Category Archives: Landmarks

Posts about specific locations at camp – primarily buildings and facilities.

Posts are listed in chronological order based on date of posting – newest posts first.

Activities, Landmarks

Across the River

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Much of the property on the other side of the Don River was within the bounds of camp property as shown in the photo below:

Ranger Area

The area at the top of the stairs was known as the Ranger Area – as it was once the Ranger unit area. Cookouts were often held there throughout the 1970s. However, after 1980, the area became largely disused.

At the left rear of the Ranger Area, a TTC bus stop pole could be found! How it got there is uncertain. Most likely it was placed there by Ranger staff in 1965 to 1970.

Behind the bus stop was a steep hill leading to the apartments on Goldfinch Crescent. It was known as “Counsellors Hill” and was a challenging climb requiring you to use the small trees to pull yourself up. The hill was off of camp property.

Stables

The stables were located behind the Ranger Area and to the right.

Here you can see part of the Stables area near the first bridge:

Here is the entrance to the Stables (behind the Ranger Area) in winter:

The photo below, shows the oval horse track (inside the yellow circle).

When the stables were closed in the mid-1970s, the open area that remained was called Ranger Field.

More on the stables HERE.

Landmarks

The A-Frames

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Two outdoor dining shelters were built prior to the third season in the valley.

During roof installation – 1958:

Nearing completion:

With use, it was determined that the ends should be closed. These changes were made in 1960. The upper windows were clear plastic. The bottom level was screened to allow airflow as shown in this plan:

A1 in 1962:

1965:

1965:

A2 ca. 1986:

A1 ca. 1986:

A2 in 2020. The light panels on the sides have been replaced with wood:

Small skylights were added to the top:

See also:

Design and Construction: The A-Frames
1960s, Landmarks, Staff

Staff Training – ca. 1960

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This photo is taken in front of the future location of the mini golf course. The staff are sitting on the hill in front of the A-Frame, leading up to the Nature field. The shuffleboard courts are visible in the background. The deck of the I-Pool is behind the wooden fence.

The photo below shows the mini golf course after construction.

The arrows in each photo show the position of the camera in the other photo. They are looking in opposite directions.

1950s, Landmarks

Original Office

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The first camp office was located in the building beside the future location of the mini-golf course.  The door of the office opened to the deck of the I-Pool and there was an open counter around the corner, facing toward the kitchen.

In 1964, the office was relocated to the new building beside the auditorium.

The photo below shows the original office building (far right) after 1964. The door to the I-Pool has been closed up:

This is a close-up of the office from the photo above:

Below is a similar view of the office while still in use:

J (181)

This is a view of the other side of the building after 1964. A new door was installed, replacing the open counter:

Another view of the area near the office. The building in the background (behind the woman on the platform) was a temporary structure.  The large boxes outside the office are new towels:

The photo below is taken in front of the fence shown in the photo above:

This is the area in front of the office where the Outdoor Patio would later be built.  The gate to the left, where the man is entering, is the same gate seen in the photo above. The blue platform is the one that the woman is standing on in the photo above:

Because of all the traffic around the office, there were notice boards nearby:

The is an aerial photo of the area:

1970s, Landmarks

Fireplace

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It was a last-minute addition to the building because the ski club was starting up. It was envisioned as a valuable spot during the winter time – and likely was. However, the ski club only lasted a few years after which the fireplace became a curiosity.

It was not included in the original design show below:

Office Wing Plan

Here is a preliminary design in which the fireplace has been added:

Fireplace design

The fireplace in the design above was changed.  The final design:

Office Wing Final original

In the late 80’s a small addition provided summer storage for the Board Of Education:

Office Wing Final

After completion in 1964:

The Fireplace area between the Auditorium and the Office. 1982

fireplace