A former facility known for helping young offenders turn their lives around has been transferred over to the Lheidli T’enneh.
Camp Trapping began in the 1970s and provided those who attended the chance to learn new skills, build confidence, and even reintegrate into the local school system.
Bob Plewes said in the nearly 50 years he was involved with the facility, a lot of success story came out of Camp Trapping.
“Some kids stayed to complete their education and there were a few kids who actually graduated. The school program (with School District 57) was essential in that it enabled kids to re-enter the school system and many of those kids had a history of bouncing between schools and other resources.”
BC United Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, who served as the school district board chair when Camp Trapping was at its peak noted the facility was a great secondary option to give kids a second chance at life.
“I think it was about alternatives. It was about looking at how to best support young people and that incarceration was not always the best option. This was an alternative place that people could go, be supported in very vigorous ways, and get a second chance.”
“I think what I am most hopeful about is that Camp Trapping saw a significant shift to the majority of people attending camp were Indigenous.”
The transfer to the host First Nation includes the leased land, buildings and inventory, which has an estimated value of over $800,000.
Camp Trapping closed in June of 2021.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan says the facility, which has a main hall, dock, and sauna – while a final decision hasn’t been on its future, Logan added whatever is done, will be culturally appropriate.
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