On Saturday, the members and friends of the MacKenzie Camp Society will recap another year of camp. They’ll also get ready for another camping season – MacKenzie’s 70th.
It’s called an Annual General Meeting, but that title just won’t do the event justice. There’s too much to celebrate.
Last year was one of our best, hands down. MacKenzie Camp, 35 km east of Enderby, played host to more than 500 campers. They canoed, swam, hiked, sang, played wild and crazy games, and ate great food. Many of them formed lifelong friendships.
Some are Christians. Some are Muslims. Many have no faith affiliation. All were made welcome.
Steering campers to such great times was a truly fabulous staff. Many were former campers themselves, now in their last year of high school. The blend of kindness, creativity, and authority they learned and displayed – day after day – was enough to take your breath away.
The benefits they bestow on other organizations and communities in the course of their lives will be huge.
Then there were the volunteers of 2016. More than 100 people contributed time and skills without charge. Some, like Dulux Paints, gave the camp a “facelift.” Some did renovations. Some cleaned or wrote thank-you letters. Some made soup or cookies. Some even played golf on the camp’s behalf.
A ton of people donated the “camperships” that enable kids to get to camp, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Now what will 2017 bring to MacKenzie Camp?
More of the same, for sure. MacKenzie Camp has been at it since 1947. Since then, more than 7,000 children have shared in its blessings. There’s no shortage of children or blessings, last time we looked.
Where we’re getting short is in “spry” volunteers. Many of our supporters are in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. We need younger adults to step up as they step back, to keep MacKenzie humming along through its 70th birthday and beyond.
Like to become part of that? Come and get to know us better.
The Annual General Meeting on Saturday starts at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church in Enderby, 1110 Belvedere St. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a sumptuous dinner of chili and salad. There’s no obligation, but if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to enrich your community, look no further.
