As part of phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, camps like the Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp at Christopher Lake are still hoping to run in some capacity this summer, but time is running out. (Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp/Facebook)

By Trevor Redden

Summer Tradition

Pair of Christopher Lake camps still hoping to run this summer

May 27, 2020 | 1:09 PM

While many summer camps in the area have cancelled their programs for 2020, a couple local organizations are still hoping to make it work.

Camp Kadesh and Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp, both located at Christopher Lake, are waiting for further clarification from the provincial government before making a final decision. Camps are listed under phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, which remains vague on detail and notably does not have an implementation date yet.

In a typical summer there would be thousands of youth attending camps all across Saskatchewan, but issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic have put the season in doubt.

Darin Felstrom, executive director of Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp on Christopher Lake, is still optimistic that they can operate in some capacity, but knows further clarification regarding phase four is needed.

“Even at that phase, that’s only 30 people coming together, maintaining social distancing, and [potentially] using PPE. With eight to 12-year-old campers that would be tricky if not impossible,” Felstrom said.

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Tim Good, director at Camp Kadesh which is also on Christopher Lake, recognizes the longer the wait is, the less likely summer operation becomes.

“We have to start making decisions, because we’re at a place where some of our staff would like to work the camp but they have other opportunities so what should they do? A lot of our make or break is going to be on that first, because we have to have staff in place,” Good said.

By now, Camp Kadesh would typically have 25 seasonal employees hired, but that has not been the case this year.

Camp Kadesh would typically have had 25 seasonal employees start on May 1, but the camp’s director says workers are currently in limbo as they wait to see if the camp can run summer programs. (Camp Kadesh/Facebook)

On the other hand, registrants can be more patient as they wait to see if camp will be an option. Camp Kadesh has given all participants an opportunity to cancel their spot, but Good said only 15 or 20 of the approximately 900 campers have done so.

If decisions are made that camps cannot run traditionally this summer, both organizations have said they will make efforts to keep campers connected by virtual means, but they remain focused on the task at hand.

Tim Good has suggested in a recent Facebook video that campers get their parents to help them write letters to their local MLA’s to help push things along, but he recognizes that it’s an evolving situation for all involved.

“It’s changing every day, so I even feel for the government trying to say what’s ok and what’s not,” Good said. “Ultimately, I think every camp would prefer to run, but the last thing we want to do is something that would not be safe.”

If the camps are ultimately unable to run, both organizations would need to focus their attention on limiting expenses for the year, but they are confident they would be able to weather the storm and remain operational heading into 2021. Both Good and Felstrom recognized a strong base of support from donors who are stepping up to help out, realizing that things are far from business as usual.

Camp Christopher and The Quest, also located on Christopher Lake, have both cancelled all scheduled summer camps.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden