Wilderness Way Girls Camp School

"They do good work here. They give the girls a purpose."

"I left a review once but apparently it was taken down because they don’t like being called out on what they really do. This camp and the people who worked there when I was there were verbally, mentally, and emotionally abusive to the girls. If we did not do what they said when they said we were threatened with not getting meals or forced to stay up almost all night and not get any sleep. We were constantly threatened with not being allowed to go home if one of us made the tiniest mistake. I begged my mom to let me come home every time I came home to visit. I could not tell my mom about the things really going on because it would get back to the camp people and I would be accused of lying. You have no privacy when changing clothes, writing letters, or in anything you do. They also do not take you seriously if you get sick. I struggled a lot in what I could do physically and found out after I was freed that I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and physical stress makes the pain and stiffness worse. If you tell them you’re sick they laugh at you. If you love your daughters do not send them here."

"I cannot say enough wonderful things about the people and ministry of Wilderness Way! My daughter was a having a rough spell, but she is such an amazing girl! I felt if I could find a place that would eliminate so many teenage, school, and societal pressures- she could reset, restart, and do great. Within a few months, she already was a changed person. She had lost her anger, regained her sense of humor and was a pleasure to be around when she was home. This is not to imply that it was a quick fix and then everything was perfect. Far from it. The learning continues for the whole family. But Wilderness Way helped so much with her self-esteem, self-awareness, and a desire to better herself. My daughter would say camp can be fun, but it is not easy. It is rugged living, the girls do some hard work, and traditional education definitely takes a back seat. Because of this, she now appreciates the people and blessings in her life so much more, and she is excited to reengage in living at home, pursuing quality friendships, and learning in a traditional, school setting. The camp, itself, is very primitive. They do a lot with a little. In all my interactions with the staff, I never once felt someone was there for a paycheck. Each and every staff member with whom I interacted seemed drawn there for mission work: to help these girls and their families to a better place. And one final note, my daughter says she would send her future daughters there, if they ever needed help. That speaks volumes to me."

"This place was amazing in helping me with my life! As a camper, I had the full experience, we were place in a group that was thought to be best for us and then the growing would begin. Restraints did happen but only because the counselors were protecting the camper from hurting themselves. It only hurts when campers try to pull themselves out of the restraint. I grew so much here and even learned to tell others how I feel instead of bottling them up! I was here for about 2 years and it helped me and my family so much! I graduated last year in June from camp and then this past August went back by my own free will to volunteer there for 11 days. It was a great week! Thank you so much for everything you did!"

"This program really cares about the girl and helping her to learn to cope with her problems and life in general. It is the cheapest program out there of its kind. Of course there is a charge, you can't expect to get a boarding school type situation for your child at no cost. The staff are dedicated and loving and godly people and most are volunteering their lives and time so that the cost can be kept as low as possible. Lasting change takes time, and overhead is costly, but these programs give a girl the tools necessary to turn from the wrong path and have a chance at a productive, happy and fulfilling life. I adopted a girl who was in this program and without that I don't know if I would have been able to help her. With the changes the program brought about in her life and her heart and her perspective, and with God's help, she is now in college and has a bright future ahead of her."