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Third school district cuts ties with B.C. Christian camp over 91Ƶvalues91Ƶ

Districts drop relationships with Camp Qwanoes on Vancouver Island due to 91Ƶlack of inclusivity91Ƶ

The Cowichan Valley School District is now the third district to sever ties with Camp Qwanoes, the youth based, adventure-driven Christian camp based out of Crofton.

This follows the Nanaimo-Ladysmith, and Sooke School Districts made that difficult decision over the summer after not agreeing with the camp91Ƶs views on 2SLGBTQ+, and what they say is a lack of inclusivity.

READ MORE: School district cuts ties with central Island camp over inclusivity concerns

91ƵOur Board of Education, and the entire school district, very publicly, repeatedly, and consistently stand beside members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and oppose discrimination and marginalization at every opportunity,91Ƶ said the Cowichan Valley School District91Ƶs director of communications Mike Russell. 91ƵThis includes embedding these beliefs in the board91Ƶs Policy 25: Identity, Belonging and Connection, participating in events like Duncan91Ƶs Pride Parade, and publicly calling out and countering hateful rhetoric in our community.91Ƶ

Camp Qwanoes has been a staple for thousands of youth each year, and according to their website one does not need to be an avid church goer to attend their camps and they are welcoming of individuals from various backgrounds. Despite this, this past summer Camp Qwanoes counsellors were asked to sign an agreement stating that abortion, homosexuality and premarital sex are sinful. Since this has come to light local school districts are finding that their view and the all-inclusive space they are trying to create for all their students no longer aligns with that of the camp.

91ƵAfter learning that Qwanoes staff had to sign the agreement in question, we took the time to work with our newly returning principals and vice principals and District Leadership Team as well as validating the details of the circulating stories with Camp Qwanoes,91Ƶ said Russell. 91ƵThis staff agreement goes against our values as a school district and is contrary to the Board of Education Policy 25: Identity, Belonging, and Connection, which calls for a community free of discrimination and marginalization.91Ƶ

Camp Qwanoes executive director Scott Bayley, who has also been a staff member of the Christian camp for the past 34 years, was taken aback when he first heard that the Nanaimo/Ladysmith district was questioning the camp91Ƶs safety and looking to end their long-standing relationship. Bayley supplied the following statement via email at that time.

91ƵSafety is of the highest priority here 91Ƶ we are a safe place, and an inclusive place,91Ƶ said Bayley. 91ƵThe suggestion that an experience here is not safe is a misrepresentation,91Ƶ he said in the e-mail. 91ƵWe believe that people with different beliefs can still get along and enjoy a great time together. Requiring staff to indicate their support of and agreement with our Christian beliefs as a condition for employment is allowed for and protected in Canada. Religious freedom is an important part of Canadian society.91Ƶ

Bayley stated that the relationship between the long-running Christian camp and school districts has always been a positive, and respectful one over the past four decades, and that the camp was unaware of any concerns related to LGBTQ equality or religious beliefs until June. According to Bayley, all camp staff are required to share the beliefs specified in the written agreement, which has been in place for more than 25 years without any changes, and dictates that abortion, homosexuality and premarital sex are sins.

91ƵI can confirm that no Cowichan Valley schools have any outstanding contracts or agreements with Camp Qwanoes, and due to the staff agreement in question from the camp, we will conduct no further business with them,91Ƶ said Russell. 91ƵThey have been made aware of our decision.91Ƶ

91ƵWith files from Black Press



About the Author: Chadd Cawson

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