The sound of singing, laughter, and campfire crackle has faded at Winkler Bible Camp, but the impact of this summer is still being felt. After a season filled with hundreds of campers, new memories, and a theme that inspired kids to “Follow the Track,” the camp is celebrating a year of growth and inviting the community to gather again — this time around the dinner table for its annual fall supper on September 23.
A summer of connection and growth
For Camp Director Steve Klassen, this year felt like a major step forward after the challenges of the past few years.
“This summer just felt really, really good from the beginning to the end,” Klassen shared. “After a few years post-COVID where you’re still trying things and training, this summer just felt like we really settled in and had a really great time.”
Klassen says while kids remain as enthusiastic as ever about camp, there is one group that has changed.
“If anything, parents are the ones that have changed,” he explained. “As parents, we’re a little bit more nervous sometimes and have a harder time sending kids to camp, but it seems like the kids themselves really, really love the experience.”
Highlights of the season
One of the biggest draws for campers each year is the summer theme and music.
“Our theme this year was ‘Follow the Track,’” said Klassen. “Everything had a farming motif – barns, animals, that kind of thing. It was all about following the example that Jesus left for us so we could go the way that he is showing us.”
Music plays a big role in camp life.
“The new song is a huge highlight where they come into the chapel, they get to hear it for the first time, and then they sing it every day,” Klassen said. “Parents tell us their kids listen to the camp music all year round.”
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Training tomorrow’s leaders
Winkler Bible Camp also invests in developing future leaders through its LDP (Leadership Development Program).
“We had over 90 LDPs this year,” Klassen noted. “About half of them worked this summer, and a lot more will work next summer. That system is really working – we’re training our own future leaders.”
Exciting updates at the camp
While the summer season was full of activities, Klassen says one of the most exciting projects was a long-awaited upgrade.
“We finished our bathrooms,” he said with a laugh. “That’s been a long time coming and we worked really hard to get them ready for summer. Now we have two really nice new facilities in our cabin areas.”
The camp is also continuing to improve its red barn petting zoo building, which is currently used as a two-season space.
“The hope is once we have funds, we can make it a full four-season winterized space, specifically for our reptiles and little critters,” Klassen said.
Fall supper brings community together
The annual fall supper is Winkler Bible Camp’s main fundraising event of the season and is open to everyone.
“Fall supper is always general funds,” Klassen explained. “It just helps us catch up after doing all of our summer expenses.”
Guests can look forward to a classic fall meal featuring turkey, stuffing, sausage, mashed potatoes, corn, and chocolate tarts for dessert. The event is by donation, making it accessible for the entire community.
How to support
Those who cannot attend in person can still make a difference. Donations can be made year-round by mail, e-transfer, or online at WinklerBibleCamp.com, where visitors can also watch a highlight video from the summer.
Winkler Bible Camp continues to be a place where children and families connect with faith, community, and one another. With the fall supper just around the corner, Klassen says they are looking forward to seeing friends from across the Pembina Valley come together to celebrate and support the camp’s mission.