The Wilds Christian Association
About us
Founded in 1969, The Wilds is a global ministry with three branches dedicated to serving people through unforgettable camp experiences that help them grow spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically (Luke 2:52). Explore the origin story of our ministry and discover how God is working in lives both here and abroad.
Changing lives for the glory of God
Before any construction began on the rustic property of our original campsite in Western North Carolina, the mission of The Wilds was clear: to give glory to God. This overarching goal prompted Ken Hay, our founder, and several of his friends, to begin praying for God to open the way to establish a Christian camp to serve churches in the Southeastern United States. As the years continued, we refined our mission:
Using the unique benefits of Christian camping, we serve people by presenting the Truth of God with the love of God, so lives can be changed to the glory of God.
Even as The Wilds has grown tremendously over the past 55 years, expanding from North Carolina to Colorado, New Hampshire, and beyond, our core motivation remains the same. It’s why we say our camp verse before every meal: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Our core values
The Wilds Core Values are the deepest-held beliefs of our ministry. They guide our actions and our decision-making.
This is the bedrock foundation for The Wilds.
Faithful to the Bible
Serving the local church
Refreshing enjoyment of life in Christ
Christ-like servants
Committed to excellence
Environment conducive to spiritual growth
Want to dive deeper into what we believe?
3 programs. 
1 mission.
The Wilds is dedicated to serving the needs of young people worldwide. Whether it’s in North Carolina, New England, or somewhere abroad, each of our programs enables churches to reach youth through camping.
The story behind The Wilds
In the late 1960s God brought a dedicated group of Christians together, led by Ken Hay, to start a Christian camp in the Southeast. Ken and his good friend Walter Fremont had prayed for this very thing for over 10 years before the Lord moved Ken to start a camp himself. In 1969, he stepped out on faith to begin a remarkable journey.
Curious about how it all began or the milestones we’ve reached along the way? Discover more about the story of The Wilds!
How we got here
1969-1986
Early on in his ministry career, Ken Hay spent summers running youth camps. Even as he served full-time in Christian education, he felt a growing burden to establish a Christian camp in the American Southeast. In August 1969, he co-founded The Wilds Christian Camp in North Carolina with a supporting office in Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Hay served as president of the organization and director of the camp for over 35 years before turning leadership over to Ken Collier, whom he mentored in the ministry from the beginning of The Wilds. The Wilds faced many challenges in those early years, including unexpected debt, difficult access roads, and …rustic conditions (the origin of the name “The Wilds”—short for “wilderness”).
1987-2009
In spite of all that, God allowed this ministry to expand dramatically, both in scope and in influence. The Wilds music ministry has encouraged thousands of families and churches in their personal and corporate worship of the Lord. From 1987 until 2004, The Wilds had an incredible opportunity to minister to over 35,000 campers through The Wilds of the Rockies located near Kremmling, Colorado. In 2001, CampsAbroad became the official missions arm of The Wilds, providing camp training and materials to ministries outside of the United States. We estimate that over 100 of these international camps continue to operate regularly, reaching over 10,000 young people annually. During our 40th year, the Lord answered nearly 10 years of prayer and opened wide the doors for us to begin a camping ministry in the Northeast. The Wilds of New England, located in Deering, New Hampshire, provides camps for teens all summer, as well as early fall weekend retreats.
2010-Present
We often hear comments similar to this: “Wow, this place has really changed since I was a camper years ago, but in some ways it’s still the same place! Does that make sense?” Yes, it does make sense! A ministry that refuses to make any changes will quickly become obsolete, but we believe it is possible to make changes to stay relevant while at the same time holding firmly to our core beliefs and practices. By God’s grace, The Wilds will continue holding firmly to our biblical philosophy of ministry while at the same time adapting to meet the challenges of each new generation.
How you can support The Wilds
We rely on the generous donations of people like you to move The Wilds forward. No matter how you donate or the size of your contribution, everything you give goes back to our mission: To serve people by presenting the Truth of God with the love of God, so lives can be changed to the glory of God.
Looking to give back to The Wilds? Explore how you can contribute and make a difference today!
An unforgettable
camp experience
At all of The Wilds campsites we seek to encourage campers of all ages to build stronger relationships, share in Christ’s love, and have fun every step of the way. Want to see what all the fuss is about? Read what campers, parents, and others are saying!
Deepen your faith
The Wilds offers a variety of resources to support your spiritual journey. Explore our collection of fresh, conservative music, practical Bible studies, inspiring books for Christian living, and more!
