The Wilds Christian Association
The Wilds Christian Association, Inc. is a Christian organization, based in Brevard, North Carolina, United States. The organization was founded by a group of Christians at Bob Jones University who recognized the need for a Christian camp in the Southeastern United States. In 1967, the group purchased a property near Brevard, North Carolina and established The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center about two years later. Today, The Wilds is one of the largest Christian camps in the United States. About 21,000 people attend annual retreats, while summer camp averages 1,100 to 1,200 campers per week.
The Wilds of the Rockies opened in 1987 near Kremmling, Colorado, though the property was sold in 2004 and converted to a residential development. A third camp, The Wilds of New England, was established in Deering, New Hampshire in 2009. Additionally, CampsAbroad was founded in 2001, which is an international program assisting Christian camping ministries in 40 countries. The Wilds Christian Association is supported by more than 300 churches, and more than 250,000 campers have attended its summer camp programs. The Wilds has a year-round staff of forty and a summer staff of about 270.
Beliefs
The Wilds is a conservative, fundamentalist organization. Although not affiliated with any denomination, many sponsors are Independent Baptist and Bible churches.The Wilds mission statement is succinctly stated in the camp verse: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God". The Wilds seeks to evangelize non-Christian campers and encourage spiritual growth among Christian campers by combining Bible study, personal discipleship, and religious services with recreational activity.
Camping ministries
North Carolina
The Wilds of North Carolina is located near Rosman, North Carolina. The camp property contains approximately of land through which Toxaway Creek flows. Four main waterfalls on the Toxaway are on The Wilds property and are common hiking destinations for campers.History
In the late 1960s, a group of people recognized the need for a Christian camp in the Southeastern United States. In 1967, the group discovered the property in Transylvania County, North Carolina, and first incorporated as "Hemlock Hills Christian Association" because of the abundance of hemlock trees on the property. Then someone recalled Socrates' death from drinking hemlock, and they decided to call the camp "The Wilds," a reflection of Jesus having urged His disciples to rest awhile in a secluded place. Although the group had few resources, they eventually obtained funds to purchase the 810-acre tract of land in Transylvania County, North Carolina. By 1969, The Wilds was established by Ken Hay, Walter Fremont, Joe Henson, and Carl D. Blyth Sr., who knew each other from their association at Bob Jones University.Facilities
The camp is one of the largest Christian camps in the United States. During the summer, the camp averages between 1,100 and 1,200 campers each week. Throughout the rest of the year the camp hosts specialized retreats that attract 21,000 attendees annually.The campsite facilities include staff residences, an inn and chapel, dormitory and craft shop, cabins, dining hall, main office building, and a large multi-purpose building. The property includes a man-made lake, Toxaway Creek and waterfalls, basketball courts, and athletic fields. There are also several leisure activities available such as a water slide, land trolley, and a "Giant Swing."
The Wilds section of Toxaway Creek has several waterfalls, which are numbered going downstream.
- "The Shoals"
- First Falls
- Second Falls
- Third Falls
- Fourth Falls