1970: A canoeing program was initiated with the purchase of 2 fibreglass canoes. Orienteering was offered for the first time.

1971: A CIT program was offered to senior campers aged 15-16. The Camp Manager position was created. COTS and Canoe Skills were offered
for the first time.

1972: Swimming programs were introduced under the supervision of both the Red Cross and the RLSSC. Canoe programs were split into two: Canoe I, which offered a six-day skills camp at Upper Fishing Lake to teach skills, and Canoe II, which offered a 60-mile outtripping experience down the Sturgeon Weir river and across Amisk Lake. First aid was affiliated with St. John¹s Ambulance. An awards system was set up to recognize annually five men or women who have greatly contributed to camp. New tenting “satellite” areas were set up for intermediate campers aged 11-12.

1973: A Naturelore shelter, storage shelter, obstacle course, showers, and the Staff Shack were built. WSI and Creative Drama were offered for the first time. Canoe Skills was held on Baldy Lake. Survival Skills was held in the bush around McDougall Creek. Staff took their first year-end canoe trip.

1974: A new Chapel was erected. ALE was offered for the first time. Canoe Skills was moved to Lost Echo Lake.

1975: The Survival Skills program changed its name to Wilderness Skills. All 3 COTS programs were filled for the first time. The maintenance shed, laundry room and activity centre were built.

1976: The craft shelter and swimbeach shelter were erected. Bronze Medallion was offered for the first time. Wilderness Outtripping and Wilderness Skills were combined to form WOTS. The “Young Olympians of Canada” program was introduced at JBC in celebration of the Montreal Olympics. A sailing program was offered for the first time. The camp crafts program began the spring of this year. Canoe Skills moved from Lost Echo Lake to Ispuchaw Lake. Firearm safety was discontinued.

1977: (May 15) The Fishing Lakes Fire raged through camp, burning many buildings and damaging trees and property. Structures destroyed by the fire included the root cellar, recreation hall and nearby toilets, buildings at the dump, obstacle course, activity centre, craft shelter, swimbeach shelter, 25 round tent pads, and 20 square tent pads. Tenting areas were extended down to Ispuchaw Point, which was donated by the Boy Scouts. Ispuchaw Trail was created from main camp to Ispuchaw Point. A new master plan was instituted for the future development of camp. Solo camping was offered as a program for the first time.

1978: The Quonset was built. Work began on the Camp Cabin, Naturelore building, and greenhouse.

1979: The Camp Cabin was made livable with the help of many people. The St. John Bosco Youth Corps was started. The greenhouse was used on an experimental basis.

1990: Three summer camps are offered in July and August instead of four. (Director: Christian Kahlert)

1991: Director: Mike Lacoursiere

1992: The walk-in freezer was moved from the Canteen to the kitchen and attached to it. New septic tanks were installed by the kitchen, by the outhouse near the Nurse’s Station, and by the showers.

1993: The shower complex was overhauled. A new archery shelter was built. The BOTS program and Adult Get-Away Weekend were introduced.

1994: Director: Mark Lich

1995: (June 1) Because of heavy smoke from the Nipekamew and Monday forest fires, staff and campers were evacuated. Camp shut down for the next week while smoke cleared and fires were brought under control.

1996: St. John Bosco Camp goes online with its own e-mail address and webpage! 7-day camps are offered concurrently with 10-day camps for the first time.

1997: The Board of Directors takes on a more active role in the running of camp during the off season. Bosco offers only two 10-day sessions in July. (Director: Peter Kahlert)

1998: The upper deck on the Naturelore building is replaced. (Director: Chad Thurber)

1999: A chlorination system is installed on our water supply. The roof and deck on the Camp Cabin are replaced; replacement of the dock at Canoe Beach begins. (Director: Chantie Champigny)

2010: 6-day camps are reinstated and 8 year old campers were welcomed for the first time. Bike Outtripping Skills is no longer offered. The deck on Staff Building was replaced and safety rails on the stairs in the Quonset were installed. The First Aid building front windows were replaced and the kitchen received new lighting fixtures. The Dining Hall and Kitchen received a new interior paint, along with the exterior of a number of buildings. Funding from a grant allowed us to replace our canoe trailer which lost its axel last year. And last but not least, we replaced the roof on the First Aid building in the fall.

