Our Lady of Victory Camp History
OLVC began in 1948 with the generous donation of 8 acres of land by Andrew and Anne Guillemaud “up to the lake’s edge”. As Gull Lake has receded over the years this modest gift of land has now become almost ¼ section of largely treed land making it a spacious and beautiful retreat for the many youth and volunteers who attend camp each summer.
The camp was originally founded by Fathers Patrick Rooney and Joseph Murphy to provide summer catechism instruction for youngsters. The programs were
also facilitated by Sisters and others from the Lacombe, Bentley, Sylvan and Rimbey areas. Over the years as Catholic religious education became available throughout rural Alberta the use of this first program declined.
By the late ‘60’s, the facilities at the camp were run down. With the collapse of the roof of the dining hall one winter, a crisis emerged. Then the Knights of Columbus of Red Deer entered the picture. They provided most of the money and labor for the new hall. To this day the camp is generously supported by the various Knight of Columbus councils, Catholic Women’s leagues and parishes of the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
In 1976, Father Ted Rozmahel, with the help of many others, renewed OLVC as a center for the spiritual development of Alberta's Catholic youth. It was Father Ted who changed the leadership structure of camp to a program run by youth for youth.
Teaching young adults to be the ones to give the “instruction” was brilliant. As parents struggle to keep our kids excited about their faith, attending Mass etc. peers are an important part of young people’s lives. Having young adults that they would naturally look up to and who are excited about their faith leading the sessions and activities effectively reinforces the messages that Catholic parents hope to pass on to their children.
Father Ted fashioned camp to be a progression towards the formation of youth leaders. Children 9-13 start the program as campers building community and learning more about their faith. As counselors (14yrs+) the young people learn to lead small groups, being responsible for the campers in their cabin and
“camp family” helping them throughout the week and really getting to know them well (further building community). During the winter months he trained young adults (grade 12 and older) to plan the summer program, give talks, run recreational activities and challenged them to actively develop a close relationship with God. It wasn’t good enough to give up a few weeks of their summer to help inspire and educate the youth; the message had to be genuine.
If they were going to give talks about the importance of Mass they were expected to be attending Mass at least weekly and be committed to their
relationship with God and living their Catholic faith.
In 1991, Fr. Ted Rozmahel resigned his position after 15 years of dedication. We thank him for his commitment to the spiritual growth of young people for so many years. In 1992, Brad Brodeur took up the directorship of camp. In 1994, Brad decided to share his director's role: Tim Hoven and Janie Warawa were appointed associated directors.
April 2, 1995 the board of directors was formed at the encouragement of Archbishop Joseph McNeil. The board continues on today and is a real asset to camp as a collaboration of representatives from the deanery, archdiocese, Knights of Columbus, patrons and alumni work together to plan and provide for the future of OLVC.
In January 2007 Lisa MacQuarrie replaced Tim Hoven as an associate director and after the summer of 1997 Brad Brodeur resigned as camp director after five years of faithful service. For the next five years the directorship of camp was assumed by Janie Warawa and supported by various associate directors (Lisa MacQuarrie, Krista Ganton, John Walsh, Matt Hoven and Dave Pawlik and at times Brad Brodeur returned from retirement!). Janie led well and was faithful to the original philosophy developed by Father Ted. Despite the challenges of requiring a wheelchair following a serious car accident in 1999 and the demands of starting a family Janie continued as camp director until 2002.
In 2002 the camp made two exciting changes. It hired a core team of six to be at camp to lead all six weeks of the summer program. As tuition fees continued
to climb it was more and more difficult for young people willing to serve God to afford to take the time off in the summer to run the program at camp. With the help of the core team fundraising $1000.00 each we were able to begin offering 6-8 positions each summer. This gives consistency to the program and guarantees 5-7 Team per week. The twenty or so volunteer team support this core team by helping with weeks as they are able. Also, the directorship returned to being one director, Lisa MacQuarrie, who would work part time year round. As the camp continued to grow and with the addition of program
improvements such as the core team program it required more time than could be expected for volunteer directors to juggle along with a career and family
responsibilities. Having one director again gives consistency and attention to the needs and promotion of camp.
This leadership model continues today with the support in the past couple of years of a program director (currently Peter van Kampen) working a few hours per week to help with team training and planning for the spring youth rally, summer program and fall counselors’ reunion.
Many upgrades have replaced the small grainery style cabins that housed the first campers. As floors in the old cabins began to fall in and as the number of campers and counselors attending OLVC continued to increase it was evident that the old cabins needed to be replaced. In 1986 a new heated dorm with full shower and washroom facilities provided room for 66. The dorm was named Warren’s Abode in honor of a former counselor at the camp. In 1996 a new meeting hall was built in which to hold talks, activities and Mass. The new hall was named Tony’s Place after a long time volunteer at the camp, Tony Marcinek. In 2000 the second major dorm, Jubilee Hall was built providing accommodations, washrooms, showers and a small meeting space for 84 campers and counselors. Other improvements such as a paved basketball court, new play grounds, archery range and obstacle course have improved the recreation components of the camp.
Although many people have been involved in leading camp from 1948 to the present and the facility itself looks very different, much has remained the same.
