It has been 70 years since area Scouts first began camping at Powerscourt in 1954.
The Dunn family donated the vast tract of 100 acres of Elgin wilderness to the Scouting movement in the Chateauguay Valley a few years later in the early 1960s. Since then, the camp has played host to thousands of Scouts and Girl Guides who collectively experienced their first sing-alongs around a campfire, built lifelong friendships, and shared countless other memories.
“It’s the place where I ate my first s’more,” says lifelong Scout and leader Cory Ovans, who is part of a small team including representatives from the Huntingdon, Ormstown, and Howick groups that is spearheading the upcoming 70th anniversary celebration at the camp on August 17.
As a volunteer leader with the Ormstown Scouts, Ovans says he has been wanting to hold an event for a few years. He says the goal, beyond opening the camp to visitors, is to gather stories from those with a connection to the site. “Since the camp has always been run by volunteers and has been open for so long, it has a rich history that unfortunately lives [only] in the minds of those who lived the experience over the years,” he explains. “I want this event to be an opportunity to share the camp’s history and get its story written on paper.”
The Chateauguay Valley Historical Society will be present during the event to share some of that history, including information on the old power station, and the iconic Powerscourt covered bridge that sits next to the camp entrance. “I’m very excited to see what they have put together,” says Ovans.
Representatives from Ambioterra will also be present to speak about the camp’s rich flora and fauna. The organization completed a study of the camp a few years ago and had requested the land be part of a planned nature corridor. Ovans says that while the camp couldn’t officially accept to participate, “We do our best to leave nature undisturbed.”
Ovans believes this has been key to the camp’s success over the years. “We obviously have an incredible location, but the fact that we have no electricity and do our best to keep the camp as natural as possible really makes it almost magical,” he says. The camp includes hiking trails, open fields, dense woods with 19 species of trees, creeks, and wetland areas.
The event will also feature guided hikes, a badge swap, group games, a corn roast, and a formal campfire at sunset led by a special guest. Camp alumni and those who have enjoyed the camp over the years are invited to attend on August 17 from 1 p.m. Organizers would appreciate an RSVP to dunnmemorialcamp@gmail.com, but the gates will be open and campers young and old will not be turned away.