Christian Camps and Conferences history

In 1951 at Hume Lake, California, because of increased interest, an organisation was formed called the Western Conference and Camp Association.

In the summer of 1954, a group of 30 junior high campers paddled along the shores of Lake Whatcom to a beautiful camp site they called “White Sands”. With permission from the owner, the first week of resident youth camp took place on this 80-acre site that soon became known as Camp Firwood.

In 1958, Graham Tinning left the directorship of Forest Home Conference Centre and became the first executive secretary of WCCA.

Parents frequently asked, “Why don’t you have a camp for girls?” In 1964, the Andresons opened Camp Deer Run for Girls.

In the summer of 1971, the first summer camp was held with three weeks of programs for Junior High and Senior High youth.

An attractive headquarters office for member services and education was constructed through the tremendous efforts of Ed Oulund and dedicated on April of 1973.

A model day camp was initiated in the summer of 1976.

The ICC met for the first time in Banff in October 1977 and unanimously agreed on a yearly contribution of 20% of membership fees collected each year to be used for the international ministry expenses.

After receiving reports on each of the then existent divisions, the following divisions were recognised as having achieved full divisional status through Board of Trustee action in 1978: Australia, Canada, Far East, Latin America, New Zealand, and United States.

The 1979 ICC Annual Report stated that "a 'missionary vision concept' should be the underlying principle of ICC' [and] a 'working partnership' and 'unselfish sharing' should be the basis of our interaction".

To accommodate this need, the international structure was slightly modified and renamed Christian Camping International Fellowship (CCIF) in 1981.

Due to the high demand for lodge space and the start of joint ministry with West Florida Presbytery, Pine Lodge was built in 1982 which increased Cedarkirk’s capacity.

The first Asia Pacific Conference was held in Taiwan in March 1985 and attended by 170 delegates from fifteen countries.

On April 28, 1989 the Trustees turned over the legal United States corporation and United States registration of the logo to the United States Division to establish their complete autonomy.

In 1997, the High Ropes Course was added offering a new element of adventure to our older campers and adult groups.

NetWork is currently printed electronically on CCI's homepage that was launched on March 16, 1998.

In response to a growing suburban community and a need for child care, in 2001 The Firs began the After School Adventure program at the Retreat Center.