Father Ted’s model of youth leading youth is alive and well and Our Lady of Victory Camp continues to be a valuable tool in the formation of leaders in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
The camp was originally founded by Fathers Patrick Rooney and Joseph Murphy to provide summer catechism instruction for youngsters. The programs were
also facilitated by Sisters and others from the Lacombe, Bentley, Sylvan and Rimbey areas. Over the years as Catholic religious education became available throughout rural Alberta the use of this first program declined.
By the late ‘60’s, the facilities at the camp were run down. With the collapse of the roof of the dining hall one winter, a crisis emerged. Then the Knights of Columbus of Red Deer entered the picture. They provided most of the money and labor for the new hall. To this day the camp is generously supported by the various Knight of Columbus councils, Catholic Women’s leagues and parishes of the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
In 1976, Father Ted Rozmahel, with the help of many others, renewed OLVC as a center for the spiritual development of Alberta's Catholic youth. It was Father Ted who changed the leadership structure of camp to a program run by youth for youth.
Teaching young adults to be the ones to give the “instruction” was brilliant. As parents struggle to keep our kids excited about their faith, attending Mass etc. peers are an important part of young people’s lives. Having young adults that they would naturally look up to and who are excited about their faith leading the sessions and activities effectively reinforces the messages that Catholic parents hope to pass on to their children.
Father Ted fashioned camp to be a progression towards the formation of youth leaders. Children 9-13 start the program as campers building community and learning more about their faith. As counselors (14yrs+) the young people learn to lead small groups, being responsible for the campers in their cabin and
“camp family” helping them throughout the week and really getting to know them well (further building community). During the winter months he trained young adults (grade 12 and older) to plan the summer program, give talks, run recreational activities and challenged them to actively develop a close relationship with God. It wasn’t good enough to give up a few weeks of their summer to help inspire and educate the youth; the message had to be genuine.
If they were going to give talks about the importance of Mass they were expected to be attending Mass at least weekly and be committed to their
relationship with God and living their Catholic faith.
In 1991, Fr. Ted Rozmahel resigned his position after 15 years of dedication. We thank him for his commitment to the spiritual growth of young people for so many years. In 1992, Brad Brodeur took up the directorship of camp. In 1994, Brad decided to share his director's role: Tim Hoven and Janie Warawa were appointed associated directors.
April 2, 1995 the board of directors was formed at the encouragement of Archbishop Joseph McNeil. The board continues on today and is a real asset to camp as a collaboration of representatives from the deanery, archdiocese, Knights of Columbus, patrons and alumni work together to plan and provide for the future of OLVC.
In January 2007 Lisa MacQuarrie replaced Tim Hoven as an associate director and after the summer of 1997 Brad Brodeur resigned as camp director after five years of faithful service. For the next five years the directorship of camp was assumed by Janie Warawa and supported by various associate directors (Lisa MacQuarrie, Krista Ganton, John Walsh, Matt Hoven and Dave Pawlik and at times Brad Brodeur returned from retirement!). Janie led well and was faithful to the original philosophy developed by Father Ted. Despite the challenges of requiring a wheelchair following a serious car accident in 1999 and the demands of starting a family Janie continued as camp director until 2002.
In 2002 the camp made two exciting changes. It hired a core team of six to be at camp to lead all six weeks of the summer program. As tuition fees continued
to climb it was more and more difficult for young people willing to serve God to afford to take the time off in the summer to run the program at camp. With the help of the core team fundraising $1000.00 each we were able to begin offering 6-8 positions each summer. This gives consistency to the program and guarantees 5-7 Team per week. The twenty or so volunteer team support this core team by helping with weeks as they are able. Also, the directorship returned to being one director, Lisa MacQuarrie, who would work part time year round. As the camp continued to grow and with the addition of program
improvements such as the core team program it required more time than could be expected for volunteer directors to juggle along with a career and family
responsibilities. Having one director again gives consistency and attention to the needs and promotion of camp.
This leadership model continues today with the support in the past couple of years of a program director (currently Peter van Kampen) working a few hours per week to help with team training and planning for the spring youth rally, summer program and fall counselors’ reunion.
Many upgrades have replaced the small grainery style cabins that housed the first campers. As floors in the old cabins began to fall in and as the number of campers and counselors attending OLVC continued to increase it was evident that the old cabins needed to be replaced. In 1986 a new heated dorm with full shower and washroom facilities provided room for 66. The dorm was named Warren’s Abode in honor of a former counselor at the camp. In 1996 a new meeting hall was built in which to hold talks, activities and Mass. The new hall was named Tony’s Place after a long time volunteer at the camp, Tony Marcinek. In 2000 the second major dorm, Jubilee Hall was built providing accommodations, washrooms, showers and a small meeting space for 84 campers and counselors. Other improvements such as a paved basketball court, new play grounds, archery range and obstacle course have improved the recreation components of the camp.
Although many people have been involved in leading camp from 1948 to the present and the facility itself looks very different, much has remained the same.
Father Ted’s model of youth leading youth is alive and well and Our Lady of Victory Camp continues to be a valuable tool in the formation of leaders in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
