Agur Lake Camp, a barrier-free camp west of Summerland, will hold a fundraising event at Lightning Rock Winery on Aug. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Debbie Schneider, office manager at the camp, said the event will raise money to keep the camp operating.
Agur Lake Camp opened in 2013 as the only barrier-free camp in the province. Each year, hundreds of people from around the province and beyond attend the camp for the day or longer.
In 2024, 650 people passed through the gates of the camp, Schneider said.
鈥淭he last two summers have been our biggest yet,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e feel like we have such a gem out there.鈥�
However, the camp also has considerable expenses. Annual operating expenses last year were close to $120,000, and while a gaming grant and individual donations help, they are not enough to cover these expenses, Schneider said.
Electrical power at the camp comes from a diesel generator, as extending power lines is costly. Schneider said the cost of diesel fuel has doubled in the last few years.
Other costs include maintenance work and staffing.
The camp is also working on two projects.
A fire suppression project is underway, to keep the camp safe in case of wildfire. Three-quarters of the funding for this project has been received.
Another project involves modifying one dock for better access to the water.
While funding for individual projects is easier to obtain than funding for operating expenses, Schneider said receiving the necessary funds is not as easy as in the past.
The third annual Light Up the Camp event on Aug. 5 is a summer night garden party at Lightning Rock Winery.
Tickets are $85 and include dinner, live music, two glasses of wine and dessert.
The event is sponsored by Summerland Credit Union (now Cascadia Credit Union), Summerland Smoke Shack, Moving Lines, Giants Head Kitchen and Lightning Rock Winery.
Ticket information is available at .