Our History
Winkler Bible Camp began in the summer of 1949, founded by the faculty of Winkler Bible Institute. The current campsite was chosen because of its proximity, its general environment, the Burwalde School, and the nearby neighbors. Donations were solicited by private donors and at the camp dedication. The foundation for a chapel was poured and a chapel was built in three days during the summer of 1949. Dedication of the chapel, tents and site took place on July 10, 1949. By July of 1952, there were 5 buildings: dining hall and kitchen (additions to chapel), boys' dorm, girls' dorm and shower house. In 1978, 240 acres of property was purchased as a second campsite for future development. 1982 marked the beginning of separate programming carried on at the Pembina Valley Bible Camp, no longer an affiliation of WBC.
Growth of the camp has continued. Since 1949, WBC has been accepting camper registrations, with yearly summer camper attendance over 2000 campers between our three sites: Main Site, Teepee Village, and Mission Point Bible Camp at Shoal Lake, Ontario. The ultimate focus of Winkler Bible Camp is introducing campers to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow in their Christian lives. Activities available to summer campers include horseback riding, biking, BMX course, swimming, wall climbing, a 350´ zip line, arts and crafts, ropes/obstacle course, archery, nature exploration, outdoor cooking, fishing, canoeing, paintball and much more!
Starting in the early 90´s, in addition to the summer camping ministry, the campsite has been made available to rental groups which include youth groups, family gatherings, businesses, outdoor education groups, and various retreats. WBC also offers a variety of its own retreats and seminars to the public. In addition, the Cross Current program, a year round Discipleship program, was launched in 1998 with the goal to offer biblical training through both classroom and practical settings. WBC spread internationally into India in 2003, starting up summer camps. Operating out of a small, rented boarding school WBC India offered its campers a balanced program of teaching and recreation. This ministry has since developed into other countries and formed it´s own non-profit organization, Children´s Camps International.
The Lord has provided for and worked through the camp in amazing ways over the years, with many people looking back over their time as a camper or staff to be a starting and/or growing point in their walk with God. Praise God for His faithfulness to His ministry here!