It’s a little off the beaten path, but it’s hardly a secret.
Since 1952, Camp Mackinicholea, on the shores of Long Island Lake in Westlock County, has provided opportunities for generations of area youth to experience the summer in the great outdoors, learning leadership and life skills and making lifelong friendships.
The camp celebrated the end of summer with a Family Fun Day Sept. 7, offering residents of all ages a chance to take in the scenery, chat with old friends and set out on a summer adventure in their own backyard.
Nichole Stadnyk is president of the Camp Mackinicholea board and was on hand along with other board members that day to oversee the available activities which included canoeing, archery and a bonfire to close out the day. There were also free hotdogs, a 50-50 and meat draws, a bake sale and silent auction.
It was another successful season at Camp Mack, said Stadnyk. Seven camps were offered this summer and registrations have been on the rise for the last three years.
“The weather wasn’t fantastic, but the kids all had fun,” she said.
The camp offers youth of all ages several chances to take part in their own summer adventure every July and August. Activities include water sports, nature skills, adventure games and team building experiences. There is also a counsellor-in-training camp for 14-18 year olds who have been attending the camp for their whole lives and now want to give back to the camp that helped shape them as youth.
“A lot of them started in our minis (camp), so they would have started at the end of Grade 1 and then went up through and went through our counsellor in training program and that’s where we mentor them to then apply for the paid positions once they’re 18,” said Stadnyk.
“It looks great on a resume.”
It’s a lifelong journey for some of them, the lake and the camp just keep drawing them back, she said.
“It’s great. It’s about nature and the environment. We have one of the very few swimmable lakes in Alberta, so it’s awesome. It helps you appreciate what we have out our own back door. There’s over a 60-year legacy at this camp.”
Back in 1952, the United Church opened an all-boys camp, and since then many area families have contributed to the programs offered there and infrastructure around the lake, recognizing the importance of such a place for the surrounding community. There are also many summer cabins tucked away in the trees that surround the lake.
“We’ve got campers whose grandparents camped here so there has been a lot of people come through our gates. We are also working on a legacy wall, so we are looking for people that can give us some insight as to the original history, decade by decade. It’s a big project, but it’s in the works,” said Stadnyk.
She also added they try to keep registration fees low so the camp is accessible to everyone who may want to take in the experience.
“It’s totally a jewel,” said Stadnyk. “Throughout the whole history of this camp there have been some huge hearts and a huge love for this place. It’s just got this huge draw that’s amazing. These kids are friends since they entered their first camp in Grade 1 and they’ll be friends forever.”
