History
Over the years, Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp has grown and changed in many ways, but one thing has remained the same since that very first camp in the summer of 1956; all our camps are still offered free of charge. We want children to be able to attend camp regardless of their financial situation. We feel this is one way we can participate in sharing the free grace of God that is offered to all of mankind, without cost, by our mighty God. We seek to operate as a practical object lesson of His generosity to each one of us.
Other things have changed:
- 1956—the first camp session was run for one week, a handful of campers attended, tents were used for accommodation
- 1957—the dining room and washrooms were built
- 1957—two weeks of camps
- 1965—3 camp sessions
- 1967—first Winter Camp Retreat
- 1970—199 campers registered
- 1971—added another camp session
- 1972—first staff training weekend
- 1972—first outtrips
- 1973—five weeks of summer camps
- 1974—the first full-time, year-round, director of camping was hired
- 1976—camps are full and we are turning kids away
- 1976—outtrip camps are introduced
- 1977—308 campers
- 1978—add two more camps
- 1978—18,000 meals were served at camp between June 20 and Sept 4
- 1981—first year for PIT Crew
- 1987—COLTS began
- 1990—our camper waiting lists continue to grow, so to accommodate more campers we expand to a mobile site; our first Crowll camp
- 1992—added two more Crowll camps
- 1994—construction began on two buildings to house female campers
- 1999—campers began using the new girls dorms
- 2003—plans are drawn up to begin construction of an office building
- 2003—another camp facility & site are given to camp, plans begin to offer three new camps from there, in 2004
- 2004— moved a large building in from a hutterite colony, with the intent of using it for boys dorms, starting in 2006
- 2005— add two more camps at the new site. We are now offering 14 kids camps, 5 staff training programs, 1 camp for seniors (age 50 +) & 1 family camp during the 4 months of summer. In the off-season we have Winter Camp for young adults, and two camper reunion weekends.
- 2005—moved into the new office, ministry to 618 campers
- 2006—add a worship training program
- 2007—marks our 50th summer! Wecelebrated with about 600 people over the course of an open house weekend. A highlight for the weekend: getting 50 people to the top of Crow!
- 2009—we are anticipating the completion of all renovations to the boys cabins and plans are being drawn up for the construction on a new kitchen / dining room / chapel building.
