By Ed Stozek
For the Herald
“In the spring of 1946 Mr. Hugh Campbell rode into my father’s farm yard on horseback. He introduced himself and said that he and his wife Maime wanted to start a year-round Sunday school in the community.” (Dean Durston)
That summer the Campbells also organized the first Bible camp scheduled from July 17 to 24. The Geisel Point Camp was located several miles northeast from Ochre River on the shore of Lake Dauphin on property owned by Alex and Christine Geertsema.
As one of the 40 attendees of that first camp, Dean recalled sleeping in a granary. A large tent served as a cooking and dining facility. He also noted that some activities included boating, swimming and making friendship sticks from diamond willows. Everyone attending the camp signed their names on a friendship stick. Dean still has his friendship stick as a keepsake.
In 1947 the camp was relocated to Durston Park where land had been previously purchased by William Durston next to the Riding Mountain National Park. Several acres had been cleared and grass was sown with the goal of making an area suitable for groups of people and families to camp or to have picnics. It was an ideal location for a Bible camp.
The Campbells stayed in the district for approximately seven years and organized the Bible camps each summer.
In 1952 the camp became affiliated with the newly-formed Parkside Gospel Church. The Bible camp was operated by the church board and directed by the church pastor, Carl Frost.
That spring it was found that the dining hall and cookhouse at the camp were flattened by heavy snow. During a Sunday morning service an urgent plea was given asking for assistance. The same afternoon a group gathered at the camp and made plans to raise the roof and add a new kitchen. Within one week all the material was donated and the project was completed. Only one week of boy’s camp occurred in 1952.
“The following years, Kids and Young Peoples’ camps were held with attendance of 60 to 70 children and 25 to 30 young people. Money was scarce as camp fees were insufficient to pay expenses. Speakers and workers came on a gratis basis. Community assistance increased and donations of food were gratefully received.” (Carl Frost)
In April 1964 the grounds were leased to the Canadian Sunday School Mission (CSSM) and it took over the camping program. The Sunday afternoon on Aug. 1, 1965, marked the end of the first two sessions by the CSSM. Two weeks of camps were held with the first session for children 12 years old and over. Between 50 and 60 campers participated in a full program of sports, horseback riding, swimming and Bible studies. Morgan Brown, a local high school teacher, fulfilled the role as camp director and Rev. Peter Unrau from Kelowna, B.C., served as teacher and guest speaker.
For the second week over 100 children attended. Don Lee from Amaranth led the camp while Pastor James Gregor was in charge of teaching and Bible lessons.
The camp was filled to overflow requiring tents rushed into use. Campers arrived from various locations including Amaranth, Kelwood, Erickson, Winnipeg, Dauphin and Flin Flon.
Most of the camp workers gave their time and money with only a few of the staff receiving remuneration, and even then, they were paid very little. Many others donated their time doing carpentry, cooking and general labour to make the camp experience for the campers a resounding success and it was anticipated that three weeks of camp would be hosted the following year. A local farmer, Ross Seale, was chairman of the board consisting of men from four areas in Manitoba.
Aug. 31, marked the end of another successful year of operation of the Dauphin Bible Camp. Eighteen one-week sessions for age groups ranging in ages from six to 17 were offered with 448 campers attending.
From July 10 to 14 my grandson participated and experienced the many positive and enriching programs associated with the camp. When I picked him up after his week of camp was over, he was already asking if he could come again next year.
