Mennonite Church Saskatchewan continues to deliberate on the future of its camping ministry. The regional church operates Camp Elim, Youth Farm Bible Camp and Camp Shekinah. On November 25, over 40 people from across the province gathered at the Fall Leadership Assembly to hear an update on the future of the camps.
The challenge facing MC Saskatchewan and its camps governance and liability. On paper, MC Saskatchewan owns and operates all three camps, including the land and buildings. The delegate body elects representatives to sit on the camp boards. However, as the unique culture and management of each camp grew over the years, MC Saskatchewan played less and less of an active role in the day-to-day operations. In addition, as the number of people attending MC Saskatchewan churches declines, there are fewer people to fill camp board positions.
The members of the regional church voted in 2022 to hire a consultant to study the camps and make recommendations for future action. The MC Saskatchewan council then created the Camps Review Subcommittee to spearhead communication between the council, the camps and the broader membership of MC Saskatchewan. “The question we’re facing is what do we do in regards to effective governance of the camps?’’ said Brent Guenther, a member of the subcommittee.
The committee took great pains to ensure that all stakeholders were listened to and all possible actions carefully considered. They also made it clear that they’re “not here to close camps.” At the meeting, the committee put forth four draft recommendations: 1) that MC Saskatchewan council require some or all camps to incorporate; 2) that MC Saskatchewan representation on the newly formed board of directors may or may not change; 3) that MC Saskatchewan lease land to camps that are newly incorporated; and 4) that MC Saskatchewan will support each camp financially through the above processes. After the recommendations were presented, those in attendance were invited to connect with leadership from each of the three camps to offer feedback. Responses were mixed. Some felt the changes were “not a big deal.” Since the three camps function well independently of the regional church, why not make that independence official on paper? Others worried about the loss of what they felt was an essential MC Saskatchewan ministry.
Later, attendees gathered in small table groups to answer questions about the proposal. “The way we structured the sessions by doing it around the table allowed people to look each other in the eye and provide their thoughts and opinions,” explained Guenther. “We didn’t want to do an open mic, where one or two voices might dominate.”
Next steps regarding the camps will be decided at the 2024 Annual Delegate Sessions in March. “We’re very interested in making sure everyone is along for the ride,” said Guenther. “We want our decisions to be supported by the larger delegate body.”
Related article:
The question of camps: MC Saskatchewan wrestles with the future of its camps
Mackenzie Hildebrand (left) and Kirsten Hamm-Epp led worship at the Fall Leadership Assembly. (Photo by Emily Summach)
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