Camp BB - Riback
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Camp BB - Riback is a non-denominational, Jewish residential summer camp located in Pine Lake, Alberta.
[edit] History
Camp BB - Riback was founded in 1955 on the shores of Pine Lake, just outside of Red Deer, Alberta, making it the oldest Jewish overnight camp in Western Canada. Originally established by Ted Riback, an American-born Calgarian with the help of the Calgary and Edmonton B'nai Brith lodges as Camp B'nai Brith, the camp was intended to provide a summer home for Jewish children from Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
In the late 1990's the camp disassociated itself with B'nai Brith, which led to its renaming. Due to the lengthy history of the camp already in place at the time, the camp Board decided to retain the "BB" initials, while at the same time paying homage to the camp's founder, Ted Riback. This resulted in the name used today.
Notably, when the deadly Pine Lake Tornado struck in July 2000, the camp was spared any damage as the tornado touched down on the north side of the camp, and then proceeded to "jump" over the camp, leading to its eventual touchdown at the Green Acres Campground.
[edit] Structure
Camp BB serves non-Jewish and Jewish children (though the camp is officially Jewish) from Grade 1 through Grade 10, after which, many "graduates" are invited to return as staff members. The physical camp is broken into three living areas; Boy's Side for boys in grades 1-8, Girl's Side for girls in grades 1-8, and The Village for both boys and girls (though in separate cabins) in grades 9 and 10.
While at camp, campers participate in activities ranging from horseback riding to jewelery, from canoeing to wall climbing and many more. Camp BB runs two sessions during the summer, the first for three and a half weeks, the second for three weeks, while also offering a one week long program for younger campers.
[edit] Trivia
- Camp BB has hosted campers from Israel, Paris, England, Toronto, and the United States
- The current director, Max Lipsman, has served in that position since 2000, making him one of the longest serving Directors in Camp History
- Following the Pine Lake Tornado of 2000, the camp built a storm shelter, which is built to the standards of a bomb shelter. It now serves as the emergency hub for much of Pine Lake.
