Summer Kids' Camp

Having heard about Keats Camp, a summer camp for kids, from those responsible for its operation, twenty-five of us took the church bus to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, where we boarded a water ferry. It took about an hour to get to Keats Island which is directly across a narrow strip of water from Gibsons, where “The Beachcombers,” the television program was filmed. We would see the camp and how kids spend their week.

Those in charge, said kids would be happy on the island even if they had to sleep in tents. Instead, numerous cabins provided superior accommodation. Beautifully finished inside, each accommodated 14 neat bunk beds. Skylights illuminated up-to-date washrooms. The workmanship in such fine cabins reflected the love and skill of handy men who contributed freely of their time. We were taken to other buildings too, in which meals were served and gatherings were held. Central outside green space was adequate for games, and a convenient hall complete with sofas, a TV, tables for Ping-Pong and Snooker, provided recreation facilities for the staff. A naval-style flagpole and a large anchor nearby accented the overall nautical theme.

Staff composed of energetic university students motivates the young campers. Permanent staff members include the chairman of the board, camp director and general manager of all operations. The general manager’s responsibilities are considerable, because of the need to make repairs on dwellings and other buildings in the camp complex, neglected for years before the present executive took over. His own house, which is three stories, is being renovated, and will include a new roof. It is a similar situation for the camp director’s house. Presently,  a tarpaulin covers his roof, waiting the date for repairs. Some friends discussed plans to drape a permanent canvas over the Quonset tool shed. The vinyl has been made to size. They are anxious to safeguard the tools and equipment from rust. The time for six or eight men to work together must be coordinated. The same men would like to interest a group to finance buying a tractor-mower, which will cost six thousand dollars.

While looking out the third story window of the general manager’s house, I watched with interest, a group of kids enjoying their water slide. They could have been thirteen or fourteen years old. A long strip of vinyl had been spread down the hill, and a stream of water was running over it. Kids would take a run and slide, either on a piece of plastic or without it. It didn’t seem to matter if they were out of control and collided with one another. Lots of hooting and hollering indicated they were enjoying the activity immensely. From a second story window, I saw a group of kids and their staff member heading down to the docks for a swim. The day was gorgeous, nice and hot, just right for swimming at camp.

A stroll through the tall evergreen trees and over rocks took us down to the docks where campers were swimming. It was obvious they enjoyed it, and so we had to stop and watch their numerous fancy dives. Kids love an audience and they surely performed for one another and for us. There were two powerful motor boats ready for those who would water-ski.

I learned from the general manager, that he draws the plans and figures out materials required for any buildings needed. He orders them from the lumberyard at Gibsons. They don’t have to come from Vancouver. (Groceries too, are ordered from Gibsons.) He and volunteers familiar with building are invited to work together for the construction.

A delicious lunch was served to our group of twenty-five and the camp director told us of the plans they had to improve the camp and how the executive plans to finance them. With 1500 or so campers during the summer and various church groups coming to spend a few days at conventions, along with money regularly subscribed, their huge budget is met. Keats Camp is a great place for kids to spend a week or two in the summer. Here, they can enjoy the great out of doors and be amazed at the mountainous scenery. God’s creation can be appreciated to a far greater extent out there on Keats Island, than anywhere imaginable.

An hour’s ride back to the Ferry Terminal and our bus ride home completed the morning and afternoon. Everyone enjoyed the day immensely and we were home in time for supper.

All on a Sunday

Sunday began early. We arose at six AM, had breakfast and left White Rock BC for Vancouver, to be there for the Provincial Track Meet. Our two grandsons, 10 and 12 years old, would be competing and the first race would begin at 8:30. The younger of the two lads ran first, -in the 800-metre race. He came in second. His opponent, who he had beaten before, had grown since the last race and his legs were just that much longer. He had also become stronger. Consolation for our lad was to be assured that he ran the course faster than he had last year. He was enlightened, and he expects to do well next time, after growing some more. He intends to train every day.



Our older grandson ran in the 1200-metre race. It was exciting to watch. He drew alongside his opponent, challenging him in the last stretch to the finish line and won, but only by a step. After congratulating both of our grandsons, we drove back to White Rock, to attend church service. It was a sunny day and we felt there was much to accomplish.



After lunch, I took my pipes to the forest area and found a clearing in the trail to do some fine-tuning and rehearsing for the birthday party for which I would be playing that afternoon. Something interesting happened. A lady, who had been listening, came over and said she liked the pipes very much and that she had a Scottish background. She said her maiden name was Buchanan. I introduced myself as Dr. MacDonald. She asked, “Are you Dr. Keith MacDonald?” I replied affirmatively, wondering how she would know. Was it because she had seen The Church Piper music books that I published, or that she knew me from the International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers? When she said she had been Judy Buchanan before she was married, I recognized her as having been my brother’s dental assistant after she graduated from High School. She reminded me that my brother, Ken and I, played the pipes for her wedding. That would have been 40 years ago. Her face was familiar. She said that she and Tom now have two daughters, and the dog, which she was taking for a walk in the forest. She lived in a nearby town and was in White Rock for the day, visiting one of her daughters. I guess you’d have to say, “It’s a small world.”



I went home and dressed in my MacDonald Highland outfit, had a quick bite and drove to the birthday party in Surrey. The map gave a very clear route and it wasn’t far to the home where the party would take place.



Being ahead of the scheduled arrival time, I tuned up in preparation for the arrival of the man whose 90th birthday party was to be celebrated. In my strategic spot on the back deck, I got the signal from the kitchen when to begin playing “Happy Birthday.” You can be sure the elderly gentleman and his wife were pleasantly surprised to be piped into the presence of their family and friends. In the spirit of the moment, “Let’s Have a Ceilidh,” was a great welcoming song to be played on the pipes.



A young Highland dancer demonstrated several dances and I continued with a few old familiar Scottish songs such as, “The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen,” “I Belong to Glasgow,” “The Road to the Isles,” and “Scotland the Brave.”



It was a wonderful day for an outdoor party, and everyone was enjoying it immensely, particularly the elderly couple who were originally from Scotland. What an appropriate celebration for one who is 90 years old and still able to enjoy being with his family and friends. It had been a joyous day for me as well, and I would be able to tell my own family and friends all that had transpired that Sunday.