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277:, and they decided to call the camp "The Wilds," a reflection of Jesus having urged His disciples to rest awhile in a secluded place. (Mark 6:31) Although the group had few resources, they eventually obtained funds to purchase the 810-acre tract of land in Transylvania County, North Carolina. By 1969, The Wilds was established by
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is a worldwide consulting program used by The Wilds to assist the cause of
Christian camping around the world. The program is designed to help already established camps, as well as churches who want to start new camping ministries. Training and materials are provided to ministries at no charge, but
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and established The Wilds
Christian Camp and Conference Center (commonly referred to as "The Wilds") about two years later. Today, The Wilds is one of the largest Christian camps in the United States. About 21,000 people attend annual retreats, while summer camp averages 1,100 to 1,200 campers
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in 2009. Additionally, CampsAbroad was founded in 2001, which is an international program assisting
Christian camping ministries in 40 countries. The Wilds Christian Association is supported by more than 300 churches, and more than 250,000 campers have attended its
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The camp is one of the largest
Christian camps in the United States. During the summer, the camp averages between 1,100 and 1,200 campers each week. Throughout the rest of the year the camp hosts specialized retreats that attract 21,000 attendees annually.
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forced The Wilds of New
England to close facilities to campers for the year, TWNE provided one-day camps across New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. In 2022, Rand Hummel became Wilds regional vice president, and Joe Kopp took his place as director.
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Carl
Dennett Blyth, Sr. (November 23, 1937 - July 12, 2010) was a native of Boston and a graduate of Tabor Academy, Stetson University, Georgia Tech, and BJU. He had inherited wealth and therefore could provide start-up funds for the project.
587:, but securing permits was difficult and "the property, though beautiful, was near enough to the town to bring a number of disadvantages." In 2009, the Meredith property was sold, and The Wilds assumed the mortgage of another camp property in
249:). The camp property contains approximately 1,000 acres (4.0 km) of land through which Toxaway Creek flows. Four main waterfalls on the Toxaway are on The Wilds property and are common hiking destinations for campers.
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venue and a 1,300-seat auditorium). The property includes a man-made lake, Toxaway Creek and waterfalls, basketball courts, and athletic fields. There are also several leisure activities available such as a
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The campsite facilities include staff residences, an inn and chapel, dormitory and craft shop, cabins, dining hall, main office building, and a large multi-purpose building (used as an indoor
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The Wilds produces Bible study guides, topical studies, songbooks, recorded music, and books of activity ideas for church youth groups. The Wilds is noted for its recordings of conservative
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Collier & Hay, 12-13. The corporate name was changed in 1987. There is no relationship between the hemlock tree and the shrub used as a means of execution in the ancient world.
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until it was closed in 2004 due to community issues. The Wilds sold the property to longtime supporters Jeff and Linda
Peotter, and the property became a residential development.
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non-Christian campers and encourage spiritual growth among
Christian campers by combining Bible study, personal discipleship, and religious services with recreational activity.
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The Wilds mission statement is succinctly stated in the camp verse: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (
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In 2007, camp operations began at The Wilds of New
England (TWNE) at rented facilities. The Wilds purchased land by
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595:, assistant director of The Wilds in North Carolina, as the director of The Wilds of New England. After the
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In the late 1960s, a group of people recognized the need for a
Christian camp in the
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programs. The Wilds has a year-round staff of forty and a summer staff of about 270.
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285:, Joe Henson, and Carl D. Blyth Sr., who knew each other from their association at
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The Wilds name is not used by these camping ministries outside the United States.
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152:, United States. The organization was founded by a group of Christians at
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160:. In 1967, the group purchased a 1,000 acres (4.0 km) property near
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Abe Hardesty, "Hay's ministry took root in N.C. mountains,"
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Christian fundamentalist organizations in the United States
748:(Taylors, SC: The Wilds Christian Association, 2009), 3-13.
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The Wilds Christian Camp/Conference Center is located near
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314:(zip-line), and a 65-foot (20 m) "Giant Swing."
883:(Taylors, SC: The Wilds Christian Association, 2009)
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who recognized the need for a Christian camp in the
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1082:Privately held companies based in South Carolina
261:. In 1967, the group discovered the property in
333:The Wilds section of Toxaway Creek has several
209:organization. Although not affiliated with any
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559:The Wilds of the Rockies opened in 1987 near
168:The Wilds of the Rockies opened in 1987 near
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1102:Youth organizations based in North Carolina
1087:Christian organizations established in 1969
321:First Falls (top) and Second Falls (bottom)
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16:American Protestant Christian organization
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1047:Publishing companies established in 1969
858:. The Wilds Christian Association. 2011
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337:, which are numbered going downstream.
