Author Archive
Posted on: October 18th, 2024 by SLMC Media
The Board of Directors of Silver Lake Mennonite Camp are delighted to announce that after a long and exhaustive search, Alissa Bender has been appointed the new Executive Director of SLMC. We are so pleased that Alissa, who has been an active and engaged member of the Silver Lake community, has joined us in this new capacity. She will start October 15.
Alissa brings extensive camp leadership experience to SLMC. She spent the past two summers at Silver Lake as Camp Pastor, and has also served as Spiritual Life Director at Fraser Lake Camp and Camp Pastor at Camp Valaqua in Alberta.
Her other SLMC summers have included volunteering in the kitchen and leading specialized camp sessions. She even officiated the iconic chicken wedding that many remember from when the Silver Lake chickens were around!
Outside the camp setting, Alissa was the pastor of Hamilton Mennonite Church for 12 years and associate pastor of Calgary First Mennonite Church for three years. Her name is well known in the constituency having led MCEC committees around youth and capacity building. Young adult ministry has always energized her, especially accompanying young leaders.
Alissa brings collaborative leadership skills and leads with warmth and grace. A person of deep personal integrity, she is a strong communicator who engages well with all ages and brings everyone into conversation.
We are confident that with Alissa Bender’s strength and purpose, we are on an exciting new path to a continued bright and successful future at SLMC. We feel blessed and wish Alissa our very best at this new beginning.
Margaret Nally, SLMC Board Chair
Posted on: August 23rd, 2024 by SLMC Media
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of a beloved member of our Silver Lake community, Carla Isaak. Carla passed away after a brief battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that touched the lives of many.
Carla’s involvement at Silver Lake was multifaceted and deeply impactful. As a dedicated board member, head cook, and former camp director of the girls’ camp, Carla’s leadership and enthusiasm helped shape memorable experiences for countless campers and staff over the years.
Her passion for Silver Lake lives on in her son, Tim Isaak, who comes to every Work Weekend helping to fix windows, screens, doors, and more.
Carla was an esteemed entrepreneur alongside her husband, Peter, managing Peninsula Glass for over three decades. Earlier this year, Peninsula Glass contributed to the success of SLMC’s 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament fundraiser that raised money for the new multisport court at camp.
In honor of Carla’s memory and her profound impact on our community, the family has written in the obituary that donations can be made to Silver Lake. Your contributions will continue Carla’s legacy of service and support, ensuring that her love for camp lives on in future generations of Silver Lakers.
Click here to make a donation.
Carla will be deeply missed here at SLMC. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this time.
Posted on: August 20th, 2024 by SLMC Media
Join us for a Fall Coffeehouse (Fundraiser) on the second floor of 50 Kent Ave in Kitchener on September 28 at 7pm. Enjoy a family-friendly evening of community, food, great music, and kids’ activities!
This coffeehouse will be a sendoff for former Executive Director Karen Cornies, who has worked tirelessly for the last eight years to make Silver Lake the memorable place that it is.
If you are interested in attending the coffeehouse, please fill out this short survey so our organizers can plan accordingly.
Coffeehouses are a summer camp staple at Silver Lake, with performances ranging anywhere from silly to heartfelt. Songs, skits, poems, jokes, etc… We love it all! If you would like to perform at our fall event, please let us know in the survey.
Please consider bringing a donation to help continue Karen’s mission of making Silver Lake a fun and welcoming place to be! Under her leadership, our camp has achieved tremendous success and implemented many new programs, including offsite day camps, the Indigenous Land-Based Learning Program, Newcomer Family Holiday, and much more.
We look forward to seeing you in September!
Posted on: July 17th, 2024 by SLMC Media
Please Note: The application deadline has been extended to Sept. 9, 2024!
We are seeking a skilled individual with capacity to lead a dynamic, youthful, and faith-filled organization into the future.
Silver Lake has weathered the COVID challenges to emerge as a significant place in which to offer an excellent experience for young children, leadership training for youth, and a good workplace for young adults as they experience creation and community.
The organization has enjoyed expansion into exciting new dimensions of our traditional programs and communities. We hold these growing edges in gratitude, and in awareness, that they need particular attention.
