By the end of June, there is one thing that occupies the thoughts of parents and school-aged children alike: nine weeks of summer vacation! While children look forward to relief from schedules, tests and assignments, parents know that the excitement will soon be replaced with an ongoing search for something to do.

Summer camps give young people the opportunity to participate in structured recreational activities, make and renew acquaintances and enjoy the outdoors. Many parents gladly pay hundreds of dollars for each week their child spends at camp. They realize that the benefits are well worth the expense.

There are, however, thousands of children whose parents cannot afford to send them to camp. They live in difficult circumstances, at or below the poverty line. They still have summer vacation, but their choices for supervised, recreational activities are far more limited.

The Salvation Army has been providing quality programming for both groups all around the territory for more than 100 years. In Canada it operates overnight camps at 10 locations as well as day camps and vacation Bible school programs throughout the summer months.

Jackson's Point and Newport Adventure Camp
With the amalgamation of Ontario divisions, the Ontario camp ministry now comprises 10 programs at Newport Adventure Camps, near Huntsville, and Jackson's Point. The goal is to offer a quality camping experience to children regardless of their economic status.

Bruce Aitken, executive director of Ontario camp ministry, is thrilled at the chance to influence young people. “Kids come to camp with uncertainties but when they experience love and acceptance from caring staff, their fears are gone. When God's love is gently expressed, hearts are transformed. Confidence and self-esteem are free to increase.”

“It doesn't matter what or who you are outside of camp. When you get there, you are accepted, no matter what”

The ministry is not without its difficulties, however. Aitken reports that as budgets tighten, the challenge to maintain quality facilities and programs, led by experienced, trained staff, increases. And like all programs for children, government requirements have become more demanding as well.

In an effort to reach out locally, Jackson's Point has introduced day camps. Children from the surrounding area are brought by their parents or bussed from as far away as Newmarket, Ont., to attend each week-long session. Last year's camp included a farm area where the children helped to grow vegetables and observed the development of baby chicks. The children also participated in activities such as canoeing, archery, swimming, arts and crafts, and Bible study.

Camping challenges both campers and staff to grow in faith and maturity. A female cabin leader from Newport Adventure Camp says, “One week I had a camper who was severely homesick. She cried and cried. I could barely get her to say her name. After she calmed down, I was able to talk to her. She ended up staying the entire week and enjoying herself. We kept in touch and she is excited about coming back this year.”

Camp Sunrise
On the west coast, Camp Sunrise in Gibsons, B.C., has provided a welcoming environment to adults and children since 1925. The camp staff is pleased to observe that as young people enjoy the outdoor setting and begin to participate in camp activities, they develop friendships that last a lifetime. Staff members, while serving as mentors, encouraging emotional, social and spiritual growth, often receive the same from the children.

It might seem odd that young people are still attracted to the rustic atmosphere of camp. Staff member Michael Touzeau comments, “One of the challenges we face is being able to keep camp somewhat modern, yet keeping up with camp traditions that help make it a unique place. One thing that I've come to realize is that camp is special because of the way God works through it and the people who come and go.”

Pine Lake and Beaver Creek
Pine Lake Camp near Red Deer, Alta., has just added new camper accommodations—four buildings with 32 beds each. “The old cabins had to be torn down five years ago,” says Captain Darlene Burt, former divisional youth secretary, Prairie and Northern Territories Division. “The grand opening takes place on August 8 with guests Commissioners William W. and Marilyn D. Francis.”

Pine Lake sees many returning campers and staff each summer. One new staff member has attended holiday camps at Pine Lake since he was a child. He notes, “My experiences at Pine Lake kept me away from the many temptations that are out there for teens today.” He regularly attends a local corps and participates in its youth Bible study.

At Beaver Creek Camp, south of Saskatoon, the staff lounge got an extreme makeover during a women's camp and men's camp this year. The corps in Moose Jaw, Sask., donated a large portion of the materials that were used in the upgrade.

Captain Burt reflects, “I have spent five summers at camp as a DYS, growing as a person and as an officer. The broad range of camp experience can't be found in any other appointment. Even though I won't be a DYS this summer, I will be at music camp doing what I can to influence the children.”

Salvation Army camps are a vital time of growth for thousands of young people every year. In the words of one teen, “Camp has changed my life in many ways. First and foremost, I have grown closer to God. The friends that I have made at camp will stay with me forever. The counsellors are amazing because they are great listeners and fantastic people overall. Even when camp is over they are still there for me when I need them.

“Camp is the best place on earth. It doesn't matter what or who you are outside of camp. When you get there, you are accepted, no matter what.”