Keats Camps History
In 1922 the Convention of Baptist Churches of BC appointed a camp committee. Its instructions were quite specific: “to enquire into, and investigate, the desirability of establishing a permanent Baptist Summer conference and camp, the design of which is to furnish, chiefly, a rallying place for young people of our churches and congregations, and to combine in its program, instruction, inspiration, recreation and rest.”
Heritage buildings at Keats Camps
By 1926, the committee had located and purchased an option on a former farm on the West end of Keats Island. That first summer a cook shack was erected, an old well repaired, and camp was ready to host families for the first “Assembly” on Keats Island. While the actual dates and number who attended are not known, the camp was a great success in spite of the crude conditions.
Keats Island Baptist Camp 1967
Funding the $12,000 purchase price for the original 430 acres was becoming a challenge. It was through the creativity of five Baptist businessmen that Keats Island Summer Homes Limited was created in order to lease cottage lots adjacent to the campsite. Lots sold for between $350 for a waterfront lot to $200 for a second or third row lot. Enough lots were sold on an ongoing basis to successfully meet the financial obligations of the purchase. In 1956 with the property paid for, the company was dissolved and the Convention once again assumed ownership of the property, which after the sale of some of the land originally purchased, now comprised the current 230 acres. In the end 110 lots had been created.
Church at Keats in the 60's
Primarily Baptists from the Convention churches purchased the lots and simple summer cottages were built on the sites.
Junior Girls Camp 1967
While all this was taking place planning and building was underway. The first caretaker, Mr Reed, was hired and moved to the island in 1927. He cleared land, repaired the well, and created a trail to what became known as Sandy Beach. His only help in this endeavour was an old horse named Prince who had been acquired with the property. The Assembly Hall was built in 1926, a permanent kitchen and covered eating area soon followed, and tent platforms eventually gave way to sleeping cabins for campers arranged in a row at the top of the hill facing the village of Gibsons across the water.
In the 70′s Rob Bentall introduced the nautical theme to the camp and rearranged the cabins creating the large grassy area, which became the centre of the camp. Staff titles and activities also reflected the nautical theme, which ushered in an era of growth for the camp.*
In 2003, as the result of a $2.5 million capital campaign, a new building containing dining, kitchen, and assembly rooms was built replacing the kitchen, which with numerous additions had been in continuous use since the 1920′s. This allowed the camper population to grow to over 200 per week. We have, however, had some of our older cabins closed for renovations for the past 2 summers, dipping our capacity temporarily. We are happy to report that we will be able to re-open 1 more cluster of cabins (30 camper beds) for summer 2011, bringing our capacity back to 180 campers during any given week.
*Source: The Keats Island Story by Gordon H. Pousett. Updated for the 75th anniversary of Keats Camps in 2001 and available in the Keats Camps office.