Our new Executive Director will hold the history and legacy of SLMC as sustenance to enrich the forward journey with the ability to be truly present to the changing dynamics and trends of our current realities. The rich heritage of the Mennonite Community guides our values and leads our organization in the beliefs that sustain us.
The ideal candidate has excellent communication and financial management skills. Reaching out and listening deeply to the hopes and dreams of the whole community takes particular navigation capacity. The ED will be comfortable with constituency engagement, promotion and marketing.
The ED demonstrates ability to apply health and safety regulations that manage crisis and mitigate risks. SLMC has a solid base of community support to fulfill its financial obligations, and this needs careful and wise management to hold the necessary daily and seasonal concerns as well as building for a sustainable future.
If you feel you can fulfill the mandates as stated, please view the full job description HERE. You can send your resume and cover letter to boardchair@slmc.ca. Applications are due Fall 2024 (date TBA).
Posted on: June 27th, 2024 by SLMC Media
Silver Lake is wrapping up two major projects: the multisport court and treehouse slide. Both will be built in time for this summer. These new features are the result of our successful Fun at Camp campaign, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making these dreams a reality.
The multisport court will be the heart of our Sports Camp, scheduled from August 4-10. This versatile space will host a variety of activities, providing endless fun and fostering teamwork among campers. Whether it’s basketball, volleyball, or soccer, the multisport court will enable campers to play their favourite sports and try new ones.
Another exciting addition is the treehouse slide, which promises to be a highlight for all who visit Silver Lake’s iconic treehouse in the Enchanted Forest. The twirly slide’s vibrant teal color was chosen by our Silver Lake community through a vote, which also included purple, red, and yellow.
These projects are a testament to the incredible support and generosity of our camp community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and supported these initiatives. Your contributions have made it possible for us to continue providing a nurturing and fun-filled environment for our campers.
If you want to be involved, we’re still accepting donations for sports equipment and needed landscaping around the court. CLICK HERE to contribute. Thank you so much for your support!
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects. We look forward to seeing many campers use the court and slide this summer.
Thank you, Silver Lake community!
Posted on: June 12th, 2024 by SLMC Media
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ed Harder, a cherished member of the Silver Lake community. Ed, a devoted Silver Laker, left an indelible mark on our camp through his leadership, dedication, and tireless volunteer efforts.
Ed’s journey with Silver Lake spanned decades. He was on summer staff in the early 1970s, which included leading the CILT program with his wife Jo-Anne. Through the 1990s, Ed served on the Board of Directors, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our camp. His hands-on approach was evident in the construction of the volunteer cabins and staff cabins that are still used today.
Former Executive Director Dave Erb fondly recalls Ed’s instrumental role in planning the reconstruction of our new dining hall after the old one was destroyed in a fire. Ed’s vision and meticulous planning were also crucial in the development of the new cabins on the north side of camp. His contributions have created lasting memories and spaces for future generations of campers.
Ed’s love for SLMC has been passed down to his daughters Rachel, a strong supporter of Silver Lake, and Rebecca (Heide), who works as a year-round staff member with the administration team. His grandsons Nick, Noah, Kieran, and Adam are all on summer staff, while his youngest grandson Toby is a CILT II this year.
In May of 2023, Ed was able to visit Silver Lake for the last time. He toured around camp and inspected every single building on site to make sure they were all holding up okay!
To honor Ed Harder’s legacy and his lifelong dedication to Silver Lake, donations can be made in his memory through the Ed Harder Memorial Fund. Your contributions will continue Ed’s mission of enhancing and nurturing the camp he loved so dearly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed’s family and all who were touched by his remarkable spirit. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the heart of Silver Lake.
Here is the link to Ed’s obituary to see visitation and service details.
Posted on: June 12th, 2024 by SLMC Media
We are thrilled to announce that the 15th annual Grand Paddle and Hike fundraiser (May 10-12) raised over $67,700. This amount marks the highest in the event’s history, significantly surpassing the goal of $63,000.
A heartfelt thank you to all participants, donors, supporters, and sponsors who helped us have a successful event, enabling SLMC to thrive into the future.
