When I was 17 I participated in an excellent program run by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. It was called Junior Rangers back then. Now it’s called Ontario Rangers… probably because today’s 17-year-olds don’t want to be called Junior. I’m guessing there.
Anyway, I entered the program a fairly scrawny bookworm in June and left in August as a well-muscled bookworm with a great deal of mosquito and black fly bites.
Although we were all guys, except for the cook, we weren’t gay. At least I wasn’t. There was the cook after all. And a few of us wanted her… wanted all 250 pounds. But I digress.
In 1980 I was stationed at Kiosk, in the northwest corner of Algonquin Park and we did a great deal of canoe rangering. There were at least 2 major canoe trips per crew where we would replace dilapidated kybo’s (aka shitter, btw kybo stands for ‘keep your bowels open’), brush portage routes with scythes and sandvik axes, eat gorp and paddle a great deal. We also did camp maintenance around Kiosk, some demolition of the houses being taken over by the park at that time, repairs to the dirt roads to the camp and forestry work. It was a hell of a lot of work but one of the best summers I’ve ever had.
There was recreation time too. A lot of swimming in the lake, beach volleyball and a sporting competition between our camp and those losers, degenerates and sissies over at the Achray (they were in the north-EAST part of Algonquin: that’s the bad side) camp.
If you’re 17 and want a really great time, I recommend it.
i was a ranger in 78 in kiosk.i have to say that it was one of the best jobs that a 17 year old could have,provided that you like the bush and are not afraid of physical labour.i was very small for my age but that did not stop me from trying to prove myself .i was going to and did portage a 16ft aluminum when ever and where ever possible.i have grown since,both physically and mentally.the ranger program showed me that i could not onley do things that that i thought were phsically impossible for a boy of my stature,but i was also comended for my hard work by thoughs in charge.i have gone on to work offshore drilling,logging,west coast crabbing,and eventually reforestation.to name but a few of the exciting jobs that i know that the jr.forest ranger program prepared me for.thanks a bunch for the that one summer back in 78.
The Ontario Liberals just killed the Ontario Stewardship Rangers program. See today’s story at http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1263572–camping-prohibited-jobs-cut-at-10-provincial-parks
Great to hear from another Kiosker, JR Geoff!
Hi is there some type of alumni list for rangers that spent time in Kiosk?
Not that I know of. I was at Kiosk in the summers of 1980 and 1981, how about you Mark?
I was a Junior Forest Ranger in 1970 at Mississagi provincial park north of Elliot lake. The best summer of my life.
I was a Junior Forest Ranger, (JR`s as we were called) in 1967 at Wrong Lake north of Chapleau. Our group was made up of fellas from all areas of Ontario. We worked hard, played baseball between the other two Ranger camps in our region, Racine Lake and Barkley Bay which was located at Missinaibi Lake. The town of Chapleau held a dance that we were all invited to attend and it was great.
The food at our camp was great
We came in as boys, and left, tanned with muscles as young confident men.
It was the best summer of my life and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
I, too was at Wrong Lake in 1967, and remember the experience fondly. Went back in 1973 with my wife and infant daughter to camp at Missinaibi Lake. The Barclay Bay camp had burned dowm in the meantime. Returned again in 2007 (40 years!!!). Found Wrong Lake, but the old road has been relocated to the North, and all traces of the camp are gone, Too bad there isn’t some kind of registry of those (good old) days!
Greetings John,
I remembered your name immediately. Most of the guys including yourself signed my copy of the group photo that we all received. I returned a couple of times to Chapleau on business during the winter and never had a chance to visit the park or check out Wrong Lake. I am planning on a summer trip in the near future so perhaps I will also visit the old site of the camp beside Wrong lake.
It was nice hearing from a fellow JR and getting an update on our old stomping grounds.
Here’s to those good old days!
eh John ..
