Evans Lake Forest Education Centre celebrated its past and its future during a weekend of events commemorating 50 years of creating lasting memories among young campers.
The camp's executive director Hart Banack said he was excited to see around 100 families participating in the celebratory weekend that kicked off with an alumni dinner on Saturday (June 26).
"It's unbelievable. There are not a lot of organizations that hold I think so much important history and memories that people are really excited about sharing this with their kids."
Former campers - many with youngsters in tow - enjoyed a round at the archery range, a short jaunt up a small granite rock wall and a dip in a cool mountain lake at the Sunday afternoon open house.
Former camper Eric Schram re-visited the entire four-hectare campsite and although some of the buildings are new, most of the camp is as Schram remembers it.
"But the trees are bigger now," the Fort Langley resident said.
Schram first started going to Evans Lake camp in 1982 and continued on as a camper until '88 when he became a counselor and lifeguard.
"It's a place that's always been near to my heart. It's a happy place, good memories."
Most of those good memories Schram recalls include pranks he pulled with his friends.
"Setting up the sail boat in the cabin," he laughed.
"And we also did one in the dining room too."
Although he said he couldn't choose a favourite camp memory, he could certainly recall some of the funniest moments he's experienced at Evans Lake.
"We used to toilet paper around the bunks while the kids were sleeping and the first counsellor [awake] would get their face painted. I actually markered one guys face completely black, he was such a sound sleeper. We brought a few of the lockers down stairs into the middle part [of the field] too."
The 50th anniversary celebrations were not all about pranks pulled in the years past but also about the builders who helped make Evans Lake Forestry Society the success it is today. Some of the outstanding contributions of former camp personnel were formally honoured during a dedication into the Friends of Evans Lake status.
The 2010 inductees included Bill Myring who developed many camp programs, avid outdoorsman Jack Scrivener and the camp's first director Doug Ballentyne.
Banack said although times are changing for the camp, he envisions a bright future for Evans Lake because it offers experiential learning for youth.
"I really feel like we are going to become or consolidate ourselves as leaders in outdoor experiential education. This is what we do, we bring kids up here and they have a great time connecting with one another and connecting with the environment.
"I think we're in an exciting time for sure with experiential education."
Banack said camp offers youth a chance to experience nature, and grow as individuals like no other institution fosters, through human and natural interaction.
"Camp helps children develop their self esteem. It helps kids connect with their peers and their leaders who are not much older than them, so it creates a strong community, a very strong community. And these are things that the children are not getting in the schools. You just can't get this type of experience in other programs and experiences."
For long time camp instructor and Friends of Evans Lake member, Gary "Bear" Haensgen the experience Evans Lake can give youth is priceless.
The legendary campfire storyteller and summer camp director said he really has only one hope for the future of Evans Lake.
"My dream would be more kids would be able to come to camp and learn from it."
Evans Lake has seen more than 32,500 youth participate in its camps since the facility first opened its door on June 27, 1960.
For information on Evans Lake or to register for camp, visit www.evanslake.com/.
