Please leave the Camp CLEAN

Comment returned to me about the toilet paper rolls.
"The ones who already do a good cleanup will understand this. The ones who leave a mess will say ‘huh?’ and ignore it."

Bottom line is: All the rules are written for good reason. The group leader will review Camp rules with ALL campers before leaving for Camp or immediately upon arrival and ensure that all rules are followed while on the Camp property. The Group leader is responsible to leave the Camp CLEAN.

May 29 Rock Slide

Remember to thank those that spent time this spring clearing the road for access. May 29th, another rock slide completely blocked the road and was cleared by the group heading in the next day! If we want to continue road access to Camp, we will have to put some pressure on the politicians to pressure Forestry budget priorities or direct funding to Forestry to improve the road and ensure safety.

Best to write or at least talk to your local MLA and the Minister of Forests - Honourable Rich Coleman, 250 387-6240. Call 604 660-2421 or (800) 663-7867 to ask for your MLA's info or to be transferred toll free to their office.

Best tip for lighting campfires.

Tip of the month for the best way to light your campfire!

This revolutionary idea came to me when I recalled all those times when the Camp is so nice and quiet after groups have cleaned up and gone home. So many times I have noticed this little known, precious resource that they quite often leave behind.

This involves a simple, four step process. (Not hard to do, but apparently hard to remember if your Mother isn't there.)

Step 1: Upon arrival, head straight to the outhouse. (Not hard to remember after that bumpy road!)
Step 2: Pick up all the empty rolls and put the new rolls on the rollers.
Step 3: Put the empty rolls in your pocket.
Step 4: Use the empty rolls to light your campfire.
If there is no garbage there, remember to thank the previous group.

I get discouraged when I think that I might have to add another rule to the list..... Bring your mother to Camp if you never learned to replace the T.P. rolls! Please remember that there is no caretaker there and each group is required to leave the Camp clean. This includes the outhouses.

Another note..... Mice and squirrels like their TP off the roll. They can chew them, knock them on the floor and push them out the door into the rain. (It's really hard to pick up rolls of wet and soggy TP.)

Up til this time, 12 empty rolls had been the record for 3 outhouses. This last trip took the record with 17 fire starters! (We will all be happy to know that the empty rolls don't go down the hole to fill things up prematurely)

May warm weather brings high water!

Anyone interested in watching the water levels at Camp? There is a web site where they post the water levels on the Chilliwack River at Vedder or Slessee and it closely reflects the lake level.

http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/disclaimerB.asp Here's some pics I took on May 17th and then again on the 21st. The lake water was starting to recede on the 21st as reflected by the graph.

If you break or burn something

If you put a combustible material too close to the stove, it will not only wreck it, it may catch fire. The fire department will not come!

If your group burns or breaks something, please repair or replace it.

Mini work day projects.

Instead of making a special trip up for work day this spring, take on a small project that your group can do as a team building exercise while you are up there using the Camp. Plan ahead to be able to complete a job that will make the Camp better, cleaner, safer, or more enjoyable for your group as well as others. Present it as a learning opportunity, community service and something that your group can all be proud of.

Here's a couple of pictures of one example of teamwork, community service and an opportunity to make the road in safer for all. This estimated 3,000 pound rock started out in the middle of the road. One group rolled it over to allow just enough room to drive through the ditch to go around it. This group rolled it over another couple of times to roll it over the bank.

Spring work day postponed.

Continuing snow conditions makes April 26th Spring Work Day impractical. Spring melt is going to have a lot of water running down the hillsides so as you drive in for your weekend, bring a shovel with you and pay attention to the culverts. With no road maintenance being done, trees are growing in the ditches and debris blocks the water courses. Anyone wanting to donate a grader / cat / backhoe for a day, please let us know.

Here's a picture of the first Km of road in past the provincial park. (Taken April 19th) Note the belly pan dragging!