Wilderness Warriors is a ministry of Everyday Christian Men (ECMen) designed for boys ages 5–16. In a culture where boys are struggling, we want to raise up young men who have character, integrity, and purpose built on a solid foundation of faith.

While our home-base is Scalp Level Brethren Church in Windber, our adventures often take us to various attractions and natural sites throughout the Johnstown area. Throughout the year, we host ~20 meetings where boys dive into hands-on training in skills like fishing, archery, orienteering, and first aid, as well as practical trades like carpentry and electricity. From the precision of knot-tying to the seasonal tradition of maple syrup harvesting and making, every activity is an opportunity to discover how these lessons apply to their walk with God.

Through our regular sessions and overnight expeditions at places like Camp Harmony, we create space for dads and father figures to mentor their sons, modeling what it means to be a godly man with purpose.

1. Connect: Fill out the ‘Get Involved’ form on this webpage so we can welcome you.

2. Visit: Join us for a meeting (or two!) to see the Wilderness Warriors in action and see the program first-hand.

3. Register: Once your child is ready to jump in, you can complete the official registration form online.

Absolutely! We want every Wilderness Warrior to feel at home. We invite you to ‘scout out’ a meeting first to see if it’s a good fit. Simply submit the Get Involved form, join us for a session, and if your child is ready for the challenge, you can finalize their enrollment through our online form.

An annual membership is $50 per year per child. This covers ~20 training meetings, a Wilderness Warriors t-shirt, and your child’s starter Survival Kit. Because our overnight outings vary in location and activity, they are priced separately.

Note: We want every child to have the chance to be a Wilderness Warrior. Scholarships are available for those who need them—indicate your interest on the registration form. We may contact you for more information.

We highly encourage it! Whenever possible, we love having dads or father figures join the sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to come alongside your son, mastering new skills and growing in faith together as a team.

We are always looking for godly men to help us equip the next generation! Whether you are a dad with a son in the program or a man with a heart for mentorship, your time and skills are invaluable.

To ensure the safety of our Wilderness Warriors, we require all volunteers to complete a standard background check process before jumping in:

1. PA Criminal History Check
2. PA Child Abuse History Clearance
3. FBI Fingerprinting Dept of Human Services

   Choose Code: 1KG6ZJ
   DHS VOLUNTEER

   CLOSEST LOCATION TO OBTAIN AN APPT:
   The Learning Lamp
   2025 Bedford St
   Johnstown, PA 15904-1003

   AFFIDAVIT – Disclosure Statement for Volunteers:
   If you have lived in PA for 10+ years you may complete a Disclosure Statement for Volunteers. This is FREE and Only for use as a volunteer.
   *This can be completed IN PLACE OF OBTAINING FBI CLEARANCES.

4. Please provide documentation to ECMen via email (amy@ecmen.org) or postal mail.

Reach out to Bob Chippie, our Program Leader, at rschippie@yahoo.com. He’d be happy to answer any questions you have!