Although unpredictable forest fires could change direction and threaten Simonhouse Bible Camp once again, camp executive director Darrell Janzen is hoping that the only flames he sees for the rest of the summer will be flames of enthusiasm burning in his campers.

“All programs are still on as scheduled,” Janzen said. Simonhouse, which is located in Grass River Provincial Park, is a Christian summer camp designed to give kids the freedom and excitement of outdoor activities while reinforcing traditional Christian spiritual values through the atmosphere created by its staff.

In fact, Simonhouse was evacuated on June 22 under orders from the provincial government, due to fears that the Kisseynew Lake forest fire could spread through the camp facilities by the next morning. Displaced staff were housed in Cranberry Portage, itself under a voluntary evacuation order, and The Pas.

On June 29, the evacuation order was lifted; camp staff returned to work on July 1. Though the fire could always change direction and once again threaten Simonhouse, it is believed that the camp will escape the blaze unscathed.

This will allow for Simonhouse staff to undergo their yearly training at the normal time, therefore keeping camps open on the originally scheduled dates. Simonhouse offers summer programs for kids ranging in age from six to 18, split into age groups of 6-8, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-18. During the spring and fall, retreats are also available for kids aged 11-18. Activities offered include, in part, rock climbing, canoeing, boating, archery, swimming, sports, and kayaking.

Closer to Thompson, Midway Bible Camp is also gearing up for a busy summer. Midway offers weekly programs for children aged six to 12 during July, in addition to an August camp for teenagers. Campers are able to take part in a wide variety of activities, including archery, boating, mini golf and swimming.

Midway, which is located on Moak Lake, has been offering camps since 1954. Midway is run by Thompson-based Continental Missions, and places special emphasis on reaching children from Nelson House, Split Lake, and even more remote fly-in communities such as Oxford House and Gods Lake Narrows.

Thompson's Advent Lutheran Church is also running a one-week vacation Bible school this year, through the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP). The event will take place July 12-16, at no cost to interested children. LAMP is also working in Norway House, Nelson House, Churchill, Lynn Lake and other Northern communities.

A family camp was also on the agenda for the Thompson Pentecostal Assembly (TPA). The Northern Pentecostal Camp was held from July 11-17 at Setting Lake with a stated goal of “rediscovering our God-designed purpose.” The camp includes programs designed for entire families as well as specific age groups. Pastor Dan Murphy noted that unlike other family camps, which may ask families to provide their own food supply, everybody eats together, in the same room, at Northern Pentecostal Camp. Evening leisure activities include swimming and boating.