Camp Selkirk Days

A Place of Spiritual Beginnings

2011-04-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

We've reminsced about Camp Selkirk quite a bit, especially since it's closure. The point of having a camping ministry of course was never so we could feel good about our summers, or have somewhere for kids to create good memories alone! The entire point of camping ministry was to place children and adults under the influence of the Gospel, so that they might make significant spiritual decisions. We wanted them to be saved!

So here's the queston: did you make a spiritual decision at this camp? How has this changed your life? Have you been faithful to it?

Can you name the camps?

2010-08-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

I am at Pine Lake Camp today - the Alberta Northern Territories Camp and today I'm doing something I never did at Camp Selkirk. I'm blogging. This is something we never could have imagined back in those days. We used a typewriter (an ancient machine used to cast letters onto paper to create a written message) for the things we needed and thought ourselves lucky to have a photocopier!

Time changes lots of things including Salvation Army Camps. So here's the question: can you name the divisional camps across Canada today?

Name someone who blessed you at Camp Selkirk

2010-02-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

Camp Selkirk wasn't just about buildings or programs or music...it was about relationships. Maybe someone blessed you along the way.

Read this then make a comment!

And so we go on...

2010-02-06T22:11:00.001-08:00

Thanks Glenn and Sherrie for the photos...I see we still have visitors so we'll go on. I'll revisit my photos again to see what else I've got.

Have you got any other photos?

Camp Selkirk in 2009

2010-01-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

My husband and I started dating at Camp Selkirk in the summer of 1992. This past summer, we decided to go to Port Dover on my birthday and then dropped by our old stomping grounds to see how things look now. Since this blog is about to be taken down, I thought I'd post some pictures of how the camp looked recently. We didn't go onto the property but managed to get a couple of pictures anyway. The property looked really nice. We did go down to the beach, and that area has not been maintained at all.

251 Lakeshore!

The new sign!

The long driveway into the camp

View of the pump house from the second entrance

The "DC's Cottage" looks great
with a nice little garden

The picture was taken on the beach. Do you see Glenn waving
from a distance in the top right? Well, he's standing in
front of the tunnel. I was standing near the water. Yes,
the weeds have SERIOUSLY taken over!

There were SO MANY dead fish on the shore of Lake Erie.
I took nearly a dozen pictures of different dead fish so
here's a small sampling for your visual pleasure.

And check out the nasty seaweed!!! We could barely find rocks or sand anywhere on the shore. It was totally covered with this stuff and it smelled gross...

I can't leave you on that note... so, here's one pretty picture taken at the beach.

Is this the end?

2009-11-23T13:54:00.001-08:00

Time to take this blog down? I've been wondering, and if you still pop in here from time to time you're invited to leave a comment.

I don't have time to keep this one going, and it seems (with the advent of Facebook) our traffic has dwindled away. Let's make December 31st our target for a decision.

Selkirk Clothing

2009-07-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

We've commented on staff uniforms in previous posts, but I was thinking about all the other camp clothing recently.

There have many articles of Selkirk clothing over the years. T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats available for purchase from the canteen, staff uniforms and other staff clothing. The crest changed many times over the years as well.

The first Selkirk t-shirt I remember owning was light brown, would have been early 80's I think. My biggest Selkirk purchases would have been the summers of 1987/88. There were red staff polo shirts, blue staff polo shirts, and staff jackets. I think the grey hooded sweatshirts were in that time frame as well.

What were your favourite or least favourite items of Selkirk clothing or uniforms? Does anyone still own any Selkirk clothing? I'll admit, I was still wearing my Staff '88 jacket until last year. It's gone now though!

Merry Christmas staff and campers

2008-12-22T14:40:00.001-08:00

It's what is referred to in a song "the most wonderful time of the year"... for many that is the beginning of the camping season! Got a memory from those days at camp?

Did anyone ever spend any time in the winter at good ol' Camp Selkirk?

Merry Christmas!

Spiders!

2008-09-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Remember the spiders? Well take a look on the right hand side of the blog...a little way down...they're back!

Remembering Dale Haskell

2008-08-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Dale Haskell of Cambridge Citadel was Promoted to Glory early today. Just two weeks after his wife Nancy. Dale’s health has been deteriorating the last few years and particularly the last few months, so this was not unexpected.

Dale has had serious health problems over the last 25+ years and went through it all with a positive attitude. Now his suffering is over.

As I mentioned below with Nancy, Dale was a big supporter of Camp Selkirk and music camp in particular. I don’t remember an actual conversation, but I know it was our Uncle Dale that encouraged my siblings and I to attend music camp, and we thank him for that.

I do remember Uncle Dale telling us that it didn’t matter what we got on our theory or bible test at the end of the week, or if we won an award or not. The most important part of music camp was having fun. And we certainly did have fun!

I remember Dale playing an elf to Glen Reynolds’ Santa during a Christmas theme day at Junior Music Camp in the ‘80’s. They rode around camp in a front end loader, throwing candy.

After Dale started kidney dialysis, he was still able to be a part of music camp faculty. He would leave camp three mornings a week, drive to Hamilton to do his dialysis at the hospital, then come back to camp in the afternoon. He wouldn’t miss music camp for anything!

Dale was also a music camp student in his youth. Dale and Nancy donated the Haskell Instrumental Award to Junior Music Camp, sometime the ‘80‘s.

We’ll miss you Uncle Dale!

Remembering Nancy Haskell

2008-07-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Nancy Haskell of Cambridge Citadel was Promoted to Glory on Sunday July 27.

Nancy and her husband Dale were huge supporters of Camp Selkirk. For several years, they had a license plate that read SMC 48 (for Selkirk Music Camp and 48, the year Camp Selkirk opened). Camp was one of their favourite places to be. They would even on occasion, drive by during the off season, just to see it again.

As mentioned here before, Nancy and Dale spent 30 or more years at Junior Music Camp. They have been counsellors, Dale taught theory and instrumental and Nancy was ready to help out wherever she was needed. My brother remembered she was one of the inspectors for cabin clean up in the 80’s, with Dora Dix.

For me as a child, it was comforting to have some aunts and uncles on music camp faculty. It made it easier to be away from home, with those familiar faces at camp.

Nancy also enjoyed time at Women’s Camp, catching up with friends she had known for years and making new ones as well. There were also the divisional picnics and a corps retreat or two.

Nancy will be greatly missed by husband Dale, son Rob, daughter Donna and granddaughter Tiffany, as well as extended family.

We’ll miss you Aunt Nancy!

Canada Day Celebrations

2008-07-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

Remember Canada Day celebrations? Right on the lawn south of the auditorium we would gather from all around the division to picnic together and sing O Canada...and at one time, God save the Queen/King was included.

Our first summer as DY's the septic system failed...timing is everything...and in the middle of O Canada the sewage truck arrived to pump out the septic well. Beep, beep, beep...as it backed up to the well. "What a lovely smell" was the additional comment.

Happy Canada Day to you all!

Remembering Ena Kissack

2008-05-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Camp Selkirk has lost another former supporter. Ena Kissack of Cambridge was Promoted to Glory on Sunday May 11.

Ena, along with her husband John (affectionately known as Mr. & Mrs. K) were members of both Junior and Senior Music Camp faculties over the years.

Ena was the timbrel leader for many years at Junior Music camp in the 80’s. I believe she also sat in on and helped with the vocal class of many camps. And probably many more things I’m missing.

J9 shared her memories in this previous post.

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. K. for your many years of support to Camp Selkirk. You will be missed, Mrs. K!

OK, help me out here...

2008-05-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

I know this is Senior Music Camp in the late '90's, likely either 1998 or 1999. You can probably pick out Curtis Metcalf out there on the rock, he was the guest that year.

Anyone remember?....

The Solo Competition

2008-04-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the Music Camp Solo Competitions today.

Given my lack of talent, and my fear of public performance (I could barely make it though my vocal test at the beginning and end of each camp), I never participated in the solo competition, but I remember sitting through many competition nights.

When I went to Junior Music camp in the early ‘80’s, I think the instrumental solo piece was pre-selected. I believe there was one piece for ‘A’ Band students and one for ‘B’ Band. I think the vocal students could choose their own song, from the Song Book or Songs of Faith book. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

Two selections that stick out in my mind are “The Blue Bells of Scotland” for instrumental, and “I Know He Cares For Me” was popular with the vocal students. They come to mind when I think of the solo competition.

What are your Solo Competition memories?

A voice from the past...and pictures too!

2008-03-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

Jayme Campbell was a member of staff our first year but prior to that he was a camper (of course). Does anyone remember his big smile and energy around the kitchen? Jayme, now married and an engineer, has forwarded some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Can you identify anyone?

Praying for the Downer family

2008-02-21T21:35:00.001-08:00

Most of you, if not all, know that Reg Downer was Promoted to Glory earlier this week and his funeral service, more correctly called a celebration of life was held today.

I know you'll be praying for his family!

Reg was a strong supporter of youth ministry and that included the camping ministry of Camp Selkirk. We remember the words of Scripture which say: "the Lord delights in the death of His saints".

Campfire Cheers

2008-02-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

Do you remember Campfire Cheers? They were used to show appreciation (or disapproval in some cases) after a group performed a song, skit or other form of entertainment at a campfire.

Last week, my children were playing with an electronic toy. I’ve been listening to this toy for the past 3 or 4 years. It never triggered anything before, but the other day when it played the tune “London Bridge Is Falling Down”, it immediately brought to mind the campfire cheer that uses that tune to these words: “In the breadbox you must go, you must go, you must go, in the breadbox you must go, that was crummy.”

That was the only cheer I could remember. Does anyone remember more of them?

Where did the bell go?

2008-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

The bell...silent now, but it was the signal for meals, emergencies, and...

Anything else?

Passing on camping stories

2008-01-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

We were fortunate that we were at Camp Selkirk during the formative years of our boys' lives. They climbed the trees, rode on the trailer, followed George around, and of course wished that they were old enough to work at camp. I think some of the staff became "heroes" in a way...they seemed so much older and cooler to two little boys.

So once in a while we find ourselves telling stories, laughing about the things they did and of course wishing that more children had those kind of memories. As I reflect on all this I wonder - do you tell Selkirk stories to your kids? Do you remind them of the wonderful heritage that this place afforded them?

Every story needs to begin with..."Once upon a time there was a wonderful camp; Camp Selkirk..."

A long time since we've added anything

2008-01-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

So here we are in 2008! Winter has set in here in Edmonton. No doubt some of you have less dramatic winters. Did you ever go to Selkirk in the winter? Walk through the snow leaving a private path for others to find? Did you see the snowmobile tracks running out to the back?

Winter along the shores of Lake Erie can be a bit tough - huge pieces of ice pushing up on the shore. There was a piece of an I beam concreted into the ground that the ice twisted like a pretzel. Winter can be tough.

Winter can be beautiful too - smooth drifts along the buildings and accenting Selkirk green!

What surprised me most was discovering that one of our neighbours cut down a pine tree to use at Christmas! At least he could have asked?!

Celebrate a Camp Supporter!

2007-08-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

I don’t want to turn this into an advertising site, but I thought it was the best way to get a message out.

As already mentioned on this blog, Dale and Nancy Haskell from Cambridge have been Junior Music Camp faculty members for many years.

This year, Dale will be 70 years old. While turning 70 is a milestone itself, it is particularly an added milestone for Dale. He has been on kidney dialysis for more than 25 years. One of the longest known kidney patients in the area.

