Camp Lone Cloud IslandThe
History of Camp Lone Cloud
In
the summer of 2001 we proudly celebrated 75 years, of Scouting,
on Camp Lone Cloud Island. The island was bought in 1926 when
the Boy Scouts of Canada, Provincial Council required a remote
site for regional leader training. At that time, the land
was owned by the Miller Family, of Fall River.
When
it was purchased, the land was used for grazing cattle. Quite
naturally, the island presented a barrier to help keep wandering
cattle from going too far.
During
the years of 1928 to 1930 several week-long "composite camps"
were held on the island. About 125 boys, who bivouacked in
army bell tents, participated in the camps.
It
wasn't until the early 1930 's that some cabins were constructed
on the island. Lumber for the cabins came from a waterwheel
powered mill operated by the Mr. Frank Miller. For anyone
that has taken the trip to the island this mill was situated
very near to the mainland dock where you leave for the island.
The Miller family operated seven waterwheel powered mills
in the Miller Lake and Thomas Lake area; they were used for
grinding flour, lumbering and wood working.
In
1932 a concrete dam was constructed on Miller Lake by Nova
Scotia Power. As you can imagine, a new dam would create a
rise in the water levels in Miller Lake; the water rose two
or three feet from the original levels and caused flooding
in adjacent land. Miller Lake is very shallow in many places,
especially at the northern end of the lake where most of the
flooding occurred.
Adirondack
style cabins, with an open front and canvas curtains, were
constructed on the island in the 1940's to accommodate Royal
Canadian Navy servicemen; the cabins were used by the R.C.N
for the next four years as a retreat camp.
Scouts
continued to use the island for district camps until the early
1950’s when more regular use of the island began. A youth
camp for Wolf Cubs began at that time and has continued until
the present. The Cub camp has been frequented by thousands
of boys over the past 50 years and many of these youth have
seen their own sons or grandsons continue to camp on the island.
The
camp has catered to Cubs (ages 8 to 11 years) old and Scouts
aged 11-17 years old. The Cubs (campers program) and the service
Scouts (now a leadership program) continues on the island
to this day. Since Scouts became co-ed in 1997 the island
has provided a camping experience to both boys and girls.
The original lean-to style cabins were replaced in the 1990's
with larger, more comfortable, winterized buildings.
Transportation
to and from Camp Lone Cloud has improved over the years. The
first transportation used to bring the campers to the island
were open navy whalers. This seemed to take forever, and arriving
for camp was an afternoon adventure. Only a few campers and
their gear could fit into these dories.
In
1965 "Akie Akerlund" felt it was time to replace the whalers
with a swifter and safer vessel which he named the "Clipper".
The vessel was designed to make for easy loading and unloading.
Constructed specifically for Camp Lone Cloud the new clipper
proved to meet the challenge; it made transport much faster
and safer for everyone.
Stuart
Industries of Fall River constructed the pontoon style vessel
for a cost of $1,200 - included the motor. This wouldn't be
a down payment, for a replacement, at today's prices.
The
Clipper was launched April 30, 1966 and is still going strong
today. A "Seagull" engine, chosen for it's versatility and
reliability, powered the boat until recently In 1998, the
British designed "Seagull" motor was replaced, by a new outboard
motor.
Property
on the mainland where many individual Scouting group cabins
are located is Provincial crown property, leased to Scouts
Canada. We have enjoyed the use of this property for many
years. Some of the first cabins on the mainland were constructed
in 1929 and 1930. Groups from the 1st Halifax, 3rd
Halifax, 17th Halifax, 18th Halifax,
St. Paul's, St. Matthews and the Ranger's cabin were the first
to be built. There are about 30 cabins leased to Scouting
groups from all areas of the region.
The
Camp Management Board
administers the activities and operates the facilities at
Camp Lone Cloud The Board was established in 1995 to oversee
all Halifax region property. Camp Management Board's responsibilities
includes the development of new programs, the planned replacement
of the major physical structures (on the island) and the assurance
of a well managed camping experience for youth.
The CAMP DIRECTORS have
demonstrated exemplary leadership and skills training
to the thousands of youth that have participated in
the outdoor programs at Camp Lone Cloud. We wish to
thank these leaders for their support over the years.
In the past 20 years or more, the Camp directors were:
