Camp Columbus – Waterton Lakes National Park

Middle Waterton Lake opposite Vimy Peak. At first, park officials were hesitant to allow construction of another camp in the park but relented having no good reason to object. The Upper Waterton Lake location was rejected out of hand, leaving three other potential sites to be examined. The Middle Waterton Lake site was finally approved and became home to the final permanent youth camp in the park, right after Tee-La-Da Girls Camp. Of the four original youth camps in the park, only Camp Columbus and Canyon Camp remain (Canyon Camp is undergoing reconstruction after the 2017 fire destroyed the camp).

After the approval, the Knights of Columbus quickly set about fundraising for the construction of the camp. All the Knights in the area got behind the project in a big way beginning with a door to door canvas of Catholic residents in Lethbridge, Pincher Creek and Milk River and selling tickets for a draw with the proceeds going toward camp construction.

Plans for the camp were drawn up by May in 1956 and by July construction of the building began. Estimated to cost $25,000, the camp was built by Sieben and Schamber, general contractors from Milk River. On July 1, 1957, the facility was finished and an open house was held incorporating Dominion Day activities. The ceremonies began with a flag raising while a band from Milk River played “O Canada”. Throughout the afternoon, the public was invited to participate in bingo and outdoor games. Topping off the attraction was a barbecue for some 1,200 people.

One week later, the first 10-day camp session for children ages 10-14 opened under the supervision of Bruce Field, camp manager. In later years, the age limit was lowered to 8 years and the time at camp reduced to five days per session for 50 participants each. Open to all children regardless of religious affiliation, the camping activities included water safety, canoeing, team sports, lake swimming, horseback riding at the nearby stable, boat rides on commercial vessels and the ever-popular hiking and evening campfires. When the new town swimming pool opened in 1960, the Camp Columbus kids became regulars at the facility.

Over time, hijinks became a normal part of camp, much to the delight of the seasoned campers and the embarrassment of the newcomers. But, in the long run, it was all about youthful character building. The last night of camp for many years, a kind of kangaroo court was held to admonish those who were supposedly guilty of imagined misdemeanors. Punishments were silly and spirits were kept high.

Camp sessions continued in the following year and have been held every year since for boys and girls emphasizing Christian Spirit, concern for a fragile environment, cooperation with others and maintenance of individuality.

In the past nearly 70 years, many Knights have given freely of their time to keep Camp Columbus operational and available for several generations of young people. We should be grateful to all those Brother Knights. Our Lady of Peace Council members, have been instrumental in fundraising and working to maintain the camp.

The current executive is:

President - Lee Hochstein

Vice President - Pat Johnston

Treasurer - John Henderson

Secretary - Rick Czarny

Directors - Alex Misak, Lew Drooper, Bert Sauer, Morris Pittman, Leo Coolen, Wayne Britton, Al LaRonde

In 1954, Southern Alberta Knights of Columbus, under the direction and urging of then District Deputy Urban Pittman, applied to Waterton Lakes National Park managers to build a fourth youth camp in the park. The representatives from the Knights suggested four potential locations. Two were on Pass Creek in the Blakiston Valley, one was along Upper Waterton Lake and one was along