Those of you who know Dale are invited to an Open House to celebrate his birthday. It will be held at the Cambridge Citadel Corps, 12 Shade Street, Cambridge, on Saturday September 1st, at 2pm.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (his niece) at bakerooie@rogers.com

Theme Days

2007-06-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

(Back Row, L-R: Anita Pilgrim, Christine Plank, Shelley Oseil, Cheryl Young, Cynthia Eden, Sue Haskell. Front Row, L-R: Lynn Haskell, Cheryl Randall, Sharon Jones).

Many camps seemed to have theme days, or a theme for the entire week.

Here are a few of the girls staff members from 1988, participating in "Backwards Day" for the camp that was in. (Sorry for the pre-digital photo quality). Oh the things we'd do at camp that we wouldn't do anywhere else!

What theme day memories do you have from your time at camp?

The Songs, Part 2

2007-04-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

We've reminisced about campfire songs here.

I heard a song on the radio the other day, that reminded me of camp.

When I was on staff ('87 & '88), we listened to the radio quite often. There was almost always a radio on in girls' staff, we would listen to the radio in the kitchen while working between meals, and if there wasn't a camp in, we'd listen to the radio at the pool during staff swims.

My time at camp was before the 'no repeat workday' concept, so some songs were played several times a day. Some of them still bring back memories of camp, 20 years later.

Two of these songs, were "When Smokey Sings" by ABC and "Hands to Heaven" by Breathe. These had to be two of the most overplayed songs of the late 80's! For the record, neither of these are a favourite of mine. They just remind me of being at camp, because I heard them so often while I was there.

Is there a song from the radio or a tape/CD you took to camp, that reminds you of camp? It could be a favourite or something that was overplayed at the time.

Senior Music Camp, year ???

2007-04-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure it's either 1999 or 2000 - I'm putting money on the former.

How many people can you recognise?
(double-click on the image to view full-size)

The Smell, Part 2

2007-04-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

I've often heard smell is a big factor in bringing back memories. You've probably experienced this yourself.

The bad smell of the beach and the old sulphur water have already been mentioned here.

Other, more pleasant smells also bring back camp memories for me. Freshly cut grass often reminds me of camp. (Guess that also means the chore boys were good at keeping up with that part of their job!).

Noxzema skin cream was a popular item with the girls when I was on staff. To this day, it brings back memories of washing up at the double sinks in Hoover House!

Do you have a more pleasant smell that reminds you of camp?

Rise and shine

2007-04-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

Flag Raising - the early morning tradition. Of all the common threads of the various camps this is perhaps the one that binds all the camp programs together. Everyone gathered around the flag pole each morning for the raising of the flag, devotions and exercises. Yes the exercises! Those silly jumps, hops and stretches. Occassionally something went up the flag pole with the flag (though I couldn't find any pictures) and occassionally something fell out of the flag as it was unfurled.

Did you have a favourite leader 'round the flag pole? Any favourite memories?

Construction 1994

2007-04-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

My only question when this was all done was: "Will we ever have grass again?"

The Divisional Picnic

2007-03-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Every year, for a number of years, the camp held a "Divisional Picnic" on July 1st (or another day if it fell on a Sunday!).

It was open to everyone, young and old. It was 'bring your own food', but the camp supplied the activities. There were games and races for the kids, swimming, and a baseball tournament. The different corps usually organized their own team for the baseball tournament. I think there have even been "staff" teams over the years.

I was on staff for the camp's 40th anniversary year (1988). I remember we made a huge sundae in a wood 'trough' for all to share, at the flag pole.

Do you have a Divisional Picnic memory?

International Students

2007-03-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

In my files I have this picture listed as the "International Students" who came to us via the Lion's Club each summer. It was always an interesting week, and some of them had some very European standards of dress!! At any rate we always welcomed them and they added some flavour to the early season. There were usually 14 of them, and they would come from about a dozen countries. We were the briefing stage for them so they could learn some Canadian culture, and get to know each other before heading off to different Canadian homes.

The other note of interest in this picture is the sky behind them. Remember those storms when we thought the trees would fall, or the cabins would be blown down? Remember the sheets of rain that soaked you if you took two steps from the dining room to your cabin?

The storms were not restricted to any decade. They came off the lake with fury.

Trees, or the lack thereof

2007-03-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

The open field around the cabins and dining hall always seemed a bit bereft of trees in my humble opinion...so one day when driving from the Camp Selkirk to DHQ I noticed a house with a tree spade parked outside (just on the edge of Caledonia). I stopped and after a short conversation he agreed to meet me at the camp on a given day to move trees from the back to the front of the camp. We identified about 22 trees that we could move, and on the day we did so in 8 hours.

It was a great experience and I loved seeing the immediate changes! Mind you the phone company wasn't so happy about our cutting their line into the camp.

The other contributor to our need for trees was the Lion's Club. Each year in conjuction with the International Students (I noticed no one from the staff has mentioned them) they would plant one tree.

Along the Way

2007-03-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Did you have a favourite place where you liked to stop on the way to or from camp?

There's Hewitt's Dairy Bar in Hagersville. Delicious ice cream with lots of flavour choices!

Also, maybe a bit more out of the way, but still a destination for some was Port Dover, and while there, a trip to The Arbor for a hot dog and some "Glow" (their exclusive juice drink).

With people coming from all different directions, I'm sure there were a lot of places people stopped.

Let us know your favourite place to stop along the way.

My Favourite Camper

2007-03-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this post in response to some comments left by Major Betty-Ann Lewis a while back...

Anyone who worked at Camp Selkirk in the 1987-88 era is sure to remember a special camper named Buford Organ. There was just something so unique about Buford and we all loved him immensely. Meal time with Buford was such a treat that the counselors all wanted him at their tables and the waitresses fought over the prilege of serving him.

My favourite memory of Buford though has nothing to do with the dining hall. The first day of camp I noticed Buford walking to the pool with a Mac's Milk t-shirt with a big rip in the sleeve. The next day he wore the same shirt without any sleeves. On the third day I nearly died when I saw him walking down to the pool with only the sleeves on his arms, no shirt!

