By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

The Knights of Columbus summer camp usually held at the Blackstrap site and facilities south of Saskatoon will this year be offered as a Virtual Camp from home, as COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings and events continue in Saskatchewan.

Register for virtual camp: Blackstrap Youth Camp website

Rather than simply cancelling the Catholic summer camp experience, organizers are transforming the program into an online, virtual offering.

This year, the Blackstrap Youth Camp website provides details about the unusual 2020 camping season.

“Campers who register for our Virtual Camp Webinars will have the opportunity to participate in some traditional camp activities from home, while seeing some familiar faces from camp,” the site describes.

Virtual activities will be offered several times each week from July 6 to Aug. 7, 2020.

Webinars will be hosted by Blackstrap Youth Camp staff, who will lead campers through traditional camp activities such as bracelet making, tie-dye, variety night, praise and worship, faith testimonials, praying of the rosary, and counsellor question-and-answer sessions.

The Blackstrap Youth Camp website also notes:

• Campers will need access to a functional smartphone/computer that can support a virtual conference platform in order to be able to view the Virtual Camp Webinars.
• Registration will grant the camper access to all Virtual Camp Webinars for the entire camp season July 6 to Aug. 7.
• Those who register before June 15 receive a “Camp Care Package” to use during the webinars and a camp t-shirt at the end of the summer. (Each camper must be registered separately in order to receive camp materials and a t-shirt).

There is a minimum registration fee of $50 per camper for the virtual summer camp, with an opportunity to top-up that amount as an additional donation.