Laundry Room & Safer Access Addition
A two-story addition to the north end of Prairie Trails Lodge was completed in the Fall of 2023
Lodge Entrance Makeover
The lodge turned 108 years old this year in 2023 and a gift was given. Stone work was added to both sides of the front door. We appreciate our donors!
Returning Director
Daniel Walker returned in June, 2023. For twenty years, he served in many capacities at camp and conference centers across Missouri and Colorado. After a seven-year time away, working in the challenge course and zip line industry and being an assistant band and choir director he is back where he began his full-time ministry.
This time, Daniel has moved here from Monett, Missouri.
Former Directors
Tom & Nancy Carter served as our center directors for a time in 2020.
They are from Midland, TX
New Showers
New restrooms and showers were added to the conference building to accommodate more guests and those with mobility challenges.
August, 2020
Conference Center Porches
New and reconstructed porches were added.
New Rocking Chairs
Rocking chairs were added to the front porch of Prairie Trails Lodge.
Hospitality Rooms
The Prairie Trails Lodge offers a hospitality room on both guest floors. You'll find a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee items on both floors. Explore the top floor for additional items. The Main floor offers a roll-top desk to sit and write at. Pictured is the Main Floor Hospitality Room, refurbished on February 13, 2017.
Lodge Upgrade
A new, larger water heater was added to the water system for the lodge on February 6, 2017.
Rick, Debbie & Douglas Rice Arrive
January 18, 2017 - Rick, Debbie and Douglas Rice arrived to take the role of resident managers.They are from mid-Missouri. Daniel Walker is a part of the team as Consulting Director. Walker was the first administrator of Wheatland from 1996 through 1999. The Rices and Walker join the local management committee. Article from Flagler News
Bountiful Bundles
The annual fundraiser for Wheatland conference Center and Prairie Trails Lodge (Bountiful Bundles) is held each December at the Flagler School Cafeteria in conjunction with the basketball tournament.
People from the area contribute bundles for the silent auction of which half the proceeds are given to Flagler Emergency Relief Fund (F.E.R.F.) and half for the maintenance of the Lodge and Conference Center.
We are so grateful to the many people who donate the vast variety of Bountiful Bundles and especially to all those who purchase the bundles. We also want to thank all those who work to make the event so successful.
The funds raised will aid in the ongoing ministry at Wheatland and Prairie Trails Lodge. Many restoration projects are currently in the works. One primary project now is updated heating and cooling in the lodge.
Recent projects include, the painting of the lodge, roof repair, a new porch with handicap ramp, rockers and glider, and new heating system in the conference center.
20 Years of Christian Service
June 5-6, 2015 we celebrated 20 years as Wheatland Conference Center and the Prairie Trails Lodge will be 100 years old.
We hosted a private banquet for the legacy members, then on Saturday we had an all day festival with a quilt show, antique car show, carnival, crafts, singing, and plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs and home made Amish ice cream.
Conference Center
The conference center hosts many events throughout the year. From family reunions to specific conferences, 4-H & Cub Scout meetings, Bible studies, Prayer meetings, and revivals, there is something going on at the facility on a weekly (and sometimes nightly) basis.
Prairie Trails Lodge
Prairie Trails Lodge is operated locally within the small community of Flagler, (120 miles east of Denver and 50 miles from the Kansas line), we're right on I-70. Formally named Hotel Watters, constructed in 1915 by the Watters Brothers, the hotel was built to serve the traveling public as they drove on the "Ocean to Ocean Highway," a transcontinental road connecting the two coasts. The hotel was extensively remodeled in 1954 to add indoor plumbing and to update the wiring. The hotel again changed ownership in 1962 and continued to operate as a hotel until about 1975.
The hotel was unused for almost 20 years. In 1994, the Platte Valley Baptist Association obtained the building by paying the back taxes. They, along with many volunteers, worked tirelessly to renovate and clean the hotel to be used as the Wheatland Christian Camp & Conference Center. Many camps and conferences were held here for several years.
In 2001, upon the departure of the director of the center, and also the visionary of the project, the property was left under the jurisdiction of the board of directors who eventually decided to close the doors. By the fall of 2004, interested community persons did not want to see this work of God sit idle and go to ruin. They joined together and made plans to revitalize it. Community and church members have adopted rooms and decorated each with a unique motif, updated the interior and the exterior of the hotel, and made it ready for use in the 21st century. In 2010, we decided that we need to shift to another direction toward the "Eastern Plains Christian Retreat Center" for servants of the Lord.