Camp Sunrise is celebrating 80 years of fun, friendship and fellowship this month at the Christian campground that has hosted thousands of youth, adults and seniors from around B.C. since it opened in 1925.
The camp, run by the Salvation Army, is located on 16 acres of land near the Langdale ferry terminal.
Campers can take part in field games and crafts, swim in the pool, climb on the outdoor climbing wall, play basketball and volleyball, hone their archery skills, fish, kayak and canoe in the ocean and meet other kids and adults from around B.C.
The Salvation Army may conjure up images of thrift stores but their larger mandate is to "share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world."
That is why Colonel Arch Layman (Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army) founded Camp Sunrise in 1925, with a vision to "provide a sheltered Christian community where youth and adults can retreat to experience the love of God and the fellowship of other Christians."
He teamed up with Captain Fraser Morrison, who was the Divisional Youth People's Secretary, and they paddled a boat around Gibsons' shoreline looking for the perfect site. They found it next to the then non-existent ferry terminal.
"At one point we owned all the land the ferry is situated on," said camp director Darryl Simms, explaining that land was expropriated from the camp when a ferry service needed to be established to the Sunshine Coast.
A team of Salvation Army carpenters and construction workers from the Vancouver area travelled by boat to the early site of Camp Sunrise where a work bee was started. The main building was constructed in a matter of days and early campers stayed in tents.
Now the camp has 11 large cabins for campers, a dining hall, meeting hall, basketball court, volleyball court, archery range, swimming pool, climbing wall and staff cabins, as well as a place for various Salvation Army parish to camp for a few weeks at a time.
"We've really grown and added different components and programs," Simms said.
Their programs include camps for adults, seniors and youth, including a holiday camp for underprivileged children around B.C. "We have four weeks set aside for holiday camps free for kids who have no way to get away from life and have an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors," Simms said.
Currently there are over 100 kids at Camp Sunrise for a holiday camp, and a seniors' camp is planned for the week of Aug. 21.
There are also mom and tot camps, men's camps, women's camps, music camps and ministry leadership camps run between April and October each year.
"We average 160 campers every week but sometimes we'll have 255 kids at a holiday camp. It varies depending on the program," Simms said.
And at the core of each program is a shared love for Jesus Christ, though Simms notes no one is turned away based on their religious beliefs.
"We certainly welcome everyone to come to this camp," he said.
If you would like more information on Camp Sun-rise, go to their website at www.bc.salvationarmy.ca/camps/sunrise or call 604-886-7232.
