The Wilds Christian Association
The Wilds Christian Association, Inc. is a Christian camping and retreat organization based in Brevard, North Carolina. It was started in 1969 by Ken Hay and others from Bob Jones University who wanted a Christian camp in the Southeast. They bought land near Brevard and opened The Wilds in Transylvania County on about 1,000 acres along Toxaway Creek, featuring several waterfalls.
The Wilds is one of the largest Christian camps in the United States. About 21,000 people attend year‑round retreats, and 1,100–1,200 campers come each week during the summer. The camp operates independently of any single denomination, with many sponsors coming from Independent Baptist and Bible churches. Its mission is to evangelize non‑Christians and help Christians grow in faith by combining Bible study, discipleship, worship, and recreation.
Beyond North Carolina, The Wilds expanded to other sites. The Wilds of the Rockies opened in 1987 near Kremmling, Colorado, but closed in 2004 and the property was later developed for housing. The Wilds of New England began in 2009 in Deering, New Hampshire, after using rented spaces near Lake Winnipesaukee; during the COVID‑19 period, TWNE offered one‑day camps and regional programs. Rand Hummel, who had been an assistant director at The Wilds North Carolina, became TWNE director in 2007 and later Wilds regional vice president; Joe Kopp became director in 2022.
CampsAbroad, started in 2001, is a global program that helps Christian camping ministries in about 40 countries. The Wilds also produces Bible study guides, topical studies, songbooks, recordings, and activity ideas for church youth groups, and is known for its conservative Christian music produced by camp staff.
The Wilds is supported by more than 300 churches and has hosted more than 250,000 campers. It maintains a year‑round staff of about 40 and a summer staff of about 270.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:41 (CET).