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Surprise Lake provides an experience in christian living in an outdoor environment for a variety of ages while developing a christian family.
Since 1951, Surprise Lake United Church Camp has provided young people with summers full of fun, community and faith. Our program provides activities that enlarge the camper’s vision of their own potential as a human being, and as a child of God. Each summer new friendships and memories are made that will last a lifetime.
At SLC we value and respect nature. Our campsite is kept as natural as possible. The camp is made up of a number of cabins nestled throughout the trees along the lakeshore. Campers sleep in cabin groups with 5-6 other campers and a counsellor.
We use the outdoors as an essential element and location for programming. Our setting helps children develop a greater appreciation for the environment, and the camp lifestyle demonstrates how to live in better balance with the natural world; environmentally friendly practise's are used as often as possible
Surprise Lake Camp approaches camping with zest and adventure. Our summer programs include recreational activities, games, songs, skits, crafts, time at the lake, swimming and canoeing. Our focus on Outdoor Education includes hiking, cookouts and overnights as well as using natural materials for arts and crafts.
Daily activities include a morning rotation of regular programming, including outdoor education, waterfront, crafts and Christian development. The afternoons are filled with special interest groups that campers can choose from. Evening activities consist of games in the playing field and then watching our beautiful sunset over the lake while signing around a campfire. Each week we have a number of special events, such as our famous ‘Mud-Walks’ and Talent Show – a highlight of the campers’ abilities, talents and new found confidence.
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The staff at SLC are a mix of people of all ages, with different backgrounds. Many staff members were at one-point campers themselves, thus our motto ‘For the campers…by the campers!’ There is a core of paid staff who are hired for the entire summer as well as youth and parent volunteers, who are essential to the success of the camp.
Being on volunteer-staff member is a unique opportunity for families to experience camp together. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their children to camp. There are fee reductions available for volunteer-staff children of camper age and there is childcare available for younger children.
Volunteers can help lead programs, work in the kitchen, do maintenance, be camp mom or dad and most importantly have a little fun themselves! If you are interested in volunteering this summer please contact the camp directly during summer months or email
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“For the campers…by the campers!”
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Beginner Camp(Completed grades 2, 3 & 4)
This camp is about fun, friendship and exploration! Campers can
take part in, nature walks, games, canoeing, swimming, crafts and
even an overnight adventure in the playing field. This camp is a
great place for children to begin exploring their creative side and
making new friends in a positive community setting!
Junior Camp(Completed grades 4, 5 & 6)
This outdoor adventure camp is great for all those who enjoy fun in
the sun and making new friends. Time to break loose and try some
new things, such as ‘mud-walking’ along the lakeshore
and off-site overnights. From canoeing and swimming to games and
crafts…this camp has it all!
Youth Camp (Completed grades 6, 7, and 8)
This camp is a place where young people can be themselves and
express their creative side, the talent show is always a big hit.
Along with canoeing and overnights, campers learn to live in a
community and explore their faith. Full of new experiences and
lasting friendships, this is the place where great summer memories
are made!
Theme Camp: Survival Camp (completed grades 6 to 10 and up)
Learn to survive in the wilderness of Alberta's Northern Boreal Forest that
encompasses Surprise Lake. This camp will include many outdoor adventures,
not to mention multiple off-site overnights. Hone your canoeing skills,
shelter building, fire craft, and team work in just 4 days. You'll never want
to be inside again. This camp is great for both nature lovers as well as
Survivorman wannabes.
Counsellors in Training Experience (completed grades 9 and up)
Formerly Known as Leadership Camp; this camp is combined with staff training
and Beaver camp. During Staff Training the CIT's (counsellors in training)
will attend workshops and learn the basics of being a camp counsellor,
including leadership, team building and instructing techniques. After that
the CIT's will have lots of hands on experience working with the youngest
level of camper before being able to return as a volunteer for the remainder
of the summer. Once completed, CIT's are able to return the following year as
paid junior counsellors.
There is an early bird deadline this year which will give 10% off the listed cost, PRIOR to April 15th. Regular deadline is June 15th as always.
After July 2, please phone the camp directly (780) 723-2159 to enquire about available space. Please make cheques payable to the Surprise Lake Camp Society. A packing list and receipt to confirm your registration will be sent to each camper.
You can send the completed registration form & a non-refundable deposit of $25 to:
Surprise Lake Camp
P.O. Box 463
Onoway, Alberta
TOE 1VO
Registrar: Kim Copeland, Box 463, Onoway, AB. TOE 1VO, 780 967 4539
· Camperships are available to help sponsor campers. For more information please contact your local United Church or the registrar at the above address.
Surprise Lake Camp is run by a dedicated group of people who
serve as the Board of Directors. We need people with a variety of
different skills and always welcome new ideas and insight. This is
great way to get involved in your child’s life and insure
that camp continues to run for another 50 years! For more
information please contact us.
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Accredited by the Alberta Camping Association & the United Church of Canada
Surprise Lake Camp is located 178km West of Edmonton (21km East of Edson) along the Yellowhead Highway (HWY 16) and is 2km South of the Highway on R.R. 153.
Travel time from Edmonton: apx. 2 hrs
Travel time from Edson: apx. 15 mins.
If coming to camp by bus, please notify the camp director of your arrival time. Someone will be at the station in Edson to pick you up.
Drop off Time: Please arrive on the first day of camp between 1-2 pm
Pick up Time: Please be picked up on the last day of camp between 10-11am
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Camp Phone: (780) 723-2159
Camp Mail:
Surprise Lake Camp
General Delivery
Edson, AB T7E 1T4
Web: http://www.yellowheadpresbytery.org/slcamp3.php
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Groups may rent the camp in the spring and fall. Our Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen and dining facility as well as cabins to accommodate over 60 people. We also have a large recreation hall, craft shack, office, outdoor chapel, sand beach, dock and two campfire pits.
*There are no showers or flush toilets (Outdoor biffies and washhouse are used).For more information contact:
Irene Cox
780-723-5814
(no email)
For more information and general inquiries prior to July 2
contact:
Megan Graham
(780) 977-4658
. Otherwise please contact camp directly during summer months (780) 723 2159.
Donations to Surprise Lake Camp are always welcome and are tax
deductible. They can be sent to:
Surprise Lake Society
Box 2391, Stn. Main
Stony Plain
Alberta
T7E 1X8
We also gladly accept craft and recreation supplies, as well as maintenance and cleaning supplies.
Surprise Lake Camp thanks the local Edson community and those who volunteer throughout the year; those who come help out at work weekends and those who do fundraising. We are also grateful for support from the Alberta Camping Association, Yellowhead Presbytery, the United Church of Canada and to all those whom donate their time, talent, and financial support!
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Hope to see you out at camp this summer!
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|
home |
directory |
officers |
minutes |
prattle |
prayer cycle |
youth |
camping |
discussions |
mailing list |
M&S Summary |
residential school info |
life long learning |
vacancies |
|
AVEL |
northern region |
links |
peace news |
photos | misc info |