Camps of Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada operates about 200 Scout camps across Canada.^[1] Well-known camps include Impeesa Extreme, Haliburton Scout Reserve, Camp Byng, Camp Barnard, and Tamaracouta Scout Reserve. The Tamaracouta Scout Reserve is among the oldest continually operating Scout camps in the world.

Alberta

Camp Gardner

Camp Gardner was Chinook Council's Cub program base. Set within a forest of spruce and fir trees, and with the Rocky Mountains just a short distance away, a wide variety of activities are available at this facility from swimming and canoeing, to hiking and stargazing. Camp Gardner is open from February through November and also offers exciting weekly programming and fully catered meals for groups. Camp was closed Oct 2015 due to flood damage and increasing costs.

Camp Apistotoke

Camp Apistotoke offers a gentle, beautiful landscape of rolling hills and wind-swept prairies. Located within the picturesque Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, in the southeastern corner of Alberta, this area is famous for its wildlife, as well as, its lush forests. Moose, deer, and antelope are all common residents of this breathtaking area, along with more than 200 species of birds. Explore legendary Fort Walsh, canoe in Elkwater Lake, or take to the trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camp Apistotoke opens from February through November. Amenities at this facility include a commercial kitchen with lots of space for meal preparation.

Camp Impeesa

Camp Impeesa, one of Canada's premier Scout camps, sits in the beautiful foothills of southern Alberta's Rockey Mountains. It is located 30 minutes from Pincher Creek, within the Castle Special Area Wilderness, which provides access to countless kilometres of trails for exploring. Camp Impeesa is open from May through October for regular programming and re-opens for the Senator Buchanan Winter Camp^[2] - a special challenge for Scouts and Venturers who want to experience winter camping!

British Columbia

Camp Barnard

Located in Sooke on southern Vancouver Island, this camp is 250 acres of mixed residential camping and back country camping. The camp has a 17-acre private lake with swim docks and canoes. Residential camping is provided in the lodges with twin sleeping lofts, two large activity rooms, fully equipped commercial kitchen, playing field, and camp fire circle. More rustic camping is available with rental of the four cabin circles (6 cabins each sleeping 8) with commercial kitchens, dining halls, campfire circle, and upgraded washrooms. Tent camping is available in numerous site. Activities available at Camp Barnard include canoeing, disc golf, archery, hiking, nature trail, and much more. The camp is available for day and overnight rentals for youth organizations. This camp is the site for the 2015 Pacific Jamboree... 3000 campers for a week!

Camp Byng

Located on the Sunshine Coast with almost a mile of ocean foreshore, this 200 acre camp is available to all sections, school groups and other non-profit groups. The camp offers large lodges with sleeping hulls, Wilderness tenting areas and Open-air "Troop" shelters. 1200 metres (3/4 mile) of ocean foreshore. 210 acres (85 hectares), 3 large lodges and tenting site sre available

Camp McLean

Camp McClean is located within the boundaries of Campbell Valley Park, Township of Langley. It is located on land donated by Bruce McLean and was opened in 1964. It is 50 acres, of which approximately 25 is wetland of the Little Campbell River. The camp can provide faciity for over 300 scouts.^[3]

Camp Whonnock

Camp Whonnock is modern camp located in a forested, rural setting. The camp managed by Fraser Valley Council.

Camp Whonnock is located in the Whonnock Area of Maple Ridge. The site is approximately 10 acres, and contain the Whonnock Scout Hall, and 7 cabins. It is close to Whonnock Lake and to the BCIT Woodlot, with a network of hiking trails. Whonnock has a two-story lodge with room for over 100 people. The lodge has a commercial kitchen with large gas stove and griddle, three large refrigerators, and a large freezer. There are indoor washroom and shower facilities, including wheelchair accessible facilities. There is a tenting area with fire pit and a picnic shelter.

New Brunswick

Yoho Scout Reserve

Located about 20 minutes outside Fredericton on Yoho Lake, the camp consists of 700 acres of forest and offers a sandy lakefront for water activities. In addition to campsites, there are two all-season lodges: one large lodge with full amenities, and one small rustic cabin.^[4]

Camp Holderville

Located about an hour outside of Saint John, the camp consists of 100 acres of forest including a large beaver pond situated near the Saint John River. The primary facility is a renovated farm house with electrical utilities, in addition to an all-season camping lodge, camping areas and Adirondacks.^[4]

Camp Cole

Located about 30 minutes outside of Mirimachi City, Camp Cole has a 100-acre wooded lot with frontage on the Dungarvon River. Facilities include an all-season lodge in addition to camping areas.^[4]

Ontario

Attawandaron Scout Reserve

Attawandaron Scout Reserve is located adjacent to the Pinery Provincial Park in Port Franks, Ontario. Accredited in late 2014, Attawandaron Scout Reserve is Scouts Canada’s third SCENES Centre,^[5] which consists of 77 hectares (190 acres) of Oak Savanna forest and sand dune geology, which has become rare in North America. As a result, it contains a significant number of species at risk, designated by both the Ontario and Canadian Governments. Attawandaron is protecting the rare natural habitat, undertaking conservation measures where required and at the same time providing enriched outdoor and camping experiences for all Scouting ages, spring, summer, fall and winter, including the Can-Am Camporee, an annual international camp for Scouts from all over Ontario and the United States.

Camp Timken

Located southwest of Iona, on about 60 acres. It is the site of annual international camps, with Canadian and American scouts participating.

Camp Bel

Located in Dorchester, Camp BEL is named after the late Bert Elgin Langford who donated the property to Scouting "for the kids of Dorchester". The camp is about half wooded and half open. It backs on the Thames River, which is suitable for canoeing. There are two rappelling/climbing towers, a high wire, a fenced obstacle course, a craft barn, and first aid trailer. Three clearings on the edge of Thames River can accommodate 75 campers each.

