Surprise Lake Camp since 1951

"The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1)

"I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b)

- scriptures chosen by Marg Norquay to represent SLC's philosophy and purpose.

Did You Know...

...The official name for Surprise Lake is actually SANG lake? Named for Tom Sang who homesteaded in the area.
...Founders: Reverend James (Jim) Norquay and his wife, Marg, held their first camps in 1951 at the same site we use today?
...The Surprise Lake Society was established in February of 1951, but didn't have an official board or committees until years later?
...Miracle House was the first building ever built on Surprise Lake? First, it was the cook house and dining hall then only 2 years it became the craft hall. It was torn down in 1983 to make way for the current Dining Hall and Kitchen (completed in 1987)
...Cookie Jar (named after Helen Hennessy - the first SLC cook) is the oldest building currently standing - built between 1952 and 1953?
...The current Rec Hall and Craft Shack were built in 1953 (as kitchen and dining hall) to meet the growing demands of this brand new United Church Camp?
...The McDevitt family and rest of the camp committee were the ones who pushed the government to declare Sang Lake a wilderness lake (protecting the wildlife and camp's serenity) and prohibiting motor boats?
...That "Chip" and "Dale", built around 1978, used to be known as "Gopher Hole" and was used as a large storage space and maintenance shed before becoming the staff lounge?
...Pete's Place - the new cabin two - was named after Peter Oskoboiny, who built it?
...Ted's Place (cabin 6) is named after Ted Selleck who (had) donated $200 every year?
...Slim's Inn (cabin 3) is named for Slim (Merton) Collin
...Uncle Bill's Cabin was named after Jim Norquay's Uncle, but has also been known as "Norquay House"?
...Electricity was not installed at camp until the late 1960's, and when the first light was turned on campers booed!
..."Evergreen cabin" (number 1) was built by members of the Evergreen Pastoral Charge?
...Today's "Bear's Den" was once known as Beaver House, after the staff children, known as Beavers who played in the "Tot Lot"?
...Knub, as we know it today, was at one point named "Odds and Ends" before being affectionately called Trinidad House, for its brief but memorable occupants?
...the elusive cabin 4 DID exist just south of today's office. That is - up until the 80's when the plans to rebuild it fell through and instead it was dismantled and removed (much like cabin 8). 
...AND MORE!

Thank you to Andriel Stoeckel who gathered much of this information and compiled the most recent camp history (May 1995)

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Surprise Lake Song

From city town and village and from open country too,
Sangudo, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, and the ridge that is blue,
From Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt, Evansburg and Salmo, Mercoal, Peers,
And even some from Edmonton, for all we give three cheers:
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Oh, the campers at Surprise Lake are a fine and thoughtful bunch;
They help each other all the time. They even share their lunch;
They never leave a camper out no matter what he says or feels;
And when they do the chores they laugh and sing until the rafters peel!

- SLC 1950-1960's
Tune unknown