As a former Jr. Ranger in 1975 and if my memory serves me I too was at the Wrong Lake Camp. tough being as old as I am here.and NO access to the one piece of Evidence that could prove it conclusively is the Camp photo in from of a sign I suggest to be built and erected. It was a two Pole sided 10 feet high.. with hanging two canoes. The signs were 2 hanging canoes , the first with the Camp and all the staff. The second hanging closer to the ground with the names of all that were there that summer. I got this Idea form one of my older brothers that was a ta perry sound camp. they did this. I come from a family for 6 boy and all of us were lucky to go to junior Ranger camps. Back then it was the IN thing to do.. and the Lottery as it was called was always the wild card/ My two cousins in the town.. were rejected..sadly. Consider John .. how old and how many years ago.. trailer we lived in were never meant to stand that long.
Would love ot hear form you and swap storeys if you like
Lee
borgsev@mts.net
Eh there Terry .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer
borgsev@mts.net
Aye Terry…
Love to hear from you there.. I was a Jr. Ranger in 1975 at what I think was the camp you mention and I really like to communicate with you and get some HISTORY on Chapleau’s “wrong LAKE. ei… was there 6 camps back then … as when I was there.. 3 boys camps and 3 girls camps… I see Chapleau hosted a dance for you JR’s. We had a 6 Camp three day Jamboree. that it its self was totally amazing let me tell you.. I remember one detail like it was yesterday.. The weekend we all 6 camps went to Chapleau… we packed the theatre. The move of the summer then was the release of GREASE staring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John . Terry is was and still has been my BEST SUMMER EVER. I wish I still had the photos of the 10 foot sign at the camp entrance I suggested. With our hearts and souls we poured a memory to be left for all time.. and I hope the tradition continued. Terry.. please contact me
Cheers Treey…Lee DeBareau
borgsev@mts.net
Would like to share story’s if you like I sure like to …
Eh there Terry…. I was at that camp a decade later… would love to talk… if you like…please email me… borgsev@mts.net pls …
I was a Junior Ranger in the summer of 86′ at Sringwater lake nr.Geraldton on the Algonquin. I remember catching numerous pike, sandvicking, treeplanting, repairing roads, portaging, playing baseball, fishing, and going to town to buy booze. It was one of the best summers of my life… Thank you Rocky Richard Mantha, Rob Bloxham, Peter(Raoul),Don, Blair, and anyone else who I was close with but forgot to mention. You gotta remember me I was the only asian guy there. I’ll never forget that summer for the rest of my life. Great program.
Sounds like a great program. Would love to get my son involved. He just turned 18. Is it only for 17 yr olds?
It is a great program although I get the impression it is much reduced from what it was in the heydey of ‘Junior Rangering’. There certainly aren’t as many camps still active. But you should contact the Ministry of Natural Resources or look for Ontario Rangers online about the age requirement. It was 17 when I went but the actual age cutoff may be based on a specific date.
Terry
1970 was my year also as a Junior Ranger; posted at Sibley Provincial Park (now known as “Sleeping Giant Provincial Park” on the Sibley Peninsula near Thunder Bay. Like the other recollections, the program involved a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. Can’t remember many of the names of the guys after nearly 40 years, but I had my old instamatic camera and took a lot of pictures (slides) that I recently scanned into digital format. They bring back priceless memories of a great character building summer.
I was one of the first female rangers in 1973 when they expanded the program to include girls. It was a great experience! We did the same jobs as the boys camps….cutting trees, planting trees, cleaning campsites, etc. My camp was at Mark’s Lake near Thunder Bay.
I haven’t seen or heard from any of the other girls in years. If anyone who was there the summer of 1973 reads this, please get in touch as I’d love to hear from you. Thanks.
1982-1983 restoule prov. park first as a ranger then as a so call foreman the second year, was maybe the most fun summers in my teen-age life..
Hey steve I just came across this site my name is timothy gill my nickname that summer 1983 was “speedy”.You were the one that that had the ozzy hat… Some names Pete veenstra ,Gord nederveen, cyril, cricket .where are you living now ?
steve my email is timothygill007@hotmail.com
Hi Speedy and Steve (Restoule 1983)
Clubs here, camp beaver-tail barber. Speedy you did the stand up comic routine. Other guys there were Stoney, Chief, Jersey, Red, Frog, Matt, Ernie, Brew, (painted his stomach for tallent show, and danced to I Just Cant Get Enough), Doug (our pitcher). Cricket bought me a bottle of liquor for winning MVP at our soft ball win, for the Restoulle Beaver Hunters (I remember a fair amount of our theme song). Great food in the messhall, evening snacks. Getting cheques cashed in town and playing the jukebox (Photograph – Def Leppard), Sandviks, Running each morning before showering, going in to North Bay to watch War Games, the local girls, building a foot bridge while standing in a swamp, the leader who showed no sign of pain as he accepted the bet on wrapping a bill around his arm and trying to burn through it with a cigarette. I was offered Forman for summer 1984, but I needed more than $10 per day and turned it down.
