For over 75 years, Camp OAC has been a place where kids discover who they are — at the water’s edge, under the stars, surrounded by friends and mentors who believe in them.
In August 2023, the McDougall Creek Wildfire took almost all of it. Now, we’re bringing it back.
We’re preparing to launch a community fundraising campaign this Fall to bring overnight camp back by Summer 2027.
Read on to learn more about the project and how you can be part of
rebuilding the magic.
For over 75 years, Camp OAC has been where children discover who they are — on the shores of Okanagan Lake, in community, surrounded by nature, friendship, and faith.
600+ children through overnight and day camp each year
1,500+ youth through school group programs
5,000+ people served annually
In August 2023, the McDougall Creek Wildfire destroyed 95% of the camp’s structures. Every camper and staff member was evacuated safely — but Camp OAC was gone.
Now, with permits in hand and plans in place, we’re ready to rebuild.
“We’re not just rebuilding what was lost. We’re creating a camp that welcomes everyone — with safer, more inclusive spaces that honour the land and serve future generations.”
— Ian Dixon, Camp Director
Rebuilding the heart of camp:
- Two cabin complexes— sleeping 96 campers per session, with indoor washrooms, private showers, heating and cooling, and gender-inclusive design built for year-round use
- A lakefront dining hall— seating 150+, with panoramic views of Okanagan Lake, an allergy-safe commercial kitchen, and the flexibility to host everything from theme dinners to community celebrations
- A rebuilt Windsong Gazebo— the soul of camp life, restored as a covered gathering space for talent shows, chapel, dances, movie nights, and starlit singalongs
- A fully rebuilt dock— same size, same spirit, with a new enclosed swim zone and full waterfront access
- A staff residence— 14 private rooms sleeping 28, with shared kitchen and lounge space designed to support a thriving team season after season
- Renovated bathrooms and a dedicated medical building— upgraded fixtures, treatment rooms, and sick-room space to meet modern safety standards
- Sports areas, activity spaces, and all the program gear— canoes, kayaks, life jackets, kitchen equipment, mattresses, and everything else that turns a building into a camp
All new structures are modular, energy-efficient, and built on helical piles to minimize impact on the land.
Each milestone is made possible by community support. Insurance proceeds are funding the infrastructure needed to get camp back up and running. Your gift is what brings the campers home.
Phase One — the full return to overnight camp — represents a total investment of approximately $4.8 million. With insurance proceeds and committed donations covering $2.6 million of that, we are asking our community to raise $1,613,000 to make Summer 2027 a reality.
Future phases will expand Camp OAC’s capacity and programming over the coming years — adding cabin complexes to grow overnight capacity toward 192 campers per session, new adventure programming, expanded staff and camper housing, and additional infrastructure.
This represent an estimated additional investment of $2.8 million, bringing the full vision for Camp OAC to approximately $7 million in total. Every dollar raised beyond our Phase 1 goal goes directly toward making that future a reality.
- Welcome 96 campers per session back to overnight camp in Summer 2027, growing toward 200 per session over the next decade
- Offer a safe, accessibly designed camp experience — with inclusive washrooms, gender-affirming spaces, and programming designed for neurodiverse campers
- Expand bursary access so cost is never the reason a child misses camp
- Open doors for Indigenous youth, newcomer families, and children with disabilities through partnerships and inclusive programming
- Train the next generation of leaders through mentorship, spiritual formation, and hands-on community learning
- Welcome school groups and retreat users in spring and fall — deepening Camp OAC’s year-round impact
“Camp OAC was one of the best parts of my summer! I remember racing through the forest with my cabin mates… When I heard Camp OAC had burned down just days after I left, I felt so sad. It was hard to accept that such a special place was gone.”
— Cooper, Camp OAC camper
This fall, Camp OAC is launching the “We’re Rebuilding the Magic of Camp” fundraising campaign to inspire the support that the Camp needs to rebuild. This campaign is the organized expression of love — a call to action for every camp family, alumnus, volunteer, parish partner, and friend of Camp OAC to help rebuild the magic of camp for the next generation.
We will be looking for your support to make Camp OAC's return a reality and invest in a place where confidence grows, friendships flourish, and memories are made.
