Headquartered in Winkler, Children's Camps International continues to reach hundreds of thousands of children around the world with the Gospel.

The non-denominational organization operates camps in India, Cambodia, Kenya, Fiji, Belize and Mexico and since 2003 has seen more than 1.6 million campers. In 2016 alone, CCI India reached more than 200,000 campers.

CCI India Director Antony Samy explains the backbone of the ministry is partnering with local churches.

"That's the main thing," Samy says. "And also the support from Southern Manitoba, that really helps us."

The camps have grown rapidly as the regions where CCI operates see the obvious change in campers.

"The parents notice the positive change in their children," Samy says. "So every year the parents want to send their children, and also the neighbours see what happens... and want to send their children to the camps."

"So this way every year we have hundreds and hundreds of new churches getting involved," Samy says. "We are so glad so many children's lives are touched... and through that communities are changing and we want to bring a positive change in the nation of India."

Vice President of Operations Mark Bergen explains they continue to raise support this summer from events like Fun Fest at Iceberg Drive-In with kids magician and musical entertainment August 1, a fundraising cycling tour, a slow pitch tournement August 19-21 to, as well as a Fill the Bin fundraiser, giving farmers a chance to donate a portion of their crops to the cause.

Funds raised make a big impact Bergen says, where five dollars sends a camper to a CCI camp for one week, with a full year of follow-up programming through the local churches. Compounding CCI's impact and growth, he notes campers often transition to becoming camp counsellors and eventually church leaders.

cci bin
The Fill the Bin fundraiser runs all summer.