities. 

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“Camp has always been a place that brings people together,” said Matt Gilmer, co-founder and director of CampWay, the company that has operated the children’s sleepaway residential camp for about a year.

“It feels completely natural to welcome couples who want to celebrate their ultimate act of togetherness and say, ‘I do’ with the beautiful Prescott pines as their backdrop.” 

Wedding packages start at $8,000 (does not include lodging or overnight services). The $15,000 package includes exclusive access to the 130-acre property from Friday to Sunday; spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception; 30 camp cabins for two-night lodging, 300 total beds; camp recreation amenities; wooden reception tables and seating for up to 175 guests.

Packages do not include food or cocktails. In-house catering with meal planning is available. 

Cabins have air conditioning, electricity, Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. Parties can also stay in Downtown Prescott, which is a 10-minute drive. 

The duo has hosted weddings and vow renewals at Friendly Pines for three years; before they founded CampWay. Valley couples are most of the celebrants, but others have traveled from as far as Maryland to renew their vows. 

“We had the whole camp to ourselves the entire weekend and not having the time barriers made our wedding the best weekend of our lives,” added bride Heidi Means of Phoenix, in a statement. 

“We wanted a venue that would celebrate the outdoors and provide space to connect with friends and family for a more extended period of time since so many were coming from out of town.”

Friendly Pines was founded in 1941. Gilmer and co-founder and director Jonathan Pierson were longtime Friendly Pines employees before transitioning leadership to their company. 

An Arizona native, Pierson became passionate about camp life in 2012 while working in the kitchen at Friendly Pines Camp. Five years later, he was promoted to the position of rental director.

Gilmer, who grew up in Wisconsin, graduated from Prescott College in 2014. Afterward, he taught at an outdoor education camp. He worked in Friendly Pines’ operations department for 13 years.

Gilmer and Pierson met their wives — Mary and Sayaka, respectively — at the camp. The Gilmers married there; both couples work for CampWay.

“We learned everything first-hand,” he explained with a laugh. “This is a monumental event that you look forward to in your life.”

Information: Friendly Pines Camp, 933 E. Friendly Pines Road, Prescott, 928-445-2128, gocampway.com, https://bit.ly/FriendlyPinesWeddings