10/22/2026
“I created Mountain Wisdom Camps to be a support structure for families,” Director Jay Zipperman shared. “We’re committed to fostering healthy teens and families by providing fun-filled transformational experiences and challenging outdoor adventures focusing on nature awareness, leadership and responsibility.”
On private property in Ellijay, youth can camp, fish, complete ropes courses, kayak, paddle board, canoe and enjoy archery and axe throwing.
“We also do grief and loss work and anger work — what I call ‘healing work,’” he explained. “On the very first day, we ask the young men, ‘What mask can you drop so you can be real and authentic for the week with each other?’”
Mountain Wisdom camps aren’t a one-off experience. As youth return to Mountain Wisdom for summer and fall camps, Jay and his team challenge and equip them to become mentors for their peers. Some even come back to shadow staff and become staff members themselves.
“One of my goals is that they walk away feeling like they have more purpose and they can make a difference in their lives and in the world. Maybe they’re not clear at 12 or 13 years old what purpose really looks like, but they can know their life has meaning.”
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