Series 17 - Camp Squeah

Identity area

Reference code

CA MHSBC 1-17

Title

Camp Squeah

Date(s)

  • 1960-2014 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

20 cm of textual records

Context area

Name of creator

(1960-)

Administrative history

Camp Squeah

Squeah is a Salish word for “place of refuge”. In 1960 Menno Epp, who was working for the Mennonite General Conference of BC at the time, followed a lead regarding some property in the Yale District (not far from Hope, BC) .The idea of purchasing this property was supported and in 1961 the land was purchased by the British Columbia Mennonite Youth Organization. In 1967 the United Mennonite Churches of BC assumed responsibility for the camp. Friends and relatives of the former owners, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Simpson, were thrilled that the property would be used for the purpose of teaching children and youth God’s will for man in this natural setting.

The property includes 133 acres of flat land as well as rough, rocky wooded areas. It includes frontage on the Fraser River to which access is somewhat hampered by the highway and railway that need to be crossed.

After the initial development in 1962, the place was renamed Camp Squeah and was dedicated on July 1, 1962.

With the donation of 43,000 feet of lumber by Jake Baerg a building program was begun that has included a dining-kitchen-chapel building, a staff house, washrooms, an office building and other buildings that were required. For recreational purposes there was a large play area, a swimming pool, trampoline, many hiking trails and an outdoor chapel.

In 1972 the camp was licensed for 125 campers. Programs included Bible study sessions, singing, handicrafts, swimming, archery, fishing, nature hikes, fireside services and a variety of other activities.

Source: Camp Squeah Annual, 1972.

Note: Additional updated information may be available after the 50th anniversary celebration on July 21, 2012.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Series is arranged in the following files:
1) Policies - 1977, 1981, 1986-87, 2000 - (1 file) - Box 18
2) Philosophy Statement - 1977 written by George C Schmidt - (1 file) - Box 18
3) Study Commission - 1977-1978 - (1 file) - Box 18
4) Minutes - 1965-1997 - (5 files) - Box 18
5) Correspondence - 1968-1990 - (1 file) -Box 18
6) Financial Records - 1967-1968, 1972-1979, 1980-1990, 1993 - (2 files) - Box 18
7) Reports - 1963-1990, 2001 - (2 files) - Box 19
8) Personnel Records - 1967-1990 job descriptions and resumes of job applicants - (1 file) - Box 19
9) Curriculum Development - 1976-1987 - (1 file) - Box 19
10) Statistics - 1972-1976, 1980-1988, 1990 numbers of campers and church representation - (1 file) - Box 19
11) Lists - 1968, 1975-1976, 1979-1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1999 - (1 file) - Box 19
12) Schedules - 1975-1976, 1978-1979, 1980-1986 - (1 file) - Box 19
13) Rental Rates - 1977-1990, 1995 - (1 file) - Box 19
14) Fraser-Cheam Commission - 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986-1987 gold claims on Camp Squeah and Emory Creek - (1 file) - Box 19
15) Building Construction and Building Plans - 1986 - (1 file) - Box 19
16) Senior Retreats - 1972-1976, 1978-1984, 1989 - (1 file) - Box 19
17) Lectures and Sermons - 1975-1985 - (1 file) - Box 19
18) Publications - 1969-1990, 2012, 2014 - (1 file) - Box 19
19) Maps, Charts and Plans - 1984, 1989 (1 file) - Box 19
20) Squeah - The Birth of the Bible/Retreat Camp - Art Hoock - 2014 - (1 file) - Box 19
21) Ephemera, 1950's-1980's - (1 file) - Box 19

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The Personnel Records and Minutes are confidential and access is restricted for these files.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Some records are in German.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

Some files have restricted access.

Alternative identifier(s)

InMagic Description ID

213

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Record created July 30, 2008
Record modified September 03, 2015

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area