Camp Sagitawa is a Christian Camp in the Peace River area of British Columbia, Canada. Sagitawa is owned and operated by Sagitawa Christian Camping Society, a registered charity. At the present time the Society consists of the 15 member churches and about 85 individual members. Membership is by application to those who agree with our constitution, by-laws, objectives, and philosophy. A Board is selected to fulfill the directives of the Membership. This Board of Directors divides their responsibilities by forming an Executive and several Committees.
Many campers come from the area within the circle of Fort Nelson, Grande Prairie, Tumbler Ridge and Mackenzie.

History

Mr. Walter McNaughton, a graduate of Prairie Bible Institute, responded to a letter from Mrs E Monge.
She had asked Prairie to send someone to start a Bible School in the north. Mr McNaughton travelled on his bicycle with 23 cents in his pocket. In 1933/34, Peace River Bible Institute (PBRI) was established.
From its early days, PRBI set an example of outreach by starting many Bible Camps in the area, and encouraging their support. In 1947, Emmitt Miller and Arvid Anderson helped Walter start a camp at the Taylor Flats army base. They used the quonset huts for cabins and much of the army kitchen and utensils. When the Peace River flooded the area in 1948 the camp was moved to the Kiskatinaw River and was called Alaska Highway Bible Camp.
Staff and students from PRBI, helped the Rolla Alliance and other local churches operate the camp for many years. The camp had to cancel operations one summer because of polio in the area.
Changes included the addition of horse riding and a pool (dug-out lined with plastic). Farm grain sheds were moved to the property to be used as cabins. Beds were made of straw. Emmitt was active with the camp for 24 years. Arvid kept in touch and prayed for the ministry for over 40 years. The name was later changed to "Rock of Ages Bible Camp," until it merged with the Camp Sagitawa in 1971.
Doug & Janet Spinney visited Moberly Lake during a vacation in 1956. This visit prompted them to meet with Rev Bill Ryans (Calvary Baptist, FSJ), Rev Don Miller (First Baptist, D Ck), and Bob Neufelt (McLaurin Baptist, GP). In 1960 they brought several car loads of teenage boys to a rented site at Sunny Acres (private property on the delta of the Upper Moberly). The camp soon became known as Sagitawa. In 1966 a girls camp was added. But in 1967 Sagitawa became too large for Sunny Acres. God directed them to buy half of the Garbitt Estate (67 acres) for $15,000. As a result, Camp Sagitawa held its first summer sessions at the present site in 1968.
The first buildings to go up were three 2-bedroom houses (no longer standing). Alden Spinney surveyed the property and drew up the plot plan with a development sketch of where future buildings would be located. In 1970, under the direction of Mr. Art Whitford, a 40' x 60' multi-purpose building, with kitchen and showers was erected (our present chapel). By this time, the camp acquired three horses, two canoes and a sailboat.
Then in 1971, it was felt by those involved that God was making the way clear for Rock of Ages Bible Camp, and Camp Sagitawa to come together. In August representatives from both ministries met to negotiate a merger. The name Sagitawa is a Cree word which was given to the place where the Peace River joins the Smokey River. It was used symbolically by the camp's founders to refer to a place where the spiritual and physical parts of a person come together under the Spirit of God. When the two camps joined, the name Sagitawa was retained.
The founding officers of the original society:
Rev Doug Spinney, Mr. Vic Wilk, Mr. Warren Ralston, Mr. Erwin Martens, Rev. Don Miller, Mr. Clyde Spinney.
The first Executive after the merger:
President - Fred Walton, Vice President - Bernard Little, Treasurer - Frank Luella, Secretary - Ken Harris.
Since then, the camp has grown into a year-round operation with a large emphasis on well trained staff and volunteers. Since 1992, over 200 volunteers assist each year. We believe that God is continuing to bless this ministry as we teach the application of Biblical Christianity.

Objectives

The purpose of the society shall be:

1. To promote co-operative Christian fellowship and to provide a program that is designed for evangelism and the development of Christian character in a camping setting.

2. To provide Conference facilities for Biblical and Theological studies, for leadership training and missions, and to examine the Scriptural position to social, political and moral issues.

3. To operate as a non-profit charitable organization for the benefit of all members of the area at large.

4. The operations of the Society are to be chiefly carried on in the northern part of the Province of British Columbia known as the Peace River Country.

5. To provide a Biblical witness to the historical Christian faith as outlined in the following evangelical statement of doctrine.

