The seeds that were planted in 2003 have grown and are about to bear fruit.  For the greater part of the last year, major construction upgrades have been underway at two of the camps identified in the Camp Future Project: Camp Fircom and Camp Pringle.

The facilities at both camps are being fully renovated and redeveloped as part of the Camp Future vision.  Camp Fircom on Gambier Island – which was named as the regional camp for the Lower Mainland --  is slated for completion early next year. But Camp Pringle –  the regional camp for Vancouver Island, located on Shawnigan Lake, between Nanaimo and Victoria – is now just weeks away from completion!

Mark  your calendars and make plans to spend the day at Camp Pringle on October 9^th, 2010 to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of the newly redeveloped camp as part of its 60^th Anniversary.

You are invited to come tour the new facilities, including a brand new “Branter” (the staff accommodation building) and a new-from-the-ground-up Spencer Hall (which features an impressive dining hall, as well as extensive multipurpose space, an infirmary, the camp office and living accommodations for the camp director and chef). Upgrades to the infrastructure,  like the water system,  are less exciting to look at, but are all  part of the whole redevelopment package – a careful arrangement of cement, wood, pipes and rebar that will help ensure that the United Church in BC has a high quality, sustainable camping ministry well into the future. 

We all know that the camping ministry is more than bricks and mortar – it is programming and planning, stewardship and decision-making.  It is a living, breathing, growing thing; brought to life by people of all ages who believe in church camping.  There is still a lot of work to do as we continue in our efforts to build a Regional Camping Ministry that will grow and thrive in every way.  If you want to be a part of this exciting new chapter in the life of United Church camping ,or if you have questions or want to offer a word of encouragement just contact the BC Conference Office.