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- A Historical Snapshot of Dallas Valley
Ranch Camp
-
- 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.
-
- 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 enrollments 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.
-
- 2004:
- Planning for the addition of a full time riding director
position begins.
- Planning for additional housing for permanent staff
begins. This would be in addition to the permanent residence
of the executive director and the mobile home that serves as
a residence for the maintenance man.
- Final stage of planning for the Bunkhouse was completed
in the spring with excavation and building beginning in August.
- The Camp began working with other community residents and
businesses that are located on the east side of Boggy Creek regarding
the possibility of piping water from the Lumsden Water
Treatment Plant to Dallas Valley, estates and farms. (Project
name: Twin Valley Water User Association).
- The wilderness satellite program at Smoothstone Lake was
discontinued.
-
- 2005:
- Construction on the new staff duplex began in the
spring and one unit was ready for occupancy by late fall.
- The Bunkhouse was completed to the point where the
top floor could be used during the summer. Work on finishing
the facility continued throughout the year. This new facility
received its official name the Lodge.
- A new staff position for a permanent riding director
was created and filled.
-
- 2006:
- A new week-end retreat program Mid Way Get-Away, for adults
45-65 years, was introduced at the main campsite.
 Finishing work on
the staff duplex continued. Work continued on the 'finishing
touches' to the Lodge facility. The lounge room in the
Lodge was officially named Lutzer Lounge in honor of Albert
and Jean Lutzer's ongoing support of the camp.
- More covered wagons were added at Conestoga to increase the
capacity of that site.
-
- 2007:
- A new staff position for a permanent custodian was
created and filled.
- A contract position for a person to assist the executive
director with fund raising was created and filled.
- Planning began for a satellite Sports Camp in partnership
with Millar College of the Bible to begin in 2008.
- The camp board began to pursue the purchase of the Hanson
land across the valley.
- A consultant was engaged to lead the board and staff through
a major review of the camp's strategic planning process.
- Planning and fund raising began for the construction of the
indoor riding arena.
- A new mission statement was adopted, "to ignite and
nourish a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ through
a dynamic camp experience".
-
- 2008:
 Purchase of the
Hanson land (122 acres) across the valley was finalized.
- The camp purchased an additional parcel (57 acres) of land
south of the camp on the east side of Boggy Creek from the Dodds
family.
- The strategic planning committee continued to lead the board
through the development of a new strategic planning format
which included a statement of core values, vision statement,
and the identification the key result areas which will
be used for goal setting, developing a yearly action plan and
evaluation purposes.
- Dallas Valley celebrated the camp's 25th anniversary
in September.
- A low ropes course was developed along with a major
expansion to the Hub facility.
- The satellite Sports Camp at Millar College becomes a reality.
- Plans are completed and construction of the riding arena
begins.
-
- 2009:
- The camp board completed the development of the new strategic
planning process. Utilizing this process, the board now meets
at the beginning of each fiscal year to establish goals and develop
action plans for that year.
- Mountain boarding was introduced into the Main intermediate
and Conestoga teen programs.
- Work continued on the finishing of the riding arena.
-
- 2010:
 The
riding arena was completed and made ready for winter 2010-11.
- Plans were made and construction was completed for a cabin
at Conestoga to provide for a medical center and nurses residence.
This cabin also provides accommodation for the program director.
- Paintball was added to the teen programs. A paintball field
was developed to facilitate one of the major program components
of a new satellite camp - Xtreme Camp. Campers in this
new program were housed at Conestoga but planning began for an
all purpose building to provide camper and cabin leader quarters,
food service, and washrooms for participants in 2011.
- Plans were developed and a full-time staff position created
and filled to begin a follow-up ministry to our summer campers.
This took on the form of weekly Riding Clubs utilizing
the new riding arena. Each club meeting includes a riding lesson
and a short Bible challenge.
- The camp board executive finally completed a major update
of the Camp Operations Handbook. This document will be
updated yearly to keep it current.
-
- 2011:
 Planning
and construction of the Xtreme Camp Lodge took place in
the spring and the building was completed to the point where
it could by used during the summer 2011 Xtreme program.
- Patterned after the Riding Clubs program, a new Xtreme
Clubs program was added in September of 2011. These clubs
utilize the paintball program and the high and low ropes skills
and the climbing wall as their main activities. A short Bible
lesson is a part of every club meeting. A college intern staff
position was created and filled to provide leadership for
this program through the fall-spring of 2011-12.
 After years of dreaming
a water distribution building with reservoirs and pressure
pumps replaced the original system where one well pump provided
water to every tap and toilet at Dallas Valley.
- The camp's 'dugout' became a Water Park with the addition
of some huge 'toys'.
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