Haliburton Scout Reserve

Haliburton Scout Reserve (HSR) is a 20 square kilometre (5000 acre) Scout camp located east of Haliburton, Ontario and just south of Algonquin Park. The camp opened in 1947 and is operated by Scouts Canada, Greater Toronto Council. HSR is located in a part of the Canadian Shield with 13 lakes and a multitude of birds, fish, and animals. Centred around Kennabi Lake are 22 campsites accessible by water. Scout troops normally come to the camp for week-long summer camps. HSR staff provide numerous programs for troops.

History

Following World War II, Toronto Scout District (now Greater Toronto Council) wanted a rugged site for Scout camping. Their camping committee eventually located a 4150 acre (16.8 km²) site owned by the Mill Valley Lumber Company, which was completing cutting in that area. The property was purchased in the fall of 1946 and opened the following summer as "Camp Kennabi". Many of the original lumber camp buildings are still in use. The first Camp Chief was Field Commissioner James C. Moore, after whom Moore Lake and the J. C. Trail are now named.

Starting in 1953, a composite camp (consisting of scouts from various troops attending as individuals with leadership provided by the camp staff) called "Camp Kennaway", was run on the site. "Camp Kennaway" and "Camp Kennabi" merged in 1960 to form "Haliburton Scout Reserve". Over the years, various plots of land were added to the original purchase. Since 1947, thousands of Scouts from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries have visited the camp.

Program

taffed programs

HSR's trained staff run a variety of programs during the week. Programs include:

* Sailing lessons
* Kayak lessons
* Riflery with .22 calibre rifles on a 22 m (25 yard) range
* Archery
* Trapper's Cabin — Scouts visit a reconstructed cabin from the fur trapping era and learn about trapping and logging, both of which were practiced on the land that is now HSR.
* Survival Island — Scouts learn about building shelters, purifying water, and how to become found if one is lost in the woods.
* Rappelling
* Climbing Wall
* Snorkel Island — Scouts don mask, snorkel, and fins and search for treasures in the water near the island.
* Star Hike — Troops travel to the middle of Kennabi Lake to look at the stars and hear stories about the constellations, if they stay awake.
* Badge Trading — Scouts gather at the Hub on Tuesday evening to trade badges.

HSR Regatta

Thursday afternoon is the HSR Regatta. Troops gather at the Hub to compete in a variety of water-based activities. The events normally include:

* War Canoe race — A race in which there are ten scouts in each war canoe. (This race uses two of the three ten person war canoes owned by the reserve)
* PFD Swim — Swimming while wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
* Match Swim — Contestants must swim from one dock to another carrying a match. The winner is the first to light their match. Matches are normally carried in the mouth to keep them dry.
* Medly Swim — Four Scouts swim in a relay, each using a different stroke.
* In and Out Canoe Race — Scouts race canoes. When a whistle is blown, Scouts must jump out then climb back in before continuing.
* Canoe Sculling Race — Scouts race three to a canoe without paddles using their hands for propulsion.
* Skipper's Taxi — Two Scouts race in rowboats, one Scout on each oar. A Scouter sits at the back and directs the steering.
* Canoe-Over-Canoe Race — Four Scouts with two canoes from each site race. When a whistle is blown, one canoe must swamp and be rescued by the other using canoe-over-canoe rescue, and then both canoes must race back to shore.
*Kayak Race - Venturers compete in an individual kayak race.
*Solo Canoe Race - Venturers compete in an individual canoe soloing race.

Program resources

Scouts can use canoes, kayaks, sailboats, rowboats, and lifeboats. Kennabi Lake offers excellent fishing. There are many day trips available including visiting the logging museum in Algonquin Provincial Park, seeing undomesticated wolves at the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve, watching logs being processed at the Wilberforce Lumber and Veneer Company ("see" Wilberforce, Ontario), and visiting the abandoned Richardson Mine.

Hiking

HSR has an extensive network of marked hiking trails and outpost campsites, ideal for overnight hikes. Hiking trails wind their way through forests and over rock formations typical of the Canadian Shield. One can often see wildlife, such as deer on these hikes. Popular hiking destinations include High Falls, where one can have a shower under the waterfall; Pike's Peak, the highest point in HSR offering a fantastic view; and Hurst Lake, where there is a large shelter and a supply of canoes.

Facilities

The central facility at HSR is called the Hub. Here is the Trading Post with souvenirs, snacks, and a small amount of camping equipment. Nearby is the Dobson Centre, where the Country Store is located. The Country Store stocks a full line of food and can make special orders. A pay phone is available nearby. The camp clinic is staffed by a doctor and nurse.

Around Kennabi Lake and on its many islands are 22 troop campsites. Each of these includes a dock, swimming area, picnic tables, ground cooler for food, internal telephone, outdoor kybos, rowboats, campfire circle, and several patrol sites. There are also nine family/guest campsites with road access, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits. Some are suitable for trailers.

Typical week

Scout troops arrive at camp every Saturday in July and August. After checking in at the office, the troop gets PFDs from the Ab Shack, and loads themselves and their gear on to a pontoon barge which takes them into Kennabi Lake to their campsite. The rest of the day is spent setting up camp.

On Sunday morning, one Scouter from each site attends the Skippers' Meeting at the Hub. Scouts come to the Hub later by barge in the morning. They get canoes, paddles, and a brief lesson from HSR staff before paddling back to their campsite. The Scouts will use the canoes to get around for the remainder of the week. Troops often take Sunday afternoon to learn more about canoeing and water safety, and to complete setting up their campsites.

Regular programs run Monday to Friday. Troops build their own program from the staff-run activities and programs they run themselves.

Thursday afternoon there is the Regatta (see above)

On Friday, troops often have a closing banquet on their site. In the evening, they bring their canoes back to the Hub and attend the closing campfire. After the campfire, they return to their campsite by barge.

On Saturday, each campsite is inspected by HSR staff. Once inspection is complete, troops load their gear onto the barge, return to the loading docks, and head for home.

1st Kennabi Venturers and Rovers

Haliburton Scout Reserve Staff Alumi Association

The Haliburton Scout Reserve Staff Alumni was founded in 1989 and exists to provide former staff members of the Haliburton Scout Reserve with a sense of ongoing fellowship, camp news and history through linking present and past staff members, while promoting service to the camp through donations and service projects.

A variety of activities are conducted each year, both social and service oriented. Members are encouraged to participate in whatever activities for which they are available. For the majority of members who live outside the Toronto area, the "Alumni Thunderbird" newsletter is what keeps them connected.

External links

[http://www.hsrsa.ca Haliburton Scout Reserve Staff Alumni]