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" For more than seventy years Shiktehawk Bible Camp has been a special place for many people. We have often heard it said that when you drive across the old wooden bridge into camp: 'It's like entering a different world.'"  From Chikadeehawk to Shiktehawk
" Until 1958 when much of the present camp land was purchased from Dr. James Lockhart, the camp was known as Camp Chikadeehawk. It was in this year a decision was made to change the name to correspond with the Indian name for the stream.
The name Shiktehawk means 'Where he conquered.' It is believed that it was along the banks of the Shiktehawk stream an Indian chief won a great battle. His people then ascribed the name Shiktehawk, 'Where he conquered'.
Today, a history of conquering has been established along the stream. Conquering not over physical battles, but spiritual ones.  It has been with the power of God that many campers conquered the battle of sin and surrendered themselves to Jesus Christ. It is Christ who conquers souls along the Shiktehawk Stream today.
The Dream and the Vision
" During the spring session in Tracey Mills, Carleton County, in June 1935 Lic. Manter Wilson, presented a two-fold proposal for "a training for young people in Christian leadership-and where young people could be brought to the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Camp minutes -June 1935)
Aided by Rev. J. Gordon Duncan, the committee decided upon a site on the flat beside the Shiktehawk stream, two miles from Bristol at Lockhart's mill. Immediately afterward plans formed: to erect a temporary cook house, and, to obtain tables and tents for the camp. In July 1935 at another district meeting, the group prayed together for the first camp and decided upon one for young people, ages 15-27 from July 22-30. This plan received wholehearted support from the districts with gifts of food, money, tents, and whatever was needed.  On the second evening during camp, the leaders felt that vespers should be held in a place apart from camp. The temporary site selected was on the beach near the bend in the 'Chikadeehawk Stream'. The next year, after God had so clearly shown by a flood that a permanent camp could not be built down on the flat, it was decided to move to a new site which would not be threatened by water." (60th anniversary booklet) 
The Early Years In 1936, the dining Hall and cook house were built, and also, a dam was built across the stream that year. A "footbridge" was also built over the dam allowing access to the new campgrounds, and the dam provided a swimming place for campers.  Also in 1936, the Lodge was erected, this was a multi-purpose building used for a dining room, classroom on rainy days, vespers and singing at night when weather was unfavorable, with its fireplace providing heat and making it cozy when it was cool outside or rainy.
The cathedral was on Vesper Hill toward which campers with blankets in hand walked silently to meet with God alone, surrounded by whispering evergreens, midgets, singing birds, and glorious sunsets, with each of these speaking silently to campers of God's Creation in handiwork and His ever-abiding Presence. Morning Bible studies were held 'down by the stream' underneath the overhanging cedars in the 'Pine Grove' with a tree stump serving as a pulpit. Campers sat on blankets around the speaker attentively heeding the teaching of the Word. Things have changed a great deal since those early years of camp but one things that remains the same is that "Jesus Never Fails". For more about the history of Shiktehawk feel free to contact the camp office. 
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