Camp History

The history of Camp Sunrise dates back to the year 1925, when Colonel Arch Layman, the newly appointed Divisional Commander, found there was no camp for the Vancouver area and immediately set out to resolve the difficulty. He states “the opportunities for securing a camp were few. I looked over the area, went up the Bay with an agent, but was unable to find anything”.

Captain Fraser Morrison, who was the Divisional Youth People’s Secretary at the time, teamed up with the Colonel and they went to Gibsons, borrowed a boat from the Y.M.C.A., and rowed up and down the shore, sleeping on beaches, until they located the present site. You will realize there would have been no ferry at that time and much of the area would have been sparsely developed if developed at all.

Mr. Gooding (after whom Gooding Hall is named), a contractor, proved to be of great help to the D.H.Q. Team. They travelled together to the camp, stayed in tents,, while they started the first footings for the main building, which is the present Gooding Hall. A “work bee” was organised on the old fashioned basis, with a number of Salvationist carpenters and construction workers from the Vancouver area. Some went up and stayed overnight, while others came the next morning. The main building was practically constructed in one day! The first year of Sunrise, they could do no other than to sleep in tents.

Fast forward to today, and we are proud to celebrate our 100th Anniversary! Over the years, the camp has grown and evolved, thanks to the dedication and generosity of countless individuals who contributed their time, effort, and resources. The excellent facilities we enjoy today are a testament to their unwavering support.

As we reflect on this remarkable milestone, we look forward to the future, hoping that the developments to come will continue to enrich the lives of the young people for whom Camp Sunrise was created nearly a century ago. May we remain inspired by the same far-reaching vision that Colonel Arch Layman had when he first founded this camp.

Join us in celebrating 100 incredible years at Camp Sunrise! Scroll down to explore our timeline and see how the camp has evolved and grown through the decades.

Do any of these faces look familiar? Or maybe you’re just excited to relive some memories – either way, we’ve got plenty of photos to share!

We’d also love to hear your story! Share your favorite camp memories, special moments, or any photos you have from your time at Camp Sunrise. Your stories are a vital part of our legacy – click below to share!

1900-1920 Before Camp Sunrise

Located on a somewhat semi isolated peninsula now called the “Sunshine Coast” the camp’s initial development was a farm owned by the Burns family. Langdale Creek was utilized as a waterway to transport logs to the ocean.

Lower Camp Pre Cabins

1911 at Burns’ Farm

1920-1930 The Beginning

The Salvation Army’s Divisional Secretary, Brigadier Morrison concluded that this particular site would be ideal for a camp. The Divisional Commander, Colonel Archie Layman agreed and the site of 10 acres was purchased from the Burns family. Gooding Hall was the first camp facility built in 1928. Due to limited finances and transportation challenges the camp got off to a slow start involving mainly scouts and guides. In 1929 the lower end of the Stoltz Flume still carried logs in the creek to the ocean.

1929 Camp Sunrise

1928 Lower Camp from the Air

1930-1940

Limited funding and transportation challenges limited the camp’s development during the 1930s. Campers came by boat from Vancouver to Hopkins Landing and then hiked along a trail to the camp.

View from Treetop

No Bathrooms

Kitchen Staff

Special thanks to the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives in Gibsons for providing these images.

1940-1950

In 1944 the original “Chapel” was built and the “New Westminster Cottage” in Lower Camp was built. Campers stayed in tent like structures not cabins. Langdale Creek provided water and even the camp’s dishes were washed in the creek!

Camp Gooding Hall

Guide Camp

1947 Music Camp

Original Camp Sign

1950-1960 A New Age Begins

The Divisional Commander, Lieut. Colonel Reg Gage sold part of the camp to the Black Ball Ferries who built the first ferry terminal there making access the the camp easier (1957). They moved the creek toward the camp in order to construct their docking facilities and terminal. Black Ball Ferries were soon taken over by BC Ferries who moved the creek closer to the camp. In the mid 1950’s, Burns Road was finally opened between Hopkins Landing and the camp. Five cabins from the Vancouver area were transported to the camp and set up in Lower Camp as well as the “Cook’s Cabin”, the “DYS Cottage” and “Collier Cabin” were built in Upper Camp. In 1959 BC Highways took “lot 11” to make way for the Port Melon highway.

