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- The Incredible Journey
- A Historical Snapshot of Dallas Valley Ranch Camp
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- The Vision is Born.
 The
birth and growth of the camping ministry at Dallas Valley has
been a miracle from its inception. In 1979 the tragic death of
Dallas Lutzer led his parents, Albert and Jean Lutzer, to offer
a choice piece of recreational property to the Canadian Sunday
School Mission with the intent that it would be developed as
a Christian camp in memory of their son. The vision of developing
a piece of Boggy Creek pasture land into a camp site where children,
youth, and adults could be exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and be nurtured in their Christian faith has guided the camp
board through the past two and a half decades. It has been a
time of difficult challenges and constant "growing pains,"
but it has brought Dallas Valley into the 21st century with a
camp site that can now accommodate 1850 campers each summer as
well as conduct ministries for adults, and host guest groups,
throughout the rest of the year. It has truly been an "Incredible
Journey."
-
 The Journey Begins.
- July, 1979: A beautiful 153 acre piece of land being
used as a pasture, and stretching along the east rim of the Boggy
Creek Valley near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, was visited by Norman
Klassen, Provincial Director of the CSSM Ministries, and LaVerne
Jantz, a CSSM Camp Director, along with the owner, Albert Lutzer.
The possibility of developing an institutional camp in memory
of his son Dallas Lutzer was discussed.
-
- October, 1979: In the months following that first
visit to the property, a vision to develop Saskatchewan's first
Christian ranch camp formed in the minds and hearts of these
men. They requested a meeting with the Flying Creek Special Planning
Commission to discuss the possibility of building a camp. The
idea was well received by the members of the commission.
-
- June, 1980: The Saskatchewan Council of CSSM Ministries,
appointed a provisional board to proceed with development. LaVerne
Jantz was appointed as the first executive director.
-
- December, 1980: The property having been donated to
CSSM Ministries by Albert and Jean Lutzer in memory of their
son Dallas, the name "Dallas Valley Ranch Camp" was
officially adopted by the board.
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- April, 1981: A formal proposal was submitted to the
Planning Commission, who informed the board that the property
would need to be re-zoned for recreational land use. A detailed
master plan would also need to be submitted. This plan was developed
over the summer and submitted in August, but it immediately ran
into problems due to environmental concerns.
-
- February, 1982: A revised plan was submitted to the
Planning Commission and to Environment Saskatchewan. This met
with approval, and the re-zoning process proceeded. By September,
1982, the re-zoning was officially confirmed, and the board had
the green light to proceed with development.
-
- November, 1982: Construction of the main roadway and
riding complex begin.
-
 April, 1983:
Construction was started on the first building, a duplex cabin
which would house the kitchen and dining room.
-
- July, 1983: The gates swing open for the first time
and two camp sessions were held on the new site. Forty eight
campers attended Dallas Valley that first summer.
The Journey Continues.
- Spring, 1984: Four camper cabins were completed each
housing eight campers and their leader(s).
-
- July 22, 1984: An outdoor service was held on site
to dedicate the camp and its ministry to God. Rev. Erwin Lutzer,
pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, and uncle of Dallas Lutzer,
was the guest speaker. About 500 guests attended the service.
-
- 1985: Development of our first well on the property
and the building of the pole barn and tack room were completed.
An additional camper cabin was also added.
-
- 1986: "Hoofbeats," our current newsletter,
is birthed to replace the traditional 'prayer letters' that were
being sent to staff and supporters.
The "Hub," our program lodge on the lower level, was
built along with another camper cabin.
-
- 1987: Camper enrolments had increased every year but
we had always been able to accommodate all of the campers who
registered. In 1987, however, we were first faced with the unpleasant
task of turning away 100 youth due to a lack of room. 'Waiting
lists' and insufficient space to accommodate everyone has been
with us every year since that time. 1987 also saw the completion
of our medical center on the lower level.
-
- 1990: The first plans for the 'Ranch House' appear
on the drawing board.
-
- 1991: Shortage of water had become a grave concern
by this time. An additional well had been brought in but very
dry conditions during the later 1980's had left our water supply
in a very critical state. Planning for the construction of a
water reservoir began in 1990 and the construction of the dam
was completed in the spring of 1991. This reservoir has proven
to be the lifeline of our camp water supply. It also provided
us with a small lake for swimming and canoeing.
-
- 1993: 'Pursuing the Vision' is launched. This project
would become the centerpiece of the camp's facilities. It was
projected in three phases. Phase 1: Kitchen and dining room,
recreation room, office and first aid room, estimated to cost
$150,000. Phase 2: Swimming pool. Phase 3: Hotel quality lodging
for 50-60 guests.