Buford's dining room antics were legendary. He asked for marmelade at every meal and spread it on everything. He put orange juice on his pancakes. He would ask for a cheese sandwich if he didn't like what was being served. One time, as his waitress, I was serenaded with a beautiful rendition of "Jello in the Bowl" after serving him some Jello for dessert.

But the classic Buford story involves the time when we in the kitchen spied him licking the rim of the ketchup bottle at his table. We were all grossed out, especially Mrs. Lewis. Unfortunately his waitress didn't see this and she collected the ketchup bottle before we could get to it. It was placed on a table with all the other ketchup bottles, so we didn't know which one had been licked. We then had to empty, wash and re-fill every ketchup bottle in the place.

Who else remembers Buford? I wish I had a picture of him. Are there any other "special" campers who come to your memory?

Roofs over our heads

2007-03-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Camps are anything but buildings - they are all about people, but the buildings are central to facilitating the ministry of camping. The Dining Hall, with the bell and flag pole just outside was a central piece of the camp. My goodness that building could be noisy! And how many times was that floor washed - yes the kids loved doing that.

Then there was the washrooms. Now these washrooms are familiar to the younger crowd but I remember the old building - remember the urinal trough? Ugh.

That buiding became our drive-in shed and workshop for the maintenance worker.

I always thought the washrooms could have been located elsewhere but location was dictated a bit by the way the services were located. And finally the cabins. The old ones left the property with much history still inside them - walls, beams with notes and names inscribed on them. The new ones allowed more space and the porches provided shelter from the sun and rain.

Did you have a favourite building? One that seemed to represent camp to you?

Bermudian Invasion!

2007-03-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember the year the Hamilton Citadel youth band from Bermuda came to Senior Music Camp? I think it must have been somewhere around 1980. (I was a faculty brat at the time)

What I do remember is that the Hayward family was there, including Winslow Hayward (Kevin's father). I was so young, that the name "Winslow" did not register with me as being a first name, I kept calling him "Mr. Winslow"! We took them all to Niagara Falls on one of the days, and the Bermudian contingent even hosted a Bermudian trivia night at camp. I remember one of the questions: "What colour is the sand in Bermuda?" Can anyone tell me the answer?

Does anyone have any photos from that year? If you send them in, we'll be sure to post them!

From the Reynolds photo factory

2007-03-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

Once again it is time to play for 64,000 canteen points. Can you name the individuals involved? Some of you weren't even a glimmer in your father's eye for these photos - others you will know for sure. The title of this entry might give you a clue as to who is involved.

Many thanks to Glen Reynolds for taking these wonderful photos - and for keeping them! Isn't it wonderful to see these and revisit some of the memories.

Have a great evening - see you at the flag pole in the morning!

From on high

2007-03-14T03:37:00.000-07:00

The first of these pictures was taken from the roof of Cedar Lodge. Not sure why I was on the roof but it seemed a good idea to take a picture while I was there.

You can identify those in the second picture...

This third picture is from July 1994 around the time we re-0pened the camp after building the new cabins. I recognize Ted Williams but pray tell who is with him? My guess is this is the first day of Jr. Music Camp.

Camp Closing PowerPoint

2007-03-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

An update...I'm having some trouble figuring out how to post the slides which Sue-Ann provided me. They were from the closing program and in a PowerPoint format. However all is not lost and I'll continue to see if we can get this posted some how.

Who are you?

2007-03-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

We have a regular visitor from New South Wales in Australia visiting our web-site. Who are you friend? How about leaving us a comment?

SMC 1990

2007-03-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

The year 1990 was Fred's first summer at Selkirk. It's so happens that SMC 1990 was my first camp at Selkirk as my family had just moved to Guelph the month previous from Grand Falls, Newfoundland in the Central Division. Being an Officer's Kid, moving wasn't always easy ... but looking back now this camp really prepared me well for the transition and also set the stage in a big way for who and where I am today. Thanks to everyone at SMC 1990 for making that happen ... it really did make all the difference in the world!

There are a lot of people in this photo that I am still in contact with today, and I know they are friends who will remain for a life time. Even my Brother-in-law is in this photo. Can you find us both? This was two years before he even started dating my sister! There are many here as well that I've lost touch with and wonder where life has taken them. It sure would be great to find you again.

Finally, do you know who the musical guest was at this SMC? What Corps do you see represented here? What individuals here are still involved in music camps today?

Men in trees, ladies too

2007-03-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

These photos don't do this justice, but here are the early days of the ropes course. It was paid for by two lawyers in Hamilton who wanted to make a difference for teens in the area. The idea of it came from the need to do something more challenging with the inner city kids who were increasingly more demanding in their personal needs. Glenn became the natural choice to train on this and the potential of such a course seemed endless. If I'm not mistaken Sharon Avery even took the Bible program for Senior Music Camp one year and wove it around the use of the ropes course. Here's a few pictures from the early days as it was being finished and Glenn trained.

Let me see your funky chicken

2007-03-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Jon Evans and the funky chicken...!

Every year after holiday camps, just before the last camp of the season and while the counsellors were with us we went to Wonderland as a staff. It would be a day long event, travelling early by school bus to the amusement park. It was a treat of small proportion for the sacrficial work of our staff. It was always a great day.

Here, the timid and shy Jon, sits on the shoulders of Mike Eden while leading the other staff, and onlookers, in a rousing randition of "let me see your funky chicken" while waiting in line for one of the rides.

Jon - are you still shy and reserved?

SMC (and JMC!) Faculty

2007-03-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

I think someone was reading my mind! The prior post about volunteers at camp goes right along with what I've been wanting to say about the music camp faculties, especially those people who went up year after year. They really had a great influence on me!

