The Power of 2 – Moving Ahead with Two Exciting New Camp Initiatives

Delivering the camping experience requires safe, well-maintained facilities and the ability to satisfy a growing demand to experience the benefits of camp.

Meeting these objectives comes with significant costs outside of the Y’s regular annual operating budget. To move forward, the Y has initiated a one-time $3-million capital campaign to:

• Replace 18 cabins at Camp Stephens
• Purchase and upgrade the former Salvation Army’s Camp Woodlands, 55 kilometres north of our West Portage Branch near the town of Woodlands.

Strengthening a Legendary Camp Tradition

Camp Stephens is the Heart of the Winnipeg
Y’s Legendary Summer Camp Experience

Y camping on Lake of the Woods started in 1891 in Keewatin, Ontario. By 1894 the camp was operating from Patton Island, one of five adjacent islands purchased for a Y Camp. A few years later it moved to its present location on neighbouring
Copeland Island.

Since then, the camp has thrived, delivering the Y’s legendary residential summer camp experience over many generations to hundreds of children and youth every summer, and many thousands since the camp was founded.

Now operating well into its 11th decade, Camp Stephens has undergone many periods of expansion, change and renewal as facilities have been replaced, new facilities have been added and general upgrades have been made to ensure the camp maintains current standards and expectations.

Camp Stephens Facilities Include...

• Bonnycastle Wellness Centre (Emergency Medical Centre)
• Thomas Sill Dining Hall
• 18 bunk houses
• Lount Lodge
• Swim area
• Open fire pits
• The Douglas Depot
• Showers and washrooms
• Hiking trails

Programs Include...

• Kayaking
• Wall climbing
• Sailing/canoeing
• High-rope structure
• Volleyball, basketball, football and soccer

New Cabins will Enhance the Experience and Spirit
of Camp Life

The camp has arrived at another important renewal milestone – the replacement of 18 bunkhouses that house the 180 campers. These bunkhouses were originally built in the 1960s and were last renovated in 1999. Although they have been well maintained over the years, they are showing considerable wear and tear and deterioration in the harsh and unforgiving Canadian Shield environment where the camp is located.

The new 16 ft. x 24 ft. timber cabin with a covered 8 ft. deck is a three-season structure using kiln-dried, solid-wood, log-style walls and a 6/12 pitch roof.

Camp Y

Creating An Exciting New Camp

YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg initiated a major new expansion for its Camps Program with the purchase on March 1, 2010 of a former Salvation Army Camp, just west of the town of Woodlands on Highway 6, about 55 kilometres from the Y’s West Portage branch.

This easily accessible four-season camp will enable the Y to broaden its camping programs and bring a more diverse array of year-round activities to a wider number of children, youth and adults.

The proximity to Winnipeg will allow integration of the Y’s city day-camp programs with short-stay visits to the camp not possible with the Camp Stephens facility due to its distance and island location. This will allow children who have little or no opportunity to leave the city to spend time in the countryside.

Bringing Camp Y up to Y Standards

The camp was built in 1974 and has been in operation for 35 years. Although well maintained, no major capital improvements have been made in recent years. To meet the quality and high standards the Y is known for, a thorough assessment was undertaken to identify required renovations and upgrades. Work has begun for completion in Fall 2010.
Improvements Include:

• Building upgrades and cabin improvements including new cabin windows, doors and flooring
• Modernization and upgrades for the swimming pool including liner, mechanical equipment, decking and installation of two new, 80-foot long water slides
• Upgraded climbing tower and high-ropes course
• Installation and upgrade of safe, certified drinking water system
• Winterization and improvements to the dining hall
• Accessibility features and other improvements to the auditorium.