I was a ranger at Wrong Lake (real name) north of Chaplwu ont.
paulmerrifielde@rogers.com
Greetings Paul from Wrong Lake.
What year were you there & have you ever returned to the camp?
In 1967 most of the trees around the camp were 15-20 ft in height because a fire. I can only imagine what the place must look like now.
We thinned poplar with sandviks,cleared brush on roadways and even dug a well using a sandpoint with water pressure supplied by a Wajax Mark 1 water pump also used for fire fighting. We had a ballpark, 6 cabins that we lived in and our famous 18 hole KYBO that was situated on the hill, with no doors, and a great view of the whole camp. The 2 women in the camp lived at the other end in the cookery so there was some privacy.
I will have to dig out those old 35mm slides for a review and get them on to DVD’s.
It’s nice to know of someone that made it to Wrong Lake. Nice talking to you.
tljearmstrong@rogers.com
Eh there Pauly .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat..
i went to sandbar lake provincial park. the best summer in my life. i will never forget it. i wish i could do it all over agian. i cried when i left my friends.
When were you there Nick? I was a Sandbar Lake J-R – 1977.
Please drop an email to rhudson@powergate.ca
It was also one of my best summers! Timmons Ontario, girls camp 1983- what a blast and I learned how to plant trees and use a sand vic!
Sandbar in 1985, when were you there?
I was at Sandbar in 1978. We did the “lion’s share” of the basic log building that houses the sauna, down by the lake. There were maybe 3 logs up on each side when we got in July. We went right at it and got the building part completed in 1978. There were a few of us who were assigned “high wood workers” that got the structure done. I went back there to see the camp in 1986(+/-). What a blast seeing the camp! And the finished sauna!
Correction – I was at Sandbar Lake (Ignace) in 1977. Sorry about that folks.
i was near chapleau near wakami lake provincial partk , time of my life , unforgettable , and that was way back , 17 years old , the year was 1974, came home to Kingston and became a back to the lander lol. Changed my life . Good Memories .
Spent the summer of 84 at Wawang lake by Ignace, North of Thunder Bay. The best summer ever, great experience. Still have many fond memories, hard work sandvicking, blackflies. Can still remember many of the guys though I haven’t seen them in twenty five years. Hope the program is still around when my son is old enough to go. Anyone else up there in 84, It would be great to hear from you.
I was in white river in 1984 . yes was good there but there is no more there now hope you have any pictures of the camp huts there might have pictures of people there I live in northbay ontario my name is Bruce email me some time bear502011@hotmail.com
The camp outside Ignace is actally called “Sandbar Lake” as it was associated with Sandbar Lake Prov. Park. The lake the camp was located on is called “Little Sandbar Lake”.
See http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&cp=8&gs_id=4&xhr=t&q=ignace+ontario&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enCA393CA394&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=540&ion=1&wrapid=tljp132883876852102&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x52a233eb0975fce1:0x610761576d63fb7,Ignace,+ON&gl=ca&ei=bXg0T9abM42lsQLQ9uCsAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQ8gEwAg.
I was a Junior Ranger at Killbear Provincial Park near Parry Sound during the summer of 1081. Had a real blast of a time making friends, raking campsites, clearing brush with Sandviks, demolishing boathouses near Point au Baril, going on canoe trips and participating in field games with the JR’s from Grundy Lake and baseball from the folks in the area. Wished I could do it again.
Hey Pim…i was at Killbear in 75….dont have any pics of the cabins do you?
