CANADIAN MB CAMPS REPORT SUMMER 1998

On a hot and dusty Sunday afternoon, a train of vehicles wound its way through Martens' Ranch gate atop the sand cliff edge of the creek valley and down the hill into camp, signalling that another season at West Bank Bible Camp had begun.

Phone calls in May and June brought excitement during the busyness of spring preparation. Many registration forms came with little or no indication of church affiliation. All along the thought was felt: Can God show Himself through camp, through crazy talent shows, busy activities, wide games and late nights in a collection of old and new buildings staffed by young adults who hold no degrees?

In the spring, six full-service RV sites were completed and some of West Bank's ancient granaries-turned cabins were jacked up onto railroad ties to keep their floors out of the dirt. Four sturdy buildings replaced the old. A stock trailer, a fireplace for the dining hall, a D.E. filter for the pool and a cement floor for the Creation Centre were new additions. This log building now has several displays which highlight scientific evidence supporting the Bible. In July, the climbing wall built in memory of former staff member David Nikkel was dedicated.

During each Junior Camp for students in grades three to six, the camp celebrated "Good Friday". After an evening of fireside singing, a spotlight lit three crosses on the hill and several counsellors read the story of Jesus' passion as recorded in Luke. The campers were quiet and attentive. Some of the campers who had never understood Good Friday, would remember that retelling of Jesus' death.

At both Young Teen Camps (grades seven to nine), in the chapel times, campers learned about God and some experienced Him without any hype; some experienced the Holy Spirit, sometimes without any connection to the speaker's topic. One observer said it was as if you could see the presence of God come.

One camper came to breakfast with what seemed like a clarity in her eyes. The person who had noticed this difference soon found out that she had found new life in Jesus Christ the night before.--

As a 6,400 hectare fire burned out of control just around the mountain, Gardom Lake Bible Camp developed evacuation plans, listened to the local fire updates and kept in touch with authorities. Because of the smoke, asthmatic campers were sent home; but the 600 campers will be able to relate a positive experience. The camp didn't evacuate, and the campers were able to carry on their weeks of camp untouched by the chaos around them. The staff felt pressure at times, too, but carried on with their duties.

Collin Peters kept the camp hopping with a daily schedule that balanced activity times in camp skills, free time, organized games and spiritual input. The camp hummed with activity from 7 a.m. until late, with the occasional night game that ended well past dark.

Each morning was highlighted with chapels. Staff and guest speakers shared their stories of Jesus Christ's presence in their lives while challenging and encouraging the campers to live for Christ. This was done through singing, speaking and skits. A cabin Bible study after lunch allowed for individual attention and an assortment of subjects to be discussed between counsellors and campers. The evening closed with a "campfire", which often was done without the fire because of the fire ban in effect. Spiritual decisions were discussed and first-time decisions and recommitments were made.

The camp offered 12 skill areas including archery, swimming, crafts and rope courses. Two new ones added this year: golf, for the older campers, and rock climbing on a new 30 foot-wall. Night games were in high demand.

Theme meals and luncheon skits with the Three Amigos were combined with meals prepared by camp cook Elaine Donnally.

The camp also revised its leadership training program, headed by Monika Schwartz. This was the first summer with full-time maintenance couple Cal and Gail Foster.

Altogether the camp had over 50 summer staff and volunteers this summer. Of the 600 campers this summer, 25% were from MB churches and 26% were from other churches; 49% were non-church campers.--

Although attendance was down by six campers from last year's record attendance, the enthusiasm for camp was not diminished. With a total of 347 campers this summer, there were 223 campers in the three junior camps, 62 campers in the junior high camp, 55 campers in the senior high camp and seven in the youth canoe camp.

Staff came from both the northern and southern churches; 10 of these staff were former campers from northern communities serving as counsellors-in-training, counsellors, maintenance and kitchen help.

Sixty campers received spiritual counsel; 17 made recommitments or sought assurance of salvation.

