History of Eagle Bay Ministry Centre

Shantymen missionary Curt Bork and Dr. O. Clappison founded the camp in 1962. It was to be an outreach to both white and First Nations youth in the Interlake region of Manitoba, and a follow-up to summer Daily Vacation Bible School classes that had been held on local reserves. It quickly expanded its program to six weeks of summer camp. In 1963, the camp was named “The Kenneth McLennan Memorial Bible Camp” in honour of a chapel speaker from the previous summer who had died suddenly.

Aaron Friesen was the unofficial Director of the camp (and pastor of the local Hilbre Gospel Chapel) from 1965-1972. It was during this time that dorm buildings were purchased from Manitoba Hydro and moved to the property from the Grand Rapids Dam Construction.

Private Bunkie built in 2004

Shantymen Doug & Gena Reader became the next directors, from 1973-1977. Buses were donated in order to provide transportation from the reserves and the camp relied heavily on donations of food and finances in order to meet the camp’s needs.

Jim & Bea McAnlis served as Directors from 1978-1980. During those years, the Health Department ordered the buildings on the property moved to higher ground. By June 1979, volunteer workers moved all the buildings to their present locations. The camp was renamed “Hilbre Bible Camp”, registration fees increased to $25/week and a camper sponsorship fund was initiated.

Hugh & Corrine Ronald directed the camp from 1981-1986 and began year-round follow-up in the local native communities. They were assisted by Shirley Frederick beginning in 1981, Scott Gillespie in 1983 and Bert & Dolly Anderson on maintenance the same year. Hugh and Shirley were tragically killed in a plane crash on Jan. 28/87 while on a return trip from a Bible Study group in Crane River. A memorial cairn and the current Tuck Shop were erected as tributes to their testimonies and service.
Doug Reader once again provided leadership with the assistance of Scott Gillespie, Margaret Rios, Sharon Ives and Scott & Ruth Kelusky. In 1990, Addy Oberlin joined Shantymen Christian Association and lived and worked at Hilbre Bible Camp for five years. The Kelusky’s eventually became full-time Directors and served until the end of 1996.

Manitoba winters are beautiful - Eagle Bay cabin in the sun

The camp operated without a full-time Director and on a reduced scale from 1997-1999.Rick & Elizabeth Greer became Directors in the summer of 2000 until end of camp season 2007. In 2001, the name of the camp was changed to “Eagle Bay Camp & Retreat Centre” with a minor change in 2005 to “SCA Eagle Bay Camp & Ministry Centre”. Chad & Coby Bruneski joined the ministry team in 2004 and seasonal volunteers Tom & Mary Fox have donated countless hours of maintenance and project work, program support and counseling since 2001. William Watson joined in July 2007 as Program Director. He became Interim Leader as of September 2007 and in October 2007 until January 2008, William Watson was appointed Acting Director and Chad Bruneski was appointed as Associate Director. Also, the name changed to SCA Eagle Bay Ministry Centre & Camp. May 1, 2008, SCA Eagle Bay welcomed Jonathan Welch as Director and Chad Bruneski continues as Associate Director.