Outdoor Education Adventures

Hi, my name is Morgan Nikel and I've only been out to Birch Bay Ranch a handful of times, but my good friend Annette Wagers works there, and when she told me about the possibility of it being shut down I was devastated. I have some great memories of Birch Bay! The most recent one happened just this summer when I was visiting Annette one evening as she led her group of young campers and taught them about God. It was heartwarming to see. However, the story I would like to share is from quite a few years ago.


When I was in grade 8, my Outdoor Education class organized an overnight camping trip to Birch Bay Ranch. I was beyond excited about the prospect of spending my days on zip lines and climbing walls and spending my night roasting marshmallows around the campfire with my friends. It was my first time going on an overnight field trip as well, so I was slightly nervous. All of the kids packed tents, backpacks, food and warm jackets. It was spring, and we were warned that it could snow. We set up our tents a ways away from the maid cabin and then started our activities for the day. My friends and I went canoeing, rock climbing, zip lining and played soccer. At night we told ghost stories and made food over the campfire. We bundled up for sleep and survived the chilly spring night. The next day we worked through obstacle courses and did all of our favourite activities again. Our final mission for the day (excluding packing up) was to take a huge group picture. All of the kids laid on the ground under the climbing wall, while my teacher went to the top to snap a picture of us all. I can still remember giggling the entire time I was laying on that gravel. That camping trip was a highlight of grade 8 for me. Thanks to Birch Bay, I was able to have fun with my friends while learning about teamwork and responsibility.  While we weren't there for a church related camp, it was still an amazing experience that I believe every student should get the opportunity to have!

I hope that this little story helps! Birch Bay Ranch is a wonderful place that brings such a sense of love and faith to the community. I hope that it remains open for years and years to come!

- Morgan Nikel