There was a strong administrative team for the summer camp ministry, led by Tracy Bird, summer program director. She provided enthusiastic and gifted leadership. Her experience as counsellor at both Simonhouse and Camp Crossroads in Ontario provided helpful insight into the needs of campers and staff.

1998 CAMPER PROFILE BY AREA

WINNIPEG - 1.2%
CRANBERRY PORTAGE - 5.3%
THE PAS/WANLESS - 33.6%
OUT OF PROVINCE - 2.6%
SNOW LAKE - 14.9%
THOMPSON - 10.0%
OTHER MANITOBA - 4.0%
FLIN FLON/CREIGHTON - 28.4%

Naomi Durksen served as counsellor-in-training coordinator for several camps, with Kevin Snider serving in this capacity for one week. They provided a broad depth of experience for leaders in this area. Eileen Kenny, summer camp administrative secretary/hostess, efficiently handled office administrative concerns.

Vision '98, a team of six Concord College students, gave excellent leadership during Junior 2 Camp. They geared their skits and chapel talks effectively to the theme. This was the second year a Vision team has served at the summer camp.

Impact '98, a team of six Bethany Bible Institute students, served during the junior high and senior high camps. This was the seventh year that BBI has fielded a summer camp ministry team. They helped with counselling, drama, music and skill programs. BBI also provided its CD Shout to the Lord, which included lyrics and guitar chords so that campers could take home many of the praise and worship songs from their camping experience.

The summer camp staff also served in three northern Manitoba MB churches (Snow Lake, Flin Flon and Cranberry Portage) and in The Pas Alliance Church on Sunday mornings.

Former pastor of Snow Lake and current pastor of Rosenort EMC Church, John Klassen, led Family Camp, giving meaningful messages on biblical characters. Alf Huebert, director of Stewardship Ministries for the Canadian MB Conference, gave financial planning and budgeting workshops as well as being available for discussion and preparation of wills.

Canoe Camp, led by Mark Neufeld and Kristen Imrie, had 7 campers paddling through Simonhouse Lake Narrows into Second and Third Cranberry Lakes, along the Grass River to Elbow Lake.

The upright freezer project, made possible by the support of northern women's groups and the Manitoba Women's conference, was completed for summer. Martin and Margaret Hiebert oversaw the renovation project of one of the older girls' cabins. A number of volunteers helped on this project. Construction was begun on a new triangular cabin with supervision by Larry Schroeder of Thompson, Man. Materials were donated by Newton Enterprises. A new project is the replacement of the alternator for the main diesel generator; approximately $3,800 is needed for this project.

The three youth retreat weekends reached many non-churched young people in the northern communities; 224 youth attended the three retreats: winter (61), spring (62) and fall (101), bringing the total number of campers served this year to 571 campers, four campers below last year's record total. Compared to 1994 statistics, the overall number of campers served in 1998 was up 51 campers (75 more in the summer camp program and 24 fewer in the youth retreat ministry).

The camp also serves as a retreat conference for the northern MB churches. The Northern Bible Conference, held each long weekend in May, has an average attendance of 175 people. Brian Larmour, former dean of students at Winkler Bible Institute, gave this year's messages. Steinbach MB Church Senior High group, led by pastor Scott Koop, provided child care ministry during the sessions.--

Living for Christ everyday

Summer staff focussed on serving, and many campers' lives were impacted to live for God. One of the themes for chapels and firesides was learning to live the Christian faith everyday, not just on Sundays. Many young people committed themselves to God and to taking a stand for God at school.

A total of 742 campers attended in 1998, up from 682 campers in 1997. There were 38 decisions for Christ and 89 rededications made. Of the campers, not including Family, Trail or 55-plus camps, 37% were from MB churches, 35% were from other churches and 28% were non-churched.

There were 114 campers each in youth, junior high 1 and 2, intermediate 1 and junior camps; there were 94 campers in Intermediate 2 Camp and 78 campers in Kids Camp.