Location

Main Site: Moberly Lake

From Chetwynd: 24 km north
From Hudson's Hope: 38 km south
Turn south onto E. Centennial Rd and watch for signs (½ km)

Trail Ride Site: Clayhurst

From Fort Saint John: Rd 103 east to Goodlow; continue to bend, then continue south
From Dawson Creek, Rolla Rd north;cross Peace River; take right fork; left at stop sign; follow road past bend, west on Rd 240 (watch for signs)

Pine River Canoe Trips

Chetwynd: #97 east to the Pine River
Dawson Creek: #97 west to the Pine River, turn into the Sasquatch Park junction the west side of the Pine River
Pick up is at Taylor Landing, Taylor(south side of Peace River)

Philosophy

Our Philosophy of ministry is given in the main text.
The written word of God has ultimate authority and is the foundation on which Sagitawa's Philosophy is based. (2 Tim 3:16)
Parents registering their kids at Sagitawa are pleased that we are interdenominational. We teach the central message of the gospel as held by the historical evangelical denominations. Campers are taught from the Word of God and encouraged to read it for themselves.
The church is the Body of Christ and He Himself is the head. Thus, the ministry of Sagitawa is an integral part of the local churches' missions department, a part of their outreach and teaching program. The Society has a decentralized organizational structure for achieving its purposes, with small group planning, interaction and participation throughout. (Col 1:18,24; Eph 4:4-6)
Camp Sagitawa operates through the help of local churches. We are thankful for their financial help, their wisdom on the Board, and their involvement on every level. Having many concerned individuals involved in camp, builds a quality of safety and integrity in daily camp life.
The Great Commission, to make disciples, as stated in Matthew 28:19-20 is our directive; and all aspects of Sagitawa are aimed at fulfilling it in the Peace River Area. Discipleship represents a productive personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Evangelism, in a discipleship setting, is an on-going proclaiming of Christ by word and life in all aspects of camp and depends on co-operation between camp and the churches to make mature disciples.
We work with local churches, seeking ways to assist each other. Campers already attending a church are are encouraged to continue. Information about local member church programs is provided for other campers.
Sagitawa is a Christ-centered camp emphasizing a whole, balanced experience that does not recognize a great division between worship, play, work, and study: "Jesus Christ in all and through all."
An example of this is the knowledge that God loves me, whether I am at worship, play, work or study. My particular activity does not change the truth of God. A "disciple" is "one who is taught." A real disciple then, is not about life activity or career, but about one who trusts God in the midst of life. But this needs to be taught by example. Therefore, we select staff whose lives depict a sincere desire to live what they believe.

Camps and Rentals

Camp Sagitawa has many exciting camping programs.
We want kids, teens and adults to come and have fun -- while taking an opportunity to learn about life,about God, and about each other.
During the off-season, Camp Sagitawa offers other camping weekends. Our facility makes it easy to have camps during the winter months as well.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Summer Camps
! Location
! Dates
! Fees
! Description
|-
| Sagitawa Family Retreat
| Moberly Lake Resident Site
| Aug 22-27, Aug 22-24 option
| $200 age 13 , $100 age 4-12, Max: $800/ family
| With Steve Wilson - Focus on the Family. Make it part of your family holiday with family or friends in a camp setting. We also welcome singles and couples without children. A refreshing and relaxing time with others, in a Christian atmosphere with lots of activities. Take out a canoe or kayak, ride a sailboat, challenge the wall or zip-line, play softball against our staff, or try any of our other skills or activities. You are welcome to join chapel sessions as you desire.
|-
| River on the Lake
| Moberly Lake Resident Site
| Jun 27-30
| $65 ea $32 age 4-12
| Learn about river canoeing at Moberly Lake in the great outdoors. This camp provides paddle training for the novice canoer in a safer environment. Some campers may decide to join one of the Pine River Trips to put learning into a higher level experience.
|-
| Maurice Creek Challenge for Adults
| Maurice Creek, Hike Rappel SWAT
| Jul 11-14
| $155 ea Not a family trip
| A moderate challenge for adults seeking something new. Hike about 27 km in 4 days, and enjoy the view of the Peace Rive Valley from the ridge. Tough through the steep climb near the gorge, and love the trill of the cold waterfalls as you rappel them. Opportunity for spiritual reflection from a Christian perspective
|-
| Pine River Trips
| Pine River, Canoe SWAT
| Aug 1-4
| $90 ea, $45 age 4-12
| Three days down the Pine River from Highway 95 to Taylor. Experience river canoeing in moderate waters. Swim, play games, relax, and enjoy God's creation. Trips for families, singles, or teens.
|-
| Youth 1
| July 6-11
|
|}