I was a Jr. Ranger @ Killbear in 1972. Couple of years back I went into the park and visited the old buck houses. They are still there, albeit in a bad state of reopair.
that would be bunk houses. (auto spell be damned)
Gabrielle Le Forestier (Gaby)I was a J.R in the summer of 79, Best summer of my life,made some great friends, ate great food thanks to Cookie. We cleared brush with Sandviks, clipped fish fins, followed the Bear Boys who tagged bears. Ours was the only girl’s camp around at Trout Lake, The boy’s were Restoule and Samuel D. Champlain. Anybody heard from Adele Cotnam of Cornwall,Ont, or Katherine of Orangeville, Carolyn of Toronto, Sharon of Windsor?
Do you happen to be the “Gabby” of BCI?
Remember Linda Fitzgeral
YUP! How are you Linda? Still living in Toronto? I moved to Vancouver about 20+ years ago and never looked back.
Do you keep in touch with any of the old BCI folk? I keep in very good touch with Sue Daly but that’s about it.
Hope you are well.
Gabrielle aka Gaby
Gaby??!! Holy crap….what a blast from my past!! I was searching you a few months ago, and never would have thought to check a JR blog!! Summer of 79 at McConnell Lake tops my list of great memories!! (and tell me you haven’t forgotten about the Boulter boys??)
Colleen McNamara…..Oh just hearing that name Cookie I know what camp you were at…McConnell Lake. I was a J.R. there the summer of 1981 adn 82. Great Memories. Ohhh to be 17 again
.
Hey there! I was a McConnell Lake J.R. summer of ’78!! One of the best summers of my life. and yes, I remember Cookie too! Wish I could go back in time and relive that summer!
Cheers,
Margaret Baar McConnell Lake ’78
Wow, I can’t believe I found this site. I’ve just moved and unpacked some boxes finding my old yellow helmet and other remnants from that summer. So I thought I’d do a search which led me here. I was one of the guys from Restoule that came by the camp. If I remember right it was for a meet and greet and some sort of competition between all the camps in the area. I remember meeting you ladies and having a crush on a girl named Kathy (she went to Havergal school). What a great summer. I’ve tried to convince my son to attend but it’s not his thing.
When I was stationed at Sandbar Lake JR Camp in 1977, we hosted a “JR Olympics.” Several camps in the area came for a “friendly” contest in several sports. The girls from Sioux Lookout came in for the weekend. If Jan Munroe is out there, I’d love to hear from you.
Rik Hudson
I was a JR at White Lake Provincial Park around 87 and a SR in Lake Superior Provincial Park in 88 and 89. There is little I can say that hasn’t already been said, except that I’ve returned a few times to the canoe route we did on the White River and as they say, we are all born twice in our lives.
Is this the Matt Ciavaglia from Kincardine?
I was a JR in 1972 at Five Mike Lake Provincial Park near Chapleau. It was the best summer of my young years. I was heartbroken when we had to go home.
Eh there Chris .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE
I am heading to Round Lake tomorrow morning to be an Ontario Ranger. Very excited, although nervous.
I was at Killbear the summer of 85. Had the best summer ever. I still talk about it with my wife and kids. In fact we are going there to camp for a week this weekend as my wife was getting tired of hearing what a great place it is. I haven’t been back since I left 25 years ago and I am really looking forward to it.
I was at Sioux Lookout the summer of 81. We literally arrived by train one day and the next morning we were paddling out of Pickle Lake to clear non existant portage routes.
It was an amazing summer, would love to hear from others from Cedarbough 81
Hi,
I was there a year after you.
I’m trying to remember names of the cooks, formen and Supervisors to start.
One of the best summers of my life.
hi
when i was there, all of the forewomen had Mary in their name some how, Mary Ann, was one, and I remember Sabine as a junior forewoman. They were all amazing and so patient with a bunch of hormonal girls
i was at cedarbough in 84 as a JR and 85 as sub foreman. it was a life changing experience. i wish that my kids could have gone.
I was in the first group at Cedarbough in 1964. An amazing summer. There were two methods of getting into the camp after arriving by school bus from town. We had an old half track that pulled a flatbed, with us and our gear on it, through the bush on a road we cut as soon as we got there that summer. The other method was by freighter canoe to the mouth of a stream by the camp and then walked from there. I presume that eventually they completed the road for larger vehicles. Great food produced by Mrs. Roy. Nobody went hungry at that camp. The only complaint was the powdered milk.
