Boys Camp
The Early Years: 1939 through 1948
Choose a year, or just wander through the information.​
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1939-1940
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The camp, located on the old Kibbe Place, was purchased by Austin "Pop" W. Welch from John Bondarenko in 1939.
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The first cabin was built in October and November of 1939.
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History of the Camp in Pop's words as printed in the BBC News.
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1941​
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This was the camp's first year of operation.
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A small group of 16 boys attended the camp.
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In addition to the "First Cabin", there were also 4 sleeping shelters.
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The only names of staff that we have associated with the camp in 1941 are Austin Welch, Tony Balski (age 16), and Margaret McKeogh.
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The shelter cabins were used for sleeping quarters from 1941 through 1945.
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Riflery was offered the first year the camp was open.
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Session attendance was: 6/29 - 15, 7/13 - 18, 7/28 - 15.
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There seems to have been only three 2-week periods this year.
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1942
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Session attendance in June was 15.
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1943
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Bert Auld, Pop's nephew began attending the camp (age 9).
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1944
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1945
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David Easton and George Curtin (age 15) started attending camp.
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1946
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Tuition was $20 for each 2-week period. There were 4 2-week periods plus an extra 1-week session at the end.
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Session attendance was: 6/27 - 44, 7/11 - 49. 7/25 - 38, 8/8 - 29, Special Session 8/22 - 21.
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1947
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Richard Anderson (age 11) and Donald Bab (age 11) came to the camp this year.
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Inspections were done on cabins A, B, Bunkhouse, and Dorm.
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This was the year of the first reunion.
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1948
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Barry Adams (age 12), Richard Anderson (age 12), George Holland and Bob Moreau (age 13) came to the camp this year.
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One of the major events of the summer was a 3-day Indian/Pioneer war. The Pioneers lived on the island.
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Bob Moreau was appointed the first ever Captain of the Junior Leader Corp.
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Barry Adams, Donald Bab and George Holland were appointed full Junior Leaders.
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Richard Anderson was appointed Acting Junior Leader.
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