Check Out Kayse McCanne’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayse McCanne.

Hi Kayse, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Bridgeway officially launched in 2013, but our work actually began a couple of years earlier, in 2011. We are a faith-based nonprofit located in Henry County, Georgia, and interestingly enough, I never set out to start a nonprofit. It wasn’t part of some long-term plan. It unfolded organically, one step at a time.

In 2011, I was working at Henry County Middle School as the Parent Involvement Liaison. My role was to increase parent engagement, because research consistently shows that when parents are involved, students are more successful. I planned workshops, shared resources, and worked to connect parents more closely to their children’s academic lives. Despite strong promotion, very few parents attended these workshops.

What I began to notice, though, was something important: parents always showed up for the things that mattered most to their kids. They came to awards ceremonies, sporting events, and special moments that directly involved their children. That realization changed everything.

I approached our principal with an idea to host a Saturday conference that would include sessions for both students and parents. I had a deep heart for helping young girls understand their value and worth, so I suggested a girls conference called Fine China. I envisioned it as a full-day experience, complete with a catered banquet and intentional moments designed to strengthen the connection between students and their parents.

The response was overwhelming. Nearly half of the girls in the school attended—close to 200 students—and 98% of them had at least one parent present. More than 400 people packed into that small cafeteria. It was clear we had tapped into something meaningful. Before long, the boys at the school were asking, “What about us?” Less than four months later, we hosted a boys conference, and while it wasn’t quite as large as the girls’ event, we still saw close to 200 attendees. That same month, an elementary school that had heard about the conferences invited us to host a mini Fine China and Men of Honor event, which was also a huge success.

After that school year, I was accepted into Georgia State University’s master’s program in school counseling. Because the classes were only offered during the day, I had to step away from my position at the school to pursue my degree full-time. The person hired to replace me was given one specific directive: “I don’t care what else you do this year, but you must host Fine China and Men of Honor.”

As she reviewed my materials, she noticed that I had trademarked the name Fine China. When she shared that they would need to change the name, the principal pushed back and insisted on keeping it. That’s when she called me. I still remember that phone conversation clearly. She asked if I would be willing to continue planning the conferences—for free—for another year, and in exchange, she would help me start a nonprofit organization.

At the time, I was genuinely confused. “I’m starting a nonprofit?” She explained that if I wanted to take these conferences into other schools and communities, I would need an organization to operate under. She also happened to run a side business helping organizations obtain their 501(c)(3) status. She handled all the paperwork, and within a few months, Bridgeway was officially approved.

While completing my master’s degree, we continued hosting conferences at Henry County Middle School, and the following year, during my internship at Luella Middle School, we hosted another Fine China Conference there. Nearly 350 students and parents attended. Word continued to spread, and more schools and organizations expressed interest.

But there was one challenge. In the school setting, I couldn’t freely share about Jesus—and that was truly where my heart was. While I was able to share powerful truths and create meaningful moments between students and their parents, I wasn’t able to share what I believed was most important: the hope found in Christ.

When I was sixteen years old, I had written a personal vision statement that included a dream of starting a Christian camp that would be free so that anyone could attend. That vision never left me. In 2013, we launched Camp Bridgeway. While we couldn’t openly share the Gospel at school events, we could invite families to camp, where they could choose that experience for their students.

That first year, we had 31 campers. It was small, but it marked the beginning of something extraordinary. Over the next decade, the ministry continued to grow while I worked as a youth pastor and school counselor to support my family. In 2023, I stepped away from paid employment to focus full-time on Bridgeway—a decision that felt both terrifying and deeply obedient. Walking away from a guaranteed paycheck and health insurance required faith, but nearly three years later, I can confidently say that God has been faithful and has provided for every need. I work very part-time in real estate to help cover expenses, but we trust God as our ultimate Provider.

Today, Bridgeway hosts three camps each year: a spring break day camp for elementary students, a summer camp for students outside of Henry County, and a fall camp during Henry County’s fall break. We now serve close to 300 students annually. And, while we do charge a nominal registration fee to secure one’s spot ($10 for spring break and $25 for summer or fall camp), the remaining costs are completely covered by the generosity of our donors. We never want finances to be a barrier to the Gospel. We are currently working toward securing our own campus and have launched a capital campaign to support that vision.