Some great memories spent with a great crew of guys. Never saw any of them again except for one I ran into a few years later at university.
Just stumbled across this site and wow did it bring back memories.It’s been 35 years.Was at Rogers camp the summer of 75, 30 miles past Hearst.Like most have said did all the same things plus others and had a blast.We played baseball at blackfly stadium…well you get the picture.
John,I was just reading the replies to this thread,and came across your story…mine was Identical(1969),except George Etier,the supt,was fired for letting a JR drive the truck,and he rolled it..Great times ,great food,terrific environment,and lifelong memories.worth it,to the last second.The staff were the best.
Hey Alex – just saw the replies from you and John B. I was a Junior Ranger and spent the summer of 1970 at Fushimi Provincial Park, just west of Hearst. One great way to spend the summer! The only problem was getting involved with aerial spraying during that summer as a Junior Ranger, ending up in the Hearst Hospital with medical issues. Any other Junior Ranger involved with aerial spraying having health concerns? Besides that, a great bunch of guys and a fun summer. Still remember those Saturday nights in Hearst at the Pizza Parlour. Hard to believe it was 43 years ago!
If you were sprayed during your time in Hearst, contact the Ministry. They are tracking all illnesses related what was the equivalent of Agent Orange.
Actually,I did contact them,and they have my report at WCIB.But to my knowledge(damage was minimal) ,if at all.
I got sprayed…no problems.Went fishing with Ed,the C.O there,and had a blast.George Etier was a great camp manager.
In 1969 I was posted to Bear Island on Lake Temagami. It was one of the best summers of my life. The experience was great and the programme one of the best ever. I remember Chief Ranger John Rumney also. He had to visit our camp after some youthful shenanigans. He was a good man — still living in Temagami with his wife. But, Bear Island, the Hudson Bay Store, assisting in dock building, brush clearing, creel census, and Senator Sullivan’s weekly visit to Mass at the church…great experience.
The summer of 2010 at Round Lake will certainly not be forgotten. I plan to apply back next year as a Junior Sub. We had great times tending, brushing trails, cleaning campsites, and hosting Jambo. We also managed to damage two of our vehicles to the point where they had to be replaced, one was our fault the other wasn’t.
I met so many great people and brought away so many memories.
Anybody out there at Wrong Lake camp from 1963 thru 1965. I was a junior ranger in 63, a senoir ranger in 64, and a Junior ranger foreman in 65.
You were there three summers Les? Wow. Shows you how much I remember. Punter and I were at the YMCA camp in Bancroft in 64 as counsllors. I think the whole lot of us went away as JRs in 63. Paul Livingstone, John Todd, Chris Punter, Mike Bulford and my cousin Bruce. Possibly the quietest summer in Treverton Park history.
hi les are you the les that new a heather ward in the early days if you are please reply to marion_sinclair@hotmail.ca thank you
Eh there Chris .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE
I was a Junior Ranger at Springwater Lake near Geraldton in 1988. Had a great time! We planted some trees, picked some pine cones, cleared campsites at a Provincial Park, built some docks, and worked around the camp. A highlight was a 4 or 5 day canoe trip. There were 36 of us, 3 crews in 3 vans. I remember taking the train from Union Station on a hot day at the end of June and arriving almost a day later at Longlac, 8 degrees as the sun was coming up, and driving through town and along logging roads. I could believe it was possible to experience so much culture shock in my own province! I returned the next three summers as a foreman, until the camp was closed. I made great friends at camp and in the town nearby. Inspired by the Junior Ranger Program, in 92 I started tree planting and worked all across Northern Ontario for the next 6 summers–making a total of 10 summers in a row! Many fond memories. I just had a son a few weeks ago, and hope to take him back up there!
Trevor, I remember you as a junior sub-foreman when i was at springwater in 1990. Definitely the best summer of my life.
I was also a JR in 1980 at Kioshkokwi Lake. Terry Grignon you worked with the same crew as me. Do you remember Guy or Mouse, David Galada or Chris? Anyway, we always had a great time. It will never be forgotten. I may still have a list of the guys and some photos as well. I hope to hear from you.
