Canyon Camp launching reconstruction effort

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 15, 2024.

Submitted photo - Campers gather during a morning circle around the flagpole at Canyon Camp in Waterton. The camp is hoping to re-open next summer after parts of it were destroyed in the Kenow Wildfire in 2017.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Canyon Camp located in Waterton Lakes National Park is celebrating its 80th anniversary by rebuilding elements that the Kenow wildfire destroyed in 2017 in hopes to be able to re-open next summer.

To celebrate their big milestone and to launch the beginning of their rebuilding process they will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday from 1 – 5 p.m. at the camp site located along Red Rock Canyon road.

Karen Larter, chair of the fundraising committee and member of the rebuilding committee, shared a little bit of the camp’s history during a phone interview Tuesday.

“During World War II there were several communities in southern Alberta that were interested in forming a place for youth to go, have fun, connect with each other and connect with nature in Waterton and we began Canyon Church Camp in 1944,” said Larter.

She said since then the campsite has hosted all kinds of different groups including Lions Clubs, AMA patrollers and Scouts among others, but unfortunately since 2017 they have been shut down after the devastating consequences of the Kenow wildfire.

“We don’t have to rebuild everything, but we were not able to operate since the fire. It’s taking quite some time to work with Parks Canada to secure a 21-year license of occupation and get all the permitting and plans in place for rebuilding,” said Larter.

She said now that they are finally able to begin rebuilding they are excited to be able to do so, to be able to continue to provide a place for many youth to gather.

Larter explained that even though the United Church of Canada Charity has been operating the facility since inception, the site is not considered a Bible camp or a religious camp. She added that there are times when it is used by the church but the United Church of Canada is very inclusive and open to people from all walks of life.

“In part that will continue for certain weeks during the year, but part of our vision is to be more available to more diverse user groups and for a longer season in the year and we will be and even though legally our title will continue to be Canyon Church Camp Association, the facility will be known as Camp Canyon Centre for Stewardship,” said Larter.

She explained that this will make it easier for teachers who wish to bring their class to the camp to approach their school division for permission, without worrying about the misunderstanding of attending a bible camp if the school is non-religious in nature.

“We have been working on ways to make our camp a place for Muslim youth groups, Jewish youth groups, groups from across all faiths to be able to come and use the facility as well as indigenous groups for whom church have not been a positive experience,” said Larter.

She also mentioned that predominantly they have been a summer camp facility with the occasional late spring and early fall attendance, therefore they want to make the new buildings and renovate the existing building to be able to be used for a longer period of time during the year.

“We’re going to build them in a way that we’re more comfortable and more easily used from spring through fall. For example, buildings will be insulated and we will be using fire retardant building materials,” said Larter.

She said the project has a $2 million budget and so far they have been able to obtain $1.7 million through a combination of fundraising and grants.

“If anyone would like to help us reach our $2 million goal by donating they can do so on our website at http://www.canyonchurchcamp.com and we are a non-profit organization, so you will be able to receive a tax receipt when you donate over $20,” said Larter.

And for those attending the event on Saturday can expect to take part of camp tours and a variety of come and go camp activities for all ages from 1 to 3 p.m. Including crafts, nature exploration, games, drama, music, drumming, visiting, and shopping at the camp store.

And then at 3 p.m. the festivities will shift to a flag-raising ceremony and groundbreaking event where attendees will enjoy stories, speeches, music and a ceremonial moment marking the beginning of the camp’s new chapter.