As I sat across the table from one of our young campers, I began to ask her about her life.  As she spoke, she mentioned she was adopted.  I asked her, “Do you like being adopted?”  To this she replied, “Yes!”  I further inquired, “What’s your favorite part of being adopted?”  With a sly little, joyful smile, she quietly responded, “I like that I will never be taken from my home again.  I like that I will have the same Mom and Dad forever.  I like that I have brothers and sisters, and that I am not alone.”  I smiled back at her, as if she hadn’t just told me something heartbreaking and touching all at the same time.  Her words made me think of the process of adoption into the kingdom of God.  In Ephesians 1:5-6 the bible says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” (NLT)  Like this camper, we too have been adopted.  Once in the family of God, through salvation, our home is in heaven and comes with eternal security.  In Christ, we find a loving, forever Father, who never changes. And with Christ living within us, we are never alone.  It is our hope, that not a single child leaves Wilderness Trails without knowing these truths. That they may embrace adoption into the body of Christ and go home praising God for the glorious grace that He has poured out upon them. 

During this holiday season, Wilderness Trails would like to encourage you to give a gift that will keep on giving.  Starting this month, you have the opportunity to give a gift donation in the name of a friend or family member. For all donations above $25, your friend or family member will receive a thank you card and a 3 minute DVD about our organization.  If you are searching for the perfect gift idea for Christmas, birthday or just because, here it is! This opportunity is three fold: With this gift, you are able to bless the life of an at-risk boy or girl by sending them to camp.  You can and will bless those around you.  And you yourself will be blessed in return!  God’s direction in Act 20:35 says , “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Please pray and consider giving the gift that gives back today!  From all of us here at Wilderness Trails, Happy Holidays and may God richly bless your day!

If you choose to donate online, you can simply visit our website at www.wildernesstrails.net and click on the donate button.  After you donate, please send an email to csmith@wildernesstrails.net  giving your name, amount of donation, and the name and address of the person who you would like the thank you card and DVD to go to.

If you choose to mail in your donation, our mailing address is PO Box 4655 Medford OR, 97501. Please include the name and address of the person who you would like the thank you card and DVD to go, in written form attached to your check.   

Wilderness Trails would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to everyone who participated in our Annual Fundraising and Appreciation Dinner held on Oct. 20th.  We were absolutely blessed by the generosity, kindness and support that was shown by your presence and your giving!  It is your time, support, resources and prayers that allow us to continue in the progressive work Christ is doing in and through Wilderness Trails.  If, by chance, you did not get an opportunity to give but would still like to, you can simply click on the link below that says “Make a donation on-line” or send a donation by mail to Wilderness Trails at PO Box 4655, Medford, OR  97501.  Thank you again for your support!

We are happy to announce that our fall, winter and spring camp schedule is now posted on our website!  We would encourage you to take a look today at wildernesstrails.net and pray about perhaps joining us for a weekend in the near future.  We have availability for both leaders and campers alike. Our vision is to reach as many at-risk youth as possible through our program which is biblically based and centered on the love of Christ.  If you would like to become a leader or would like to register a camper, please call our office at 541-772-2892 or once again, check out our website at wildernesstrails.net for more information.