Camp Stephens 50th Trail Anniversary in 2013

There was an attempt to have a 40th anniversary in 2003, but it fell apart because organizers couldn't connect with all you faded paddlers. 
If you want to be involved or kept up to date, please join Camp Stephens 50th Trail Anniversary on Facebook or follow developments on this blog.


Here's a sample of the Facebook conversation:

• 
  

  
  
• 
  

  Punch Jackson

  Over lunches, coffee shop and of course pub chatter lots of enthusiasm for doing something in 2013 to celebrate 50 years of wilderness programs at Stephens. Some thoughts have included actual trips, folk festivals & celebrating the arrival of the 2013 Six Weeker trips. Grant Platts has even gone as far as mapping out potential lake trips.
  
  Clearly 50 years of wilderness programming has impacted a great many people and for some it changed their lives. As we begin the process of planning for 2013 we may want to look at it from "Five Decades" so no era is left out.
  
  Volunteers so far are from the first two decade; Punch, Perry McGregor, Jim King, Jamie Grant, Neil Robinson and Grant Platts. Tara Law and current Wilderness Director Kelley Berringer are expressing support.
  
  Logistics for planning in this technology rich time should be ablle to include a great many people. If you are interested let us know (Punch - Edmonton, Perry - Winnipeg) and we will get the ball rolling.

   ·  ·  · Yesterday at 9:18am
  

  • 
    

    Colleen Rogers likes this.
  • • 
      

      Punch Jackson Trip ideas included 5-7 day trips plus someone suggested a less strenuous version for the "older crowd".
      

      Yesterday at 9:20am ·  ·  1
    • 
      

      Punch Jackson Kelly with one "e"
      

      Yesterday at 9:38am · 
    • 
      

      Tara Debra Common kids! Even Stubby is getting on board (I'll make him even if he is grumpy and almost retired).
      

      Yesterday at 10:11am · 
    • 
      

      Jen Wetherow Count us in for folk fest (definately) and a trip (probably). We should consider something less strenuous for the "younger crowd" too since we'll be packing 3 kids under the age of 5.
      

      Yesterday at 10:21am · 
    • 
      

      Zoë Herbert Routh I'll be packing an Aussie husband with a need for beer, so long canoe trips without showers and refrigeration may be an obstacle. Though I am definitely keen to make the long haul across the pond!
      

      Yesterday at 7:12pm · 
    • 
      

      Perry McGregor During the planning for the 40th. reunion the committee at that time looked at a number of ideas... these covered activities like a pre reunion dinner, teaching trail skills to the newbies young and old, movies, slide shows/ powerpoints, music, and developing for sale items like trail maps, maps with all the trip routes on them, trail cook books, t shirts, commemorative paddles...stations might include examples of how equipment has evolved over the years, taste testing T.V.P. perhaps?( ie.is it pseudo chicken or pseudo beef or what?) obviously not all ideas are keepers...
      

      Yesterday at 7:45pm · 
    • 
      

      Garth Nemy Perry.....do you remember your very first cabin and councilor ?
      

      11 hours ago · 
    • 
      

      Kalyn Murdock I'd be interested in helping out however I can
      

      4 hours ago · 
    • 
      

      Jess Irvine I'd be interested in planning some trips/helpin' out.
      

      2 hours ago · 
    • 
      

      Kate Margaret Count me in. I'd love to help out with anything.
      

      about an hour ago via mobile · 
    • 
      

      Colleen Rogers I'd help out too!
      

      32 minutes ago · 

Alfred David

Alfred David's grave at Brookside Cemetery (section 26-0117) in Winnipeg. Photo taken by Punch Jackson. David's WW I service records are here.

Why the 'Y' is important

She sees the error in her ways

Thanks, in part, to United Way

Caitlynn Stranger pals around with Ken Mason at the North Y Youth Centre Friday (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)

Busted for shoplifting a pair of expensive headphones at a department store last year, Caitlynn Stranger convinced herself community service was an unfair punishment that didn't fit the crime.

In hindsight, the 16-year-old says she had it completely wrong.

Enlarge Image

"It made me really mad at the time because I thought I didn't deserve it," Caitlynn said. "It turns out I really did."

Caitlynn began serving her punishment volunteering at the North Y Youth Centre in the North End.

Caitlynn's involvement eventually grew from menial tasks like cleaning to helping coach youth basketball. As a reward, she was sent to the Y's Camp Stephens -- a first for Caitlynn, who had never stepped foot outside of Winnipeg.

"It was just a whole new experience to me. I didn't know people did that stuff before," she said, reflecting on a 10-day canoe trip she believes made her a more positive person.

Caitlynn continues to volunteer as a supervisor for the centre every day after school and works for pay once a week.

