A legacy of faith and family
For Jeff and Debbie Vredenbregt, Fort Wilderness isn’t just a place they visit – it’s part of their story.
First finding Fort in the early 80’s as singles, they watched their own faith grow here. Leaders invested in their faith, their relationships deepened, and they were even engaged at a Fort event. What God began in their lives is now something they long to pass on.
This winter, they brought their grandchildren to Winter Family Getaway and watched the legacy continue.
The days were full of tubing, lantern hikes, and games in the cabin, but what stood out most were the moments in between: meaningful conversations, unhurried time together, and space to simply be present as a family.
Debbie shares a special moment with her granddaughter in Fort’s woodshop during Winter Family Getaway.
For the Vredenbregts, coming to Fort is more than just a family trip. They want Fort to be part of their family legacy because, “more than anything, we want our children and grandchildren to hear the Word of God,” Debbie shared.
They could have chosen any kind of getaway. Instead, they chose a place where faith and fun naturally intertwine, and where their family could be surrounded by others seeking the Lord.
Now, their grandchildren are carrying those moments home, continuing conversations that began here.
It’s a reminder that when families make space to be together, God often meets them there, and what begins as a simple weekend can become part of a much bigger story.
A thank you note from Jeff & Debbie’s grandkids: camp memories, sealed in crayon and gratitude.
Winter at Fort: a season of impact
Time together at camp is an investment for eternity!
At Fort Wilderness, our mission is to impact lives for eternity through God’s Word, adventure programming, the wilderness, and warm Christian fellowship. It’s a privilege to be part of the spiritual legacy of families like the Vredenbregts, watching faith take root and be passed from one generation to the next.
This winter, we saw that legacy continue as hundreds of youth, adults, and families joined us for weekends filled with fun, meaningful community, and time in His Word. During Dad’s Weekend, we specifically saw dads intentionally take time to invest in the next generation, and the impact was immediate. “My dad had a special impact on me this weekend,” one camper shared.
Ninety-eight campers reported giving their lives to Christ for the first time this winter at camp, and many more shared stories of spiritual growth. We share these numbers to point back to Jesus, celebrating what He is doing in the lives of campers! Generations are being impacted. Keep praying! And thank you for standing with camp financially – we intentionally keep the cost of winter retreats as accessible as possible for youth groups!
Did you know that Fort’s winter programming is largely funded by faith-filled donors? Trailblazers sustain this ministry financially!
His faithfulness, generation to generation
Trusting the God whose faithfulness reaches every generation.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of love to a thousand generations…” Deuteronomy 7:9
One of the things that makes Fort so special is the privilege of serving campers from ages 0 to 100. This winter, we saw God’s faithfulness on display in every season of life: grandparents bringing grandchildren, dads investing in their kids, and youth groups arriving with busloads of students ready to encounter Him.
And yet, what we can see is only the beginning. Each life touched becomes part of a much greater story – one God is faithfully writing across generations.
So many unforgettable stories are still waiting to be written this summer at Fort!
If you’ve been thinking about making Fort Youth Camp part of your family’s legacy but have questions, we’d love to connect with you. Join us LIVE for a fun, informative Q&A, all about Youth Camps, on Facebook and Instagram at 7 PM on April 7!
Have a question you’d like us to answer? Send it to us here. We’d love to include it in the conversation.
The Lord is faithful: yesterday, today, and for generations to come. We can’t wait to see the stories He will write this summer.
Trusting in His promises,
Heather
Heather Lenox
Content Development Coordinator
heatherlenox@fortwilderness.com
715.277.2587
fortwilderness.com