One couple, who were what I call a "Camp Selkirk Institution", was Mr. and Mrs. "K". (although, I think Mr. K. went by the name of "Angus" in this get-up!) They were just one couple out of many who were wonderful Christian and musical influences on us all. (I also thought it was so cute how they would often dress in matching outfits!) It just wasn't camp without them!

Years of Dedicated Service

2007-03-05T17:23:00.000-08:00

Most of the camps at Selkirk were planned and implemented by volunteers.

For most people involved, this meant months of planning their particular camp, giving up a week’s vacation to attend the camp, and time away from their family, if their family wasn’t involved in the particular camp.

Are you one of these people? Do you know one? A few have already been mentioned in previous posts and comments. Were you a Brownie leader, Guider or Scouter for many camps at Selkirk? Did you spend several years on Music Camp faculty? Did you help plan Men’s or Women’s camps? We want to hear from anyone who volunteered at any camp for a number of years. I think there are some who can claim 10 or more years.

Let us know how many years you have given to the camping ministry. And THANK YOU, from all former campers!

Bluejays Gummies!

2007-03-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else remember them? During my first summer as a counsellor at Camp Selkirk (1992) there was apparently a large donation of candy! Tubs and tubs of "bluejays gummies" (related to the Jays winning the World Series perhaps?!). They were quite yummy, albeit a little stale. I saved an empty container and a couple of extra candy and found them a year or two ago when I was sorting through an old box. I couldn't bare to part with my candy... Here it is... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember the candy being more clear white and clear blue in color!

Talent Night

2007-03-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

One of the things I really enjoyed about SMC was talent night in the old auditorium. Photos below showcased the talent from SMC 1994. Do you recognize who these individuals are and can you name them? Do you remember what was happening in each of these photos? Let us know! What favorite memory do you have from talent night?

Hostage taken to the flag pole

2007-02-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

I am really at a loss to remember what started this. I know the women at Junior Music Camp were being teased about something...what was it? At any rate the teaser was Martin Vize. In revenge Martin was awoken by a group of women, tied up still in his sleeping bag and taken to the flag pole where he was secured for everyone to see as they awoke.
The name of Debbie Williams is attached to this in my memory, but I might be mistaken.
Are you out there Debbie? Remember this? Who else was in on this?
I have to add that Martin took this stride and was a very good sport about it.

First camp experience

2007-02-28T03:55:00.000-08:00

I'm being a bit selfish this morning by posting a Camp Selkirk picture with a family connection. This is our eldest son Jason at the beginning of Junior Music Camp. I think he had been playing a very short time and he is waiting by Ernie Pitt to go "audition". That year the kids, maybe just the younger kids, but they had huge name tags. You can see his blowing in the wind.

At any rate - how young were you when you started at camp? What do you remember? What camp was it? Music, cub, guide, other?

Before Selkirk

2007-02-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

This picture actually comes from my wife. It was among some of Wendy's grandparent's pictures. Some of you will know that Wendy is a Kitney - from Argyle/Hamilton Temple (and is therefore related to the Harris', Marriotts and the Evendens). You will find her Dad Norm in this picture. He's on the left side, third row from the front with dark hair and glasses (about 3 in from the left side).

At any rate this picture I think predates Camp Selkirk by a year or two. I know that Jackson's Point camp was originally purchased by the Territory with the plan that all of Ontario would attend it. Camping ministries were so popular that in 1948 the Divisional Commander of the day, Lt. Colonel Joseph Acton, purchased 86 acres from the Hoover family on the shores of Lake Erie and began Camp Selkirk. But for two years prior to that decision, the division rented a camp and ran their summer program there.

I am wondering if this is one of those camps. You can see that someone is holding a megaphone with the words "Camp Erie Heights" on it. (It's hard to see but it is there.)

Were you there? Do you have any information on this?

We would love to hear from you.

From the kitchen

2007-02-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Okay - so what is going on here? More pictures I've been sent. You will have to fill in the details! What is Bev doing?

Award Winners

2007-02-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

I don't believe that an official list exists anywhere, but I would be interested in hearing from award winners.

Do we have any reading this?

Let's hear from you - what did you get and when?

Oh - and name the people in the photo. I'll give you this much: that's me with the late Lt. Colonel Bob Slous. The kids are...

Is it all about the boys?

2007-02-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

We have posted many, many pictures of the girls but the guys deserve a post too. After all the guys had fun too! Any stories that you can think of?

And of course - name the people!

Post your favourite song

2007-02-23T05:38:00.000-08:00

It's campfire time friends. Time to post your favourite campfire song.

For me, I don't think I'll ever get over Fiona Kinghorn screaming her lungs out over "There ain't no flies on us". Maybe I didn't get it...but there isn't any singing to that song! So is it really a song?

And who can forget Greg Eden leading us in..."Second verse, little bit louder, little bit worse"

This is the Pitts

2007-02-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

She was the cook! I mean THE cook...and when she wasn't the cook she seemed to be a second Mom to many of the girls. And then there was Ernie! What can we say about Professor Joy! Always willing to help around the camp, and to be involved especially if it meant working with children.
Now come on there, especially those of you who have known these two for a long time. What do you think?

The Smell

2007-02-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

J9 reminds us of that lovely aroma down at the beach...rotting fish, seaweed...yuck! And yet at the same time there were times when it was a wonderful place to go.

But for those of us a little older we remember another smell. The ol' dining room, which became the craft hall (or recreation hall) when I was a kid at Camp Selkirk, had a water fountain outside the front door. I needed to take a hayfever tablet (that's another story) and I nearly chooked when I tried to get to the water fountain. Yuck - it smelled like sulfer.

The smell was solved when the then Major Roy Calvert was the DS for Ontario South. Someone will tell me who was the DYS of the day.

Behind the scenes

2007-02-21T04:17:00.000-08:00

Those girls on staff they loved each other! Well I think they did! What is she doing?

