Gimli Bible Camp is thrilled they can run camp this summer and hoping the day camps they run in July might turn into overnight in August, depending on restrictions.

"July is going to look like it did last year. We could only do day camps so we would bus children up from the city from a different area of the city every day," says Don Roe, the Director of Gimli Bible Camp.

The areas of Winnipeg they pick up children for day camp include North Kildonan, North End, Elmwood, and the West Side.

"Last year went so well that we will probably be going ahead and incorporate what we learned into our regular programming. We only ministered to 135 kids instead of our 500 plus, and because of our extra attention the kids got was such an amazing experience for everybody that we have to figure out how to do that each year."

Roe has seen incredible growth in many of the children who were able to attend last year. 

"We had one little boy, last year he would have been 10, coming since he was six. He was miserable. We gave him one particular staff member. I actually saw him smile, first time I had ever since that, it was amazing. By the end of the week, he was talking to his cabin leader, about life."

Another story Roe shared was about a girl who had always been kicked out of the camp, had a change of heart.

"We gave her a one-on-one person. She was doing some crafts one day, I went in to say hi and instead of growling at me, she talked to me," he says.

Most of the activities are the same as a regular camp year, simply done outside and socially distant. However, Gimli Bible Camp is hoping more will come. 

"In August we are actually holding out to see whether or not we will be able to be allowed to run overnight camps."

The camp still has spots open for kids to join in the day camps in July. They are also looking for a few more volunteers when it comes to male cabin leaders and a lifeguard. Anyone interested can call the camp at 1-204-642-5707.

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