History of Rodeo Bible Camps of Idaho

In 1981 a few God-fearing people had a vision to reach cowboys and cowgirls for Christ. Through their sacrifice and God’s grace, Rodeo Bible Camps of Idaho was born. It began with a few cowboys and cowgirls and a devoted staff who gave four days and nights a year to put on a rodeo.

The idea for Rodeo Bible Camp came from Gary and Vonda Dee Walker in LaGrange, Wyoming. They gave the idea to Bert Zeranski, the Cambridge and Council Bible Churches, and some of the local farmers from the area. The instructions, to put on a camp, were given to Cheryl Zeranski on the back of a piece of paper, not in any order at all. The first camp had one day of instruction and three days of rodeo, due to the fact that the dairy farmers didn’t know how to instruct bull riding.

Years ago, camp began with no organization, no skill, and no expertise in clinic instruction, but a lot of knowledge of God’s grace and love. Today the camp has a large manual for organization. Others come to look at our camp and get “know how” to organize their camps around the northwest. Because of listening to The Holy Spirit’s prompting, new camps are up and running, sharing God‘s love with cowboys and cowgirls all over the west. Our instruction has improved in skill and expertise. We have had past and current NFR champions and qualifiers, and many northwest and collegiate champion cowboys and cowgirls as instructors. Recently, past RBCI campers are returning after successful rodeo careers to give back to Christ, as they instruct a new generation of rodeo kids. Sharing the impact Christ has made in their life beyond their passion for Rodeo.

Years ago the churches around these communities came together to support RBCI. They have given up their time, funds, and much effort to make it possible for Christ’s word to reach a needy group of teens. They have been asked to bake cookies, pies, muffins, clean grounds, set up tents, sponsor buckles, supply stock for the rodeo events, and many other jobs that don’t go unnoticed. Most importantly, they have been asked to pray, and prayer is what has made the difference in these camps. These are the people, that Christ has used to make it all possible. THANK YOU, for giving to the Lord, his fruit has multiplied beyond measure!

Rodeo Bible Camp Idaho is able to provide: bareback riding, steer riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, chute dogging, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and breakaway roping.

The camp has scheduled the third week in June every year for this event. Bible study in small groups, and Chapel are a part of everyday’s activities. Camp starts with registration on Sunday, followed by three sessions of instruction leading to 2 rodeos. We wrap up the week on Thursday afternoon with fabulous prizes for the rodeo competition plus recognition for inspiring behavior during camp. RBCI provides all of this for the youth Including food and housing for four nights and five days.

Rodeo Bible Camps of Idaho started as a ministry of local Bible churches and has expanded with a long arm that reaches many Bible believing churches in a larger circle around Idaho. We are organized for the purpose of instructing teenagers in the the redemptive love of Jesus Christ, to strengthen the faith of those already born again, to instruct basic rodeo skills, it gives teens the opportunity to put their skills into practice at actual rodeo competition.

If you’re interested, would like to help, attend, or want more information please feel free to call Dennis Holmes at 208-550-0371.