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Our STAFF

Our staff have been carefully chosen and especially trained to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each camper. Each camp has a nurse on staff for the distribution of medication and other medical care while other care-giving staff have been trained to provide for the physical care that the special needs of each camper demands.

Our History


1980

Dave Griffin and friends start the idea rolling.

1981

First integrated children's camp at Hope Bay. (Pender Island, BC)

1982

Diane Hay arrives on the scene to act as first director.

* First adult camp held at Hope Bay.

1985

Bible studies started at Pearson Centre. (Vancouver, BC )

1986

Adult camp at Maple Springs Bible Camp. (Peachland, BC )

• First Squamish retreat for physically challenged adults.

1988

Respite camp for children in Surrey, BC.

* Second week of adult mentally challenged camp at Hope Bay.

1993

Karen Tidswell serves as assistant director.

1995

Diane Hay retires.

1996

Ray and Sharon Johnson and Bob and Cheri Ayers come on stream. Ray served that summer before returning for more education. He served for several more summers. The Ayers served for ten years.

• Clearwater Bible Camp opens for mentally challenged adult camp.

1997

Second week of camp for mentally challenged camp adults at Peachland.

• Integrated children's camp at Peachland.

1998

Camp for mentally challenged adults in Cariboo country at Ness Lake Bible Camp. (Prince George, BC )

2000 - 2001

John and Mary Ellen Keno ran camps in the Cariboo.

2001 - 2007

Keno's directed camps at Hope Bay, Port Alberni and White Rock, until family obligations forced retirement.

2002

Okanagan camp transferred from Peachland to Winfield.

2005

Ayers retire due to health issues.

2008

One week of camp is held at Maple Springs, under the direction of Jacquie Bolen.

2008

Heather and Andrea Keno ran six weeks of camps for female campers in Port Alberni.

2009

The Okanagan camp is moved to Elkcanoe Children's Camp, just outside of Salmon Arm.

2011

Two weeks of summer camp were held for adults, both with mental and physical disabilities.

2017

Three weeks of summer camp were held, and two weekend retreats: spring and fall.

• May we always remember to give God the glory for His work through Amasa.

2023

Dan & Pearl Hiemstra become new camp directors and Jacquie Bolen retires to become Amasa Camp Board Member.