In today’s culture, boys are inundated with a myriad of confusing messages on what it means to be a man. The training they receive from our society is often confusing and more hurtful than helpful, especially in light of developing as strong, Jesus-loving young men. When a boy grows up in a Christian home, there comes a time when he needs a firm, godly influence from other men of faith outside of his family structure. Furthermore, there comes a time when boys need to be challenged. They need to be pushed out of their comfort zones and discover that they can do far more than they thought they could. Out of these needs and conditions arose TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge: Raising Up Boys to be Mighty Men of God! 

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge is designed to help boys, ages 12-14, accomplish objectives both as individuals and as a team. In a small setting with 12 boys and 6 well-trained, experienced leaders, the boys will have opportunities to be pushed beyond their comfort zone in a wilderness setting. They will grow in wilderness skills like knife and axe handling, hiking, wilderness first aid, cooking, camping, fire building, orienteering, bow marksmanship, rope bridge challenges, canoeing, fishing, and night navigation. More importantly, they will be challenged to develop characteristics of honor, leadership, integrity, discipline, dedication and courage. Throughout the week we will study King David from the Bible and learn from his life as we seek to be of the caliber of “David’s Mighty Men!” 

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge is intentionally designed for a small group of boys and is active, hands-on, challenging and Christ-centered. Every day brings a new challenge which grows progressively more difficult as the week goes on. Every day has a theme that is integrated into the morning devotions, the day’s activities, and the evening campfire talk. Leaders are there to coach the boys to success and provide spiritual guidance through biblical principles.

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge is for boys ages 12-14. Only 12 spots are available each week! Our leadership team is headed up by a man with extensive military experience and training. The other four men include experienced educators, pastors, a rancher and business owner. All of these leaders have gone through extensive TENTMAKERS’ training. 

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge takes place on the property of Wilderness North, owned and managed by TENTMAKERS ministry. Wilderness North is in Brimson, MN about 1 hour north of Duluth, right in the middle of the Superior National Forest. With over 1500 acres of total wilderness, there will be plenty of opportunities for these boys to experience the wild like they never have before.

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge participants should arrive at Wilderness North on Sunday between 1-2 pm. Parents, return the following Saturday @ 2 pm for a special “graduation” ceremony for these boys turned to young men prior to departure. 

TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge Desired Results:

  1. Grow in strength and confidence through hard work, wilderness living, and survival training.

  2. Gain wilderness survival skills with independent thinking and problem-solving skills.

  3. Experience why the wilderness was important to Jesus and other great leaders.

  4. Grow in the conviction that God’s Word is truth and applies to our lives today.

  5. Understand that we are “created in the image of God… male and female He created them in His own image.”

  6. Grow as a Godly man while learning how to respect and treat women.

  7. Sharpen the mind and learn to discern good and evil by avoiding excessive electronic stimulation.

  8. Learn and commit to the Ten Commandments.

  9. Know and experience the love of God.

  10.  Know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

This EXPERIENCE FOCUSES ON The SKILLS, ATTITUDES AND DISCIPLINES in bold.  For developing all skills attitudes & disciplines see the 40-Day or Year on Mission.

2024 TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge Camp Dates

  • WC Camp 1 - June 23-29, 2024 (no spots remaining)

  • WC Camp 2 - July 7-13, 2024

  • WC Camp 3- July 21-27, 2024 - potential additional week offering pending minimum number of registrations. We will make the decision to move forward with this week by no later than June 1, 2024. Utilize the registration form to register but do not pay until we know we are moving forward with this week.

To Register for TENTMAKERS Wilderness Challenge Complete the Following 4 Steps Today:

  1. Please fill out the Registration Form, answering all questions (Participant & Parent/Guardian)

  2. Pay your Registration Fee using the button to the right ($600/camper).

  3. Print, carefully read and fill in the Parts 1 & 2 of the Waiver Form and sign it.

  4. Print Part 3 of the Waiver Form and have a qualified medical staff person (per the form) complete and sign.

    1. After signing, scan or take pictures all three parts and email it to info@tentm.org (Participant & Parent/Guardian).

    2. Bring the original Waiver Form to Wilderness North for submission.