LOST LAKE CAMP BOOKING PROCEDURE SUMMARY:
1. Call or email Bob Schwartzenberger 403-863-7585 or justbob175@gmail.com to discuss which weekends/facilities are available and suitable for your group.
2. For next season bookings each year, contact him after August 1. Once you have agreed on which weekend and which facilities you require/are available, he will confirm your booking by email, and provide an information package if you do not have it. Read below for more details.
LOST LAKE SCOUT CAMP
Lost Lake Scout Camp is a 16 hectare lake in beautifully mixed forest South West of Water Valley, Alberta, about one hours drive from Calgary. This camp is on Crown Land leased by the 18th Calgary Scout Group, and it is managed and maintained by a group of volunteers. Many user groups offer maintenance help from time to time, and please fix small problems while you are using the facility.
It is available for Scout and Guide groups to book. Non-Scouting groups may use the camp on a pre-arranged basis if the camp is not booked for Scouting activities.
This wilderness camp is most suitable for Outdoor Skills training and activities including hiking, canoeing and outdoor camping with three separate camping areas that can be used by up to three groups in camp.
Each area has picnic tables and pit toilets. Camping areas require moving all your equipment without vehicles 50 to 300 meters from the nearest vehicle unloading area.
This is a large forest area, lake, and creek with no fences for up to several kilometers, so groups must ensure that users do not randomly wander away. During part of the year there are cows grazing on the property.
FOUR BOOKABLE FACILITIES
– The Log “Cub Lodge” cabin near the lake accommodates 32, sleeping on the floor. It has a sleeping loft for up to 30, with a separate area suitable for leaders downstairs (approved for this purpose by Scouts Canada reps.) The building is heated by a wood burning stove. Outside is a large area for tenting, campfire and activity areas.
– The Leaders’ “Ward cabin” on top of the hill has bunks for 10 in two rooms, a simple kitchen area with propane stove and heat, activity area with wood fireplace, and table that seats 12. It has solar powered lights, and 12 volt sockets for charging electronics. Maximum occupancy is 30. There is a propane barbeque and picnic table on the front porch. There is space nearby for tenting, and a smaller Campfire Circle. It is suitable for a smaller group, or as an inclement weather shelter, and a place for accompanying adults to sleep in separated accommodation.
– “Berts Meadow” is in an isolated field with a large tenting area, A “Picnic/Cooking Shelter” with large indoor tables to set up a camp kitchen, tables with seating for up to 28, outdoor picnic tables, campfire circle. It is about 300 meters to carry all equipment from the “Pit Stop” Vehicle parking area.
– The “Cookshack” Kitchen Dining facility has an open air dining area which seats 50, two fridges, large propane stove, serving hot trays, and prep area. Power is available from our generator during prep/meal times for lights, etc. There is running hot and cold water in the summer from late May until end of September. (About 25 meters for one vehicle to unload near the kitchen.)
CAMP FACILITIES
There is also an increasing amount of program equipment available for your use! All groups have access to the Program Shed near the Ward Cabin which is stocked with various activity equipment. Please discuss with us what is available.
Program Shed
While we do have a small supply of Life Jackets and paddles, please bring your own suitably sized life jackets and paddles for four canoes and paddle boat. The children’s playground is being renewed and is not available at the moment. The Ga Ga Go pit near the Ward Cabin and equipment for many outdoor activities such as frisbee golf and pioneering poles is available. There is a beginners geocaching trail nearby. Please inquire when you are booking if interested in learning more. We may have a program volunteer on site some weekends.
Since chainsaws are not permitted while youth are present, we have single and two person buck saws available in the program shack for cutting firewood, and log splitters on site. Please bring your own axes/hatchets. Please bring your own firewood if possible. Propane for the Ward Cabin and Cookshack is from a central tank (cost included in booking fee). Please keep outhouses clean. We do keep a supply of toilet paper in the metal cupboard in the cookshack for you to replenish the outhouses. Rolls are covered by a metal can to prevent squirrels and other animals from taking the paper for other uses.
A 5 gallon red pail is stored near each campfire site, and should be filled with water before lighting a fire, under provincial regulations, and used to extinguish the fire. Information on fire advisories and bans should be checked, and information on this is posted at the camp and included in our information package. We are In the Calgary Forest area.
Keys and safety box with camp instructions is picked up by someone in your group Thursday or Friday from one locations in the city at the West end of Crowchild Trail, and returned by the following Tuesday. There is spotty cellphone coverage, and a landline phone on site for emergencies (in safety box, plugs in Ward Cabin and Cookshack).
It is your group’s responsibility to Cleanup after yourselves (and take all garbage home), and to secure the camp facilities after use, including locking up Canoes, Program Shack, Propane Tank, and Two Camp Gates.
On weekends with more than one Group in camp we will coordinate with you as to which group will pick up and return keys and ensure camp security.
During the winter we make a best effort to remove snow enough for most vehicles to drive in to the “Pit Stop” parking area within a few days of a major “dump”, but you should be prepared for snow, and in some cases parking vehicles on the road outside the camp gate, or just inside the gate may be prudent or necessary.
While booking, request an information package be emailed to you which includes:
-Safety information, and General Camp Information.
-How to get to the Camp, and map of the camp.
-How to get the safety box and return it.
-Leaving Camp Checklist
LOST LAKE CAMP BOOKING PROCEDURE
The Camp fee for Scouts and Guides is a donation of $15.00 per person (Youth and Adults) for camping for the weekend. (Non Scouting groups, $15.00 per day) This is payable after camping direct to the 18th Calgary Scout group by check or e-transfer. It is your choice if you come Friday for two nights or Saturday for one night.
Select one or more, if required, of the Ward Cabin, the Cub Lodge, Bert’s Meadow., or the Cookshack Kitchen-dining facility. You must book The Lodge, Ward Cabin and/or Bert’s Meadow area to use the Cookshack Kitchen/Dining facility.
The capacity limit for the Ward Cabin is 10 campers sleeping inside on bunks, with up to a total of 30 occupancy. The Cub Lodge capacity is 30 campers inside, There is also room for additional campers in tents around each building, and Bert’s Meadow will accommodate at least 50 campers in tents.
The booking fee includes the use of propane and camp equipment including canoes. Please estimate the number of Youth and Adults during booking. There is a form for you to fill out at the end of your stay with numbers of participants, etc. in the Safety box, with a closing down checklist on the back.
It is the Scout/Guide’s group responsibility to be aware of and comply with all Scouts Canada camping policies including completing Activity form requirements.
WHEN TO BOOK:
Bookings may be made for any available dates in the September to August camping year with new bookings open August 1 for the following year. Early booking is encouraged, however late bookings must be created at least three days in advance. If a booking is weathered out, you can re-book at no charge into a future available date.
To Book: Call or email Bob Schwartzenberger , 403-863-7585, or justbob175@gmail.com .
18th Calgary Scout Group
Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Own – Established 1919
1919 – 19 Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2T 5E2
We greatly look forward to welcoming you for your next adventure with Lost Lake Scout Camp!
*Fees subject to change without notification