From our 1975 application:

The Story and History of Camp Chamisall.

Back in the Fall of 1960 a few men got together to consider the possibility of the Alliance Church of Calgary, operating a summer camping program.  As a result of the initial discussion and planning, a one week camp program got underway in the summer of 1961.  It was a great success.

The first week of camp was held at the campground of the Mission Covenant Church at Pigeon Lake, Alberta.  This camp site has since ceased to exist.  Subsequent to the initial try at ”Youth Camp ’61”�, we moved on to bigger and better things, eventually renting the camp facilities of the Canadian Sunday School Mission at Gull Lake, which we used for several years.  It was during this period that the camp became known as Camp Chamisall.

From our humble beginnings in 1961, each successive year of camping has become even more thrilling than the last one.  Through the years from 1961 to 1968, some 980 campers attended.  More than 290 workers assisted in this great ministry.  However, these figures, as great as they are were to be dwarfed by what was about to happen.

During the last half of the 60’s, several of our camping people became more and more convinced that we needed out own camp facility.  The timing for such an idea was all wrong.  Foothills Alliance was in the throes of building up a new congregation and church building, and First Alliance too was embarked on a new building program.  There was no extra money anywhere.

But, out Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine.  money has never been an obstacle to God.  He said ”Go Ahead”.  Where did the financing come from? Well, we really don’t know.  A few dollars from here and there, from many hundreds of individuals, soon become sufficient to make the bare beginnings of a start and our new site was used in the summer of 1969.

Many stories could be told of the hours of planning that went into the camp building in the spring of 1969.  It is quite a thrill to be planning a building which will cost about $6,000.00 when there is only about $30.00 in your bank account.  It is even more exciting when you buy the material on credit and start construction, without knowing where the money will come from.  But God said, ”DO IT”€�, so we stepped out in total faith.  When the summer of 1969 was over, the building was up and all of our bills were paid.  The entire project of building Camp Chamisall became known as the “miracle in the Waiparous”€�.  Truly, the Waiparous River had never seen anything like what was going to happen over the ensuing years.

The property selected is a 12 acre, 20 year leased site in the Bow-Crow forest reserve, 60 miles North West of Calgary.  The cost; One dollar per year.

All through the building years from 1969 till now, God’s hand has moved in miraculous ways to provide us with what is now a most modern, heated facility with one of the most beautiful settings anywhere in the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies.  Much thanks must go to the hundreds of God’s people who have of their time and money to make this work possible.  Some labored virtually every spring weekend over the past 6 years to make the camp program a reality for you and me, and our young people.  Now that out building is almost complete, it is possible to stop and view in better perspective all that so many have given to this fantastic and unique ministry.

Over the years, God’s Blessing has been very evident.  Hundreds of young people, and yes, even adults have come to know Jesus Christ in a vibrant living way.  All the hours of work and the may thousands of dollars spent, have been well worth it, as we see God at work in so many lives!

THE RESULTS: ?? ----  378 Known Spiritual Decisions.