When now-retired Salvation Army Lt. Colonel Peter Roed first attended Camp Sunrise as a “chore boy” in 1950, it consisted of little more than a group of tents set up on a small piece of land cut into the woods near Gibsons.
But it’s obvious from the sound of his voice that even today, Roed remembers those wilderness adventures fondly.
“Way back when, we picked up the all the supplies from the Union Steamships when they would dump all of our supplies up there at Langdale,” remembers Roed. “And then we would take a two-wheeled cart and we went back and forth about three or four times to bring all the supplies back into the campgrounds along Burns Road. See, in those days, there were no cars per se, we had no electricity, no telephone. So, it was pretty, pretty primitive.”
Roed had the joy of sharing his stories with others this past weekend, May 30 to June 1, when former staff gathered to celebrate the camp’s 100th anniversary. Last week’s event was for past and current staff only, but a public open house takes place July 26.
During those early years, Roed would board the Lady Rose steamship in Vancouver for the trip to Langdale, which would take almost six hours. His “chores” included cutting wood for the fireplace, cleaning lanterns and changing the mattresses on the camper's beds.
According to the history of the camp detailed on its website, it was in 1925 when Colonel Arch Layman, the newly appointed divisional commander for the Salvation Army, realized there was no camp for the Vancouver area and immediately set out to resolve the issue.
Layman teamed up with Captain Fraser Morrison, Divisional Youth People’s Secretary at the time, and they headed to Gibsons, borrowed a boat from the Y.M.C.A. and rowed up and down the shore, sleeping on beaches, until they located the present site.
They then recruited contractor, "Mr. Gooding," and they travelled together to the camp and stayed in tents while they started work on the main building, which today is known as “Gooding Hall.”
Salvation Army carpenters and construction workers from the Vancouver area headed to the camp and the main building was partially constructed in one day.
Roed says once the camp was ready, youth from Vancouver, most whom had never been outside of the city, were able to attend.
“Camp Sunrise was a total new environment for them,” says Roed. “They were blown away by the contrast of coming from that asphalt, quote, unquote ‘jungle,’ to Camp Sunrise and be able to get involved with some of those outdoor activities like tenting outside and stargazing at night, doing orienteering and climbing. Outdoor cooking, making the dinner, all this kind of thing was just mind blowing for them and they couldn't wait to come back.”
Fast forward almost 70 years and another camper who is very excited to return to Camp Sunrise this summer is 12-year-old Charley Clermont. And, just like when Roed attended, there will be no phones –– at least not attached to the kids. But in this case, it’s a technology ban that keeps the kids off-line for the week.
“Well, you're having so much fun you don't really notice,” Charley told Coast Reporter. “We do songs and skits and those are really fun. And, I’m looking forward to seeing all of my friends.”
Swimming in the pool, built in 1964, is also one of Charley’s favourite things to do at camp. She adds, the camp has allowed her to try activities she never would have considered previously, like the ropes course.
“It was cool, but it was terrifying. But I would definitely do it again,” said Charley.
When it comes to the food, Charley says nachos in a bag and spaghetti are a couple of her favourite camp meals. She adds, campers are allowed to choose one sweet treat per day, which is also a highlight. That’s a far cry from the basics served 50 or even 70 years ago.
As well, compared to the tents from those early days, the campers now sleep in cabins complete with bunk beds. When Roed worked and later attended as a camper, it was for boys only. Today’s camp allows girls and boys, though cabins are kept separate between the two.
Charley’s advice for any kids considering attending Camp Sunrise? Just do it.
“I’d tell other kids that it's fun and it might be a little bit scary at first,” said Charley. “Like last year was my friend Ali's first time and Hazel's first year going to camp. And then one of them was scared, because she said that she's gonna miss her mom, because she's scared. But then she went there and she was having a lot of fun and then she kind of just forgot and when I saw her after she was really happy.”
The open house event for the Camp Sunrise 100th Anniversary takes place July 26. Check out bcyouthsa.ca for more information.
