About Van Es Camp

Since 1941, Van Es Camp & Conference Centre has served as a peaceful woodland sanctuary just 30 minutes outside of Edmonton. Nestled within 100 acres of protected forest near South Cooking Lake, our site is more than just a beautiful destination—it is an active legacy of stewardship, community, and open-hearted belonging. Whether you are here for a milestone celebration, a youth camp, or a quiet weekend of reflection, we invite you to step onto the grounds, take a deep breath, and make our sanctuary your own.

Our Mission

The mission of Van Es Camp and Conference Centre is to invite people of all ages to experience a sense of deep community, spiritual growth, and connection within a natural woodland setting that is safe, inclusive, and restorative.

Our Core Values

  • Radical Hospitality: Guided by our 85-year legacy, we treat every guest as an equal. We are committed to providing a warm, attentive, and stress-free environment where individuals, families, and organizations can gather with ease.

  • Inclusive Sanctuary: We are a proudly inclusive space. We welcome people of all faiths, backgrounds, and identities—including 2SLGBTQIA+ communities—ensuring everyone who steps onto our grounds finds a safe harbour and a true sense of belonging.

  • Ecological Stewardship: Set within a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve by South Cooking Lake, we honour and care for the 10 acres of land we occupy. We teach and practice active environmental respect, preserving our forests and trails for generations to come.

  • Spiritual and Personal Growth: Whether through structured summer camps, quiet corporate retreats, or milestone family celebrations, we create intentional spaces where people can slow down, reflect, and nurture their inner lives.

  • Unity in Community: Rooted in the historic Moravian guiding principle—“In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Love”—we believe that bringing diverse people together around campfires, shared meals, and nature builds a stronger, more compassionate world.

Our Values

The principles that guide everything we do at Van Es Camp

Sustainability

Protecting and preserving our natural environment for future generations

Community

Building meaningful connections and fostering a sense of belonging

Excellence

Delivering exceptional experiences through attention to detail and quality

Safety

Ensuring a secure and welcoming environment for all our guests

Meet Our Team

The dedicated professionals who make Van Es Camp a special place

Aiden Lamb
Aiden Lamb (he/him)
Executive Director

Aiden joined Van Es Camp as Executive Director in 2025, bringing over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in arts, education, and community development. His passion for creating inclusive spaces drives Van Es Camp's mission forward. When not planning facility improvements or developing strategic plans, Aiden can be found hiking with family, organizing community festivals, and staying actively involved in the community.

Rupert Neuman
Rupert Neuman (he/him)
Caretaker

Rupert has been the heart of Van Es since 1992, bringing over three decades of dedicated service to the land and our guests. His deep love for Van Es shines through in every interaction, whether he's ensuring a group has everything they need for their retreat or sharing his knowledge of the property with first-time visitors. Rupert's commitment to creating meaningful experiences for our guests reflects the spirit of hospitality that defines Van Es Camp & Conference Centre.

Brendan Roy
Brendan Roy (he/him)
Booking Coordinator

As the newest addition to the Van Es team, Brendan steps into the role of Booking Coordinator, serving as the welcoming first point of contact for all inbound inquiries. He brings a deep love for the outdoors and a sharp creative eye to the camp. A lifelong nature enthusiast and former Boy Scout, Brendan is in his element whenever he is surrounded by the forest, tending to his houseplants, or looking through a camera lens. Outside of the camp office, Brendan is a small business owner and professional photographer. Over the last 12 years, he has specialized in capturing weddings, portraits, and everything in between. As a natural storyteller, Brendan understands the importance of life's big moments. He is incredibly excited to combine his hospitality and creative background to help guests navigate their bookings, plan their perfect getaway, and craft their own lasting memories here on the grounds.

Our History

1941 – The Founding Year

1941 – The Founding Year

July 8th, 1941: Minny Schulze cooks the very first camp breakfast; Rudy Schulze leads the first campfire. Long before a dining hall, the women of the church cooked in a tiny wooden shack, and boys hauled water buckets up from Cooking Lake.

1942-1944 Early Infrastructure

1942-1944 Early Infrastructure

1942: Camp gets its first lighting via a 32-volt DC generator. 1943: The very first Children’s Camp program is launched. 1944: The first 4-room office cabin is built, and the camp softball field is cleared.

1950 – Service Memorial Chapel & Power

1950 – Service Memorial Chapel & Power

The Chapel: Built of heavy timber and stone, like a rustic hunting lodge, to anchor the camp’s spiritual life. Modernization: A new kitchen is built, a refrigerator is added, and the camp officially connects to grid power.

1954–1958 – Camp Firsts

1954–1958 – Camp Firsts

June 3, 1954: The first-ever wedding is hosted on-site (Connie Fenske and Eric Schulze). 1956: Cabin 4 is built by the Sampert family. 1958: The first Junior High Camp launches, directed by Reverend Percy Henkelman.

1969–1970 – Pop Culture & Craft Cabins

1969–1970 – Pop Culture & Craft Cabins

1969: Television is used at camp for the first time so campers can watch the Apollo moon landing. 1970 (Cabins 5 & 6): In an ultimate DIY project, these two cabins were built by the Junior High campers themselves as a camp craft project.

1977 – Caretakers Residence

1977 – Caretakers Residence

Caretaker’s Residence: Built to establish a permanent, year-round on-site hosting presence. New Programming: The first-ever Senior Citizen camp has been officially added to the lineup.

1971 – Samuel Wedman Lodge

1971 – Samuel Wedman Lodge

The Visionary: Built and named to honour Rev. Samuel Wedman, the original founder who braved the raw brush in 1941. Winterizing: The camp’s first 2 winterized cabins are constructed.

1981–1988 – Modern Amenities

1981–1988 – Modern Amenities

1981: The main bathhouse is completed. Reed 1988: The first Pre-Junior Camp program introduces the youngest generation of campers to the site.

1992 – The Harmony Centre

1992 – The Harmony Centre

A massive expansion introducing an indoor swimming pool, kitchenette, and auditorium.

1993 – The First Moravian Cornroast

1993 – The First Moravian Cornroast

Initiated by Les Westwood in 1993, this event has brought congregations together on the final Sunday of August for over two decades. The process is treated as a precise, high-stakes science that used to require a pit, a lot of wood, and a very large bonfire.

2002 – Morning Star Dining Hall

2002 – Morning Star Dining Hall

Completely replaces the old, restrictive cooking shacks with a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and a grand dining space to seat 165 people.

2012–2014 – Unity Lodge

2012–2014 – Unity Lodge

Built on the site of the old Samuel Wedmann Lodge, Unity lodge is winterized, 4,519-square-foot, fully wheelchair-accessible facility featuring 12 bedrooms, with ensuite bathrooms (sleeping 26+), a lounge, and a meeting room.