Camp reports: More than Kumbaya and s’mores

Weeks of camp: 8
Programs operating: 15
Total campers: 1,100
Ages: 6–16

5 year-round staff
64 summer staff
54 junior summer staff

In its third summer running, Encounter camp attracted 126 campers for the back-to-basics experience of sleeping in tents and cooking their own food. Campers dined under a new covered eating area, and staff enjoyed a new covered cooking area and a tree house for meetings.

Week-long camps: 7
Total campers: 184
Ages: 7–17

3-week Campfire Leadership Training (CLT) camps: 2
1-week Adventure Challenge (backcountry/mountaineering adventure for 16+): 1

CLT participants: 27
Campers receiving financial/bursary assistance: 36

1 year-round staff person
31 summer volunteer staff

This year, Les Klassen became the first full-time executive director (support-funded position), and food was provided for all campers (campers brought their own in previous years).

Weeks of camp: 7
Programs operating: 23
Total campers: 664

6 management and 4 support staff year-round
83 summer staff

Weeks of camp: 5
Total campers: 174
Ages: 6–16

1 year-round staff person
43 summer staff

Weeks of camp: 9
Programs operating: 10
Total campers: 1,229
Ages: 5–17

6 year-round staff
65 summer staff
250 volunteers

Pines partners with the Kootenay Camp and Retreat Society (formed when a Pentecostal denominational camp near Nelson, B.C. closed) for 3 camps each summer. Pines provides the facility, meals, and program staff while Kootenay provides cabin leaders and coordinates chapels and Bible studies.

Total camps: 5.5
Total campers: 366 + 2 weekend youth retreats
Ages: 6–18

1 year-round staff + 1 on term until Feb.
54 summer staff

A massive forest fire threatened Simonhouse this spring and forced evacuations. All critical structures were spared and there were no fatalities in the region. Staff returned to camp 3 days prior to the first event and no programs were cancelled. Simonhouse is grateful for the effort and resources Manitoba Conservation gave, and prays that locals – who had to choose what to take and what to leave – will continue to consider what is important in life.

Weeks of camp: 10
Programs operating: 16
Total campers: 861
Total families: 113
Ages: 8–18

Family camp: 3.5 weeks
Children’s programming: 6 weeks

5 year-round staff
300 summer staff
250 summer volunteers

Camp Crossroads lengthened the Leaders in Training (LIT) program to 2.5 weeks, hired an LT director, and partnered the LIT program with several churches in St. Catharines to help them start a local day camp. The facility added a 3D archery range and new elements to the ropes course.

Total camps: 9
Total campers: 2,676
Ages: 5–16 yrs

Week-long residential camps: 6
2-night Pee Wee camp: 1
Day camp: 3

35 year-round staff
220 summer staff

Beyond Boundaries, a program for children with autism, was a new addition to Stillwood’s offerings this summer.

Week-long camps: 6
Total campers: 601
Ages: 8–18, 55+

2-day camps: 6–7 year-olds
3-day camps: 55+, family, Western trail ride

1 year-round staff
34 summer staff serving 1–17 weeks
100 summer volunteers

This year, West Bank offered 3 Sunday services for families camping at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. Next summer, they will host a satellite day camp for children staying at the park. Also new, windsurfing was offered at Young Teen camp.

Weeks of camp: 7.5
Programs operating: 11
Ages: 6–22

2-night Little Boots camp: 1
2-week Leader in Training program: 2