Over the past 10 years Camp Kintail has been dedicated to expanding and improving our programs, activities and buildings. In this period we have experienced wonderful growth and improvements to the point where our site has reached its capacity for further expansion of the mission. Several years ago, the Camp Kintail Board along with Kintail staff, alumni, and local ministers worked with consultants to begin a Master Planning process. The goal of this Master Plan was to identify the strengths and needs of the ministry and develop a plan for the future of Camp Kintail.
Out of this process, it was determined that Camp Kintail must undertake its first major Capital Fundraising Campaign since the 1970s in order to prepare the site and ministry for future growth and expansion. The result of this decision is the Space to Grow Capital Campaign, which aims to raise $1.2 million over several years in order to facilitate the three phase Master Plan.
This is a major endeavor for the Kintail community and we hope for enthusiastic support of this campaign. We are excited about the future of Camp Kintail and encourage you to read about the three phases of the campaign below.
One of the most successful programs at Kintail is our Outdoor Adventure camp, known fondly as ODA. Outdoor Adventure Camp has a focus on nature and campers spend as much time outside surrounded by God’s creation as possible. One of the most unique things about ODA is that they prepare and eat a portion of the meals outside over a fire; a connection to food and nature which is so important for children to experience.
Considering the success and impact of this program the first phase of Space to Grow was to develop a new campsite to be used primarily by Outdoor Adventure. Three yurts were purchased and installed down in the Glen, along with a fully accessible wheelchair ramp. This unique campsite set apart in the woods is the perfect place for the ODA campers to experience nature and community. We are very proud of our Yurt village and encourage you to visit it the next time you are on the Kintail site!
Yurt Village from the Glen Ramp
Yurt Village prior to construction of wheelchair ramp connecting Yurts
Yurt Village in winter after construction of connecting wheelchair ramp
Interior view of a Yurt
Construction of the Glen wheelchair ramp
Construction of the Yurt platforms
During the Master Planning meetings, it was acknowledged that the most important program we run at Kintail is our Leader in Training (LIT) program. LIT is a month-long leadership camp for 16-year-olds and they learn leadership skills to use at camp, school, church and community. LIT is often a transformational experience and an integral part of the ministry at Kintail. In order to support this program Kintail has constructed a new building called The Nest in the south field to house the leader in training program and accommodate some other important needs of the Kintail community.
This new building includes four LIT cabins with private bathrooms and new washroom and shower facilities to accommodate the growing camper population. It also includes new hotel style guest accommodations which expands the variety of groups we can house on the site and provide some much-needed staff housing for Kintail’s growing staff. This space will also be used for Kintail’s chaplains and volunteers.
This building is currently the primary focus of the fundraising efforts and construction began October of 2017 and construction was completed in June 2018. Please take a look at some photos of the completed building along with some photos from the construction process!
Johnathon breaking ground on Phase 2 of Space to Grow!
Top soil being stripped of the building site.
Excavation for the foundation in progress.
Footings for the foundation poured.
Foundation being poured.
The foundation emerges as the forms are taken off!
Completed foundation with wrap.
First floor being framed.
Second floor framing, getting ready to put up the roof trusses.
Roof trusses being put into place.
Completed shell of the building.
Interior finishing, basement being wired, plumbed and insulated.
Flooring being installed in an LIT room.
Siding being installed.
At Kintail we constantly strive to create an open and welcoming environment for all who visit the site. The last phase of the project will be to build a new Welcome Center at the entrance to camp as the first place for guests to stop and be welcomed into the community. This building will include new office facilities and more hotel style accommodations for guests.
This building will expand the accommodation types available on our site and allow us to host a larger variety of groups and families. A centralized welcome center and camp offices will improve the guest experience and further Kintail’s philosophy of creating a welcoming community for all.