"I'd really like to help other youth get out of the same place I've been," she said. "I'm way more of a confident person, I'm open to new experiences. I'm a lot happier."

Caitlynn is one of more than 1,200 youths who come through the centre every year, each of whom has a story about how the centre has been influential in their lives, says centre manager Ken Mason.

Since the centre opened in October 2009, neighbouring businesses like Safeway have told Mason loitering and shoplifting have declined by more than half. Even a fire inspector dropped by the office to thank Mason because autobin fires and vandalism have also declined significantly since the centre opened, Mason said.

"It's an outcome we can't really measure and wouldn't hear about unless somebody went out of their way to tell us," he said, noting Safeway donated 60 Blue Bombers tickets as a gift of thanks.

"It was a reward for something (the kids) probably didn't realize they were doing. It was a great surprise."

This year, United Way contributed more than $475,000 to the YMCA-YWCA, money Mason uses to subsidize youth memberships at his location to $5 a year.

"If it was the $20 a month, there's no way kids would be able to get in here. It just would not be feasible in this neighbourhood," Mason said. "We wouldn't be able to do this without it."

For more information on the YMCA-YWCA, visit www.ymcaywca.mb.ca. For information on the United Way's 2011 campaign and how you can donate, visit www.unitedwaywinnipeg.mb.ca or call 477-5360.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 5, 2011 B2

When Craig Lodge became the Thomas Sill Dining Hall and More

I've uploaded more photos. Some new. Some old. Some I'm not too sure why they were taken. 


What you see here on these old contact sheets -- I do not have the photos -- is what camp looked like in the late 1970s before the lodge was built. 


What you see here is what the old rec hall looked like inside, the Davey, and the interior of B4 (first shot), a staff cabin that was between the Wellness Centre and the Director's Cabin. Also shown is the interior of Sussex, which has also been replaced.


The last few photos are of High-Rise #1. Why someone felt compelled to shoot the inside of it, God only knows.


Also in this batch are a number of photos of the dining hall (click) when it was fixed up to deal with the asbestos on the ceiling and to hide the ugly blue sheet metal siding.

All photos I've uploaded are here.  If you see someone you know, ID them or leave a comment. You can also click on "slideshow" just to watch.


And if you crave more, there are more than 770 photos of camp old and new here. Enjoy.

Postcript: Mystery Solved--Alumni Grant Platts says the contact sheet pictures look like the ones that he and Burton Boryen (Tutt) took to accompany the Operations Manual that they wrote sometime in the mid-70’s (hence the riveting shots of the power pole, sinks, tractor, etc.).

Marlene Penner 1962 - 2011

Marlene Penner passed away peacefully on October 4, 2011 at St. Boniface Hospital into the comfort of God's hands, at age 49, after a brief battle with cancer. 
She will be deeply missed by her dad Harry, brothers Len (Carol), Tom (Judy), nephews Kevin (Val), Mark (Cynthia); nieces Alicia, Kimberly (Kevin), Christine and Michelle, great-niece and nephews Avery, Hudson and Jacob, and many relatives and friends. 
Marlene was born March 7, 1962 in Winnipeg and was the youngest of four siblings. She was predeceased by her brother Ken and mother Ruth. She attended Ashland, Riverview and Churchill High School. She attended university, which led her into camp work.
 She worked for Camp Arnes and then YMCA-YWCA where she was working at the onset of her illness. She was Camp Director at Camp Stephens for four years, and then became Membership Director at the Downtown Branch. 
Marlene will be remembered for her great smile, sense of humour, independence and her positive attitude and loyalty to the people in her life. She loved her garden, flowers, crafts, reading, travel , going to the beach, and spoiling her nieces and nephews. 
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at St. Boniface Palliative Care for their care and compassion in making Marlene's last days as comfortable as possible. 
Visitation will take place at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main St., Winnipeg on Tuesday, October 11 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery on Wednesday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m. The celebration of Marlene's life will be at 11:00 a.m. at Portage Ave Church, 1420 Portage Ave. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marlene's name to YMCA-YWCA Strong Kids Campaign.

Cabin dedication & six week return

What a fantastic day, one of those special warm, calm, sunny days on Copeland Island that late August occasionally offers.
It was probably one of the largest throngs of  greeters ever welcomed the intrepid six week trips home on Saturday, Aug. 27. They all looked great (the girls, of course, better than the boys) despite some long weeks of
paddling and portaging.
Their “ceremonial” presentations were a mixture of story-telling, drama and song all wrapped up in great comedy. There were many laughs and much clapping in appreciation.
The day also included the dedication of four more new cabins sponsored by the Paterson family in
honour of Bob, the Steiman family, who chose to retain the St. Julien’s cabin name, The Wright and Wolfe families who kept Manitou in the fold, and the Fraser family who continued to honour Dave’s.
Parents, relatives, future and former campers, camp staff, long time past alumni and senior Y staff made up the assembly.
Not to be outdone, the camp kitchen staff laid out a great buffet to wrap things up neatly.
- Hal Studholme

Kate Paterson and Cathy McRae; Dave Young in back

Jo Wright

Dave & Doug Fraser

Curtis Steiman & son

Old guys from ‘60s staff, Punch Jackson, Doug Abra, Don Thompson, Hal Studholme. 