Two years ago, a new chapel and recreation building was completed. Over the next six years six new triangle cabins are planned, replacing older cabins. In June, a new reverse osmosis water filtration system was installed. The total cost of the treatment plant and distribution system is over $40,000.

Bryant and Lynette Van Kuik joined the staff as full-time program directors. New to the skills program are riflery, sports, three-on-three basketball and a horse trail for inner city kids. Construction has begun on a new kids' playgym, and canoe and mountain bike out trips are being considered for next year.--

This summer, Pines Bible Camp highlighted the theme "Over the Edge--Taking the Step of Faith" through decorations, skits and Bible studies. The theme was paralleled with rock climbing and rappelling to having faith in God. In rappelling, four key things are needed: confidence in the anchor, confidence in the equipment, confidence in the belayer (the one holding the safety line) and confidence in self. In Christianity, the anchor is Jesus Christ, the equipment is God's Word, the belayer is Christian friendship, and confidence in self comes in knowing that God is true.

The staff developed a six-part skit that talked about each of these themes called "Wounds of our lives" in which a man named Bob tries to find true happiness through extreme sports, while his best friend Christian tries to convince him that Jesus is the only thing he needs for true happiness. Unfortunately, Christian accidently does the extreme sports and ends up getting hurt each time.

The camp saw an increase in campers this year from 351 in 1997 to 422 in 1998. Fifty-two campers accepted Christ and 118 made recommitments.

Guest speakers were Wilf Pauls from Enderby, B.C., Hugo Reimer from Vanderhoof, B.C., Jack Knight from Olds, Alta., Russ Reid from Grand Forks, B.C. and Henry and Edna Thiessen from Abbotsford, B.C.

Phil Callaway, author and editor of Servant magazine from Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alta., spoke at Family Camp in the middle of August. More than 200 people attended, with at times 150 extra people coming for the day.

This year the camp received a new floating dock that can hold 50 people and an extension to the dining hall that includes a large covered section for barbecues on rainy days.

Pines Bible Camp is an important ministry in the Boundary and Kootenay area. This year over 48% of campers came from unchurched, non-Christian homes. The school program that Pines offers throughout the year introduced the camp to families who may otherwise not know about the camp. Staff are working hard to follow up with campers who made a spiritual decision at camp, but do not attend church.

Campers Church Affiliation: 1998

Mennonite Brethren - 20.0%
Other denominations - 31.3%
Do not attend church - 48.7%

--Gene Krahn

Camp Evergreen had an increase of campers from 726 last year to 812 this year. There were 98 decisions for Christ and 133 rededications made at camp this summer. Fifteen percent of campers were affiliated with the MB church.

The camp once again used the Bible Exploration material which Bethany Bible Institute faculty wrote and published. The younger campers were challenged with the Bible study material called Quest, written by Derrick Mueller. The themes were laid out in five lessons that paralleled the Christian journey of faith and growth. The older campers were challenged with the Bible study material called Faith Viruses, written by Rick Shellenberg. The five lessons were based on I Corinthians where biblical solutions were found for problems such as feeling excluded, doubting one's faith, regretting choices, feeling helpless and confused about right and wrong.

Bethany Bible Institute's mission team "Impact", along with Rick Schellenberg, were part of Leadership Camp and Family Camp in June. Other speakers and groups were Rosebud Theatre; Carl Ibbotson, Tofield, Alta.; Jon Dyck, Landmark, Man.; John Anderson, Highland MB Church, Calgary; Dan King, College Drive MB Church, Lethbridge, Alta.; and J Janzen, Garth Epp and Paul Isaac, Camp Evergreen.

God also blessed the camp with an excellent staff. As needs rose for staff, the need was directed in prayer to God. The phone would ring and the prayer would be answered again.

Two family camps were conducted, with about 51 families and about 290 people in total at both camps.

