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About Camp Bighorn
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Camp Bighorn is a Christian family and adventure camp that has been closely
associated with Grace Baptist Church since its inception.
Nearly 20 years ago, the camp property, which was a ranch at the time, was
spotted by Don and Donna Fuller, and Cliff and Henrietta Gustafson as they
drove up HWY 135. They saw it as a place of great potential for ministry as
a camp. Very quickly, the property was purchased, and camping started. It
was pretty rustic at first, with campers in tents, cooking done in the ranch
house kitchen, staffed pretty much by volunteers, open and operating only
in summer. Gradually this has changed, and now there is a beautiful big lodge
which holds the food service kitchen, dining area, which is used as a multi
purpose room, classroom/activity area. The original ranch house is now the
office complex and retreat room, five duplex cabins have been built to house
campers, and the original “implement shed†has
been transformed into a dormitory. The camp can serve approximately 175 campers
and staff. Originally, the camping program was centered on family activities.
This has gradually enlarged to include not only family centred, mild adventure
activities, but serious adventure camping as well. The vision of Tom and Terry
Collins, the camp's directors for the last 18 years, combined with the help
and vision of the growing and dedicated staff, has brough Camp Bighorn into
the world class adventure zone. Rock climbing, white and flat water canoeing,
rafting and kayaking, hiking and backpacking, mountain biking, ropes courses
and fishing all entice campers from a large geographic area. Camp Bighorn's
operational philosophy puts Jesus Christ as C.E.O., and makes spreading the
Gospel and developing kingdom leaders its priorities. The adventure foremat
encourages participants to allow themselves to be placed in unfamiliar territory,
and this new place often opens hearts to allow the Holy Spirit to work in
exciting ways in the lives of campers. In addition, the Gospel message and
plan for Salvation is presented to every group that comes to camp...whether
it be for summer camping, or a retreat. It is the desire of each member of
staff to welcome every visitor in Christ's name, and make sure that each visitor
has the opportunity to hear the Message.
The camp has 3 main areas of outreach; family and adventure camps, retreats, and the Explore program that is part of the curriculum for Praire Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada. Explore students come and spend 4 months in fall/winter at camp being trained in wilderness, survival, and safety skills. They also have more typical classroom instruction in leadership, camp management, and ministerial skills. Interns from the program also serve as staff members during the summer. Mentoring these young people is another, very serious priority for regular staff at camp. Retreats are usually scheduled for the less busy times of fall, winter, and spring. These retreats are both groups from Columbia Conference and other churches, such as women's or men's retreats, work retreats from schools and churches, and non conference retreats of various types, such as quilting, harp playing.... Camp Bighorn is a major part of Grace's ministry outreach! The camp operates under the aegis of the Columbia Baptist Conference, as one of its separate, not-for-profit corporation. Part of Grace's missionary budget helps support camp as a whole, and also helps support individual staff members.
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