A SHORT HISTORY OF IAWAH - Camp IAWAH grew out of the ministry of The Christian Youth Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

In 1943, Charlie Leach, a recent graduate of Toronto Bible College, responded to a challenge to minister to the young men in the armed forces who were stationed in Kingston, Ontario - a major staging area for Canada's war effort during World War II. Charlie, under the auspices of the Soldier's and Airmen's Christian Association opened up a 'home away from home' for these young men many of whom had never been away from home before. Many of these young men became Christians through this ministry.

After the war, the ministry expanded into a ministry to University students and working young people and was formally organized as The Christian Youth Centre. One of the activities that Charlie found particularly valuable in working with these young people was to get them away from their regular activities by going an a weekend 'retreat'. It quickly became apparent that there were no adequate facilities available in Southeastern Ontario for these kinds of Christian retreats. As well, Charlie found that if the leader of the retreat had to look after the physical end of things as well as the spiritual that the spiritual impact was lessened. Charlie, who was heavily involved with Child Evangelism minstry, began to long for a summer camp ministry to the children of Kingston and area.

In 1955, Charlie with some other like-minded men began to seriously contemplate the creation of a retreat centre for Southeastern Ontario. They came upon the Derbyshire farm on Wolfe Lake (they had to walk in the first time, as the road was impassable). As they prayed asking God for guidance, God laid on their hearts that the Derbyshire farm on Wolfe Lake was ideally situated for such a retreat centre and children's camp.

Charlie and two other men felt led of God to make an offer of $5,000 and 25 years to pay to Mrs. Derbyshire who was living in Westport. On the way to see Mrs. Derbyshire, they stopped in a Westport restaurant where they were informed that another organization was offering $30,000 cash for the farm. Concerned but undeterred, Charlie and the committee went ahead with their meeting with Mrs. Derbyshire, a wonderful Christian lady. As they met with her, they found that she was very receptive to their plan as she felt that what they were proposing was exactly what her deceased husband would have wanted as a future for the farm.

From that small beginning, Camp IAWAH has grown to the present size of accommodating over 100 campers plus staff during the summer, and 130 people for winter weekend retreats. Hundreds of people, both young and old, have met the Lord at IAWAH, while others have been built up in their faith.

We praise God for the faithfulness of Charlie Leach and the godly men and women who worked with him over the years to make IAWAH the wonderful place of spiritual ministry that it is today.