Our History and Mission

Shadowcliff History

Founders

The Shadowcliff story begins with a tent and a campsite on the banks of the North Inlet stream. In 1956, Patt and Warren Rempel dreamed of building a simple, rustic lodge and purchased two lots on the North Inlet stream in order to fulfill this dream. Inspirational morning meditations on a promontory, which overlooked Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake, served as the source of the dream which became Shadowcliff. After several summers of tent living by the stream the Rempels purchased the remainder of the land and began the first building project in 1959. By 1981, construction of the main buildings was completed through the efforts of approximately 650 volunteers from 45 countries. This volunteer tradition continues as more than 100 volunteers participate each year in a variety of ways including work projects throughout the month of May (pre season opening) and throughout the regular season

The Rempel Family Partnership, LLLP graciously gave ownership of Shadowcliff to Bridging the Gap, Inc. in late 2001, under the condition that Shadowcliff be used as a mountain sanctuary and retreat center and that Judith Christy and Bridging The Gap Founder Bob Mann agree to serve as the Rempels successors as directors and keepers of the vision. Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a 501(c)3 organization based in Kansas City that works to unite business, government and individuals in a way that benefits all and preserves natural resources for future generations. BTG’s mission is to make the Kansas City region sustainable by connection environment, economy and community. Bridging The Gap is all about interconnectedness and helping citizens, businesses and government understand the impact of our decisions and behavior on our present and future communities.

Shadowcliff’s Mission


In traditional for-profit businesses, the profit at the bottom line is most often the controlling factor which dominates decision making. It accounts for lay-offs, bonuses, relocations, community participation, mergers and bankruptcies. Not -for-profit organizations like Shadowcliff are guided by an entirely different bottom line. Our bottom line is called mission.
Mission creates the framework for making all decisions as an organization. Most not for profit organizations believe that there is something in our society that needs to be changed. Shadowcliff’s mission is created out of the framework of a particular change that we support and are willing to commit our lives and energies to make happen.

Shadowcliff's tagline - inspiring the journey - suggests that whether guests come to Shadowcliff as individuals, families, or part of a larger group, we want to provide an arena that inspires their personal or organizational journey and provides hope and inspiration for the future. We want guests to leave Shadowcliff believing that change is possible and that they can be part of that change.

Our mission: Shadowcliff is an eco-friendly mountain sanctuary where together we are creating a restorative world.

We do not fully understand all that this mission implies, but know that it is the next step in our journey as an organization. We know that sanctuary is a safe place for personal and community retreat and renewal. We also know that we human beings are changing our natural habitat in ways that are not healthy for us or for other species who are declining at the fastest rate since the time of the dinosaurs. We know that we humans must change.

We commit to be a part of the change that is necessary if our species is to learn to live in harmony with the natural environment and this planet that we call home. The workshops and educational opportunities at Shadowcliff grow out of this sense of mission and our respect for Shadowcliff’s rich tradition of being a mountain sanctuary for retreat and renewal.