A Note from Steve and Niki
We are looking forward to seeing all the many campers that we've known for years, and many new faces. Camp ministry is our passion. We work very hard at the camp year round and strive for your child to have a great week at camp. We know that God is doing great things already in preparation for this summer. We pray for all of you that your hearts will be open to God's call, whatever it may be. See you soon!
We're excited about the future of Camp Piankatank. We're in the process of working with a wonderful committee of men and women on building some new cabins and some other new buildings that can make our facilities the best camp facilities in Virginia. (for fundraising info give us a call and we'll direct you to whom you can speak with about giving to this building project 804-776-9552)
Our History
Steve and Niki Gourley have been the directors at Camp Piankatank since 2006. However, they aren't new to Piankatank. They worked together at camp during the summers of 2003 and 2004, and it's also where they met.
Steve is originally from Newport News, just an hour from Camp Piankatank, so he grew up going to Camp Piankatank as a camper and was finally able to work there when he turned fifteen. He worked at Piankatank for three summers, from 1998 to 2000, until he decided that he wanted to gain experience at other camps. After his first year at Old Dominion University, in 2001, he worked at Camp Caraway, and after taking summer classes in 2002, he ended up back at Camp Piankatank in 2003 at Ropes Course Director.
Niki grew up in Jupiter, FL where she lived all her life until she went off to school in Kentucky at Asbury College. After her freshman year at Asbury, Niki really had a desire to serve God at a summer camp in 2003. After being turned down for a couple different camps, she went home to Florida for the summer to work at home once again. Right around that time, Niki received an e-mail followed by a call from Jeremy Jackson. He still needed a few great counselors to come work for the summer. In two weeks time, Niki was hired and on her way to Hartfield, VA; a place that was totally new to her and exciting adventures awaited her.
The two of course made many friends that summer with the campers and staff, but made a special connection with each other. They started dating in the fall of 2003, and decided that they wanted to come back for the summer of 2004. Steve was once again Ropes Course Director, but had some added resposibilities as the Assistant Director. Niki also in addition to being a counselor filled the role of the unofficial Day Camp Director.
After having a great summer at camp, Niki went back for her junior year at Asbury, while Steve went to Louisville, KY to study at Southern Seminary. Not long after starting, Steve decided that it was time to ask Niki to be his wife. On January 5, 2005 on the beach in Jupiter, FL Steve proposed. Five months later, on June 5, 2005 the two were married. The ceremony took place at the place that the two loved more than anywhere else, at Camp Piankatank. Jeremy Jackson, the previous camp director and great friend, performed the ceremony in the Outdoor Worship Area, and the reception was in the Dining Hall. It was a whole weekend affair with friends and family being able to experience all the activities at camp on Saturday. Steve and Niki then moved to Wilmore, KY so that Niki could finish up at Asbury while Steve worked full-time and took seminary classes part-time. After not even three months of marriage, Steve got a call one day on he way home from the car dealership that he was working at. Jeremy was calling to tell him that there was a good chance he and Michelle would be leaving Piankatank, and he wanted Steve and Niki to consider taking their place. The two decided that this is what God was calling them to, so soon thereafter they submitted their portfolios and resumes to be considered. After many months of waiting and two interviews, the two newlyweds received word on December 15 that they had been selected to succeed Jeremy and Michelle Jackson. After packing everything in less than a week, the two went to Florida for Christmas, drove on the 28th, moved in at camp on the 29th, and met to sign papers on the 30th to officially start January 1, 2006.
We're excited to announce that we'll be adding a new little Gourley to our family. Niki is pregnant with our first child and due in October. 
