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In the late 1920's Scouts in the Ottawa area had camped in several locations along the Ottawa river. In 1928 (and contrary to what then was national camping policy) district camping was extended to include Wolf Cubs. So popular was camping in the area that over the years it became apparent to council officers that the acquisition of a permanent campsite was imperative. It was not until the summer of 1937, after hundreds of miles of back road travel, that Jonathan T Armstrong, better known as J.T.A. or Jack, then Executive Secretary of the Ottawa District Council, founded a site on Christie Lake which eventually was to become Camp Opemikon. He, Alf Percival, Scoutmaster of the 15th Ottawa Troop at Parkdale United Church; Nelson Thomas and Vernon Birtwhistle, were the first overnight campers. A Camp Committee composed of several prominent Ottawa business and professional men initiated the negotiations which led to the purchase of 100 acres from Mrs. Annabelle Sweetman and 50 acres from Mr. George Noonan. The purchase price for the two properties totaled $2,000. The District Executive Committee approved the proposed purchase, based on a bequest by the Gill family, and later A E Honeywell concluded the agreement, which was officially signed on October 5th, 1938. The site was used in the summer of 1938 while the negotiations were still under way. |
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