The First Bible Baptist Church's summer camp has been five years in the making, but because of several transfers of leadership, the camp was never brought to fruition.
"There just hasn't been anybody with the driving force to get it all done," said Pastor Reilly Featherstone. "So, we're full of energy, and we thought we might as well go for it!"
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
Backing them up is a second driving force as transport company Manitoulin Transport donated the delivery of all the supplies needed for the construction.
The supplies were delivered to Inuvik last week, and volunteers will begin construction in June 2019.
A cabin will be built on land the church owns in the Mackenzie Delta region, which will house campers and provide chapel and meal space. The camp will only be accessible by boat.
"It'll be out in the Delta. It's kind of hard to describe exactly where it is with all the rivers and everything," said Featherstone.
The overnight camp will host two groups of kids – one high-school aged and one middle-school aged – during two separate weeks over the summer.
He said he hopes to make it an annual tradition that will provide kids who are part of the church and other kids in town with the opportunity to fish, play sports and participate in on-the-land activities.
"It's important to bring this to the kids in Inuvik for the same reason it was important to my life," he said. "The camp we grew up going to, it was out in the country, you couldn't have things that would distract you, or take you back home, like your phone or mobile devices. You take a week to focus on the Lord's teachings and outdoor activities and hanging out with your friends. Going to that kind of camp really helped me stay strong in the word of God, and make great friendships."
Featherstone and his wife, Danica Featherstone, moved to Inuvik from Ontario in April 2017. He said his pastor back home connected him to the First Bible Baptist Church in Inuvik. They visited in January 2017 and never looked back.
"It's a great joy to be here," said Featherstone. "We're learning lots. The people in this church and in town are extremely friendly."
He said Inuvik is only missing one thing.
"It's got everything we need, except for Tim Horton's, but we still like it here!"