Lount Lodge Reborn

A recent photo of the lodge.

On July 11 Graham Lount came back to Camp Stephens.

His visit this summer was more than a trip down memory lane--it was business, too.

Graham Lount at the lodge's opening in 1981.

Lount, 90, provided the funding for the construction of Lount Lodge in 1980-81.

The retired founder of development company Shelter Corporation came back to see the log lodge and the wear-and-tear it's endured after 30 years of campers coming and going.

Lount and his family want to see the lodge last another 30 or more years, and have agreed to provide about $100,000 towards its restoration over the next three years, Lount's son Colin says.

Work will include a new roof, re-doing the interior floor, and cleaning and preserving the exterior walls.

"It looks like it's certainly in need of a retrofit and I'm glad it's going on," Colin said.

From left, Bruce Robinson, Bob Paterson, Punch Jackson and Graham Lount

"My father as a child was there for years and he enjoyed his time very much and so he got engaged with the building of Lount Lodge. He just turned 90 years old a week ago and he doesn't want to see it deterioriate. He'd like to see it be refurbished every 20 or whatever years it takes to keep it there forever."

I told Colin I was one of many people who helped cut down the trees and build the lodge, starting when I was 19. Here's an earlier post on the construction of the lodge, which remains a work in progress.

I explained on my recent visits to camp some of the problems with the building. That includes replacing three rotted posts the building sits on, powerwashing black mould (video) off the back of the building and the situation with the roof, specifically on the back left corner of the building where many of the cedar shakes are rotted.

Colin mused it might be better to put a metal roof on the building, but that's beyond my level of so-called expertise.

Anyway, as we ended our phone conversation he said he'd contact his father to visit the island to see the lodge. Within hours Graham Lount, who has a cottage on Lake of the Woods, was talking to Camp Director Steve Allen and others at the lodge, seeing things for himself.

"My father, he loves being involved with this sort of stuff," Colin said.

In a fitting way, this year's camp T-shirt features Lount Lodge.

The View



My daughter Laura and the view I never tire of seeing.



Former camp directors Hal Studholme, Grant Platts and I did an alumni presentation to this year's staff on June 25.

Hal and Grant were consummate professionals and I was a whimpering gas bag. So it goes.

Hal Studholme

Grant Platts

We'd like to expand the alumni presentation next year to include more presenters, like trail and kitchen staff, and the 80s and 90s.

We'd also like to make it more interactive, and get camp staff more involved in the day.

If you have ideas and would like to help, please contact one of us.

Also, this recently popped up on a Google alert I have for Camp Stephens.

You can rate your doctor, your teacher and now your camp experiences at Camp Ratingz.

Here's my favourite (I did not write it):

"I was a camper here for 3 years and in the voyageur program for 3 years and on staff for 4 years. The fondest memories of my youth are all associated with Camp Stephens. My only regret is that I grew up and had to get a real job or I would spend my summers there still. My daughter is now attends and loves it too."

Photo Of The Day

"Part of the duties of the "work party" - cookers and CITs - is to mop the dining room floor."

Former camp director Bill Owen recently sent me a number of old photos of his days at camp in the 1940s. 
I put this one up because it just caught my eye. The dining hall in this era was the old rec hall. Names on the back of the photo are: Katz, McNiel, Moore and Gilles.


Here are the others:

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

This is a bit of a repost.


A while ago, in my slowly expanding world of blogging, I posted a link to a song by the Ozarks.


We started listening to them in the mid-70s while riding on the old camp bus, Thomas.  Someone had a cassette tape (remember those?) of It'll Shine When It Shines.  


Riding on that bus, we sang along and memorized just about all the words to each song. It'll Shine was released in 1974 and was the OMD's best album. You can buy it now on iTunes.



Earlier, I posted a song from a live show they did Dec. 12, 1977 in Lee Furr's Studios in Tucson, Arizona in front of a live audience for FM broadcast. It's a bootleg, meaning it was never released commercially.


Click on this Rapidshare link for a full download (Zip file) of the show. Then click on "slow download" and enjoy. The sound is great and the band is tight.


The band is semi-retired now, but still do the occasional show. They play Aug. 18, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. at the Havelock Country Jamboree in Havelock, Ont. For tickets and information go to the Jamboree's web site.