I remember that hair dying got to be a regular event in the girls dorm - sometimes even on the DYS's deck! More photos from Christine...

Welcome to Camp Selkirk Days blog!

2007-02-20T18:41:00.000-08:00

We are pulling people in from all across Canada and now Bermuda! (Hello Major Betty Ann Lewis) Since beginning this blog on February 4th we have had over a thousand hits and almost 7000 page views. Today our total was 86 hits alone. Word is out on Camp Selkirk Days blog!

Hello to all the former DYS's as well as those who worked at Selkirk! People are forwarding photos at an alarming rate, but I will try and get them up as we go. Keep putting out the word on Camp Selkirk Days blog!

Oh - one more thing for those of you who are looking and haven't commented yet - hit the comment button below and let us know you are out there!

Here's a few that came from Christine (Morrison) Gedcke.

Once again we issue the challenge: can you name the faces below? can you put a year to them?

Selkirk Faces

2007-02-19T20:29:00.003-08:00

1995 Girls Staff pictures

2007-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

So from Janine Elvin come these pictures of days gone by...lots of recognizable faces here, but it isn't up to me to name them. So let's here from you. Start from the top and work your way down! Got to love those blue uniforms! I hope someone kept them when the camp was sold!

About the DYS

2007-02-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

(1987 Kitchen Staff)

Love them or loathe them, the role of the DYS was an extremely important one at camp. For those of us on camp staff, leaving our parents for the whole summer usually for the first time, the DYS's became surrogate parents for us. As campers, they were part of the whole picture that made camp fun.

I remember several DYS's throughout my time at Selkirk, the Piercey's, the Young's, the Waters's (although I didn't spend much time at camp in their day), it was Captains Doug and Betty Ann Lewis who had the biggest impact on my life.

My sister and I had applied for and been turned down for jobs at camp in the summer of 1987. Captain and Mrs. Lewis couldn't find enough workers for their early weekend camps and they heard that because of construction at our school, our school year had ended in May, so we we were available for work. We were hired for the weekend camps and both ended up getting hired for the whole summer. We were pretty excited.

I remember at the beginning of the summer, Mrs. Lewis told us that if we were ever in trouble we should buy her a Diet Coke from the canteen and come and talk to her about it. I'd hate to guess how much money I spent on Diet Coke that summer.

Several years ago, as I was working as the Youth Director at my corps here in Windsor and was on faculty at Camp Glenhuron music camp, now Majors Doug and Betty Ann Lewis came to visit Camp Glenhuron in their new roles at Ontario West DHQ (before the amalgamation). I was one of the first people Mrs. Lewis saw when she got to camp. At least 12 years had gone by since we had seen each other, but she still greeted me with a warm hug. She introduced me to whoever she was with and said, "This girl worked really hard for me at camp, but her sister caused me all kinds of trouble!" Now, I could have let that go, but in respect of my sister's honour, I had to correct her and say she had gotten us confused.

No matter what I did, or how many consecutive early curfews I had, I knew that the Lewis's loved me. I was surprised when they hired me back the next summer and they were surprised when I got there the second summer and worked really hard for them! They are great people of God who loved all of us on their staff and every camper who came through the gates.

Who was your DYS and what memories do you have?

It is all about people

2007-02-19T06:05:00.000-08:00

Selkirk people - what happened in terms of buildings or program, in the end it was all about the people. Here's a few faces from the past!

Where are they now?

Cabins sold

2007-02-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

I've been waiting to post this picture because it comes from just about this time of the year. In 1992 we began a discussion at DHQ around the difficult design of the cabins. They had been retrofitted and it was not a good design for a children's camp. As well we had a desire to make the camp a year round facility and the cabins of the day would be unable to be winterized easily.

The decision was made to create a new design and a meeting was held at the local Blue Water Inn with Architect Bruce Fair to see what could be done. Following a camp walk-about, we met with lunch and Bruce began to create some optional design ideas. A common room was needed, washrooms, a staff location, dorms that would hold no more than six children and a large covered porch for moving gatherings outdoors if desired. Of course we wanted to create a handicap access so we agreed there would be no steps coming to the cabin, rather a ramp up on side meeting the large covered porch.

In February of 1994 I met with a man who was interested in buying all the old cabins, and it was agreed upon that he would remove them from their locations. As they were sitting on blocks it was an easy process and within two days all the cabins were gone and the field sat empty. It was a strange sight.

It was a terrifying sight too, for I knew that the camping season was not far off, and we would need to be ready within 16 weeks to re-open.

The End of an Era

2007-02-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Senior Music Camp 2004 final program was the last official event to take place at camp. I hadn't been to a final program in years, so I decided I'd go.

It was a typical music camp closing program with performances, awards, chorus singing and inside jokes about events that took place over the course of the week, that left the visitors puzzled and the camp participants laughing.

One highlight not typical of a program was a slide show of camps over the years. Many of us viewed it through teary eyes. There was also a final flag lowering ceremony.

I've heard several rumours over the last few years. Does anyone know the true fate of the camp?

Thank you Camp Selkirk for 56 years of memories!

Awaiting the terrifying audition

2007-02-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

I was making way through across the grounds on the first day of Junior Music Camp checking on things were when I stumbled across these fine young men outside the auditorium awaiting their audition. They seemed in good spirits, glad to be at camp and when I picked up my camera to take a shot they all wanted to be in one shot!

The year was_____? And they are_________?

Camp Selkirk Music Camp Song

2007-02-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

I wondered how long it would take for this to come up?

Greg Riman raises the question: Are these the right words?

"Come and give a cheer for SMC,
It's the place we love to be (we love to be there)
With music in the air and joy is everywhere,
We love you SMC.
With our leaders and our bands so great,
Serving God in constant faith,
There's music in the air and joy is everywhere,
We love you SMC! RAH!"

