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Winnipeg, MB – With most Covid restrictions already lifted, we are very hopeful that we will be able to run a normal camp program at Gem Lake Wilderness Camp this summer. Even though provincial restrictions did not allow us to run winter youth camps this year, I made several trips up to camp to haul in fuel and propane for summer, as well as building materials for some spring projects. I had really hoped to make one more trip to camp over the ice this winter to bring in our new solar battery bank. However, supply chain issues made it difficult to source the proper batteries. By the time I finally had them in place, the ice conditions on the lake were no longer safe enough to take them up. Unfortunately, it will require much more effort to bring them in by quad, boat and manpower once the ice is finally gone.
We were not able to have much contact with our campers during the winter but are thankful that the Drop-in programs in the city were allowed to run without restrictions. I continue to help Matt, my co-worker, pack up and deliver food ingredients to youth in the area for the online cooking club each week.
A number of youths from our community are already applying for Junior Leader positions at camp and I have already hired several Senior Leaders for the summer.
Spring will be filled with staff recruiting and training, work trips to get our camp facilities ready for the summer and with equipment maintenance.
Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement.
Home church: Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg, MB
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Positions available at Gem Lake Wilderness Camp -
Senior Counselors and a Lifeguard. If you know an energetic, young person aged 17 to 25, who loves God, loves the out-of-doors, that has a passion for the youth in our community and for leading them toward God, I would love to tell them about the opportunities. Counselors can expect to earn about $5000 in the summer.
City/Camp Liaison. This position is approximately 2/3 time and is based out of Winnipeg. This person is responsible for driving campers to and from camp, shopping, packing up food and supplies for camp and contacting/reminding campers of upcoming camp dates. A Class 4 Driver’s License is required. (We can help with that.) They need to be a confident driver, organized, self-motivated and able to work independently, but as part of a team. This City/Camp Liaison person can expect to earn approx. $5 - $7,000 in the summer, depending on availability to work in June.
Cook/Host Families. This would be for one or more five-day camps. Responsibility is primarily preparing food. Ingredients and recipes are supplied. It is a great way to serve as a family, but be warned, that’s how our family first got involved with ICYA … and here I am 20 years later still loving it.
For more information, contact gord@icya.ca
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This article was originally published in The Recorder Vol 59 No 3