About Us
Ascension School rests on the ancestral lands of the Umatilla, Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce peoples. The Native people of this region nurture and harvest first foods, camp as part of their seasonal rounds, and gently care for the eco-systems of this region today, as they have done for thousands of years.
In the late 1800s, Samuel French settled the land and established an Episcopal girls’ school. In 1881, he deeded the school and surrounding 100 acres to the Episcopal Diocese. After a tragic fire, the land lay fallow until 1924 when Bishop Remington opened a summer camp for the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon. Since that time, Ascension School has offered a robust summer camp program and has expanded to offer retreat and conference facilities.
Eighty acres of the land has now been dedicated to habitat restoration with guidance and in partnership with the indigenous culture-keepers in Cove. The revitalization of the land and indigenous lifeways is central to our mission. The Tish Croom Nature Trail – named for a beloved priest dedicated to creation care – allows visitors to enjoy the land. Ascension School continues to offer summer camps and our facilities and grounds are available for guest retreats, social gatherings, meetings, and celebrations. We welcome people from all traditions with our Radical Hospitality.
Habitat Restoration
Ascension School Camp and Conference Center sits on approximately 100 acres. For nearly a century, 80 acres of the property has been farmed. Through the discernment of our values around creation care and racial reconciliation, we were compelled to reimagine our stewardship of this land. In November 2019, the land was returned to Ascension School’s direct care, and we began implementing the vision to re-establish the native riparian and prairie eco-system and build a nature trail throughout the 80 acres.
About half of the project is part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which seeks to support landowners in establishing vegetation along streams, protecting water quality, and restoring fish and wildlife habitat. The restoration is monitored in partnership with the Grande Ronde Community Science Project.
We contract with Naknuwithlama Tiichamna (Caretakers of the Land) for the management of the project. This group of indigenous culture-keepers are leading an effort to revitalize indigenous lifeways and restore habitats in the Blue Mountain Bio-Region through seasonal round immersion camps and eco-system restoration. They have planted nearly 7000 native trees and shrubs on the project. They monitor the streams and have seeded the meadows and introduced First Foods back to the land.
All Ascension School visitors can view the project via a nature trail, which meanders throughout the property and creates a conservatory and sanctuary for those who visit.
Community Partners
Naknuwithlama Tiiachamna – Caretakers of the Land
Ascension School partners, contracts and consults with Caretakers of the Land in an effort to restore indigenous lifeways and native habitats in the Blue Mountain Bio-Region. For more information visit here.
Cherry Fair
The annual Cove Cherry Fair has been a highly successful local tourism event for more than 20 years. Originating in 1911, celebrated through 1917, and then revived in 2000, the Cove Cherry Fair is proudly hosted at and sponsored by Ascension School Camp & Conference Center each year. For more information about the Cove Cherry Fair, visit here.
Cove Community Association
Ascension School partners with the Cove Community Association on a variety of events and programs including board meetings, self-defense classes and game nights. For details follow click here.
Senior Exercise
Twice per week during the academic year, the Cove Senior Citizens Association and Ascension School sponsor senior fitness classes. Taught by Amy Hassinger, a local instructor, these classes help seniors stay strong in the winter months. For more information, contact Amy 541-910-8803 or click here.
Senior Meals
The Cove Senior Citizens Luncheons are twice-monthly luncheons for seniors during the cooler months of the year, from September through May, and an annual meeting in June. Many of the seniors are on a fixed income and find it difficult to get out and attend functions in the neighboring community of La Grande, 15 miles away, or Union, 8 miles away. These luncheons provide a valuable opportunity for socialization, a resource that can be limited in Cove. On average, forty seniors gather to greet one another, socialize, and enjoy wholesome food prepared by the Ascension School culinary staff. For more information click here.
Cove School
The Cove High School drama program utilizes the Coe-Kerr Community Center during their spring and fall season to rehearse and perform productions. We are so grateful to be able to host local arts and education in our facilities. Follow the Cove Leopards on Facebook for updates on productions.
Cove Preschool
The Cove Preschool is a non-profit organization established for the education of Cove’s 3-5 year olds. The Cove Preschool is located on the Ascension grounds just behind Morris Hall at 1101 1/2 Church Street. The Cove Preschool provides an opportunity for co-operative play, social interaction, experiential activities, and literacy development while engaging in all learning modalities in a safe environment. For more information click here.
Work With Us
We currently don't have any permanent positions open.
Contact Us
(541) 568-4514
1104 Church Street
Cove, OR 97824
katie@coveascensionschool.com