Surprise Lake Camp has been nestled on a small exclusive lot on Sang Lake just outside of Edson, Alberta since 1951.  60 years later, it is still true to its original ideals: teaching campers about nature and how to care for the Earth and each other through the Spirit.

Did You Know...

  • - The official name of Surprise Lake is actually Sang Lake?  It was named for Tom Sang, who homesteaded in the area.
  • - Suprise Lake's founders, Reverend James (Jim) Norquay and his wife Marg, held the first camps in 1951 at the same site we use today?
  • - "Miracle House" was the first building ever built on Surprise Lake? First, it was the cook house and dining hall then only 2 years it became the craft hall. It was torn down in 1983 to make way for the current Dining Hall and Kitchen (completed in 1987).
  • - "Cookie Jar" (named after Helen Hennessy - the first SLC cook) is the oldest building currently standing - built between 1952 and 1953?
  • - The current Rec Hall and Craft Shack were built in 1953 as Surprise Lake's kitchen and dining hall, in order to meet the growing demands of the camp?
  • - The McDevitt family and rest of the camp committee were the ones who pushed the government to declare Sang Lake a wilderness lake (protecting the wildlife and camp's serenity) and prohibiting motor boats?
  • - "Chip" and "Dale" were built aroun 1978, and used to be called "Gopher Hole"?  It was used as a maintenance shed/storage area.  Now it's the staff lounge!
  • - "Pete's Place" - Cabin 2 - was named for Peter Oskoboiny, the guy who built it?
  • - "Ted's Place" - Cabin 6 - is named for Ted Selleck, who donated $200.00 to the camp each year?
  • - "Slim's Inn" - Cabin 3 - is named for Merton "Slim" Collin?
  • - "Uncle Bill's Cabin" was named after Jim Norquay's uncle, but it's also been known as "Norquay House"?
  • - Electricity was not installed at Surprise Lake until the late 1960's, and when the first light was turned on, campers booed it!
  • - "Evergreen cabin" - Cabin 1 - was built by members of the Evergreen Pastoral Charge?
  • - The "Bear's Den" was once called "Beaver House", after the staff's children.  They played in the "Tot Lot", and were referred to as "Beavers".
  • - Knub, as it is known today, was, at one point, named "Odds and Ends" before being affectionately called "Trinidad House", in honour of its brief, but memorable, occupants?
  • - The elusive and mysterious "Cabin 4" REALLY DID EXIST.  It was located just south of where the office is today - that is, until the 1980's, when plans to rebuild it fell through, and the decision was made to dismantle and remove it (much like Cabin 8).

 

The Surprise Lake Song

From city town and village and from open country too, 

Sangudo, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, and the ridge that is blue,

From Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt, Evansburg and Salmo, Mercoal, Peers,

And even some from Edmonton, for all we give three cheers:

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Oh, the campers at Surprise Lake are a fine and thoughtful bunch;

They help each other all the time. They even share their lunch;

They never leave a camper out no matter what he says or feels;

And when they do the chores they laugh and sing until the rafters peel!

 

- SLC 1950-1960's

Tune unknown