When we first started the camping ministry in October 1973, Walt and Betty Brock and their children moved to this
location. During that entire year they had been thinking about a suitable name for the camp. Our official corporate
name was Fundamental Christian Endeavors, but we had not given the camp a name. We were looking for a oneword
name that had a strong sound and carried a western theme. Also, we wanted a unique name that was not being
used for other purposes. In looking for those qualifications, two other aspects were very important: that the name
had a good connotation without any negative baggage and that it had some spiritual significance. Pages of possible
names were listed. After more than a year of much prayer, thought, and discussion, we chose the name Ironwood.
Ironwood was a strong-sounding word, had a western sound to it, and was unique. The spiritual significance to it
comes from the name of the ironwood tree, a low-desert tree that grows some miles from here and the ironwood
mesquite trees growing on our property. The ironwood tree grows slowly and is strong. As with all young plants and
trees when they are small and tender, the growth of the branches and limbs can be directed. When the ironwood
tree is old, it stands strong and true; you cannot bend or direct the branches without destroying the tree. We want
to see young people be molded by God’s Word while they are tender and pliable. As they grow in life and become
mature Christians, we want them to stand strong and true with convictions and Christlikeness in their attitudes, not
bending under the pressures of the world and not compromising their convictions when under stress.