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 a year or two of tent camping 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 42 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 Shadowcliff 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. The Rempel family and volunteers from all over the world created Shadowcliff as a mountain sanctuary. During the last decade the mountain sanctuary has also become a source of education, strategic planning and inspiration teaching nature's sustainability principles to individuals, businesses and governments .