Every summer, a special group of children from across Virginia gather at a unique camp. Each of the kids is extraordinary. They are intellectually gifted and talented, with a drive to succeed that has been acknowledged by their teachers and community leaders. They also share a common hurdle, an obstacle that is in the way of their success. Whether it is geographical, financial, or otherwise – something is potentially standing in the way of these kids reaching their full potential. That is where Jacob’s Ladder, a summer enrichment program, steps in to create a foundation that has proven to be one of the most remarkable camps in the country.
Created in 1991, Jacob’s Ladder is the realization of one man’s dream – Mr. Aubrey Hall. Hall, an astute businessman, was volunteering in a summer mission trip on Virginia’s Eastern Shore where he worked with the children of migrant workers. He was deeply moved by the plight of these youth, who were forced to constantly move, and thus, did not get a chance to truly thrive. These were bright kids, and they had all the potential to become great scholars, leaders, and productive adults in any profession – but circumstances prevented that growth.
When he returned home, Hall could not get the images of the children out of his mind, and he began to wonder how many other kids across Virginia were also underserved. He felt a deep need to find and help these young adults. While academic enrichment programs would certainly assist them in reaching their full potential, they needed more than just lessons. They needed a safe, stable environment that provided the tools to develop the social skills, emotional discipline and spiritual depth that are hallmarks of successful adults. From those goals, Jacob’s Ladder was born.
With his wife, Margie, and with support from the Reverend Robert Phipps - then Headmaster at Christchurch School - Hall launched the first class in 1992. Today, the Halls are the proud “parents” of more than 250 young people – current and former Climbers (the apropos nickname of the students who are enrolled in the program) as well as Climber “graduates” who have benefited from the Jacob’s Ladder approach.
The process starts when a gifted and talented child, either in the fourth or fifth grade, is recognized by a teacher or community member who sees that they would benefit from the supportive program. The children and their families are interviewed, and the chosen students get the summer experience of a lifetime. From the time they join, through the eighth grade, they attend a five-week summer residential camp that offers classes in a myriad of subjects, from biology and math to Japanese culture and astronomy, the classes are designed to foster and introduce new ideas and open pathways to exciting subjects the Climbers would otherwise never get to learn.
It is not just during the summer that these children get together. There are also programs during the winter, like attending the ballet in Richmond, and spring camps on the water where the Climbers learn swimming, kayaking, and other water sports and skills.
This past winter, Climbers were thrilled when they got to witness first-hand the success of a former camper who’d utilized what they learned and translated that into a vibrant and promising career.
According to Executive Director Catherine Coggeshall, the 2021 Jacob’s Ladder Winter Event was held at Richard Bland College, where Climbers watched Christmas in Harmony, a Hallmark movie that stars former Climbers, Ashley Tru Ward. After a showing of her movie, Ashley took over and held a question-and-answer session with the audience, consisting of staff, current Climbers, and their parents. One of the first questions the audience asked was about Ward’s experience at Jacob’s Ladder and the impact it had on her.
“No matter how many superstars I’ll meet or how many big projects I’ll work on, Jacob’s Ladder tops it all,” Ward said. “I made friends that I will always have and made experiences that I will always take with me. The discipline I learned at Jacob’s Ladder is one of the things that I have taken with me along the way. I remember during summer camp we had a set schedule. In my life now, managing an acting career, being a mom, being a wife, and anything I’m trying to pursue, ends up requiring discipline.”
Ward is planning to return for a weekend class at summer camp to teach the kids about acting, writing scripts, and producing what they come up with. She is not the first Climber to return to camp. Many former climbers return to the camp as teachers, RAs, and other support staff. It has become a culture of giving back that has stood the tests of time.
A relatively new program, which will be led by previous RA Palmer Castrodale, is the High School Advocacy (HSA) program. Castrodale will be responsible for assisting high school Climbers with their college searches and financial aid applications. She will also help them find internships and research career opportunities. HSA provides this support through regular contact and school visits. The HSA program advises the students to draw on the services provided by their school counselors, Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) advisors, tutoring programs, and any other academic programs that may be available.
“We felt like we did so much with the kids throughout middle school and didn’t want to just send them into high school and wish them well. We now stay connected with them throughout high school and help with any challenges they may face, scholarships that we find, and the whole college application process,” Coggeshall added.
To date, Jacob’s Ladder has hosted 454 Climbers, with 47 middle schoolers and 52 high schoolers currently involved. The entire program is funded through donations and fundraisers. The cost is approximately $5,025 per climber, per year. Over 94-percent of Climbers attend college, and graduates include those from Boston University, Brown, William & Mary, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, James Madison University, Mary Washington, Old Dominion University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Smith College, Stanford, University of Chicago, Yale and many other prestigious universities. Since the start of the program, over $14 million has been raised in scholarships that were awarded to the Climbers. It is important to note that many of the fundraisers are local events, including their Golf Classic at Golden Eagle Golf Course and annual Oyster Tasting at the Watermen’s Museum in Yorktown. Corporate and local sponsorships from all over Virginia, including the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula are incredible. Without that funding, the programs would not be able to continue.
This year marks their 31st year of the program, and Jacob’s Ladder will be hosting an anniversary party - as the 30th was missed due to COVID. In those three decades, Hall has remained a beloved figure. Climbers have also come to rely on, respect, and adore JoAnne Ruffa, the current Middle School Advocate. She has been with the program nearly since its inception and her generous heart and spirit have carried Climbers through their many journeys. The number of people who have dedicated themselves to the program is overwhelming, and a testament to the beautiful, bold dream that Hall made into reality. Again, it has all been made possible through the public’s much needed donation of time, funds, and materials. The staff, board members, and all involved with Jacob’s Ladder remain in awe and are deeply appreciative of the support they receive.
“I HAVE SO MUCH TO THANK YOU FOR. I CAN’T POSSIBLY WRITE IT ALL DOWN HERE,” SAID FORMER CLIMBER JENNY, WHO IS QUOTED ON THE JACOB’S LADDER WEBSITE. “YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO HELP ME REALIZE MY POTENTIAL. I BELIEVE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS ANYONE IS ABLE TO GIVE. I HOPE THAT THE SUCCESS I CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE IN MY LIFE WILL SHOW YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU.”
“I have so much to thank you for. I can’t possibly write it all down here,” said former Climber Jenny, who is quoted on the Jacob’s Ladder website. “You have done so much to help me realize my potential. I believe you have given me one of the best gifts anyone is able to give. I hope that the success I continue to achieve in my life will show you how much I love you and thank you.”
For more information on Jacob’s Ladder, which is headquartered in Urbanna, please visit jladder.org or call 804-758-0712.