The name is HOOVER

2007-02-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

The Old Hoover House which went through many uses is an amazing structure. It had a small creek that ran under the western foundation, which allowed the family to have water year round. An elaborate hand pump in the basement was used to move water into the attic. Thus the house had running water from the water pressure coming from the tank at the highest point of the house.

One of the children who grew up in the house returned in the summer of 1992 and gave us some interesting history of the home.

Did you know that the exterior walls were 12 inches thick - poured concrete - and exactly 40 feet one half inch in length. The basement had a fireplace which was used for boiling sap to make maple syrup and there were many rooms in the basement which were used to dry and preserve fruit from the many fruit trees that grew on the property.

The house had, at one time, used natural gas for heating, directly from the floor of Lake Erie. Natural Gas bubbles up through the lake floor in several places, and the Hoovers taped into it.

The foundation of the original home the Hoovers lived in was directly north of the old house. When we arrived it was covered in refuse that had been dumped there, and was over grown. Using money from a Canada Works Program we cleaned up the site and discovered the old foundation.

You can read about the history of the Hoover family here.

But from the pages of Camp Selkirk history comes this picture from within the house! Thanks J9!

Sunday School Camp

2007-02-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what year this comes from. It was Sunday School (seems I'm stating the obvious) and was in keeping with the Territories' theme of "Say YES to Sunday School". The division saw some great growth in Sunday Schools during that campaign.

Here's the challenge - can you name anyone in the photo?

Girls staff 1994

2007-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

In 1994 we began to re-organize the buildings around the camp. The DC's cabin became the new hospital, the hospital became the new girls dorm, and of course the new cabins were built.
For a time, the girls had to exist in Cedar Lodge until we could make some changes to the ol' hospital. The advantage to putting the girls into the old hospital (in case you guys never figured it out) was that it would put them across from the DY's accomodation. (Not that we didn't trust you, it was for your own protection!)
At any rate, from the days in Cedar Lodge Carla has provided us with a picture of the staff girls skipping in the common area. I think I see Carla second from the left.

Let's sing it again

2007-02-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here’s a group shot of Senior Music Camp 1985, special guests Len Ballentine (instrumental) and Glenda Crawford (vocal) in the centre of the first row on either side of then DYS Captain Charles Young.

Does anyone remember Captain Charlie Young's insistence that the Divisional Commander of the day join in on the actions of a song he was leading for the final program of Junior Music Camp? We must have sung that song 7 times...and at the end of it he would say: "Now the DC is not doing the actions...so we will sing that song again so he can join in. He didn't. A year later we had a new DYS. :)

Camp Romances

2007-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhhh yes this topic had to surface sooner or later didn't it ... camp romances! Natalie (Hann) Silke sort of alluded to this briefly in a previous comment.

If we're all honest with ourselves here folks, did we really work at camp to earn a bit of spending money or to gain some valuable "work experience"? Did we really go to Senior Music Camp to improve our theory, vocal, or instrumental skills?? Did we really go to camp to get more serious about our relationship with God??? Well of course not!!! Face it people ... we all just wanted to hook up! HAHA!

On a more serious note though, camp for some did end up being that place where a friendship developed into relationship, and that relationship later lead to marriage! For others (like me!) camp romances just turned out to be a dismal case of heartbreak hotel, LOL. There were even those who predicted that such and such a couple would never make it long term, and Sherri (Sturge) Lavender has a neat little example about this.

Did that exciting camp romance of yours eventually lead to a wonderful marriage?! Will your story of love keep us oozing for more? We want to hear about it!

Here is a picture of two friends from the summer of 1994 who became a happily married husband and wife! Who ever would have predicted this one?! Can you name the couple? Shout it out!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Who will ring the bell?

2007-02-14T05:37:00.000-08:00

A note & photos from Natalie Silke:
"Hi there! It was such a great idea to create a Selkirk Blog. It's so nice
to hear that although Selkirk is gone, it'll live on! So, who's going to
start planning the reunion? Wouldn't that be such a great event? Sign me
up for the planning committee :)"

Ah, the bell. Remember the sound of the bell? If it rang three or four times it was the call to a meal. And then there were the line ups to get in? Some creative counsellors made their cabin members sing to get in the dinning hall. But what if the bell rang and rang and rang...what did that signify?

And then there were the logs. This was a feature of our time. They came from the Utilities Company in Brantford, and were used to keep people from driving their vehicles across the grounds. Not everyone appreciated the reason behind that. For some reason there were always people who felt that the campgrounds was kind of like going to the mall, and they should be able to park beside their cabins. The thought that this was "a camp for children" seemed to be lost on them.
We had so many logs that we used them for a variety of things including seating around the campfire.

From Lynn Baker

2007-02-13T06:25:00.000-08:00

The year is 1963 and the Students are L-R: Brian Burditt, Bruce Whibley, Barry Haskell, Ross MacDonald
Instructor: Norm Kitney

Thanks Lynn!

From Krista Lavender

2007-02-13T06:15:00.000-08:00

Senior Music Camp pictures from 1992 and 1993. Can you identify the guests for each year - they are in the picture. Thanks for the photos Krista.

Camp Wedding

2007-02-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

"I love the Camp Selkirk blog!

I found this picture that I thought would make a great addition to the site, if you're interested. The picture is of staff members from 1987-1988 and it was taken in July, 2002 at the wedding of Sharon Jones, now Captain Sharon Dannock serving in Australia.

Pictured are Cynthia Eden, Krista VanHiel, Sue Haskell Titcombe, Lynn Haskell Baker, Roger King, Sharon Jones Dannock, Majors Doug & Betty Ann Lewis, Debbie Oseil (not sure of her married name), Karen Hollman Allington and Shelley Oseil. I'm not sure of the spelling of all those names.
This was the first wedding ever conducted by Major Betty Ann Lewis and she dropped one of the wedding rings in the grass at the outdoor wedding! It was a great day and we loved all being together again."

