In December of 1983, Bruce and Donna Tippetts along with Tim and Linda Van Gorp purchased 80 acres of land on the north side of Lake Lemon in Brown County Indiana. That property was the site of the beginning of a camp ministry named Walnut Hills Retreat Ministry, Inc. The property was devoid of any development so in March of 1984 construction began. Bruce, Donna and their three small children lived in a tent during the construction of the first building that was completed in October of 1984. During the next eleven years W.H.R. developed all the necessary elements for a successful ongoing ministry. The highlights of those components were -----

• Volunteer Board of Directors
  
• Incorporation as a 501-C-3 Not-for profit, tax exempt Christian ministry
  
• Programs
  
• Facility development
  
• Ministered to thousands of campers
  
• Hundreds of spiritual decisions
  
• Constituency base
  
• Develop Long Range Plans
  
• Financial stability
  
• Outstanding reputation in community
  

In April of 1995, the decision was made to move to the current location.  The new location’s land and facilities included 50 acres, a 5000 square foot lodge, gym, pool, and a 5 acre lake. During the next seven years W.H.R. worked tirelessly to expand the ministry to meet the demands of its campers. Facilities were developed to double the number campers that could be accommodated.
 
God has truly blessed W.H.R. as thousands of camper from throughout the world visit each year.  These visits have resulted in hundreds of salvation decisions and spiritual changes.
 
A steady stream of improvements, both major and minor, have been made over the years to enhance your stay at W.H.R. 

• Handicapped accessible improvements
  
• New programs
  
• Air conditioning
  
• Camp fire area
  
• Beach volleyball court
  
• New bathrooms
  
• Remodeled kitchen
  
• New dorm rooms
  
• Road and parking improvements
  
• Boat dock
  
• Decks
  
• Asphalt walkways
  
• New furniture
  
• New recreation equipment
  
• New Frisbee golf
  
• New 10,000 sq. ft. Mission Center
  
• Landscaping
  
• New office
  
• New maintenance area
  
• $2.5 million replacement value