Wilderness Canoe Base

“This is the blessing of camp. Memories are made. Faith is deepened. Relationships are formed. At camp, kids are given resources which will serve them for the rest of their lives.”

“I have learned many life lessons that go far beyond a five-day canoe trip: hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and the ability to laugh in difficult situations. But the most important thing I’ve taken is friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“I can do more in the wilderness than I thought I was going to be able to.”

“The connection one finds with people, with nature, and with the Divine at Wilderness is unparalleled in most other places. I leave each summer with a renewed sense of belonging and an ignited spirit.”

“When looking at Seagull Lake from a rock, I thought, ‘God is here.’”

“I see God in the relationships built, in the care for one another, and appreciation of God’s creation.”

“I see God everywhere, in each and every moment.”

“There are a lot of tangible learning experiences that happen here and therefore people are able to learn a lot about themselves and learn a lot about God. I’ve experienced God’s fingerprints in picking blueberries, wearing rain gear to church, and laughter while washing pot and pans. I’ve been encouraged to ask tough questions, challenge structures, and grow deeper.”

“I always marked the endless contrasts. The warmth of the fire after a rainy day. The calm of the lake after a thunderstorm. The supreme silence after a loud litany of stresses. WCB is a place where God whispers into the community and creates something bigger than the sum of it’s parts.”

“It was the most humbling, empowering, and transformative summer I’ve had in 22 years, and I hope you’ll be portaging alongside me in the upcoming season as we continue to encounter God in the new adventures every day at Wilderness.”

“The trip exceeded my expectations in every way. Facilitated by our outstanding guide, our group came together to have a fun, challenging, and memorable experience that will stay with us for a long time! Thanks for an amazing trip.”

“The community and people at WCB do a great job of showing their love: love of God, love for children, and love for each other. WCB is a place which serves many functions. A place for fellowship and hard work. A place where you will be so tired and so full of love. A place to recharge when you are ground down, and then prepares you for new growth.”

“I learned that I am stronger than I thought—that I should not be ashamed for who I am, that I am the light and love of God. I learned about trusting in God and each other”

“Being the Director of Health and Safety helped guide me as to what type of nurse I strive to be: listening, advocating, and guiding all with the loving hands that Christ has blessed me with. Serving at WCB was one of the most influential experiences in my life.”

“I have enjoyed this summer more than I could have guessed. Confidence, intentionality, timelessness, fire-building, navigation, endurance—I learned much in times of challenge. I relied on God for everything, and even when I didn’t, He still provided. The ways He provided allowed me to grow and see how it was only because of God that I am now so capable.”

“I learned how little I need to be truly happy. This week was so refreshing and carefree (mostly) for me!”

“By the end of the summer, something about the way I carried myself had changed. I no longer smiled just with my mouth; I smiled from the width of my stance to the looseness of my hips to the openness of my chest. It was like I had settled into my own skeleton. I knew I could turn in any direction and confidently jump into any task I saw. I was simultaneously alert and relaxed. I was absorbed in the flow of life around me.”

“I learned that I can be a leader and focus on things that are integral to success.”

“I kept repeating mantras to myself that reminded me that God is with me. I saw God in my falls when I miraculously didn’t get hurt and just laughed, in the wilderness, and in the group’s positivity in the hard moments.”

“I see God in the bonds we formed together.”