Northland Bible Camp is situated on beautiful Butler Lake and has been offering Christian camping since since 1958, although the first camp was run at Gibson Lake in 1957! Northland offers a get-away for the entire family in God’s wonderful creation as seen in Northern Ontario.

Campers can enjoy this creation through activities such as canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Other waterfront activities include swimming, paddle-boating, tubing, and water polo. A volleyball court, large playing field, sports pad, and playground equipment are also found at Northland.

At Northland, not only is God’s creation enjoyed, but also God’s Word. Each camp session includes times in which the Word of God is taught. From the very basics for the 7 and 8 year old's to the difficult issues that are faced in the early adulthood each camper can leave with a better understanding of God’s will for their lives.

Shortly after the end of World War 2, while Marion Donaldson was attending Greenwood Gospel Hall in Toronto, she heard that a farm beside Mary Lake was being transformed into a children’s camp. It was to be called, ‘Camp Mini-yo-we’. There, a few years later, Chester (Marion’s husband) was invited to speak at the Youth Camp session. He was impressed with the benefits of camp work with its many opportunities for teaching the Word of God to children. He saw it as a valuable tool for the development and training of young people in the use of their God-given gifts and abilities. The complexity of the organization that was seen there, was, however, rather overwhelming.

In 1957, Chester counselled at Faith Bible Camp on Lake Winnipeg, where he saw that camp could be run on simpler lines and still be effective. On the long road home, he pondered the possibility of renting cottages from Jim Reed at Kenogami and having a small youth camp the following summer. En route, he stopped at the home of some young people who had been hoping to attend the youth session at Camp Mini-yo-we, but disappointed when they heard that camp session was full. For the rest of the trip home, the possibility of an earlier date was considered!

Chester saw that the garden needed hoeing but the neighbours across the street had borrowed the hoe. The man of the house asked about his trip. As well as describing his time at Faith Bible Camp, Chester mentioned his desire to have a camp in this area. Five minutes later, the man came to say that he belonged to a service club that had a campsite on Gibson Lake, and offered the loan of it.

Gibson Lake is a beautiful spot, and there was a building with a wood stove and room for a couple of tables. With bed springs and mattresses borrowed from Jim Reed, beds were put together with pole supports for the use of the girls. The boys were to sleep in a tent.

Eighteen people attended that week, three girls professed faith in the Lord Jesus, the name ‘Northland Bible Camp’ was chosen. The lyrics of the camp song, ‘Northlandia’, were written on a brown paper bag. At first Marion thought the tune she wrote was just a string of notes, but when the young people learned and sang it under the stars, it came alive.

As Gibson Lake is a ‘kettle’ lake, and the bottom sloped very sharply, it was felt that a better location should be sought. With the $3.00 left over from the week deposited in the bank in the name of Northland Bible Camp, the Donaldsons set out to explore the area for a suitable site. They found Butler Lake was crystal clear and fringed with birch and pine. It was not too far from a highway, had a safe sandy beach and a good play area. In the area, a few years previously, there had been a forest fire and there were many burned stumps, but they realized that the trees would grow and the location had all the desired features.

After arranging for a License of Occupation with the Ministry of Lands and Forests in the fall of 1957, the work of collecting materials and preparing for construction began. Window frames were constructed in the basement of the Donaldson home. Plans were made for a camp program that would impact young people physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. It was not planned as a modified army camp, but, as the Donaldson’s expressed it, the enlarging of the walls of our family to include many other children.

Early in 1958 brochures were sent out with a description of ‘wide windows with a panoramic view of a gleaming lake and distant wooded hills’, before any work was done at the site.

As soon as it was possible for the car to get near the camp, the work began. Lumber from Carr Timber was unloaded near the site of the present Eagle Nest, and Chester, with hand saw and hammer, and occasional help from others in the area, started construction of cabins. The Eagle Nest was built first, followed by the Otter Slide, Beaver Dam, Fox Warren and Bear Den at the rate of one a week. The Dining Lodge was built, complete with verandah facing the lake, with steps and railings. One week was left in which to get beds, stove and kitchen equipment, and move the family, now consisting of Terry, aged 10; Phil, 9; Andy, 7; Janice 5 and Stephen, 2, into the Eagle Nest. At the first of July, the boys whose names are listed on the Memory Wall, including Ralph Carr, arrived as the first Boys Camp group. Thus started the on-going story of Northland Bible Camp.

