Timber-lee Christian Center

Timber-lee Christian Center

A Brief Description:

Since 1972, Timber-lee Christian Center has operated a year-round Christian camp, conference and retreat center under the auspices of the Forest Lakes and Great Lakes Districts of the Evangelical Free Church of America.  Timber-lee is located near the southern part of Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine State Forest.  It is 45 minutes southwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 2 hours northwest of Chicago, Illinois.  The site encompasses over 600 acres of wooded, rolling scenic land, and contains 65 existing buildings.  Its mission is to create engaging communities where each young person encounters Christ through a dynamic camp experience. 

History:

On July 14, 1946, a group of men made an offer of $5,000 to the Railroad Company to purchase 20 acres of weedy marshland in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. 

With the help of an army of volunteers, the “Williams Bay Evangelical Free Church Bible Camp” opened its doors the summer of 1947.  Thus began the adventure of seeing God work in the lives of thousands of boys and girls, men and women.

By 1972, it was apparent that the camp was too small to accommodate the number of people and programs being planned.  On a bitterly cold winter morning, several board members took a drive to East Troy, about 25 miles north of Williams Bay, to see a 550 acre piece of property that was for sale.  There were several beautiful stone buildings on the grounds, many mature trees, and gently rolling hills.  Other groups made offers on this same property but God had plans for it. The bid made by the board was accepted and Timber-lee Christian Center was born.  The move was made from Willabay to Timber-lee in the spring of 1972 – just in time to open camp for the summer. 

PROGRAM AREAS include the following:

1.      YOUTH MINISTRIES.  Youth Ministries at Timber-lee are comprised of organized, graded coed youth camps (grades 2-12) with approximately 420 campers per week each summer. Classic Camp is the basic centralized camping structure.  There are many specialized camps offered as well for young people that help them grow, learn, and try something new and challenging.  Timber-lee will hire approximately 120 summer staff to assist in the many areas of ministry throughout the entire summer season.

Timber-lee also sponsors winter weekend retreats for junior high and senior high school students during January and February. Youth pastors come to winterXtreme with their youth groups and spend an entire weekend in great fellowship, Bible study, and extreme Fun!

There are similar retreats available to youth groups in the fall as a part of our Jumpstart Program. Or be a part of Timber-lee during our father/son or mother daughter events held during the autumn season.

2.      RETREATS.  Timber-lee offers year-round housing with a capacity of 400 in comfortable, carpeted, heated facilities.  Timber-lee can provide meals, lodging, meeting rooms, recreational facilities, and audio-visual equipment.  Timber-lee hosts assist the guests throughout their stay ensuring their comfort.

3.      CEDAR COVE RV CAMPGROUND.  The RV and tent campground is open weekends May through September. 

5.      ENVIRONMENTAL OUTDOOR EDUCATION.  Public, Christian, and private schools bring their students and staff to Timber-lee during fall, winter, and spring for a 1 – 5 day learning and discovery experience.  Homeschoolers enjoy the out-of-doors classroom as well.  Students explore all phases of wildlife and science.  Many of these students enjoy Timber-lee so much they return for a week of summer camp.  The 600-acre outdoor laboratory includes marsh, forest, fossil pit, fields, prairies, lake, and kettle ponds.

6.      SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER.  Timber-lee’s vision is to expand and improve its nationally recognized environmental education program, and to begin a new effort aimed at teaching a broader scope of science, which will have a positive impact for the individual in society.  This will be accomplished through a program and facility that will improve the quality of life by exciting, motivating and challenging students to explore the world around them.  Through hands-on and/or adult-led activities participants will be presented with the marvels of God’s creation and will increase their knowledge and understanding of science, the environment, and their relationship with them.

7.      TIMBER CHALLENGE.  The Challenge staff and facilities at Timber-lee will provide an experience for groups that will stretch and enrich the lives of all that participate: for men, women, couples, families, or youth. This includes the use of our group initiatives course with the climbing wall, the 40-foot tower with 13 different climbing stations and a multitude of climbing paths of various degrees of difficulty. Finally, the high ropes course, with its 23 climbing elements and double level climbing obstacles at 22 and 33 feet above ground will present a totally up-to-date experience for even the most enthusiastic outdoors person.

9.      LEADERSHIP IN CAMP MINISTRY.  This program provides education, training, and leadership experience in camp ministry to men and women, with specific time studying the administration, operation, and programming areas of Christian camping.  The goal of this 10-month program is to develop future camp leaders.  Each LCM will be involved in every aspect of the camp ministry for at least enough time to understand how it relates to the whole operation.  Experience will include opportunities of observation, instruction, practice, correction, retraining, and education.

“Youth Encountering Christ”

MISSION STATEMENT

To create engaging communities where each young person encounters Christ through a dynamic camp experience.

VISION STATEMENT

To be an agent of the Holy Spirit in transforming today’s youth into followers of Christ.