Tucked high in the Uinta Mountains, where cell service fades, and the pace of everyday life gives way to something quieter and more intentional, Sunrock Adventure Camp is carving out a new legacy on historic ground. Once known as Camp Steiner—a Boy Scout camp that operated for decades—the property sat unused for five years before being reimagined as the Sunrock High Adventure Base, a nonprofit effort focused on youth development and meaningful outdoor experiences.
When Shad Stevens acquired the camp in 2024, it didn’t reopen with polished facilities or a full roster of programs. Instead, it began with something more grassroots. The first year served as a soft launch, inviting guests to stay in exchange for helping restore the property after years of neglect. It was a season of rebuilding—physically and conceptually—as Stevens and his team worked to bring the camp back to life.
Now entering its second year, Sunrock is expanding its offerings while staying grounded in its purpose. As a registered 501(c)(3)
nonprofit, the camp is built around providing access to outdoor experiences for a wide range of groups, from youth organizations and schools to families, corporate retreats, underserved communities, and even their first wedding this summer. While there has been strong demand from school and church youth groups, the vision reaches further—toward inclusivity, multi-generational connection, and opportunities for those who might not otherwise have access to this kind of environment.
The structure of the experience is intentionally designed. Groups rotate through a series of core activities that blend adventure with personal growth: time on the waterfront using canoes and paddleboards, climbing and rappelling on the rock wall, archery, cooperative games, and service projects that foster a sense of contribution and stewardship. Outside of scheduled programming, guests can explore hiking trails, fish in nearby lakes, or take in the clarity of a mountain night sky through astronomy sessions. It’s an environment meant to challenge and inspire in equal measure.
That setting is part of what makes Sunrock unique. Sitting at an elevation of 10,400 feet and surrounded by vast stretches of wilderness, the camp is intentionally disconnected—no power grid, no Wi-Fi, and limited access to the outside world. The result is an experience that encourages people to step away from digital distractions and reconnect with themselves and each other.
For Stevens, this mission is deeply personal. His career has spanned emergency services and education, from working as a firefighter and paramedic to serving as a teacher and high school principal, even spending time leading a school in China. Through every chapter, one goal remained constant: to influence young people in a meaningful way. Sunrock became the place where all those experiences converged. “I’ve lived a lot of unique experiences, but I feel like they all were leading to this, and it really is a dream come true, and I would like to spend my life there.”
That dream was shaped long before the camp itself. Stevens previously ran outdoor trips for youth groups through a for-profit version of Sunrock, traveling to places like Moab and Wyoming. Those early experiences helped him refine a model centered on what he calls adventure, discovery, and connection—three pillars that now define the camp’s philosophy. The idea is simple but powerful: by stepping into challenging situations, individuals begin to discover their strengths and limitations, which ultimately leads to deeper connections with others.
“We believe the youth are experiencing the nature deficit disorder…we work hard to help them detox and get reconnected with themselves and remember life is so much more than anything you’re going to find on a screen.”
That belief shows up in the moments that matter most. For Stevens, some of the most meaningful memories come from watching young campers push past fear—whether scaling a rock wall or jumping into a freezing alpine lake—and come out the other side with a new sense of confidence. It’s in those small but powerful transformations that the camp’s purpose becomes visible.
Just as impactful, he says, is the growth he sees in his staff. With a team largely made up of teens and young adults, Sunrock places an emphasis not just on safety training, but on personal development. Staff members are given the opportunity to lead, adapt, and serve in a dynamic environment—learning skills that extend far beyond the camp itself.
That sense of growth and legacy extends into Stevens’ own family. His two young sons are already immersed in the camp experience, learning alongside participants while beginning to take on leadership roles. For Stevens, Sunrock isn’t just a current endeavor—it’s something he hopes to pass down, creating a lasting family legacy rooted in service and the outdoors.
Looking ahead, the vision continues to expand. Plans include year-round programming with winter activities like backcountry skiing, as well as additions such as a high ropes course, zip line, mountain biking, and even equine therapy. On another level, the camp aims to host immersive experiences like Old West-style chuckwagon dinners, creating opportunities that blend adventure with storytelling and community.
Still, the future of Sunrock depends on steady growth and support. As a nonprofit, funding and donations play a critical role in developing facilities and expanding access. For now, the focus remains on strengthening the programs and building a foundation that can sustain the vision long-term.
At its core, Sunrock Adventure Camp is about more than activities or amenities. It’s about creating space—for challenge, for reflection, and for connection in a world that often feels too fast and too crowded. It’s about helping people, especially young people, step outside their comfort zones and return stronger, more confident, and more grounded than when they arrived.
Offices in Heber City thesunrockfoundation.org
