CAMP OKEMA (Skwn) — It was a perfect day to be at the lake to celebrate Camp Okema’s 50th anniversary. There were many people there renewing past relationships and memories of their days at the camp and on the board.
An altar was set up outdoors and Bishop Rick Reed, assisted by Jonah Folkman, celebrated the Holy Eucharist. The readings were from 2 Chronicles vs. 7-14 and Malachi 3:1. The bishop spoke of the purpose of the people of God: to bring glory to Him, while their weapon of choice is the word of God. Christians are a living stone in God’s temple. Okema is a temple, a place that screams of God’s existence. You leave the world’s distractions and you come to Okema.
We need to pray for a place like this where people experience love and Christ and memories that last forever and for 50 more years.
Some of the original members of the society were in attendance. Bishop Tom Morgan, Yvonne and Steven Mitchel, the Ven. Don and Donna Byrt, and Dave and Janice Kerr. They were invited to say a few words, beginning with Bishop Morgan.
Morgan spoke of the dilemma facing the Diocese of Saskatchewan in 1976. Unable to maintain the responsibility of keeping the camp going, with only two or three camps held each summer but still repairing buildings, recruiting staff, finding a cook, ordering food, preparing the property for summer use and many other duties, the diocese was considering selling the property.
Tom Morgan and others from the diocese recognized what would be lost, so they resolved that it could not simply be let go and that once gone it could never be reclaimed. Their vision was of a truly Christian camp, one where God would be lifted up and where children, youth, and adults alike could come to receive meaningful, grounded teaching.
Bishop Morgan referred to three Bible verses in Genesis 1, Revelation 22 and the Book of John. All specific messages in the power of God. When forming the camp, they had to learn a lesson: “We are not in charge of everything.”
God has taught us how to trust people. One event Morgan recalled was when a camper got sprayed by a skunk, so he was washed with tomato juice, which worked somewhat.
Don Byrt recalled one young boy at camp who said he didn’t believe in God and prayer, but by the end of camp he told him he did believe. Through God’s presence from the very beginning, the camp has endured. Even in its earliest days in the 1930s, it was God who guided the building of something lasting that continues to serve and shape lives today.
As board members, Steven and Yvonne Mitchell were responsible for direction and planning, but were also deeply engaged in the hands-on work of camp life, supporting food and kitchen services, overseeing venue improvements and construction and participating in camp programming.
Property development was a strong priority in the early years and many dedicated volunteers contributed to this important work.
Janice Kerr spoke of her time on the board, noting that a lot of time was spent on financing the property, but also developing the programs. The success of the different camps, small fry, teen camps and, importantly, camps to develop leadership skills for the older youth.
Cathy Rogers remembered coming out to the camp in the beginning with her father, Archdeacon Bill Rowe.
There were probably about 80 people at the celebration, and a banquet was enjoyed by all after the speeches.
The rest of the day, guests could participate in various activities such as swimming, crafts, tours with a walkthrough history and ending with a wiener roast and campfire.