1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired of God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and practice, both individually and for the governing of the local church.

2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in Three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is True God and True Man.

4. We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and become sinners in thought, word and deed.

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all those who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.

6. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.

7. We believe in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ to receive His church and subsequently to reign over the earth.

8. We believe that all who receive by faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, are born again by His Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God, members of the Church which is His Body.

9. We believe a New Testament assembly to a an autonomous local gathering of born again Christians, meeting only in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as only Head; governed by local elders; acknowledging the priesthood of all believers and the presidency of the Holy Spirit and recognizing the Church universally the One Body of Christ.

10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.

Recognizing the importance of accommodating various dietary restrictions, at Northland Bible Camp our kitchen a menu free from common allergens (gluten, dairy, nuts, shellfish) at each meal. If you require allergen-free meals, please indicate this on your application or registration form so our staff can ensure this accommodation is available for you. We are not able to accommodate food preference.

To assist you in making informed dietary choices, we offer detailed access to our allergen-free menu on our website. A Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics was consulted in the drafting of this menu. Each menu item includes a comprehensive list of ingredients, enabling you to check for any potential allergens or concerns. This transparency ensures that you can enjoy your meals with confidence, knowing exactly what is in your food.

In order to safely accommodate our campers and staff with dietary restrictions, we are equipped with separate cookware (i.e. minor appliances, cooking utensils, frying pans, etc.) and our staff will prepare these meals separately from the main meal being served to lower the risk of cross-contamination. However, despite our best efforts to prevent cross-contamination, our camp kitchen is not an allergen-free facility, we cannot promise an entirely allergen-free environment. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur. Please note that Northland Bible Camp will not be liable for any adverse reactions due to accidental cross-contamination.

If you find that our meal options do not fully meet your dietary requirements, we provide an alternative solution. Campers and staff are welcome to bring their own pre-prepared meals, which our kitchen staff will gladly heat and serve for you. This minimizes any risk of cross-contamination. This option ensures that you have complete control over your dietary intake, offering peace of mind during your time at Northland Bible Camp. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our Kitchen Committee at: kitchen@northlandbiblecamp.ca.

Click Here to View the Allergen-Free Menu Ingredient/Grocery list

Things to NOT bring to camp

• Illegal substances (e.g. drugs).

• Illicit materials (e.g. pornography).

• Tobacco.

• Alcohol.

• Expensive or sentimental items.

• Electronics (e.g. iPads/tablets, laptops).

Primary Payment Options

• Normally people can pay through credit card during the registration process.  If you didn't pay during the registration processes you can reach out to registration@northlandbiblecamp.ca for a payment link if you want to pay with credit.

• If you are paying with cash at camper drop off, please email us at registration@northlandbiblecamp.ca to let us know that is the option you are taking. 

Secondary Payment Options

• Email money transfer: Please use the password "Otter1" and indicate in the message part of the transfer the name(s) of the camper(s) and sessions that you are registering for. If you do not tell us who or what the payment is for, we will not know if you have paid and will assume you have not paid. Please send the fees to nbccampfees@gmail.com.

• If you are paying by cheque please make it out to "Northland Bible Camp" and mail it with enough time that we can receive and cash it before the camp session starts. Mail to Northland Bible Camp, 36 Mascioli Blvd., Timmins, Ontario P4P 1H8

If you have any questions or concerns you can email us at support@northlandbiblecamp.ca

Thank you for you cooperation and understanding! 

Tuck is candy and other treats. The Tuck Shop at Northland Bible Camp Opens once a day and is a small shop where campers can purchase snacks, drinks, candies, and other small items. It is not necessary to send your child with money, but if you do, a good amount would be between $10-20

A day at Northland Bible Camp is full of fun, excitement, and adventure. Each day is structured with a mix of activities and chapel sessions, providing campers with a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. The day typically begins with breakfast in the dining hall, followed by a morning devotional and worship time. After the morning chapel activities, campers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and workshops, such as arts and crafts, outdoor games, and water sports. In the afternoon, campers have the opportunity to participate in more structured activities, such as sports tournaments or team building challenges. The day ends with a group dinner and evening activities, such as a wide game, campfire or a night game. Overall, a day at Northland Bible Camp is packed with fun and engaging activities, providing campers with a memorable and enjoyable experience.