About Us

IAWAH stands for "In All Ways Acknowledge Him" – found in Proverbs 3:6.

Overview Organization Foundations Annual General Report Accreditation History

Overview

IAWAH is a year-round camp ministry centrally located to serve the communities of Eastern Ontario. We have a beautiful natural setting. There are over 200 acres of forests, ponds, trails and 2.5 kilometres of private shoreline on Wolfe Lake.

IAWAH features: Christian message; great activities, dedicated staff, welcoming natural spaces. We offer summer camps, family camps, youth leadership programs, retreat facilities, and school programs.

Organization

Founded in 1956 as a non-denominational summer camp. IAWAH is a non-profit, registered charitable organization that is governed by the Corporation of IAWAH Christian Ministries. This group of individuals voluntarily serve as guardians of the ministry. A Board of Directors is selected to provide leadership to the General Director, within the framework of policy governance. There is a year-round staff team of 12 individuals supported by over 100 seasonal staff and volunteers. To find out more about the Corporation, download the Corporation Brochure

Foundations

The purpose of IAWAH is to plant seeds of faith, nurture disciples, and cultivate leadership.

We create an experience where guests are welcomed, inspired and meet Christ.

We provide a high quality space & program; with a focus on serving Eastern Ontario.

Our vision is to grow deeply-rooted followers of Jesus who are equipped for God’s harvest – wherever they are planted.

To read more on our foundational statements, including our core values and core beliefs, see here.

Annual General Report

Read about our last year of ministry in the Annual General Report 2010-2011.

Accreditation

IAWAH seeks to develop safe practices that anticipate and respond to needs of those it serves. Camp IAWAH is accredited with the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) and maintains membership with the following organizations:

Christian Camping International (Canada)
Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association
Lifesaving Society of Canada
Association for Challenge Course Technology
Canadian Council of Christian Charities

IAWAH has a focus on thoroughly screening, orienting and training staff and volunteers. If you would like to discuss our safety record, risk management practices and current standards, please contact our General Director.

History

In 1955, Charlie Leach, with some other like-minded men began to seriously contemplate the creation of a summer camp 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. Thousands 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 ministry that it is today.