Our mission is to build bridges to Christ by providing high-quality, empowering programs that transform our youth, strengthen families, and connect community organizations together. We desire to be a positive change agent in our community and a trusted resource for schools, churches, and local organizations. We are believing that God will continue to expand the reach and impact of this work.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t describe the journey as smooth—it has been meaningful, but often challenging. In the early years, I was balancing graduate school and a full-time internship while simultaneously launching a nonprofit. It was a heavy season.

About a year and a half after starting Bridgeway, my husband and I became parents of three overnight when we adopted three children through the foster care system. We had met our two oldest children through our programs, which is a story in itself. They were 15, 13, and 9 when they came to live with us. After fostering them for a year, we officially adopted them in 2016. Stepping into motherhood so suddenly, while also working as both a youth pastor and a school counselor, required me to make some hard but necessary adjustments.

As a result, we scaled back our programming significantly for a season. We paused our conference events and narrowed our focus to one primary initiative—our annual camp. Even that came with its own challenges. We rely heavily on volunteer staff, and every student we serve requires fundraising support. Much of the planning, preparation, and fundraising fell on my shoulders, and for a long time, I tried to carry too much of that responsibility alone.

Another ongoing challenge was finding a location where we could host camp. Most campgrounds in our area operate their own programs during the summer months, which makes availability and affordability difficult for smaller nonprofits. From the very beginning, our camps were held during Henry County’s fall break, when students have a full week off in September. This allowed us to use the Georgia FFA Center in Covington, where we had the entire property to ourselves. The timing worked well—the weather was still warm but manageable, and we were able to enjoy all of the traditional camp activities, including swimming and water events.

While fall break provided a wonderful opportunity to serve students in Henry County, it also created limitations. Students from surrounding counties often wanted to attend but were unable to because their school schedules didn’t align. As a result, our camp programming remained focused exclusively on Henry County students for many years. However, I will say that we have had some kids skip school to come to our camp before!

Last year we were given access to a summer campground at The Ridge in Thomaston, which allowed us, for the first time, to offer an additional week of camp specifically for students outside of Henry County. This expansion has been a significant step forward and has opened the door for us to reach more students who had previously been unable to participate. We also have partnered with a local church in Henry County (Trinity Chapel), to use their campus as a location for a spring break day camp for elementary students which we launched last year, as well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Through the work we do at Bridgeway, I am incredibly grateful to be able to provide camp at no cost to students and families in our community, thanks to the generosity of individuals, organizations, and churches who believe in this mission. Because of their support, students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend camp are able to participate. This includes many students from foster care, single-parent homes, and low-income families—kids who are often unable to attend other camps simply because of the cost. Removing that financial barrier is central to what we do.

What also sets Bridgeway apart is that we are a free camp open to any student, regardless of financial ability, and we are not affiliated with a single denomination or church. Instead, we intentionally partner with multiple churches in our community, inviting their youth groups, youth leaders, and youth pastors to attend camp alongside their students. Any student not already connected with a local church is placed on a church team that is close to where they live geographically. This allows them to build relationships all week with a local youth ministry so that when camp ends, they leave with a sense of belonging and a church community they can stay connected to.

One of the things I am most proud of is our volunteers. They give their time and energy because they genuinely believe in this vision and truly love the students we serve. Many of them return year after year, and some are even former campers who grew up attending our programs. Seeing that full-circle impact—students becoming leaders and mentors to the next generation—is one of the greatest blessings of this work.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is doing what God has called me to do and pleasing Him. I don’t want to waste the life He has given me. I want to make it count and use it to share His love with others. Jesus has forever changed my life and I want everyone to know the hope and love that is found in Him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bridgingtheway.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgewayyps/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgewayYPS
• Twitter: https://x.com/bridgewayyps
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BridgewayYPS

Image Credits
Journey Light Creative – Arthur Rasco

Clipped Wing Photography – Deanna Boyd