- Planning for the 'Ranch House' complete and approved, construction
of the building began in the late fall. The framing was completed
before the winter set in.
- LaVerne Jantz announced his retirement effective in September
of 1995 and plans were put in place to search for a replacement.
-
- 1994: Art Thiessen, who was serving as Director of
Athletics and Plant Manager at Millar College of the Bible, was
appointed to succeed Jantz as Executive Director in 1995. To
facilitate a smooth transition, the Thiessen family moved to
Dallas Valley in July and built a private home which has served
as their dwelling to this day. Art also worked as a program director
for several weeks that summer. He then spent the fall and winter
of 94-95 working on the Ranch House to bring it into use for
the 1995 camping season.
- Dallas Valley achieved Accredited Camp status with the Saskatchewan
Camping Association in 1994 as well. Being an Accredited Camp
means that the camp meets all municipal, provincial and federal
government standards for institutional camps. These standards
cover areas such as health, safety, employment practices, condition
of facilities. Further to the government standards are the "desirable
practices" of the camping association which deal with matters
such as integrity in advertising, programming procedures and
content, development and training of staff, etc.
Being an Accredited Camp means that we have made a commitment
to excellence by operating our camp in a way deemed "desirable"
by the public and the camping industry.
-
- The Journey Gains Momentum.
- 1995: The 'Ranch House' opens
in time for the first summer session in July. The former building
that had housed our food service was renovated to provide two
more cabins for campers.
- September: LaVerne Jantz hands over the reins of leadership
to Art Thiessen. The transition proved to be very smooth, and
the momentum that had been building throughout the 80's and early
90's continued and increased.
-
- 1996: The first Climbing wall
was constructed which added another very attractive feature to
the skill program. Who said that camping is just for kids? We
conducted our first camp retreat for seniors in June. It was
well received by those who came. 50+ camps have been a part of
our summer program ever since.
-
- 1997: Discussions began in the late fall re the need
for the Dallas Valley board to engage in an intensive review
of the camp's operations and ministry. Initial planning began
to prepare for our first 'Strategic Planning' exercise.
-
- 1998: Initial planning began
for the construction of the shop and swimming pool.
- Dallas Valley makes its appearance on the world-wide web.
We're still there!
-
- 1999: The first 5-year strategic
plan, 1999-2004, was completed and approved in March. A strategic
planning committee was put in place by the camp board to give
leadership to the future/long range planning process.
- The shop was completed in the summer. At last we have a place
to fix things and store our equipment and supplies.
- Planning for the swimming pool became a top priority.
- The board began looking into the possibility of developing
a wilderness program as an extension of our resident program
at the camp. Negotiations began with the owner of Smoothstone
Lake Lodge as to the possibilities of a joint arrangement.
-
- 2000: A wilderness program
for teens was added to our summer program. Two camp sessions
were conducted at Smoothstone Lodge with positive results. Plans
were put in place to offer this experience on a yearly basis.
- Construction of the swimming pool began in late fall.
-
- 2001: The swimming pool was
completed in time for the summer program.
- Research began on the possibility of developing a satellite
campsite near to the main site. A number of options were perused.
A western theme was chosen with plans to build covered wagons
for camper housing. By late fall an area north of the camp was
selected and a site plan was approved. Trail and building sites
were laid out and brush/tree cutting was completed.
-
- 2002: Construction
of six covered wagons for the satellite site was completed. Conestoga,
or 'big wagon,' was chosen as the name for this new site.
- The board worked its way through another intensive strategic
planning process culminating in the approval of a 5-year, 2003-2008,
plan.
2003: Two more full time staff
positions were created to assist with the heavy workload carried
by our director. An administrative assistant and maintenance
manager were recruited and began their employment early in the
year.
- Planning for the Ranch House wing began in the spring.
Several concepts were considered.
- The 'Rumble Wagon,' Conestoga's dining room and food
service building, was completed along with the roads, sewage
lagoon, and the installation of utilities in time for the first
camp session in July. The addition of this new site and the ministry
opportunities that it presents is seen as another step forward
in the camp's efforts to reach teens for Jesus Christ.
- A new climbing wall and high ropes course was also
constructed and was ready for the summer program.
- By mid-fall the 'Bunkhouse,' a two story addition
to the Ranch House, was on the drawing board. Plans for fund
raising are ongoing with the beginning of construction slated
for the summer of 2004.
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