In the summer of 1926, sixteen young girls sat on rough benches on a makeshift porch of an old boat-house, looking out over the tranquil waters of Maple Bay glistening in the summer sun, listening to a Bible story.

Thus began Camp Imadene.

Miss Lenore Rice, a visionary with a heart to see young people discipled in their Christian faith, saw the opportunity to hold a camp at her father's boathouse.This very quickly developed into an annual activity with campers sleeping in the woodshed, the garage, on the veranda or in tents on the small property. Dishes were washed in a galvanized washtub, and the cooking was limited to the ingredients available.

Outhouses were the only bathroom facilities, completing the rustic facilities. In the early days camper fees for a 10-day camp were $1.50, but since it was the Depression, many could not even afford that, and so a Free Camp was offered for all children who completed a program of Bible memorization. For many campers this was the only holiday they had ever experienced.

In 1934 Lenore invited Huron and Ida Sheppard to come help her with the winter clubs and activities with the children on the island, and in 1936 she left the summer camping ministry in their capable hands while she returned to make her home in England. Living on a very limited income and working hard both summer and winter they developed networks with the children on the island and improved the camp property and program at Maple Bay.

During the years many upgrades were made to the property to make it a more suitable camping facility. Additional property was purchased -- eventually reaching a grand total of 5 acres! A chapel was built and new cabins constructed. Much of the work was done by Huron Sheppard, learning many new skills in order to keep up with the demands of a growing camping ministry. Huron was very good at relating to children and was a gifted story-teller.

Many children learned about the love of God through his Bible stories - many lives were changed dramatically. His wife Ida, during the summer, carried the heavy load of supervising the kitchen and acting as Camp Nurse. The Sheppards continued in these roles for 30 years without a summer off!

Upgrades were also done to the old boathouse - an add-on kitchen and sun-room, electricity, running water, etc., but because the building was so old and heavily used, and was built so low to the water, winter storms and high tides inflicted serious damage. Storms in the winters of 1965/66 and 1967/68 caused enough damage that the decision was reached in 1968 to replace the building. The last camp in the old boathouse was held in 1969.

When camps began in 1970, the new building was complete with a new kitchen and dining room on the main floor overlooking the water, a recreation room on the lower level and staff accommodation and bathroom facilities on the upper level. It was a huge improvement over the previous facilities.

By this time nine week long camps were held each summer, each having a capacity of 120 campers. As the Maple Bay area continued to develop the pressure felt by the camp was not so much the buildings, but the small property and especially the heavy traffic in the bay. Marinas abutted the camp property on each side, and heavy traffic from boats and float-planes made the bay very congested. It eventually became necessary to limit the waterfront activities in order to ensure camper safety.

As the'70's progressed, the pressures of size and congestion began to force the leadership at Camp Imadene to consider relocation. In 1981 a suitable site was located in the Cowichan Valley, a 55-acre site beside beautiful Mesachie Lake. In 1982 an offer was made and accepted to purchase this property, including the rights to the lakebed.

Plans were then made to begin development of the new site and seek a buyer for the Maple Bay site. Because of various delays, the sale of Maple Bay was not finalized until late 1991. The intervening 9 years allowed for much initial development of the Mesachie Lake site, including the drilling of a well, the installation of a septic field, construction of field washrooms, re-roofing of the old dry-shed, construction of a swimming beach area, and much more.

The winter of 1991/92 was very busy as the camp was moved to Mesachie Lake. The ten cabins from Maple Bay were moved to the new site, as well as the 'hospital'. A contractor was hired to build the new dining room/kitchen/administration building with adjoining multi-purpose room, and a separate 12 room staff lodge. On July 15, 1992 camp began at the new site with 120 campers. Because of God's faithfulness and provision the camping season was not lost in the move to Mesachie Lake.

In the years that have followed the move, much work has been done at the 'new' Camp Imadene. Another staff lodge has been constructed, the Dry Shed has been refurbished to make a very useful gymnasium facility with attached class rooms. A tuck shop has been added, along with an attached day care room for staff children. Numerous improvements have been made on the property and waterfront so that today Camp Imadene is a modern, spacious facility on a pristine lake.

God has truly been faithful!!!