An outstanding year for the Bar Harbour Camp, located on the shores of Buffalo Lake, means that the charitable organization is looking toward 2016 with a handful of capital projects in mind.
Annually, the organization brings in roughly $18,000 in donations, which go toward capital projects, site maintenance and program development, but in 2015, a windfall donation brought the donation total up to $40,000. The money will be used to upgrade and add to the camp's facilities, it was heard during the organization's annual general meeting on Monday, Feb. 1.
In the past few years, the camp has seen multiple upgrades, including the installation of a water purification system that has made it safe to drink the camp's water. Prior to the installation of the system, water was brought in to the camp for drinking and cooking.
Other upgrades to major systems at the camp have resulted in thousands of dollars in savings, the board realized once they looked at previous budgets and utility bills.
While some of the windfall donation was used in 2015 for upgrades and repairs, the remainder was tucked away in an investment scheme to collect revenue until this year's projects begin.
This year, the organization is looking to either refurbish the existing bathroom facilities or build entirely new ones, build a laundry facility and re-roof the staff quarters. The camp is also looking at adding additional cabins. Amongst those major projects are camp activity projects, which include a gaga ball pit, a low ropes course and an archery range.
Last year, the camp brought in a total of 179 campers between the ages of six and 17 over four camps, split about evenly between girls and boys, the gathered supporters were told. The numbers were on par with other years.
Board president Ryan Koehli said that one thing he has heard since living in Stettler is that many people appear to believe the camp is open only to members of the United Church or the Christian faith, which is not the case — anyone can attend, and he said he felt the board should work on getting that message out to the community.
Some of the changes on staffing levels for 2016 includes the elimination of the program coordinator position, as the board said it didn't really work out. Instead, program development will be administered by a committee which includes board members and staff members.
The camp is looking to add a second lifeguard-certified staff member to bring the complement to two, and partner camp Hardisty Lake will have to hire an assistant cook during their portion of the program.