The Story of Canadian Adventure

Canadian Adventure (CA) came as an unexpected blessing to Awana in 1979. A retiring businessman, Lester Patton, offered Awana a large tract of land where he had operated his hunting and fishing resort along the Montreal River in northern Ontario. The property provided an ideal setting for a wilderness retreat. Awana accepted, and two years later 29 teenage campers experienced the great outdoors at the first Canadian Adventure Camp.  As an AWANA Scholarship Camp, thousands of young people drew closer to God in the midst of His untainted handiwork.

In 2002, Canadian Adventure became its own entity.  CA began to market to a broader user base.  Silver Birch Ranch (SBR), a Christian camp in north central Wisconsin, became involved in this process.  In 2004, a director was hired.  For two years Canadian Adventure functioned on its own.  During those years it became apparent that CA would have a very hard time surviving on its own.  In 2006, CA became a part of Silver Birch Ranch.  That process has strengthened both organizations.

CA now offers retreats to youth groups, men, fathers and sons, and women’s groups.  It has facilities to accommodate groups from 4 to 60 people.  CA’s purpose is to grow the church through wilderness adventure.