A Brief History

In July 1964, up in the bush and rock country of the Madawaska River, 140 miles north-west of Ottawa, three couples discussed their Christian family vacation just ending. They were very happy with the week’s vacation they had just spent with their children as an extension of their involvement in the Christian Family Movement. They agreed that the joy and love of the spiritual program and the friendly people in that peaceful pastoral setting at Cana Colony in Combermere should be made available to more families and be more accessible to the large Metro Toronto area. The meeting was formally constituted and they agreed to think, talk and pray about the concept and to arrange a meeting of like-minded people during the fall of 1964.

True to their dreams, on October 11, 1964 several couples met at the home of Charlie and Cathy Connolly in Toronto. The goal of starting a Christian Family Holiday camp on 50-100 acres of land within 100 miles of Toronto was formally established. Their first brochure called on:

“PEOPLE…

with IDEAS…with ENERGY…with LOVE of GOD…who recognize the need for a holiday retreat for Christian families; where the cost is reasonable, even for a large family; where the entertainment is the good company of friendly people; where the air is fresh and sweet and the scenery is all of nature’s colours.

PEOPLE… Purposeful… Prayerful… Persuasive… are needed to help launch this exciting project.”

…and they signed their names: Charlie & Cathy Connolly, John & Mary Daly, Brian & Cathy Kerr, Vic & Helen Kokko, John & Ann O’Malley, Ed & Mary Raftis, George & Alma Sternik.