One story of a young camper summarizes what happened at camp this summer. "I had lots of fun," he said, "climbing the wall, riding a horse, going on the ropes, shooting arrows, paddling a canoe, but that's not what it's all about. It's about that Jesus loves you and He wants to be your friend."

This is Camp Evergreen's 35th year of operation, a ministry of reaching out to children. A camp setting is a place where children come and play, meet old friends and make new ones. It is where the love of Jesus is modelled by staff, spoken about and sung about. It is modelled in everyday living. Summer camps are adventures that last a lifetime.--

"Click on Radical: Stories of Faith" was the theme for the 1998 summer program at camps Assiniboia (Headingley, Man.), Koinonia (Boissevain, Man.) and Moose Lake (Sprague, Man.), operated by the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba through Camps with Meaning.

Included at Camp Koinonia are camps for mentally challenged adults.

One unique maintenance helper was Shawn Perkins at Camp Koinonia. Shawn and his wife Bonnie, who attend River East MB Church in Winnipeg, began attending camps for mentally challenged adults at Camp Koinonia five years ago. Shawn, who enjoys cleaning, saw that the camp staff did not have time to do all the cleaning tasks. As a camper, he offered to mop floors and developed a reputation as a meticulous cleaner. One year he asked to become a staff person. In 1997, he received his first "staff T-shirt" and served in the role of maintenance assistant at Camp Koinonia. Shawn called this a "remarkable" experience. In 1998, he related that camp manager Ed Bergman did not need to provide him with instructions for his role, as he already knew his job.--

The summer of 1998 was filled with many busy days of programs at Camp Crossroads, located in the Muskokas of northern Ontario. Attendance in the various weeks was higher than in previous years. During the weeks of children and youth programs, 1129 campers registered. A new week for campers aged 13 to 15 was an important reason for the increase. In addition, there were 90 families at the family camps, 54 campers with their parents at the Pee Wee Mini Camp. Adult camps, 55+ week, 20s and 30s Retreat and the September Bible Retreat were also well attended. The registrations showed that 45% of the campers were from MB churches.

Staffing needs were met by 329 workers for one or more weeks at camp. Of this group, 82% were from MB churches. The program leadership team consisted of Carolyn Goossen, Andrew Hiebert, Kelly McLagen, Mitch Krohn, Katrina Snyder, Jon DuChene and Tracey Baerg. The six-week leaders-in-training program was completed by 11 young people.

Many chapel leaders were effective in helping campers and staff understand God's love in new ways. More than 50 campers dedicated their lives to God for the first time and 120 made recommitments. The camp is grateful for the support received from pastors of Ontario MB churches who were part of the chapel ministry.

One of the projects for this year is cabin renovation. One cabin was completed this spring and work on two more cabins is in progress.

In August, the camp held a community barbecue for the cottage owners in the area. Many came to enjoy food, visiting and listening to the staff sing songs that are part of the worship throughout the summer weeks.--

God blessed Columbia Bible Camp this summer with 909 campers attending, breaking the attendance record the third year in a row. Campers enjoyed waterfights, golfing, earthball, campfires (until the fire ban) and pool parties.

New this year was the Day Camp which had six campers coming primarily from Chilliwack for the day and joining Veggie Tales Camp. The counsellors-in-training crew ran the program. Also new for 1998 was a second ski boat and golfing for the older campers, allowing for expansion. Twelve new cabins were used this summer, with the final six scheduled for completion in early October.

Speakers this summer were Paul Powers, Little Peoples Ministry; Vic Schellenberg, Northview Community Church; Brian West, Fresh Wind Ministry; Mike Penninga, Willow Park Church; Scott Falk, Neighbourhood Community Church; and Dan Schroeder, Mountain Park Community Church. There were 32 first-time commitments to Jesus and 138 recommitments made.

Moreover, not only were campers lives changed, but God brought in over 90 staff; the weekly average was 70.

Prayer is needed as the follow-up program begins and as the camp prepares for the new millennium. Henry Edwards

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