The camp has one lodge with two halls, Langford Hall and the Grand Howl Hall. There are six bunk rooms for six people each, washrooms with showers, and a complete kitchen.

Four camporees are held annually at the camp: Dorchester International Brotherhood Camp, Dorchester International Cubboree Camp, and Genesis Venturee, and Dorchester Friendship Camp

Camp Samac

Located in Oshawa, Camp Samac has more than 30 species of trees an environmentally sensitive creek, Samac Lake and good hiking trails. This property offers many secluded campsites and large open areas to accommodate up to 1,000 campers with 7 municipal water taps and flush privies. There are 11 cabins on site that will accommodate 10 to 80 persons in bunks with mattresses, all cabins are heated with separate kitchens and flush toilets. The largest cabin has 6 showers. Cabins are also split between male and female sides, but fixed occupant are allowed if warranted. Camp Samac is named for Samuel McLaughlin, who was involved with the Scouting movement in Canada and awarded the Silver Fox by WSOM, as the property was part of McLaughlin's Parkwood Estate until he donated it to the Scouts.

Camp Samac Adventure Base

Located east of Haliburton, the camp is a parcel of Haliburton Highlands wilderness with half the frontage on Lake of Two Islands. This property offers opportunities for wilderness camping from a base camp. Samac Adventure Base has many developed sites on the lake that date back to the 1960s. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and wind boards are available with a sand beach for an exciting water program. There is a 1.5 km mountain biking trail with grade. Camp is no longer available to book, and been put up for sale as of March 13, 2013. State of sale is unknown.

Camp Wetaskiwin

Located in the Heart of the Niagara Region, Camp Wetaskiwin is surrounded by Short Hills Provincial Park, which offers numerous hiking trails. Groups from all across the Country and International Scouting Groups use Camp Wetaskiwin as their base for exploring Niagara Falls, and the attractions offer in South Ontario.

Saskatchewan

Camp Seeonee (Pike Lake)

Located 20 minutes southwest of Saskatoon. Full service camp for year-round programs. Extensive treed program area with developed campsites available.^[6]

Anglin Lake Scout Camp (Christopher Lake)

Located 65 km north of Prince Albert. Presently open May–August. Contact the Scout Shop Store in Regina for bookings.^[7]

Camp Totowamihk (Moose Jaw)

Located 10 km south of Moose Jaw. Full service camp in close proximity to town. Treed and grassland program areas with some established campsites available.^[8]

High Hills Camp (Lumsden)

Located 10 minutes west of Lumsden. Semi-Wilderness camp with combination bunkhouse/kitchen. No power on property. Located in wooded area.

Good Spirit Camp (Canora)

Home to Campanoe. Located 35 minutes northwest of Yorkton in Good Spirit Provincial Park. Kitchen, dining hall, bunk houses, meeting hall. Waterfront wooded area camp.

Camp Thompson (Swift Current)

Located 30 minutes northeast of Swift Current. Kitchen and bunkhouse. Located in an open ravine setting with open areas alongside wooded areas.

Rowans Ravine (Rowans Ravine Provincial Park)

Located on Long Lake, 45 minutes north of Regina. Full service kitchen with power. Close to lake with marina facilities. No bunkhouse but building suitable for meetings and small groups. Grassland setting with some trees.

Heritage Lake Camp (Candle Lake)

Located on Heritage Lake, 15 minutes northeast of Candle Lake. Wilderness lakefront setting. Accessible in winter months with appropriate all terrain vehicles. Bunkhouse available.

Camp Gilwell (Prince Albert)

Located 15 minutes northeast of Prince Albert. Tree’d area with segregated campsites. No building facilities.

Rangifer Canoe Base (Nemeiben Lake)

Located on Nemeiben Lake. Good starting point for canoe trips. Small shelter.

Esterhazy Scout Camp

Located in the Regional Park in Esterhazy. Some program area available within the Regional Park.

Estevan Scout Camp

Located southeast of Estevan just outside city limits. River borders the northern boundary in a wooded area. Bunkhouse available.

Gillis Lake (Moose Mountain Provincial Park)

Home to Pi-Anue.

Cypress Hills Scout Camp (Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park)

Located in the Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Kitchen & bunkhouses in lodgepole pine setting. Full access to park amenities.

Quebec ^[9]

Dunn Memorial (Powerscourt)

A nice camp near the Canada–United States border with bird watching opportunities and lots of forests. This is a camp for those who want a wilderness experience.

Camp Jackson Dodds

Located on the Tamaracouta Scout Reserve, this Cub camp offers, hiking, sailing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Camp program available for Cub age youth. fishing and swimming. Summer camp program available for Cub age youth. Open all year round for all sections. Heated building with dormitory‐style sleeping quarters and full dining hall. ACQ and MAPAQ certified.

Camp Kinagalawi

Camp Kinagalawi is a rustic style camp with ample room for wilderness camping, as well as heated sleeping facilities for beaver ages.

Lake Lovering Scout Reserve

This scout reserve is situated at the head of lake Lovering. The camp has a large field, campsites and trails throughout.

Tamaracouta Scout Reserve

The oldest continuously operated Scout camp in the world, with the longest covered picnic table in Canada. Located 60 km from Montreal in the Lower Laurentian Mountains, this 1000‐acre site surrounds Lake Tamaracouta. Many campsites are available and over 30 buildings that include a winterized "Longhouse" for group meetings, 8 cabins, 6 cabooses and a lodge. Facilities can accommodate over 170 people indoors. Individual and group summer program available for Scout/Venturer age youth. Offers 3‐ and 5‐day high adventure offsite programs. ACQ and MAPAQ certified.

References