God bless,
Sue Titcombe

Does anyone know of any other weddings that took place at Camp Selkirk?

Holiday Camps

2007-02-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

After Junior Music Camp the schedule turned to five excellent outreach camps. First there were two "Mom's and Tot's" camps, then three Holiday Camps. During our time Ruth Teakle led the Program on these and did an outstanding job of providing care and counsel to some wonderful children.
There were some challenges too...but those we won't put into print today.
These children with their counsellors are back from the pool and getting ready for the next activity.
Can you name the counsellors?

Professor Love

2007-02-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

First he would explain in a very scientific way, how God's love worked. Then Professor love would show us how we could have love for God. He had a formula for love, and he measured the amount of love in you with his hand held "love meter".... No one ever had as much love as God did. God's love was amazing we learned from Professor Love.

Remember who this is?

From Charissa Shea

2007-02-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

Thought I would send you this picture. I think it was in '97, I believe Captain Norman Garcia was the DYS.
I just wanted to say a big thank you for hiring me that first year, which I believe was your last year. I really enjoyed it that year as well as the next four years after that!!!
- Charissa Shea

Thanks Charissa!

Anyone else got a picture? Email it to me...

William Booth visits camp

2007-02-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

Just inside the front door of the auditorium sat this picture of The Founder, William Booth. I use to think it strange that it was inside the auditorium door? Did William Booth ever wear jeans and a t-shirt? Did he ever visit a SA camp? I wondered how long was this print there? Who brought it to Selkirk, and in the end what happened to it? Do you remember it?

The first camp of the summer

2007-02-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Always Men's camp in May with Women's Camp the next weekend...but the first camp of the summer season was cub camp. Guides of course were in with them but they camped in tents in the back fields.
Ron Pinson would have Cub Camp organized down to the last piece of firewood and with his team they ran a great camp which was fun and educational. I use to think, and still believe, that more camps could have learned from how this camp ran.
As the DYS Ron was wonderful to work with and always supportive and pleasant. Thanks Ron.

Can anyone name these folks in these pictures?

Hayfever

2007-02-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

I guess one of Selkirk's great contributions to my life was discovering that I have hayfever. Most of my memories from the camp as a kid (I was young and I do have a terrible long-term memory for details) relate to my allergies.

One of the most vivid memories would definately be from Cub Camp one year - no clue which one. We played capture the flag out in one of the fields of long grass...it was along the trail out to the woods, but on the opposite side of the camp from the lagoons...anyways... I can remember running around in there for quite a while before stumbling out of the grass completely blind because my eyes had swollen shut. Of course this was of particular concern to the leaders because my parents were the camp directors...he escorted me back to their trailer and rather nervously explained "There's something wrong with your son..." This of course led to yet another prolonged session of lying on the couch with a cool clothe over my eyes with the air conditioner on high...

I kind of wish I had pictures...I'm sure it would have looked rather amusing...at least 15 years later...

You'll never believe what happened in the kitchen

2007-02-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure where Tim found the chicken...but he hung it in the walk-in fridge and it didn't take much prompting to get him to pose with the knife! So where is this young man now?

"Don't spend any money while I am gone!"

2007-02-07T20:55:00.000-08:00

Okay Mark - you have promoted a funny memory which I can't resist blogging. You mentioned here the replacement of the pool filters. They were huge sand filled cylinders - there were two of them and they were old when we got there. The DC of the day was going on holidays and before he went he was out at the camp looking around. As he was leaving he said, in a stern manner: "Don't spend any money while I am away."

Three days later one of the filters sprang a leak - and well - if you are going to replace one I thought we might as well replace both of them knowing that it would reduce the costs in the long run. I think they were about $4300 each!

Here's Bruce Holbrook who offered to work for free if the girls could wear skimpy bikinis!

Music Camp is for kids

2007-02-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

I always loved Music Camp - especially Junior Music Camp. The kids were great, the faculty was great and usually the weather was great.
What's your best memory of music camp?

Which staff year is this?

2007-02-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure this was from 1991 - the summer it only rained - but someone might confirm that. The flat bed trailer everyone is on was a great piece of equipment around the camp letting us haul people and stuff.
And there's Bev THE COOK! What would we have done without her?

The summer it only rained

2007-02-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

You may need to help me with this, I think it was 1991, it rained most of the summer! That's what Roger is talking about - I wore a yellow rain coat and BIG boots most of the summer. Roger stayed indoors! After much teasing about the colour of my rain coat - I bought a new one. Roger seemed to prefer that one.

I wasn't the only one with a yellow coat! Hence Mark and James with their own yellow coats.

Early Days

2007-02-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

We arrived the end of June (the 28th if I remember correctly) to discover that the camp's water supply had been deemed unfit for consumption by the health inspector - the chlorinator failed - and the pool was not approved to open.

Welcome to Camp Selkirk!

Welcome to being a camp director.

Philip was 2.5 years old, and Jason three years older. They loved the freedom and we loved the relative safety the campgrounds provided. We still had them watched by a sitter, but it was hard working 18 hours a day and making sure they weren't entirely bereft of our care.

The first summer Terry Murray looked after them...until we needed him for counselling and the second year Leanne Davies was their guardian!

The grounds were important to me, and I was always after the guys to keep the grass cut and trimmed. Here's Greg Eden riding on the mower. We had to send it into the shop for repairs each time he would run over a tree stump. Those darn tree stumps keep jumping out in front of the ride-on mower!

Selkirkites where are you?

2007-02-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

I've been scanning slides that I took over five years while running Camp Selkirk. Camp Selkirk owned and operated by The Salvation Army helped hundreds of people over the years.

This blog is an attempt to document this wonderful camp of 124 acres - A Place of Adventure - that operated from 1948 until its' recent closure.

If you were one of those "Selkirkites" you might like to check in, post your thoughts and let others know of this blog.