Camp Grafton is nestled on beautiful Magna Bay on the North Arm of Shuswap Lake, just 1 ½ hours’ drive (2 miles, 100 km) from Kamloops, B.C. The camp features a beautiful, natural waterfront swimming area and 45 acres of trees and creeks, with accommodations for residential retreats and community events. There are five sleeping cabins, a large dining hall/kitchen, boathouse and over 3,000 feet of tunnel-accessed lakefront. As well, there is a lovely outdoor chapel, a playing field, trails to hike or ski on, and a group-sized campfire pit. Camp Grafton offers a full range of summer camp programs for children and youth, run by our caring and qualified staff. The shoulder seasons and some summer weeks are available for use by the community at large. The site is owned by Kamloops United Church.
Staff
Our Staff
Camp Grafton’s staff provides quality, caring leadership. All staff participate in intensive pre-season training. Each cabin of 8 campers is supervised by two leaders, maintaining a camper-leader ratio of four to one. Our cook provides nutritious, well balanced, delicious meals & snacks. A First Aid attendant is on duty to attend to campers’ medical needs and our two lifeguards ensure everyone’s safety at the waterfront. The Camp Grafton Society prides itself in hiring and maintaining an excellent, qualified staff.
About
Our History
The camp property was purchased in 1955 by Dr. Hartley Grafton of Kamloops on behalf of the Boy Scouts and Kamloops United Church (KUC). Boys' Camps were held there in the original cabins and dining hall until the late '60s, when the first Girls' Camps were run. Co-ed camping began a few years later. Teen, adult, and family camps were also popular in the '80s.
The original dining hall collapsed under heavy snowfall in 1975; the present building was built in 1978. The tool shed and replacements for four of the original cabins were also built in the '70s.
Until the year 2002, Kamloops United Church has held the primary responsibility for the camp's program and facility, although other institutions have assisted in many important ways over the years. Now, the camp is still owned by KUC but the control over program and facility rest with the Camp Grafton Society, made up of representatives of several church denominations, and the community at large.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to:
- Provide campers of all ages with a camp experience that is safe, enjoyable, and challenging.
- Encourage environmental awareness and spiritual growth in an ecumenical Christian atmosphere.
- Stress fairness, diversity, and tolerance.
- Provide a facility suitable for use by other community-building organizations and individuals.