With summer just around the corner, Pembina Valley Bible Camp (PVBC) is buzzing with activity as registration is officially open for the 2025 season. While the sun-soaked days of camp are what most people look forward to, Executive Director Terry Friesen says there’s been just as much excitement this winter with major upgrades, especially for the camp’s beloved horse programs.
And if matching energy wasn’t enough, Friesen also happened to match the chairs in our studio!
Record-breaking start to registration
Summer registration launched March 17, and the response was immediate.
“We filled a number of our camps that first day and well over half of our capacity,” said Friesen. “We’re looking forward to setting some records this year of how many campers we’re getting.”
While some camps have already reached capacity, PVBC’s unique specialty camp model — which includes programs like paintball, wilderness canoeing, creative arts, and multiple levels of horse camps — means there are still openings in certain areas.
“Our biggest availability right now is in our specialty horse camps,” said Friesen. “We opened more spaces this summer than ever before — including a boys horse camp, which is a new one for us.”
Specialty camps for adventurous teens
Since 1976, Pembina Valley Bible Camp has focused on offering specialized experiences for teens aged 13 to 17. Most summer weeks feature multiple concurrent camps, giving youth the opportunity to explore their passions.
“Most of our programming is for ages 13 to 17 and it’s all in specialties,” Friesen explained. “That means we might have four or five different camps running at the same time — like paintball, horse camps, and wilderness camps.”
Two of the newest offerings include:
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Advanced Wilderness Camp: A multi-day canoe adventure in Nopiming Provincial Park.
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Outback Trail Camp: A horse-focused camp where participants ride into the valley and stay at a remote basecamp for several days.
“You get to spend the next number of days with the horses in the valley — trail riding, doing horse activities, and just enjoying nature,” Friesen said.
Winter upgrades: the four season horse barn
The camp didn’t slow down during the colder months. One of the biggest winter projects has been the transformation of an existing structure into a four-season horse barn.
“It’s going to become a four-season barn with a heated, drained floor, box stalls, space for vets and farriers — and, very excitingly, two washrooms,” said Friesen. “That’s a massive upgrade for all the horse campers who had to go about half a mile to get to the nearest washroom.”
Other off-season upgrades include:
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New mattresses for the cabins
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New canoe paddles for wilderness camps
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Canvas prospector tents to expand capacity for wilderness campers
“If you went to Pembina Valley way back in the day, you’ll remember those big white canvas tents — we’re bringing those back,” said Friesen. “It lets us create more spots for campers without needing new buildings.”
Connecting with God through nature
More than just fun and activities, PVBC emphasizes spiritual growth through outdoor experiences.
“As a camper myself way back, I saw the magnitude of what God can do in His creation,” shared Friesen. “Last summer, we had a young girl say, ‘Look at the stars — I’ve never seen them like this.’ I told her, ‘You get to see them every night now for a week.’”
The camp’s observation deck remains a highlight for many — a spot to soak in the valley views and reflect on faith.
“That deck is still probably the most popular spot at camp,” said Friesen. “In the fall, it’s very busy. We get lots of visitors asking if they can just come take a look. We love sharing the valley with everyone.”
Registration details and how to get involved
Spots are still available in several camps, particularly horse programs and select paintball, creative arts, and junior sessions (ages 11–15).
“If there’s any way you’d like to be involved — whether it’s registering a camper, volunteering, or supporting us — just give us a shout,” encouraged Friesen. “We love to incorporate as much of the community into what we’re doing as possible.”
To register or learn more, visit www.pembinavalleybiblecamp.com