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Arctic Adventure Day Camp brings out lots of young polar explorers

The Arctic Adventure Day Camp brought our good numbers as kids were eager to take part in not spring, but winter activities.
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(from left to right) Camp Leaders

Barbara Latkowski

Caledonia Courier

The Arctic Adventure Day Camp brought our good numbers as kids were eager to take part in not spring, but winter activities throughout the week of March 29-31.

The camp, hosted by the Echo Lake Bible Camp was held at the Evangelical Free Church in Fort St. James.

Camp Director, Steve Duncan was thrilled with the turnout.

“We have a new “winter” theme this year. We have been running this camp for four years but this year is definitely the best attended. We had about 32 kids take part between the ages of 6-10 years,” Duncan said.

Echo Lake is known and loved by many in the community as a summer camp but in recent years, kids have enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy camp fun with their friends during spring break too.

The camp’s free registration included games, crafts, skits, and lunch.

“I love that we get the opportunity to bring a bit of camp back into kid’s lives during spring break,” Laura Campbell, one of the camp leaders said.

“So often a week of camp is a highlight in a child’s year and this way they get to enjoy camp before summer even starts.”

Echo Lake has been running camps since 1983 as part of a Canadian missionary organization, One Hope Canada.

Echo Lake is a non-denominational Christian ministry that seeks to bring the message of Jesus to children and youth in a camp environment.

For Camp Director, Duncan, it’s also about providing children and youth with opportunities they wouldn’t normally have.

“Our camps offer a wide range of activities from kayaking to rock climbing and even wilderness survival,” Duncan says.

But it’s also more than that for Duncan.

“There’s also the faith aspect of it. It gives kids the opportunity to explore and discover, to build deeper connections and develop friendships. It’s very caring and supportive environment and our camp leaders are so dedicated and have a desire to provide safe and purposeful activities for the kids,” Duncan said.

Duncan moved from Ireland to Fort St. James in 1996. He met his wife and the couple now have four children.

“I grew up in a small town. I like a slower pace of life, a smaller community and I love talking to people,” he said.

Since 2001, Duncan has served as the camp director full-time and for him, it’s very much about sharing Jesus, training leaders and serving the community.

“It gives me joy and satisfaction. I’ve worked with kids since I was 19. I want them to play and discover. I want to provide a place where kids can experience joy and see a connection with God.”

For more information regarding the Echo Lake Bible Camp visit: www.elbc.ca