Category Archives: Activities
Posts are listed in chronological order based on date of posting – newest posts first.
Video – Commando Course – 1988
Boysworld cabin on the ropes course – 1988.
Sr. Arts & Crafts
Basketball Court
Archery
The archery area was located at the top of the parking lot, beside Central Supply.
Mini-Golf
The mini-golf course was located south of A-Frame 1.
The site of the mini golf course prior to construction in 1960 (similar angle):
The photo below is taken from the opposite direction to the one above – after the course was built:
Below, campers and staff prepare for work on the mini-golf course by digging sample trenches. It will be built on the other side of the fence to the left. ca. 1961
Topless Tetherball – 1961
Topless Tetherball. 1961
The Peewee / Muppet Unit Area
Early views – 1959:
The shelter shown below was later moved to the Patio (outside the kitchen) View is looking north west with garages visible in the background:
During construction of the T-Pool in 1964:
Commando Course
Still not Tire-D of Summer, Lana, left, and Jenna, take advantage of a spot of good eather in an otherwise chilly summer to scale a wall of tires at Forest Valley Day Camp in North York. Toronto Star. July 17, 1992
Tractor Rides
It is uncertain exactly when tractor rides began. It is logical to assume that it was after the stagecoach was taken out of service in 1977. However, the photo below is from 1964 which means that tractor rides began much earlier, and concurrently with stagecoach rides.
This is the original tractor car in the Peewee unit area:
In 1963, beside the T-Learner,
A larger car was built around 1982:
Jerry (Laidlaw) driving:
Lou Glait driving while visiting in 1983:
Dominic driving:
Bert on the Trampoline
Bert on the trampoline, Circa 1965. Trampoline is located where the outdoor patio would later be built. Mini golf course in rear.
Several years later, the trampoline was relocated behind mini-golf and placed in a pit to bring it level with the ground.
The Hill
In 1965, using fill excavated for the Spadina Expressway, Bert constructed a ski hill on the western edge of the valley. The fill was essentially free and created yet another source of revenue – this time during the winter months.
Basketball
Likely the first year on the site. Looking west toward the hill.
ca. 1957
Boat Races on the River
Boat races on the river. 1961. Before the G. Ross Lord Dam was built – just north of camp – the level of the river changed regularly with the rainfall. When water levels were low, the river was accessible for activities like the one seen here. After storms, the river would run very fast and very high and signs were posted warning campers and staff to stay away. After the dam was built in 1973, the water level was kept consistently higher and the river essentially became off limits to camp activities. The following aerial photos show camp before and after construction of the G. Ross Lord Dam:
Horseback Riding / Stables
View across the river to the ponies grazing in what later became the Ranger Area. The stables were set back about 100 feet from this spot and were accessible along a path that met the original bridge.
The pony program was discontinued in mid-1970’s. Photo ca. 1969:
The Pony Carousel as shown in the second camp brochure. ca. 1960. Trivia: Bert received the carousel and a stagecoach as settlement on a debt.
1967:
Soapbox Derby
The Soapbox Derby was an annual event for many years. Cabins in the older units built cars and raced from the top of the parking lot to the bottom.
Early 1960’s race:
Building cars for one of the last races in 1982:
Early 1960’s:
Soapbox Derby with narration from Bert – 1988
Forest Valley Day Camp 1956 - 1993 