A special shoutout goes to Abe Fehr and his company, UniFab, for their generous donation of $10,000 to cap the event, which played a crucial role in exceeding our fundraising target. The substantial support from UniFab and other contributors highlights the strong community spirit and commitment to the camp’s mission.
This year’s event saw a record participation of 63 teams, a fitting number as Silver Lake celebrates its 63rd anniversary. The enthusiastic involvement from participants and donors alike underscores the enduring legacy and community connection of the camp.
Funds raised from the Grand Paddle and Hike will keep camp fees affordable for families and will support Silver Lake’s ongoing programs and initiatives, ensuring that we can continue to provide enriching experiences for campers of all ages. Again, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from our community and look forward to many more years of shared adventures and memories.
THANK YOU!
Posted on: April 29th, 2024 by SLMC Media
On the weekend of May 10-12, participants will paddle, hike and bike in support of Silver Lake. Join a team or donate today!
Posted on: April 4th, 2024 by SLMC Media
It is with mixed emotions that we share with you an important leadership update at Silver Lake. After 8 incredible years, Karen Cornies has resigned from her position as Executive Director.
Throughout her tenure, Karen has worked tirelessly to help the camp thrive. Under her leadership, Silver Lake has achieved unprecedented milestones and integrated many successful new programs, including offsite day camps, the Indigenous Land-Based Learning Program, Newcomer Family Holiday, bus transportation to and from summer camp, and many more. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors as Associate Director of Work Integrated Learning at Conestoga College. We know she will continue to inspire people wherever she goes!
We look forward to honoring Karen’s impactful journey and everything she’s done for Silver Lake. Those wishing to express their gratitude for Karen’s service can do so by granting one of her final wishes:
- Join the 2024 Grand Paddle and Hike Fundraiser. CLICK HERE to create your team.
- Donate to her final fundraising project, the multisport court. If five donors give $1,000 each, they will be able to attend an SLMC retreat for FREE! CLICK HERE to donate.
Over the coming weeks, Silver Lake’s Board of Directors will be determining its next steps which will include the launch of search process for the next Executive Director. In the meantime, beginning April 15, Outdoor Education Director Rebekah Caldwell will step in as interim ED as we prepare for the summer months. Rebekah brings a love for campers and staff, strong administrative skills, and a deep understanding of the values of the Silver Lake. Please be assured Silver Lake is in great hands!
We will inform you of updates as they become available. Any questions can be directed to Karen Cornies, Executive Director, or Christina Reimer, Chair of the board.
karen@slmc.ca
christinareimer@slmc.ca
Thank you for your continued support for Silver Lake!
Posted on: April 4th, 2024 by SLMC Media
You and your family are invited to the CILT Cabin Dedication Service at Silver Lake on April 28 to dedicate the cabins and to honour Henry Pauls’ legacy and everything he’s done for Silver Lake. Those planning to attend are asked to meet at the Dining Hall at 10 a.m.
Henry’s mark on the camp has been an inspiration to many. Before he passed away in 2020, he was a board member, staff, and longtime volunteer with Silver Lake, who’s been an important part of the camp since its establishment in 1961. Between 1994 and 2003 he was the Administrator, overseeing construction of the Pines, staff cabins, volunteer cabins, new kitchen, and the washhouse renovation. He hardly missed a Work Weekend between 1994 and 2017, and he built Silver Lake’s popular Adirondack chairs that are used every day by staff, campers, and volunteers.
The rebuilding of the two CILT cabins was Silver Lake’s fundraising project of 2021. A generous donation of $60,000 was announced on April 7 of that year, made on behalf of the Henry and Nancy Pauls family, to build one of the CILT cabins. The Silver Lake community came together to make the second cabin happen. The cabins were completed in the spring of 2023 were used for the first time last summer by our Campers in Leadership Training (CILTs). Thank you to everyone who made this possible! We look forward to celebrating with you on the 28th.
Just a reminder that April 26-28 is also our Spring Work Weekend, so anyone who would like to stay the whole weekend and help open the camp can arrive Friday evening or Saturday morning. Meals provided!
Any questions about the CILT Cabin Dedication Service can be directed to karen@slmc.ca.
We’re excited to share this day with you!