269:on the property. Then someone recalled
139:The Wilds Christian Association, Inc.
27:The Wilds Christian Association, Inc.
7:
665:, November 24, 2010, City People, 4.
1077:Transylvania County, North Carolina
263:Transylvania County, North Carolina
19:For other uses of "The Wilds", see
934:Summer camps in the U.S. state of
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1072:Companies based in South Carolina
827:. The Wilds Christian Association
703:. The Wilds Christian Association
678:. The Wilds Christian Association
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591:. In 2007, the Board appointed
1097:Christianity in South Carolina
1092:Christianity in North Carolina
1062:Christian publishing companies
1:
193:The Chapel at the Fremont Inn
1021:Woodfield Scout Preservation
805:www.thewildsofnewengland.org
781:www.thewildsofnewengland.org
245:(with a mailing address in
224:10:31). The Wilds seeks to
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1001:Cherokee Scout Reservation
894:The Wilds official website
259:Southeastern United States
158:Southeastern United States
21:The Wilds (disambiguation)
18:
879:Ken Collier and Ken Hay,
845:Collier & Hay, 74-75.
766:Collier & Hay, 75-76.
757:Collier & Hay, 73-74.
744:Ken Collier and Ken Hay,
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701:"An Amazing Work of God"
624:produced by camp staff.
1067:Christian record labels
881:All to the Glory of God
746:All to the Glory of God
641:Christianity portal
540:35.086250°N 82.871528°W
470:35.077750°N 82.876833°W
398:35.077889°N 82.874250°W
362:35.078667°N 82.871528°W
162:Brevard, North Carolina
150:Brevard, North Carolina
148:organization, based in
87:Brevard, North Carolina
1057:Christian summer camps
980:Camp Rockmont for Boys
777:"Experience The Wilds"
589:Deering, New Hampshire
506:35.07639°N 82.877639°W
434:35.078250°N 82.87556°W
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273:' death from drinking
243:Rosman, North Carolina
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174:Deering, New Hampshire
545:35.086250; -82.871528
475:35.077750; -82.876833
403:35.077889; -82.874250
367:35.078667; -82.871528
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735:, July 15, 2010, 4B.
511:35.07639; -82.877639
439:35.078250; -82.87556
287:Bob Jones University
217:and Bible churches.
213:, many sponsors are
154:Bob Jones University
825:"About CampsAbroad"
561:Kremmling, Colorado
536: /
502: /
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430: /
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215:Independent Baptist
170:Kremmling, Colorado
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970:Falling Creek Camp
801:"Year Round Staff"
581:Lake Winnipesaukee
563:and operated near
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232:Camping ministries
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676:"About The Wilds"
597:COVID-19 pandemic
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888:External links
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856:"Online Store"
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112:Steve Stodola
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954:Blowing Rock
950:Camp Catawba
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860:. Retrieved
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808:. Retrieved
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531:82°52′17.5″W
521:
497:82°52′39.5″W
485:Fourth Falls
461:82°52′36.6″W
413:Second Falls
389:82°52′27.3″W
353:82°52′17.5″W
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329:Fourth Falls
312:land trolley
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211:denomination
199:conservative
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104:Matt Collier
83:Headquarters
41:Company type
1005:Yanceyville
899:CampsAbroad
862:27 December
831:27 December
707:27 December
682:27 December
609:CampsAbroad
593:Rand Hummel
543: /
528:35°5′10.5″N
509: /
473: /
458:35°4′39.9″N
449:Third Falls
437: /
422:35°4′41.7″N
401: /
386:35°4′40.4″N
377:First Falls
365: /
350:35°4′43.2″N
308:water slide
179:summer camp
122:Matt Taylor
107:Rand Hummel
102:Ken Collier
1041:Categories
964:Burnsville
810:2024-07-07
786:2024-07-07
647:References
569:Muddy Pass
425:82°52′32″W
335:waterfalls
303:basketball
293:Facilities
226:evangelize
207:Protestant
165:per week.
143:Protestant
120:Noah Smith
94:Key people
1015:Southmont
960:Camp Celo
494:35°4′35″N
146:Christian
131:wilds.org
110:John Bott
1025:Asheboro
628:See also
616:Products
585:Meredith
555:Colorado
271:Socrates
118:Joe Kopp
59:Retreats
51:Industry
583:, near
279:Ken Hay
275:hemlock
253:History
247:Brevard
185:Beliefs
127:Website
99:Ken Hay
77:Ken Hay
73:Founder
65:Founded
55:Camping
45:Private
974:Tuxedo
943:Camps
141:is a
864:2011
833:2011
709:2011
684:2011
567:and
68:1969
1043::
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692:^
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