Our Mission
To Create Life-changing Moments
We want every child who enters Camp New Hope’s gates to experience a life-changing moment. We want them to find a new appreciation for nature and the peace and solitude that is found within it. To have a renewed hope for the future, knowing miracles happen every day. To be revived spiritually, mentally, and physically. And most importantly, to realize just how special they are, because we already know – and we will never be the same after being touched by their lives.
OUR LOCATION
A Mountain Retreat On The River
Located in the beautiful mountains of Ashe County near Boone, North Carolina, Camp New Hope is a privately owned 501C-3 non-profit, tax deductible facility for families who have children with life-threatening medical conditions. Our luxury, cabin-style lodge overlooking 70 acres of wooded mountains and grassy flatlands provides guest families with all the comforts of home away from home, as well as the delights of thoughtfully curated activities and amenities at no expense to them.
OUR STORY
A Project of The Heart
The Founders
Brothers Mark and Will Adkins are quite the dynamic duo. Born about five minutes apart in Huntington, West Virginia, they aspired to great achievements from an early age, which ultimately led them to Lake Norman, North Carolina. Former football players and Coastal Carolina University Business graduates, they leveled up their real estate development and sales careers by founding the Waterfront Group in 1994. Headquartered in Cornelius, NC, Waterfront became the launch pad for a myriad of land and community development projects (most of which include twin helipads for their self-piloted euro copters).
In addition to founding and funding the non-profit Camp New Hope in West Jefferson, NC in 2006, they have expanded their holdings and operations in the past 3 years to include 3 wineries (2 in Butler, TN; 1 in Banner Elk, NC), 2 golf courses (located in Brandywine, WV & Spruce Pines, NC), a historic mansion in Fort Chiswell, VA, and a store/restaurant in Butler, TN.
The Inspiration
In February 2006, as Mark was busy working on the Adkins Pet Center, a 15,000 square-foot facility consisting of a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter, Will was about to break ground on his own passion project. He felt that, because of its unique beauty, the land known as High Valley must become a special place for some very special people. He decided to renovate the lodge and provide a place where children with life-threatening diseases and their families could go for a week of much needed and deserved relaxation. Knowing that with any illness there are also medical expenses, the brothers decided they would lift the financial burden of a vacation, and decided to provide the lodge and food for the week at no charge.
Camp New Hope is Born
Funded completely by the brothers, and with the help of many volunteers, the work began immediately. In just 14 weeks, Camp New Hope opened to its first family. During the short season of the first year, the lodge provided 9 families with a week’s vacation. Now, we host an average of 42 families each year.
