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1996 Attendance 3 junior camps 207 1 junior high camp 68 1 senior high camp 62 1 youth canoe camp 8 Total 345
Compared to 1992 the overall number of campers (including those attending youth retreats throughout the year) served in 1996 was up 103 campers.
Sixty-nine campers received spiritual counsel; 33 of these campers made recommitments or sought assurance of salvation. A majority of our campers continue to come from non-churched or non-evangelical church backgrounds.
Deron Warkentin, summer program director, was a "walking miracle" reminding campers and staff alike of the power of prayer and God's healing touch. In March, Deron had fallen from a climbing wall in Winnipeg. He miraculously escaped permanent damage to his back and was able to return to camp work.
Campers enjoyed a variety of large group games like "pail poachers" and "capture the flag" and exciting campfire programs. In addition to regular camp activities, older junior and senior high campers could participate in activities such as sailboarding, sailing, water-skiing, fishing and drama.
Campers donated $744 to sponsor 15 campers in Russia and the former Soviet Union to attend a Christian camp through Kingdom Ventures International.
Impact '96, a team of nine Bethany Bible Institute students, helped with counselling, maintenance, drama, music and skill programs during the junior and senior high camps. This was the fifth year that BBI has fielded a summer camp ministry team.
Forty people (10 families) attended the family camp weekend. Rick Schellenberg, BBI faculty member, spoke on conflict resolution in the home.
The camp also serves as a retreat centre for the northern MB churches. The northern Bible conference each May long weekend has an average attendance of 175 people. Peter Reid, teaching faculty member at Torchbearers Capernwray Harbour Bible School on Thetis Island, B.C. served as guest speaker this year. Christian Centre Fellowship worship team from Thompson, Man. together with James & Gwen Foord from Snow Lake Christian Centre led in music. Naomi Durksen from Winnipeg again led several workshops on creative worship using tambourines.
The weekend youth retreat ministry attracted 200 young people, a high percentage of which are non-churched kids. The winter retreat attracted 74 youth Mar. 15-17. Winkler Bible Institute praise band led by Doug Friesen provided leadership and music ministry. Brian Larmour & Sharon Peters led in powerful messages on "Living in the Light of Forever".
The June retreat attracted 46 youth May 31-June 2. Vision 96, a team of six students from Concord College, gave leadership in music, drama and counseling.
The September youth retreat attracted 80 youth Sept. 13-15. Several of the Christian senior high youth who had served on summer staff gave great leadership. Markus Deutsch, from Steinbach and former youth pastor at West Portal in ~Saskatoon, challenged the teens on the topic of "Sexuality and Relationships". Teens responded well to his frank manner.
The camp experienced many problems with its generating plants this summer, but it was amazing to see how God provided by sending the people who could help correct the problems.
In March, Ted Goossen assumed full-time responsibility as camp director. The camp board opened a camp office in Cranberry Portage. This renovation project began in February with volunteer help and generous donations from businesses and foundations. The camp purchased the former Grace Church manse building located on the church property.
In June, Helen Penner, member of Grace Church in Cranberry Portage, resigned as camp treasurer after 12-and-a-half years of volunteer service. She was presented with a farewell gift by Dale Warkentin, board chair and pastor of Flin Flon MB Church.
Simonhouse Bible Camp continues to serve as a beacon of spiritual light in northern Manitoba pointing people to Christ.
Ted Goossen, director
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