Campers

Camp Fire Pit

Camp Tent Circle

Old Pier

1960 - 1970 A Time of Vision and Growth

Under the leadership of Lieut. Colonel Les Pindred, the first “Camp Advisory Board” was created to develop the camp along with a “Utility Board” to study camp needs and programs and a “Camp Finance and Youth Program Board to manage the camp. In 1961 “Upper Camp” consisted of horseshoe group of quarter-board buildings with tent-canvas tops. In 1962, the Salvation Army purchased close to four adjoining acres from the Enemark Property Ltd and added the “Hospital”, “Maple”, “Variety”, “Pine” and “Caretaker’s” cottages. A full time caretaker, “Charlie” was hired. The camp shored up parts of the Langdale Creek. Between 1962 to 1965 the Provincial Government straightened out Langdale Creek. In 1963 the new dinning hall and kitchen were added. In 1964 a new swimming pool was added as well as “Well No. 1”. 1967, land was surrendered to BC Ferries and BC Ferries changed the course of the Langdale Creek. Burns Road cut through the camp creating “Upper” and “Lower” camps. A bridge was built to allow campers and neighbours to access the ferry terminal. In 1967 “Tamarack” and “Spruce” cabins were added to “Upper Camp”.

Camp Sunrise

Brownie Camp

Music Camp

New Pool

1970 - 1980 “Lower Camp” Develops

The 1960s saw the camp’s program in “Upper Camp” develop from scouting, welfare and music camps to camps involving women, men, seniors and mothers with young children. “Lower Camp” became a “non-program” holiday destination for Salvationists and Christians. The Divisional Commander, Lieut. Colonel Harold Sharpe determined that “Lower Campers” needed a place they could gather during rainy days and the “Ark” was a built for that purpose as well as accommodation for the “Lower Camp Host”. In the mid 1970s, Ernie Lawson brought the first “trailer” into Lower Camp. Within a few years trailers extended along the waterfront and Langdale Creek finally closing a circle around “Lower Camp”.

Old Cabins

Ladies at Camp

The Old Chapel

Lower Camp

1980 - 1990 “Another Decade of Development”

More facilities were added to “Upper Camp” in the 1980s with the construction of “Alder”, “Birch”, “Fir”, “Hemlock”, “Cedar”, “Dogwood”, and “Elm” cabins as well as a new washroom. In 1984 the original “climbing wall” was built. A major development under Lieut. Col. Roy Calvert, involved the removal of the old chapel and its replacement with a new one in 1986. Although Sunday services and special gatherings were always held under the “Old Maple Tree”.

High Tea

Junior Fellowship Camp

Annie & Bruce

Campers

New Cabins

1990 - 2000 “Growth and Challenges”

New facilities continued to be built during the 1990s including the “DC’s Cottage” and the Upper Camp play area. In 1992, “Pindred House” was added and a new washroom for Lower Camp. In 1996 a new camp office was opened. This was unfortunately a decade of troubles. A proposal to build a significant lodge sparked a public negative reaction by the camp’s neighbours, BC Ferries and the Regional District. Financial challenges during the DC’s illness resulted in a significant debt that poised the possibility of the camp’s closure.

Camp Mates

Youth Camp

Lower Camp Pot Luck

1996 Music Camp

2000 - 2010 ``Times of Significant Change``

During the 2000 – 2010 decade significant changes occurred under the leadership of Lieut. Colonels Peter Røed and Donald Copple. Colonel Røed established a new Camp Board whose responsibility was to be responsible for the camp’s development and management. That board held it’s first meeting in January 2001. It was composed of representatives from the corps in Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Vancouver Island as well as the Okanagan. The new Board’s diverse membership brought substantial professional experience in administration, government, engineering, construction, law and programming. The board proved successful in quickly restoring the camp’s fiscal concerns as well as planning for the future including the hiring of a full time Camp Administrator (Don Evers) who developed a year round operation for the camp and restored a good working relationship with the camp’s neighbours.

A major challenge occurred shortly after the arrival of the new DC, Lieut.Colonel Copple when the camp was suddenly faced with a requirement to install a sewer system or close! The necessary sewer system was installed and further development was made with the replacement of a number of old cabins with new ones as well as a Boys staff cabin, the “Morrison Lodge”, a program office and climbing wall additions.

Archery at Holiday Camp

Installing New Sewer System

The Hikers

The Old Tuck Shop

2010 - 2020 ``Return to Old Times``

The new divisional commander, Lieut. Colonel Larry Martin on the advice of his Divisional Youth Secretary abolished the Camp Board. The management and maintenance of the camp returned to the responsibility of the Divisional Youth Secretary. A full time camp manager and maintenance person reside on the property year round.

New Cabin

Camp Pot Luck

Em’s Tea Party

Camp Sign

2020 - 2030 ``New Challenges``

The COVID epidemic that struck in 2020 impacted the camp. Virtually all programs were shut down and camping in Lower Camp was also restricted. 2022 saw the restart of normal camp programs and activities. This decade witnessed a significant upgrade to the camp’s facilities, including a multi-purpose room, a new nurses/medical facility and internal upgrades to some of the camper’s cabins.

Collier Becomes Nurses Cabin

New Waterfront Storage

Inside Multi-Purpose Building