History-Vision
The vision of Hidden Bay Leadership Camp
All individuals learn to recognize and develop their full potential to become people of good character who make a difference.
The Mission
In an environment that fosters courtesy, respect and responsible behavior, campers learn to confidently apply what they have learned from the experiences of today to the opportunities of tomorrow.
History
Hidden Bay is located on the quiet shores of Lake Shebeshekong/ The camp sits on 24 beautiful acres,which includes some of the famous rocky and beautiful terrain of the Georgian Bay Area.
The property on which HBLC is situated was at one time a family owned resort that was well known for its fishing and community like atmosphere. The resort, appropriately named Hidden Bay Resort, was established n the 1940sd and remained open well into the mid 1980s, when the resort and its gates were closed for the last time.
Many years later, Darren Henry, one of the co-founders of HBLC, developed a model of a leadership camp for a university project and was more than interested in seeing his project come to life. Darren shared a common vision with Pat Henry, with whom he partnered in 1999, to open a leadership camp for children of all backgrounds and social status, ensuring that ALL children would have the opportunity to attend a summer camp. Very soon, the wheels were set in motion and HBLC was officially established in 2000. To prep for the first summer on a very tight budget, the existing buildings on site were repainted and shingled just in time for the gates to reopen for an entire month, allowing children to come to camp for little or no fee – HBLC’s first summer.
As the years progressed, many new additions have been added, including program areas, buildings and facilities. These have included the construction of eight platform tents, three very sophisticated washroom buildings, an amazing low ropes course and two dining halls. We unfortunately experienced a devastating fire in November of 2006 that completely consumed our hardly used, three year old dining hall. It was a huge loss however we fortunately were able to rebuild a new and improved dining hall just in time to reopen for Summer 2007.
Currently, our program has expanded to include year-round programs in environmental education and leadership development, in addition to our 8-week summer program.
Our Current Director:
Kailee Smoskowitz, B.A. M.SC.ED.
Kailee comes to Hidden Bay with 10 years of leadership experience at Camp Arowhon, Algonquin Park and Onondaga Camp, Minden. She is very excited to join the Hidden Bay family, and looking forward to sharing her many interests and abilities with Counsellors and campers.
She is excited to continue our HBLC traditions and legacy of change and innovation.
Prior Directors
Carinna “Neno” Pellett 2009-2011
Steve “Pops” Salt 2007-2008
Shannon “Aloe” Henry 2001-2007
Keith Higgins 2000 (Founding Director)