A Unique Time 1960's

Summer Director Bob Narum and family 1960's
Summer Director Bob Narum and family 1960's

During the ‘60s FLBC continued as a seasonal camp.  Through most of those years, Robert Nerum, from Missoula was the Summer Director.  He and his family would open up the camp in June and close it at the end of summer.

Great Falls Junior Camp 1964
Great Falls Junior Camp 1964

In 1964 the Summer Bible study was on Jesus’ Parables: Parable of the Kingdom, Parable of the Sower, Parable of the Talents, Parable of the Lost Coin and Parable of the Good Samaritan. 

The camp’s 1965 annual report states that the camp ran for nine weeks, serving a total of 1,084 people, including high school and junior high campers, family campers, and a Leadership Training camp for High School youth.

The Monster water slide was built by engineers and volunteers and it highlighted the swimming area.
The Monster water slide was built by engineers and volunteers and it highlighted the swimming area.

After 20 years of rolling logs in the swimming area, this amazing structure was built. It was called the monster water slide and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

  • Campers relax on the swimming dock during small group time.
    Campers relax on the swimming dock during small group time.
  • Until the 1970's campers lined up on the lakeside of the dining hall for meals.
    Until the 1970's campers lined up on the lakeside of the dining hall for meals.
A giant water swing was built in the 60s at the end of the swimming dock. Ropes descended from the crossbar closest to the lake and held a wooden seat. Thankfully that swing has disappeared.
A giant water swing was built in the 60s at the end of the swimming dock. Ropes descended from the crossbar closest to the lake and held a wooden seat. Thankfully that swing has disappeared.

The 1966 summer staff included a camp director, assistant director, two cooks, two dining hall staff, one maintenance staff, one canteen manager, one dean of men, one dean of women, one life guard, one boys’ counselor, two girls’ counselors, several volunteer summer cabin counselors and one ski boat operator.

In 1968 a week of youth camp cost $20.

No records remain of what became of the monster water slide, the giant water swing or the water ski boats.  But they had vanished by the 70s. 

If you have any photographs, brochures or information about the camp in the 1960s, please call the camp office to help with this history project. (406) 752-6602