Heritage

    The Elks Legacy

    Honoring the Organization That Built This Place

    Camp Denman exists because of the Elks of Canada.

    For decades, the BC Elks Recreation Children's Camp Society operated Camp Elkhaven on this property — a free, year-round children's camp on 35 acres of oceanfront forest on Denman Island. It was one of three camps the Society ran across British Columbia, and the only one where the Elks owned the land outright.

    What the Elks Built

    The Elks of Canada were founded in 1912 as a fraternal organization dedicated to community service. The BC Elks Association — representing over 40 lodges and thousands of members across the province — has raised millions of dollars for communities throughout British Columbia. Their motto captures it simply: Equality, Love, Kindness, Service.

    The Elks Recreation Children's Camp Society was established to provide camping facilities for children who might never otherwise have a camping or holiday experience. The camps were originally designed for children with special needs, and expanded over time to serve any organized youth group. The Society was registered as a charity with the CRA in 1977 and continues to operate today.

    At Camp Elkhaven, that mission came to life on this land. The property included:

    • 35 acres of coastal forest with private beach access
    • A main lodge building with dormitory, kitchen, and communal dining
    • A seven-acre orchard used for outdoor camping
    • Volleyball courts, fire pits, horseshoe pitches, and covered outdoor dining
    • Year-round availability at no charge to any qualifying group

    Thousands of children came through Camp Elkhaven. Cadets, church groups, minor sports teams, Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth, children with disabilities, and families who couldn't afford other options. BC Ferries provided free passage for children traveling to the camp. Resident caretakers maintained the grounds and welcomed every group.

    Elkhaven wasn't just a summer camp. It was a gathering point for the Denman Island community — host to church picnics, community events, and designated as an official emergency reception centre for the island by the Comox Valley Regional District. Elks lodges across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland funded annual upgrades, donated equipment, and organized volunteer work parties to maintain the property.

    The Elks Camps Today

    The BC Elks continue to operate two children's camps in British Columbia, serving over 4,000 children annually — all free of charge:

    Camp Elkcanoe

    Located on the shores of Shuswap Lake near Salmon Arm. Four cabins sleeping 64 people, with a main facility for dining and activities. Adjacent to walking trails, ball diamonds, and Canoe Beach.

    Camp Elkgrove

    Located in Aldergrove beside the Aldergrove Regional Park. A farm-themed camp with animals on the property, four cabins, and a kitchen/dining building sleeping 56 indoors.

    Both camps remain free of charge to organized youth groups, year-round, and fully accessible.

    The Elks National Charity

    Beyond the camps, the Elks of Canada operate the Elks & Royal Purple Fund for Children, their national charity founded in 1956. The Fund provides financial assistance for the medical needs of children with hearing and speech disorders under the age of 19. Lodges across the country raise funds and awareness for this cause year-round.

    Our Commitment

    Camp Denman is a different kind of camp than Camp Elkhaven was. Our programming serves adult creators and teen artists. Our facilities have been rebuilt for professional creative work.

    But we don't forget where we are or how this place came to be.

    The Elks of Canada saw something in this property — a place where the setting itself could change what was possible for the people who came here. A place where kids who had never seen the ocean could wake up to it. Where groups who couldn't afford a week away got one for free. Where the combination of forest, shoreline, and simple infrastructure created experiences that stayed with people for life.

    We see the same thing. And we're grateful to carry it forward.

    Support the Elks

    The BC Elks Children's Camps are funded entirely by donations and the generosity of Elks lodges across the province. If you'd like to support their ongoing work: