“The most disappointing factor is that so many youth and families count on these camps to be a part of the holistic growth experience that challenges young people to keep growing.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

The Ontario government has banned summer camps this year, warning that they may not allow day camps, either. These restrictions leave youth pastors scrambling to re-envisioning the summer’s ministry, but they present far bigger challenges for the region’s many Christian camps.

“The biggest challenge (other than overnight camps being cancelled, of course) is the unknown,” says Dave Mason, Executive Director at Silver Lake Wesleyan Camp. “We don’t know if we can have day camps. We don’t know what [the summer] regulations might be. We don’t know when any changes might come. It’s hard to plan a summer when you don’t know what’s coming.”

“Even if day camps are permissible, the new restrictions may not make them feasible or enjoyable,” states Jeff Friesen, Executive Director of Camp IAWAH. “The most disappointing factor is that so many youth and families count on these camps to be a part of the holistic growth experience that challenges young people to keep growing.”

What is certain is that Christian camps are facing what one camp director called “a catastrophic financial shortfall this summer”, which another director described as straining “the viability of Christian camps”.

One small camp shared with Spur Ottawa that the restrictions mean they will lose $150,000 in revenue.

All camps Spur Ottawa contacted are fully complying with the provincial and local health authority regulations and have cancelled their overnight camps.

So far, the government has offered no support to enable Christian camps to weather the storm. Yet, many camp costs remain unchanged: mortgage payments, property taxes, labour and materials to maintain properties, and insurance. One small camp shared with Spur Ottawa that the restrictions mean they will lose $150,000 in revenue. The challenges have led a number of camps to remain fully closed during what should be their busiest season.

Camp IAWAH has cancelled all programming until further notice, but hopes to use the time to improve their property for future ministry.

“We are planning to facilitate smaller volunteer opportunities to assist, working on critical maintenance,” Friesen says.

Others, like Camp Cherith and Silver Lake Wesleyan Camp, are pushing forward wherever the government will allow. At this point, that means livestreaming services and activities or innovating ideas like “Camp in a Box”.

“We hold out hope that our mission of sharing the love of Jesus can still take place this summer, though it will look unlike any other summer we have had.”

“You pack up some craft supplies, a t-shirt, some other little things, and you send it to the campers who sign up. Then you do the crafts together online and you do a virtual campfire,” explains Joey Molloy, Camp Cherith’s ministry director.

Silver Lake Wesleyan and several other camps also operate campgrounds, which are allowed to open as long as public spaces (including washrooms) remain closed.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to open more of our spaces in the coming weeks,” Mason states. He adds that they are “working on a day-camp model that would be prepared to run” if the province allows.

“We hold out hope that our mission of sharing the love of Jesus can still take place this summer, though it will look unlike any other summer we have had.”

“We want to have people here so they can enjoy God’s creation and hear the Good News.”

Camp Cherith is exploring options to open their facility in whatever way the government allows. They hope to run day camps, camping and cabin rentals, and possibly allowing small groups and families to come enjoy the property during the days, later in the summer.

“Opening will cost us more money than if we were closed, but we feel that is not what God is calling us to do,” Molloy says. “There are a lot of people in the city right now who can’t get out and enjoy greenspace. If we can provide that as a blessing to people this summer, in a safe and controlled way, then we will do that and trust that God will take care of us.

“Our biggest hope for the summer is that people will come to Christ. In that respect, we want to have people here so they can enjoy God’s creation and hear the Good News.”

Yet, as camps carry on the mission and prepare for future ministry, Molloy asks local believers to reflect on where they made significant decisions in their Christian walk.

“I think most people trace those back to a Christian camp. Christian camps are important. In a time when we are all anxious, we need to prayerfully consider how we can help Christian camps not just survive, but flourish, recognizing the eternal value is significant.”