2011: Spring programming for the most part was cancelled this year due to the uncertainty surrounding a teacher’s strike. Wilderness Kayaking Skills is no longer offered. Facility improvements continued with the lights in the dining hall being replaced along with six new pole light fixtures. The laundry area behind the kitchen was rebuilt after the snow load in the spring caused the old structure to collapse. The stage in the Chapel was rebuilt and the exterior of the First Aid building and the Dining Hall were resided and painted. (Director: David Plemel)

2012: On-line registration was introduced and payments using PayPal. The initial plan for a new shower/laundry/washroom facility were submitted to Sask Parks to obtain a building permit. Camper Passports were introduced this year to replace the former badge system. Facility wise saw the demolition of the old flying fortress (8 seater outhouse). Funding received from grants allowed us to purchase three new commercial stoves for the kitchen. The freezer and fridge units were reinsulated and the buildings resided. Mike’s Cabin was pressure washed and received a new coat of linseed oil, as well as a new coat of paint on the Canteen and Chapel. (Director: Gillian Wourms)

2013: Architectural drawings were submitted to Sask Parks and a building permit was issued for the new Shower/Laundry/Washroom building. Excavation on-site begin and the rough-in plumbing was installed. Xplornet satellite internet replaces the dial-up to allow for better communication. The portable radios used for in-camp communication are upgraded. SPOT Satellite GPS locators were purchased and allowed out-trip groups to send one-way messages to camp to say all was OK or to ask for assistance. Chinking the logs at Mike’s Cabin begins and new lights are installed in the Chapel (Director: Miranda Bachman)

2014: The Chapel gets new vinyl slider windows. Chinking work is completed on Mike’s Cabin. Hebertism course receives some much needed work and a new zip-line is installed. Work continues on the new shower building any by the early June we have built the forms and had the concrete floor poured. Over the summer the walls are raised and the roof goes on. Rough in wiring is completed. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Director: Miranda Bachman)

2015: Moved in two new to us buildings – Managers Cabin and new First Aid building. Work is done to increase the efficiency of our walk in fridge and freezer. New Docks and Rafts were purchased. 10 new outtripping tents were purchased for use by Junior and Intermediate groups when on their overnight hikes. Work continues on the new shower building with the interior walls, windows, doors, shower stalls being installed. Renovation to Admin building see the removal of the wall between the first two offices, installation of baseboard heater and new lighting. Ceiling fans installed in the Chapel and new lighting in Mike’s Cabin. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Director: Carlin Preun)

2016: Additional six bows and other additional equipment purchased to expand the archery program. Work continues on the new Shower building with shower fixtures, sinks and toilets and ventilation system being installed. The water heater is connected to the propane supply and the building is substantially complete and ready for use by early July. Electricity is connected to the Manager’s Cabin and New First Aid Building. The compressor in the freezer is determined to be in need of replacement – decision to go to chest freezers for next year. Flooring in bedrooms of Mike’s cabin replaced. New flooring installed in the Admin building. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Director: Colton Vallee)

2017: Camp launches a new website. Three new washers and dryers are purchased for the new laundry room. The shower building receives a base coat of stucco. Walk-in freezer is modified and turned into a dry storage room with two chest freezers. Interior walls and insulation removed from loft of Mike’s Cabin to assist in squirrel/mouse proofing the building. Work begins on renovations to the Manager’s Cabin including cupboards, washroom renovation, new flooring New septic tanks installed for Manager’s Cabin and for New First Aid Building. Decision to sell the kayaks as the program had not been offered since 2010. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Co-Directors: Shaelyn Preun and Jake Uytterhagen)

2018: Bosco’s 60th Anniversary celebration on the August long weekend. Final coat of stucco to the new shower building completed. Hebertism Course rebuilt with new obstacles and layout. Plumbing and fixtures hooked up in Manager’s Cabin and flooring completed. Work begins on New First Aid Building, with a new door and windows, deck and ramp. Rooms are reconfigured. Ventilation fans installed in freezer/dry storage in kitchen and canteen. Electrical repairs to Quonset line. Power rerouted from old shower building. Old shower building torn down and former laundry/maintenance building moved to provide storage behind the Manager’s Cabin. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Director Carlin Preun)

2019: A very successful year for camp, with higher than average numbers in both spring and summer programs compared to recent years. (Manager: Bernie Vossen; Co-Directors: Shaelyn Preun and Regan Wilson)