Our History

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Pembina Valley Bible Camp had it's beginning as part of the expanding work of Winkler Bible Camp Association. The membership of WBCA had authorized the Board of Directors to investigate for a permanent camp site along the Pembina River for winter camping. In the fall of 1975, 160 acres was purchased by a group of investors who agreed to hold the land in trust for the WBCA for a period of not more than 2 years. A Pembina Valley Bible Camp Committee was formed from within the board in spring of 1976 to look into prospects, alternatives and aspects regarding new site development. The committee members were Peter George Dyck (Board Chair), Henry Martens, Walter Braun and Ted Goossen. Discussions were underway to exchange certain acreages with the government crown land and a further 80 acres were purchased from Henry Martens and further 10 acres from Gerald Keown to provide access to the camp property.

The Board of Directors of WBCA felt that the 240 acres would provide a greater potential for future development and guarantee enough land which could remain nature beauty without fear of overuse due to heavy camper traffic. The board recognized the need for proper planning of the new site and Charles C. Stott, Camp Planner and Consultant from Raleigh, North Carolina was retained as consultant and planner in aiding the board in setting up a Master Plan for Pembina Valley Bible Camp & Retreat Centre. The Master Site Plan was presented to and ratified by the board in April, 1978. Thus, believing in the providence of God in bringing about this new venture of faith , the development of a new camp was begun.

Those involved in the initial purchase and on-going decisions regarding this new camp site of the WBCA in the Pembina Hills were:
Peter G. Dyck - Chairman (1970-77)	Erwin Penner - WBC Director (1970-74)	Henry W. Dyck - Treasurer (1971-77)
Jake Reimer	Abe Harder	Dave Loewen
George Bock	Harold Peters	George Banman
John Redekop	Menno Siemens	Henry A. Dyck (Newton)
Art Stoesz	Jake Goossen	Abe Froese
Henry Martens	Eric Schmidt	John Hamm
Ed Kuhl	Ted Dyck	Art Hildebrand
Gerald Hildebrand	Ted Goossen	John A. Janzen
Herman Voth	Dave Penner	Peter B. Dyck
Arnold Wiebe	Walter Braun	Dave Enns
Bert Dyck

Officers - 1978

Jake Reimer - Chairman	Dave Enns - Vice-Chairman	Gerald Hildebrand - Treasurer
Dave Loewen - Secretary	Henry Martens - Chairman: Pembina Camp Committee	Dave Penner
George Bock	John Hamm	Henry A. Dyck - Maint. Chairman
Art Stoesz	Bert Dyck	Ted Dyck
John A. Janzen	Menno Siemens	Arnold Wiebe
Ted Goossen - Camp Director

The new campsite would be geared to serve primarily teenagers, families, church groups and other Christian organizations and was to become a year-round facility that would maintain the high spiritual standards of the WBCA. The summer program was to focus on junior high age and older.

Site Development work was begun in the summer of 1978. A work camp program was launched that invited older teens to help develop trails and clearing of camp sites along with an inspirational program. In the summer of 1979 outpost camps were launched offering junior high campers an opportunity to begin their camp experience at Winkler Bible Camp and then spend 4 days at the new Pembina Valley Bible Camp site. George & Pam Bock were the first outpost counselors who lead a boys' and girls' cabin group on this new adventure. Brent Ankrom & Rob Reimer were Junior Counselors that 1st summer. Rob went on to direct Winkler Bible Camp and Brent became program director at both Winkler Bible Camp and Pembina Valley Bible Camp and years later became the first full-time executive director of Pembina Valley Bible Camp & Retreat Centre. It's interesting to see how a new generation of camp leadership has emerged from those who were instrumental in the beginning of this new camp. George & Pam Bocks 4 boys (Philip, Steve, David & Timothy) all have had their camp experiences at Pembina Valley Bible Camp as campers and grown up to provide excellent leadership. Dave & Linda Penner's son Curtis has also given a number of summers of leadership at PVBC

Rudy Friesen was hired on as architect to design the main lodge for the Pembina Valley Bible Camp. The one major drawback to continued development was the lack of an adequate source of water and the inflationary '80's. The board could not see to continued development until there would be a good source of water supply. So in some ways it seemed like a death of a vision. The WBCA continued to operate the camp for several more summers but then closed the camp due to lack of vision.

But God had placed the vision of the Pembina Valley Bible Camp in the heart of a young camp leader and former camper, Brent Ankrom. He felt God's call to come and revisit the original plans and bring new vision and focus out of the original founding vision. Brent & Arlene Ankrom came on to serve the camp as executive director from 1994 to February 2004. Arnold Wiebe served as Pembina Valley Bible Camp Chairman and gathered a number of other men to provide board leadership. The decision was made to separate from the WBCA and run the camp as a totally separate non-profit organization. Gil Klassen was also hired as camp maintenance and caretaker and continues to give leadership in that area and to the horsemanship program. Under Brent's leadership, the committed service of many people and the Lord's blessing the camp grew and developed and has been instrumental in turning hearts toward God - reaching many people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Camp again stands at the crossroads of needed building expansion to accommodate the growing needs of people it serves. God's faithfulness in the past is what gives confidence for the future.

-submitted by Ted Goossen, former executive director of Winkler Bible Camp Association 1975 - February, 1985

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 September 2010 13:54 )