A beloved wilderness camp operated by a Winnipeg inner-city ministry is under immediate threat from a fast-moving wildfire near Nopiming Provincial Park.
Kent Dueck, founder and executive director of Inner City Youth Alive, says the fire is now burning less than one kilometre from Gem Lake Wilderness Camp, a remote site that has served as a safe haven for at-risk youth from Winnipeg's inner city for nearly two decades.
"We're praying for a miracle," Dueck told CHVN in an interview Friday morning. “Right now, the camp’s future is in the balance.”
A sudden and dangerous shift
Dueck says that just over a week ago, conditions had appeared to improve after a bit of rain, leading staff to believe the danger had passed. But a shift in wind direction has pushed the flames south, encircling the lake and heading straight toward the camp.
“We thought the worst was behind us,” he said. “But now, it's less than a kilometre away. And resources are stretched thin—our camp doesn’t qualify for dedicated firefighting support because it’s not a residential community. It’s one camp in the wilderness.”
Some trailers and boats located at the other end of the lake have already been lost, he added.
Watch the full interview with Kent Dueck here:
A place of transformation
For many of the youth who attend Gem Lake Wilderness Camp each summer, it’s more than a camp—it’s a refuge.
“Our kids don’t just come to camp for fun,” Dueck explained. “For some, it’s the only place they consistently get three square meals a day. It’s a place where they feel nurtured, where they’re safe, and where they’re seen.”
Each camper is paired with a one-on-one mentor throughout the week, culminating in a handwritten letter affirming the child's unique strengths. These notes often bring the youth—and the staff—to tears.
"You see kids arrive hardened by life, and within days they soften," said Dueck. "They sing during worship. They smile. They become kids again."
Dueck describes the camp as “otherworldly”—a glimpse of the Kingdom of God for children who often live in instability.
A call to prayer
The fire’s proximity has left the ICYA team in a state of “suspended animation,” Dueck said. Summer staff are in position, and the camp is fully prepared to welcome children—if it survives.
“We're just asking people to pray,” he said. “We’re praying the winds shift and that the fire moves north. We’ve already lost some equipment, but we’re praying the camp itself will be saved.”
Gem Lake Wilderness Camp has been in operation for around 18 years, offering transformative experiences to hundreds of inner-city youth each summer.
For now, the message from ICYA is simple: “Please pray.”
CHVN will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.