Who We Are
It all started when…
Here is a bit of history on how The King’s Valley Christian Camp began as written by Amy Buckley herself.
In the fall of 1986, we Buckley’s received a call from Mrs. Wilson, the recent widow of Alex Wilson that owned the property now known as The King’s Valley. She wondered if we could/would keep an eye on the property over the winter as she felt unable to winter there alone but was not yet prepared to sell. Since Dick drove a school bus at the time, and passed the property 8 times a day, we agreed, adding the option that in return she would give us first option if or when she decided to sell.
Approximately 11 years prior, we had felt God leading us to be in a type of full-time work in a retreat centre setting. Through many difficulties, with hopes dashed, we thought the vision had died. Suddenly, it seemed the door was opening for us again. Upon going for a walk along the river that Fall, it was as if a panorama of sights and sounds was laid out before me as I walked through what is now the campground. All around me, I could hear the laughter of children and families gathered. Excited, Dick began to claim the property for the Lord his every trip past the property. Dick’s aunt and uncle promised to loan us the money we would need for a down payment. Then we waited as our dreams and hopes filled our days. On mission trips, we had come to realize that for most, they gave completely of themselves in the field, and came home to raise support to go back and do it again. We wanted to provide a place they could rest, be rejuvenated and be restored. We could also provide a place for pastors to come and spend a day of quiet reflection, meditation and prayer.
One day in early spring, we received a Saturday morning wake-up call from Mrs. Mary Wilson. She had decided to sell; she had the property assessed; she had three other buyers besides us and whoever came closest to the assessed value could have it. We reminded her of our agreement. We hoped if we could talk to her and share what we wanted the property for she might give us a chance. She practically met us at the door with the assessment! We were on our way! So we thought. A phone call to Dick’s aunt and uncle slammed the door shut again. They had reinvested their finances and could not touch the money themselves for 6 months. We were devastated.
At this point, we received a visit from our pastor, Wayne Langerud, questioning us about why we wanted the property. If it was “for the Lord”, was there a possibility that it could be used as a Bible camp as well? We explained our lack of a down payment and our desire to be caretakers. Then the wheels were set in motion for the Rose Prairie Gospel Tabernacle to purchase the land. We gave Mary the information and a holding fee to cover the period required while that decision was being made. Meanwhile, another purchaser was offering Mary an extra $1000.00 per day. The fact that she kept it for us was a miracle in itself. Finally, the church agreed unanimously to purchase the property, with us having the use of the house in exchange for labor. We moved in May 1987 and the work began.
Our little church undertook the down payment, with numerous donations from sister assemblies and individuals and the land was paid off very quickly. For the next 2 years, our little church also undertook the majority of the clearing and cleaning of old dilapidated buildings, brush and old fences with numerous picnics and wiener roasts. The washhouse was our first building, along with what is now the tool shed / first aid building. This later became our first kitchen. Borge and Doris Langerud moved their camper by the river and worked full days alongside us with extra helpers coming when they could.
Shortly after we arrived, the property across the river became available. Out of that availability, the dream for a rehab centre was born. Our small church could not purchase it nor could we find any other church to help us. One of our members, Leo Volz, felt that the Lord was prompting him to buy it before anyone else and the opportunity was lost. While weeding in the garden one day, my mind rambling for a name to add to the list being made, I thought of the fact that God now owned both sides of the river… “The King’s Valley”. I shared the name with Doris and she and I began referring to it as such. Meanwhile the decision was still not made corporately and time dragged on. We were on the verge of hosting our first “family camp” in 1989, so Leo took it upon himself to have a professional sign made... And so “The King’s Valley Christian Camp” was born.
