Camp Stephens (YMCA-YWCA WINNIPEG)
All campers and staff at YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg’s Camp Stephens are safe after wildfires prompted the evacuation and rerouting of some wilderness trips in Northwestern Ontario.
While some campers and families were disappointed by the changes, the organization said that the risk was accounted for in trip planning and that safety protocols were followed as the situation evolved.
“A key aspect of wilderness programs is learning to adapt to the environment,” officials said in a release on Friday.
“Experiences like these — including evacuations, planning new routes, recognizing risks and ensuring team safety — help equip all campers with knowledge, skills and adaptability to confidently navigate our changing climate.”
The statement went on to say that Camp Stephens and Y Winnipeg staff will continue monitoring the situation in the coming days and weeks.
The camp is located on Copeland Island in Lake of the Woods near Kenora, Ontario.
