Our History
1943
Redberry started its journey under the camp name Sand Beach Bible Camp. The need for a MB children's camp was on the hearts of the church. A search was made, and a suitable site was found on the shore of Mistawasis Lake, thirty miles northeast of Hafford.
1945
Four new cabins and a new dining hall were built at Sand Beach.
David Niessen directed the 2 weeks of children’s camps, and Jake Epp directed the youth camps.
Kitchen volunteers included Margaret Schroeder, Elsie Voth, Tillie Wiens, and Ann Remple.
Nick Willems was the Field Director from 1947-1951.
1952/53
The Sand Beach location had poor road conditions leading into the camp and the site was deemed to be too far from many of the target campers. Therefore in 1952 it was decided that the camp should look for a new location. Redberry Lake was chosen as the new location; the camp paid $350 for a 27.7 Acre portion of land. Because of a polio outbreak in 1952 summer camping was forbidden. It was seen as an ideal year to move the camp.
There were 250 campers the first year at the new camp location.
1959
The first camp board was selected, with members:
Jake Kroeker (Brotherfield)
Albert Loewen (Dalmeny)
D.W. Berg (Waldheim)
J.R. Wall (Borden)
Corny Braun was camp director from 1959-61, teaching at Bethany during the winter.
1964
Camp gets electricity!
1965-69
Summer Directors:
George Reimer (Pastor at Hague Ferry) 1965
George Block (Bethany faculty) 1966
Ike Bergen (Swift Current Pastor) 1967
David Bergen (Bethany) 1968
George Dirks (Bethany) 1969
1967
Clay road is built to the lake.
Bathroom facilities are built.
1968
First family camp:
10 families were in attendance
Horseback riding became a camp skill.
1970-74
Irvin Penner (Blaine Lake Pastor) was camp director (1970-72); the first to be hired on a year round (part time) basis.
Camp attendance is closer to 450 per summer.
1973-74
Wes Willems serves as summer time director.
Boys canoe camps were offered.
1975
First full time director is hired, Reuben & Tina Andres, who was director until 1977.
First full time maintenance family is hired, Ed & Lorna Funk, followed by Gerald & Eleanor Epp in 1976.
Maintenance Projects:
Winterized sewer & water system is installed
Corral was moved and enlarged
Toboggan hill was landscaped
700 trees were planted
1977
Golf ball sized hail storm halts activities for a day, and causes small amount of property damage.
A canoeing instructor lost a tooth when the wind flipped a canoe into his face!
1978
The first spring staff team is hired, with 4 members.
1980
Swimming pool is built!
Horsemanship program, led by Dianne Fehr, has 20 horses.
1984
Ray & Loretta Buckert become the maintenance family on site.
1987
James Carter becomes first “executive” director.
1988
Jon & Valerie Redekop become maintenance family.
Wendell Andres is hired as interim director.
1989
New executive director Rod & Adeline Willems.
Windsurfing becomes a skill.
Camp purchased 2 used sail boats.
1990
Camp introduces a new logo (tree).
540 campers, 37 first time commitments.
“Project Pelican”:
A study was done that showed the many bird species on the lake.
Cabins were renamed after birds.
1992
Tim & Lynda Klassen hired as site manager family.
Spring staff team is renamed “Advance Team”.
1995-97
Wall climbing tower is built.
Lydon Gliege becomes Executive Director.
Current gym/chapel facility is built (1996).
Wendell Andres becomes Executive Director (1997).
Dave Harms is hired as site manager (1997).
2003
Jim Nightengale becomes Executive Director.
Associate Director Wendy Sawatzky.
2005
3 quarters of farm land is purchased:
Camp now partners with Harvest for Kids and the Hepburn MB church to farm our land.
Tim Harms becomes site manager.
Wayne Dick is Executive Director.
Ian Klassen is Associate Director.
2007
Wendell Andres returns for the 3rd time as Executive Director.
Jeff Siemens becomes Associate Director (April 2008).
2010
Jeff Siemens becomes Executive Director.
Joeline Magil becomes Associate Director.
2013
David Seeley becomes Executive Director.
New wall climbing structure is built (2014).
2015
Derek Dyck joins the full time staff as Director of Administration.
Myrd Harder becomes the Facilities Director.
Katie McDonald becomes Associate Director.
Redberry introduces Saskatoon Day Camps out of Hope Fellowship Church.
2018
Keldy Regier is hired as Associate Director (Oct 2017).
Roland Thiessen becomes Executive Director (April 2018).
Camp has over 850 campers!
Over 40 recorded first time commitments to Christ, with many more rededications!
New camp week is introduced: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Camp.
Campers choose between volleyball, horsemanship, or targets as a camp activity focus.
This camp brought in 25 new campers who had never been to camp before!
Camp theme is Legacy to celebrate 75 years of God’s amazing faithfulness!
2023
Celebrated 80 years of camp ministry with Redberry Bible Camp!
Dave Carey is hired as Executive Director (Feb 2023).
Sarah Braun is hired as Associate Director (Mar 2023).
George Hembery joins the team part time as Director of Programs and Development (Feb 2023).
Emma Berg joins the team part time as the Office Manager (Sept 2023).
2024
George Hembery is hired as Associate Director (Sept 2024).
Emma Berg is hired as Director of Operations (Sept 2024).
Pole Barn was built and was dedicated to Blaine Lake Gospel Chapel.