I was junior ranger at briggs camp in temagami in 1986. I went back for eight years as a junior foreman and later a sub foreman. It was probably the best summers i ever had. I have heard that the foreman Peter McKee still lives up in Temagami. I traveled through Temagami 11 years ago and things had changed dramatically. The experences from those years set the way I live my life and the amount of camping and canoing that I still due today.
Hi Jeff
I was at Briggs for the summer of 1989. Had a blast!
My nickname that summer was “Juice”. Drink a few drinking boxes on the train ride on the way up….and you’re labelled for the summer.
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
I remember you at the camp. I am glad you had a great summer experience too. Ever get in touch with any of your camp friends.
You can email me a jprice2@morrisonhershfield.com
Jeff
I had a strange and life-changing experience at Briggs, 1991. I was there for a couple of weeks, took an outtrip to mark some portages further north, came back for regular duty and on my first day back, we were all clearing campground near temagami when i began to feel very strange. i thought it was fatigue from the outtrip. suddenly, i collapsed into a violent seizure, dislocating both shoulders. i was moved a hostipal in temiskaming, then airlifted to Burlington to be with my family. so began a life as an epileptic. things are under control now, but that was where it all began. raking gravel with my junior ranger troop.
i have only vague memories of the camp. morning routines. a court-ordered attendee named Warlock. another whose tear ducts wouldn’t flush properly, so he was always blinking and rinsing his eyeballs. Pete McKee I remember vividly. he found me reading a biography of Jack Kerouac on my bed one day and he said something like, “Kerouac. That was one messed up dude.”
I’m 38. i will never forget those days, as faint as they grow, half-obliterated by time and the effects of that first seizure.
-Doug
Hey Scott.
Great to hear from you. Anytime you want to e-mail me feel free. First initial then Grignon then at yahoo dot com.
Great to see these postings. I was a JR at South River the summer of 1980… memorable in retrospect b/c one camper went home for a weekend and saw Terry Fox do his run up near Sudbury. Would love to reconnect with those from that summer.
I was a Junior Forest Ranger in 1967 on Bear Island on Lake Temagami. Back then they didn’t call it “BEAR” island for nothing. It was always an adventure just going to the outhouse at night, and a lot of the guys just wouldn’t, at least not without banging pots or cans together. There were 21 of us, mostly from big urban areas and bears had not been a common word they used alot. Not until that summer anyway. It was the greatest summer of my life and will never forget what we did, went through and learned. From clearing portages, putting out fires, building docks, flying in a MNR Otter bush plane and getting over my fear of heights by climbing the fire tower and taking pictures and all of this done in the middle of nowhere. Strangely enough planes were ok, but 80 foot tall ladders were another story. It was very cool to go to work by boat every morning. The cooks had our lunches made for the day and the lake was always alive with wildlife. Boating by a moose in the morning mist, sometimes swimming or just standing there in the marsh, to putting the run on bears we would come acoss on the trails we cleared. A great time and place to be young and feeling at home in the wilderness.
I was a junior forest ranger at Killbear park around 76/ 77 I was wondering if anyone remembers the first regatta for the Bud Reekie cup . We won angainst another park but I would love to have a picture of all of us from then who made the Park so proud . Anyone that can help with a picture or any of my old comrades please feel free to contact me . bombaybobby01@yahoo.ca Thank You.
Junior Ranger – 1965 – Sioux Lookout – Near Kenora. Large camp. We had barracks and excellent food. As most have attested I came back in great shape and played the best football season I ever had. As defensive linebacker I was double teamed by the opposition in many games.
I have many black and white pictures from by visit, including those of the foreman. If anyone who was there in 65 wants to see the pictures let me know and I will scan and post them.
You can contact me at drmackey@gmail.com
I was there in 63. Big Stan was the foreman and Mrs. Roy was the camp cook. Amazing food. I think we were the original occupants of that camp. We built a diving tower of the rocks behind the camp. Every once in a while they would bus girls in from Sioux Lookout for a dance. Mrs. Roy had a lovely daughter named Georgette who became my weekend date for the remainder of the summer. I was a very happy guy and have very fond memories of that summer.
cheers. M.P.
