Jack McKeag

Trib story on dedication of new cabins and boathouse. 

The day before this story ran in the Trib a lot of people gathered at camp to mark the construction of 12 new cabins and dedicate the chapel to long-time camp cook Alfred David.

Also christened Aug. 7, 1966 was the new boathouse, which we all know by now has been knocked down and a new depot building rising in its place.

"A new boathouse was opened by Jack McKeag. The boathouse holds 28 canoes as well as sail and motor boats," the story says.

That's it.

We all know the boathouse was more than a storage building. For me, it was the shop andwhere I learned the business end of a hammer and to always wear eye protection when using a circular saw.

For others it was the depot or trail building, where you planned and packed out your canoe trips, whether it was a junior cabin overnighter or a six-weeker.

What caught my eye in the Trib story was the name Jack McKeag.

I'd heard the McKeag name before as it was the name of the last cabin on the line; McKeags.

Jack McKeag was Manitoba's 17th lieutenant governor, appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in July 1970. At 42, McKeag was also the youngest Manitoban to be appointed LG. He served six years.

(Winnipeg Tribune)

More about McKeag is here on the Manitoba Historical Society web page.

Four years earlier, when he opened the boathouse, McKeag was president of McKeag-Harris Realty and Development Co. Ltd., a major property developer on the Winnipeg business scene.

He was also:

• A graduate of Kelvin High School and the U of M in 1949 where we received a commerce degree
• Married to Dawn Campbell in 1950 - Campbell was the daughter of Douglas Campbell, Manitoba's 13th premier
• Father of four children; three daughters and one son
• An unsuccessful Liberal candidate in the 1958 provincial election
• Chairman of the Greater Winnipeg Election Committee
• President of the Winnipeg Kiwanis Club
• Board member of the United College board of regents.

Certainly, McKeag was a busy man and extremely active in his community. He died in 2007.

What I don't know is his and his family's connection to Camp Stephens.

Anyone know?

McKeag with Rex in mid-70s. McKeag was also Honorary Colonel of the Fort Garry Horse. (Winnipeg Tribune)

Building a Legacy at Camp Stephens

Last year saw the demolition of the depot where countless canoe trips packed out since the late 1960s.

This year sees a new building rise in its place – it will be ready for limited use this summer.

The depot, or “boathouse” to old timers or “shop” to others, was 

built in 1966 – the 75thanniversary of Camp Stephens - to originally serve for canoe, sailboat and motorboat storage and during summer months, for staff to repair canoes and sailboats.

The depot served camp for more than 50 years, but it was no longer up to today's standards, and a decision was made to build a new structure that will serve as a hub for camp activities for the next 50 years.

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg has launched the Building a Legacy fundraising campaign.  Its goal is to raise $1.2 million to provide funding for the new depot building. Funds raised through 
the campaign will also support adequate staff cabins on the island.

“Since the beginning of Camp Stephens in 1891, the contributions 
of alumni and private donors has allowed camp to be a positive force for thousands of children,”said Kent Paterson, President and CEO of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg. “That need for giving is ongoing.”

“Camp Stephens has a tradition of developing young people for positive healthy living, respect for one another and valuing the wilderness,” Paterson said. “The Building a Legacy campaign will help continue this tradition for our young people.”

Paterson added the new 4,507 square-foot building will include a kitchen for the preparation of out-of-camp meals, a boat repair facility, equipment storage, a trip planning room and a display area to showcase camp memorabilia. 

“One of the reasons why Camp Stephens is the longest-serving summer camp in Canada is due to the generosity of alumni and our donors,” Paterson said. 

“Donors to the Building a Legacy campaign will allow future generations of young people to benefit from the camp experience, 
helping them grow in spirit, mind and body, and develop the skills to be the next generation of leaders.” 

For more information about the campaign, please see ywinnipeg.ca/buildalegacy