LUSELAND — It is hard to imagine that, in 1933, Luseland Bible Camp began and 90 years later is still evolving offering memorable experiences for summer campers and school children. It is a 10-minute drive from the town of Luseland.
July 1 long weekend, a 90th-anniversary event was held at the location that included a family retreat and a fun day. The theme for the celebration weekend and the 2023 camps season is “Face to Face” based on Corinthians 13:12. The weekend celebration included reviewing how the camp has evolved over nine decades.
In 1929, Margaret Conner, a missionary from the East came west to spread God’s word to pioneers. Luseland Bible Camp began in a tent on a farm near Denzil that year. Prayer meetings were held in that tent, while granaries and bunk cars served as cabins and kitchen. The camp ran for 10 days and at the time, there were no fees and all food was donated.
In the early 1940s, the farm was sold, and the camp was moved to the Luseland area. Several years later, the property known as Burke’s farm was put up for sale. The board for the camp felt that this was perhaps God leading them to purchase and through the generosity of several families, 40 of the 80 acres offered were purchased for $400.
A chapel was built to replace the tent. Thanks to many hours of volunteer labour, cabins and a dining hall/kitchen complex were eventually built so that the bunk cars were no longer needed.
In 1958, the Canadian Sunday School Mission (CSSM) took over running the camp and that organization was renamed One Hope Canada in 2014. LBC is one of 41 Bible camps and community ministries operated by this organization.
In 1967, lumber from the original Prairie Gospel Tabernacle building was used to build a 24-by-40-foot building at LBC. Today, that structure still houses the office, the tuck shop, the nurse’s room, a mouse-proof storage room and a staff meeting room.
The former Alliance Church from Luseland was moved to the grounds and has recently been renovated into four cabins for girls.
Summer camp at LBC is full of opportunities for children. It gives them time to get away and get out of their normal routines. It is said that sometimes when kids are away, they tend to hear things in a new way and will experience things they might not have thought of trying before. It allows for new friendships made, new experiences to be part of and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
“Spending time in God’s creation is another inspiring part of camp as there is nothing like being in the woods away from the sights and sounds of a town or city. Listening to the birds and bugs in the trees and breathing in the fresh Saskatchewan air helps kids gain a new appreciation for nature,” says a camp volunteer.
Parents often appreciate the break from technology and other distractions so their kids become more engaged in life experiences and what’s around them. Learning to engage with others, make connections and new friends are valuable life skills.
The camp remains busy in June with school kids from Unity, Kindersley, Provost, Rosetown and Luseland coming for day visits, numbering over 400 attending over the month. LBC hosts more than 250 kids throughout the summer in various camp sessions. LBC says they have early fall retreat capabilities if requested. The summer option also offers laser tag parties, archery tag team building and competitive events for sports teams and business groups as well as other fun days throughout the spring and summer months.
There has been $1M in infrastructure put in the last few years that include the new pool, bathroom, dining hall and cabins. Anonymous donors have given a couple hundred thousand dollars towards the ongoing care of this nine-decade facility.
Many changes have taken place over nine decades. Recent building projects include a new swimming pool, a new washroom/changeroom complex, two new cabins, and most recently the chapel was converted to a dining hall complex.
Recently, the summer camp has been gifted a Quonset which will be converted to a chapel as funds become available.
“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of donors,” says a Luseland Bible Camp spokesperson.
“No government grants are available to faith-based organizations. However, we have received matching grants from the Jim Pattinson Foundation as well as the Knights of Columbus provincial organization.”
Camps are run for ages six to 18. The camp’s purpose is to present the gospel to children and youth and the 2023 camp season began July 10. You can follow events, activities, news, and updates on LBC from their website or Facebook page.
