By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Bishop Mark Hagemoen visited Blackstrap Youth Camp July 25, meeting young campers, touring the facility, and taking part in activities and celebrating the Eucharist.
The Saskatoon Knights of Columbus launched the Blackstrap Youth Camp in 1972. Over the past 47 years, the summer camp has provided “a welcoming, faith-centred camp that offers youth a unique opportunity to grow in their spirituality by experiencing God through nature and the various activities planned throughout the camp.” (“Our Story”, BYC website).
Blackstrap Youth camp offers week-long camps throughout July and the beginning of August for children ages 8 to 14 years (registration is no longer available for this year). Older youth and young adults serve as leaders in the summer program.
Recent camp improvements undertaken by the Knights of Columbus have included renovations to the on-site chapel – the former St. Anthony church building from the Saskatchewan community of Blucher, moved onto the camp site several years ago.