Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch
Encyclopedia
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch (ISCR) is a Christian
camp in southern Minnesota
serving over 22,000 people per year. Founded by Bob Bardwell, ISCR's express purpose is to provide an atmosphere and opportunity for adults and children to get to know themselves, others and God
better. Ironwood Springs has been a non-profit organization
since 1976. The camp gets its name from the hundreds of Ironwood trees on the land and the boiling springs along the Root River
.
. God used Bob's experiences at this camp to show him the spiritual, social, and emotional impact a Christian camp can have on a child for lifetime. After leaving Horn Creek Ranch, it was Bardwell's goal to start a Christian camp of his own.
In 1973, Bardwell finished seminary
and got married. That same year he was paralyzed from the waist down in a heavy construction accident. This event led to a series of changes that allowed Bob to see the Lord's purpose and plan for his life. By 1976, land that Bob's father, Lester Bardwell, had purchased was transformed into the start of a non-profit, non-denominational, independent Christian camp. "Bob's dream was realized."
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
camp in southern Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
serving over 22,000 people per year. Founded by Bob Bardwell, ISCR's express purpose is to provide an atmosphere and opportunity for adults and children to get to know themselves, others and God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
better. Ironwood Springs has been a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
since 1976. The camp gets its name from the hundreds of Ironwood trees on the land and the boiling springs along the Root River
Root River (Minnesota)
The Root River flows for through the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota and is a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River. It is an excellent river for canoeing...
.
History
Since 1969, Bob Bardwell (wheelchair marathon racer and author) had a dream to start or work at a Christian camp when he worked at Horn Creek Ranch in Westcliffe, ColoradoWestcliffe, Colorado
-Nonprofit Cultural Groups:* * * * * -Media:* * * -External links:***...
. God used Bob's experiences at this camp to show him the spiritual, social, and emotional impact a Christian camp can have on a child for lifetime. After leaving Horn Creek Ranch, it was Bardwell's goal to start a Christian camp of his own.
In 1973, Bardwell finished seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
and got married. That same year he was paralyzed from the waist down in a heavy construction accident. This event led to a series of changes that allowed Bob to see the Lord's purpose and plan for his life. By 1976, land that Bob's father, Lester Bardwell, had purchased was transformed into the start of a non-profit, non-denominational, independent Christian camp. "Bob's dream was realized."
- The first thing to be built was the driveway. The trails were the next thing to be developed. The current staff house was the first building built and served as the lodge with bunks and a kitchen.
- 1978 - the main lodge was built up the hill.
- 1980 to 1984 - the swimming pool, tennis courts, and the Solid Oaks Stables were built.
- 1990 - the log-dining hall that is attached to the main lodge was built.
- 1990 to 1997 - seven cabins were built.
- 1991 - the recreation center was built.
- 1995 - 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) across the river to the north were purchased.
- 1996 to 2000 - building of the chapel with logs from Whitewater State ParkWhitewater State ParkWhitewater State Park is a Minnesota state park in Winona County in the southeastern blufflands area of the state. The park features scenic overlooks and excellent trout fishing in the spring fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek. It has about 300,000 visitors annually, and is located 7 miles ...
. - 1997 - two bridges were donated.
- 2001 - the main office building was opened.
- 2002 to 2005 - Castner Riding Arena.
- 2007 - the opening of the Miracle Lodge, a 3-story, 27 room lodge designed to be 100% wheelchair accessible.