This year’s Soda Creek Community Camp, which took place on the weekend of July 31, was a great success, according to organizer Janae Beaulieu.
“I would like to say thank you all so much for attending this year’s camp. We had 45 community members join us this year, which is awesome because our numbers are up from last year, especially, considering we had limited space due to COVID-19.”
This year the camp was located at Gavin Lake Forest Education Society Centre again. Everyone seems to enjoy this location as there are so many activities to do and just being out there on the land and traditional territory, according to Beaulieu.
“A lot of work goes into setting up these types of events but it is so worth it when you attend, and get to see members all visiting, laughing, swimming, reminiscing about the good ol’ days and just having fun with no care in the world.”
A few of the activities included an obstacle course, archery, sauna (sweat house), canoeing, ping pong tables, rock climbing wall and swimming.
“We checked into camp on Friday, July 31 in the afternoon and everyone got settled into our cabins. The weather was perfect for us all weekend which sent most of us into the lake. Swimming, Swimming, Swimming; there was a lot of that, the children really enjoyed being in the lake. They would have lived in there for the weekend if they could. Right from when they woke up to sunset, some kids were out there until 10:30 p.m.”
Ping pong was also a very popular activity with tournaments going on and some playing games past midnight, says Beaulieu. Members also took advantage of the sauna (sweat house) and dunking in the lake just as they would with the traditional sweat house. It was nice to see this being utilized and that we were still practicing our culture while having fun which we are needing more of these days, she says.
On Saturday, there were a couple of group activities planned which were the highlights of the weekend.
“We played Indian Bingo for the kids and adults. Everyone had so much fun and won some prizes. We also tie-dyed t-shirts so everyone could leave with a shirt to remember this year’s camping trip. On Sunday, some members went and learned archery and gave their shot at it.”
Beaulieu thanks everyone for attending and really hopes everyone enjoyed this year’s Community Summer Camp.