UNIQUE CAMP OSHKIDEE PUTS FOCUS ON FAMILIES
In the 1960s, Saskatoon physician Dr. Henry Block was instrumental in establishing Camp Oshkidee on Jeannette Lake about 40 minutes north of Meadow Lake.
Initially, the camp was established as a permanent site for Christian Service Brigade in Saskatoon to use to take members of the boys club on wilderness camping and canoe trips. The Brigade’s stringent conservation practices, that always left its camping sites in better condition than they were found, tipped the scale when Parks and Conservation officers were choosing from among the nearly 40 organizations applying for the same camp site.
In its early days, Camp Oshkidee hosted family camps and partnered with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which operated children’s and youth camps. It also leased the site to the Saskatoon chapter of Christian Medical Dental Society for its weeklong family camp and continues to do so. Today Oshkidee focuses exclusively on family camps.
The camp has a strong legacy as a non-profit registered charitable organization whose mission is to provide all campers with the best camping experience of their life. Excellent facilities and equipment, highly qualified and caring staff, and Bible-based teaching and mentoring combine to further the camp’s goal of helping all campers grow in their knowledge of and relationship with God.
Members of the Block family have run the camp since its inception, but this year Gil and Alison Klassen are taking the helm as a director couple.
Gil spent more than 29 years on staff with Youth For Christ in Saskatoon and served as YFC director for 21 of those years.
The Klassens are eager to pour their energies into Camp Oshkidee, which also calls itself ‘Saskatchewan’s most loved getaway’ and ‘the Caribbean of the North.’
“Oshkidee has a reputation for setting the standard in institutional camping facilities, site planning and professional staffing,” Gil says. “Oshkidee is not affiliated with any church denomination, but is its own Christian charity. From the beginning, it has focused on family camps, and is famous for its summer family camp ministry. We believe it is unique in Canada because it is exclusively for families and does an amazing job of facilitating family vacations with a purpose.”
Gil says the schedule at camp is very relaxed and geared toward having fun together as a family. “It’s a place where you unplug and have none of the business of daily life distracting you. Family camp offers quality time with the kids, a chance to meet new people, many of whom become lifelong friends. Plus you get to try out all the new lake toys.”
In its early days, Camp Oshkidee had a mobile cook house, and campers lived in tents and camper trailers. Today accommodations include a beautiful lodge and cabins, and many bring their own campers.
Activities include swimming, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, paddle boating, kayaking, volleyball, hiking, horseshoes, and more.
The camp accommodates about 80 people a week and, as Gil puts it, “is set up to be a nice family atmosphere with a rustic feel. In a society where everything is go, go, go, this is an opportunity to spend family time and connect with God and with nature.”
Exclusively family camps are rare, he says, but Oshkidee has done a good job of it. “In all the work I’ve done with Youth For Christ, I see how important family is. So many youth are in trouble today, and many of them don’t have strong family networks.
“We at Camp Oshkidee feel if we can be a part of building strong families and building strong youth, everybody wins.”
Oshkidee currently runs weeklong family camps in July and August. Most are already fully booked for this camp year. Check www. camposhkidee.com for available spots.
There are still openings for the Couples Getaway Aug. 18 to 20. Guest speakers this year are Sheldon and Valerie Dean of FamilyLife Canada.
“This is an amazing weekend for couples to get away and build their relationship together,” Klassen says. “There is still time to register, and couples can do that on the camp website.”
Another marriage-focused camp, Marriage Boost, will take place at Oshkidee March 2 to 4, 2018.
The Klassens take over as directors of Camp Oshkidee on July 1.
“We’re looking to building a strong ministry and branching out to future successes for the camp,” Gil says. “We plan to expand the program, including the number of weeks per year we operate and running more events. We also want to help maintain relationships with campers through personal one-on-ones.”
Alison Klassen admits the new directorship responsibility will be quite different for both of her and Gil. “Gil won’t be going away to the office. We’ll be living at the camp during the summer and working together at home the rest of the year.”
We at Camp Oshkidee feel if we can be a part of building strong families and building strong youth, everybody wins.