CAMP ARNES
Camp Arnes: A place to build confidence and relationships
The summer camp experience is always a fun one, but Camp
15), paintball camp (ages 12 to 15) and Block Party – three
Arnes is making sure campers take away more than just
days and two nights of non-stop fun for those ages 11 to
good times. Its motto, “A place to grow,” hits the nail on the
17. For youth with a worker’s heart and passion for camp,
head – Camp Arnes is a place that builds confidence.
there’s Crew, a two-week program for ages 15 to 17 that
“The biggest thing is growing kids in their confidence and
strikes the perfect balance between work and play. The
helping them overcome their fears,” said Larissa Terry,
days are split between work projects, whether that’s helping
registrar and communications co-ordinator.
in the kitchen or with maintenance around the camp, and
Kids can gain that confidence through the activities Camp
activities that all campers enjoy. And then there’s Forge, a
Arnes offers through its summer programs such as archery,
ministry apprenticeship program for 18 to 25 year olds that
the zipline, the high ropes challenge course, laser tag,
helps develop skills and abilities in a faith-based community.
swimming and canoeing. For several years the camp has focused on encouraging creativity, which has led to a new and exciting initiative.
Terry said relationship building is also a huge part of the camp experience. “Our goal is to be with kids at the age of six when they start
“This year we’ve redone our arts and crafts into what’s
in Teddy Bear until they’re 21 and going through our Forge
called the Creator Studio,” said Terry. “We’ll have Lego,
program, so that’s 15 years to make lifelong friendships,”
musical instruments, chalkboards and all your typical crafts involving beads and string that kids normally take home from camp. It allows kids to express themselves however
Terry said. “More than half of kids come to camp on their own and make new friends entirely.”
they want and not in a set ‘here’s what we’re doing, suck it
Camp Arnes, which had its start in 1939, is an inter-
up’ kind of way.”
denominational Christian camp committed to presenting
and up: Teddy Bear camp for ages six to seven, Explorer
unforgettable adventure while providing an exceptional
camp for those eight to 10 years old, Challenger camp
environment that helps develop character and leadership
for ages 11 to 13, Stoker camp for 14 and 15 year olds and
skills and a respect for the world around us. It’s located
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opportunities for children and youth to experience an
Ignite – a four-week leadership training program for ages
about an hour and 15 minutes north of Winnipeg. To learn
localfare
There’s a camp program for all children and youth ages six
16 to 17. Other programs include ranch camps (ages 12 to
more, visit camparnes.com. j
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