Hi guys, I was there in 68, I don’t remember anyone except the camp foreman, an older fellow who chain smoked. We took a couple of flights out in a turbo beaver, awesome, inspired me to get a pilots licence. There was a multihole shitter behind the baseball diamond. We played against a camp from Dryden. Love to see any photos from the camp. Do you know if the camp still exists? If so, where?
Sarah Hicks from Moose Lake ’86 to ’95. What a pleasure to read all of these posts. Such happy happy happy memories. Glad the program lives on.
Kewl moose lake my sister was there in 1987, Amber Woods and I was there in1989, Kristen, most awesome experiences of my life, most memorable sun bathing on the docks and mooning at Killarney lol…..fun times
Dave G formerly from North Bay. I was a Junior Forest Ranger when they called us that at Klotz Lake about 25 km east of Longlac, Ontario in 1961. We had to pay our own transportation to get there which ate into the profits but it was a great summer. There were about 2 dozen of us in two barracks and we spent a lot of time brushing the campsites at KL Provincial Park (Is it still there?), hauling out the garbage and building a dock. Occasionally we would get into Longlac and even Geraldton to see the sights riding in the box of the pickup truck.
I saw a Facebook page with around 30 of our names in it today.
My youngest daughter Kelly has just gone off to the Ranger program at Sleeping Giant. Oldest daughter Lauren did the same program in 07 at Killarney. She regularly has get togethers with colleagues from there. I experienced the L&F JR program at then new Briggs Camp in Temagami.back in 1970. It’s interesting to see how things have evolved. We were only required to have leather boots and in the orientation manual it said “if you’ve lost your orientation in the bush sit down on a rock and roll a cigarette”. We were all issued axes and forest fire axes (a mattox look alike) and chopped trees all day. Now I see the sharpest implement anyone gets to play with is a Sandvik brush hook and everytime the temperature climbs to 28 work stops. I have fond memories of that summer and unfortunately have had to attend a funeral of one of my colleages already.
Bert van Ingen
I was a JR at Wildgoose Lake near Geralton in 1974, what a great time , lots of growing up during those times ! lol
Hi all,
I was a jr. Ranger in 1968,at Rogers Lake camp,west of Hearst.I had many great memories of the experience,and even got sprayed by agent orange.I liked it so much,I went back the next year with my mom,and we went fishing,for a week.The camp foreman lost his job because of letting a jr ranger drive the truck,but all the staff were excellent.I would recommend it to anyone.
Might as well sign in…
I was at Samuel de Champlain in 1969 while all of my friends went to Woodstock and the Americans landed on the moon. Holy crap, that was a long time ago.
My nickname was “Farmer”. (Not the other little Farmer, I was the big one)
I was a Junior Ranger in 1977 at Mississagi Provincial Park just north of Elliot Lake Ontario. It was the best summer of my life, away from home and making $60. per week for 6 days “work”. It was a lot of fun up there. We were allowed to go to Elliot Lake every Saturday afternoon and evening for some chill time We always got several 24s of beer and drank em all that afternoon. The camp in the park had 3 cooks I think, and they cooked up a storm every day, we ate very well. It was all good. Hi guys, Peter Neary, Etobicoke, Ontario.
Douglas Prier
1974 in Ivanhoe Provincial Park, Foleyet Ont. What a way to spend the summer. If time could be turned back, I would do it over and over again. Glad to see so many others enjoyed the last teenage summer of their life the way I did. That year taught me plenty. Highly recommend it to all boys or girls. Does anyone still have their black hard hat?
Nickname: Nimrod
Hi Doug,
I was a Jr Ranger in Ivanhoe Provincail park during the summer of 1976. Best summer ever, Played baseball, fished and worked in the park. Best job was on the garbage truck, All of us took a trip into Timmins,Had my first Molson export in this old Timmins bar,
Steve Ouellette.
Nickname, I cannot remember.
1957-1969.I was never a Juniour Ranger but mom was a cook and dad was a Foreman (Theresa and Aime Dufour)at Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park;I Had a great time and will cherish it for ever….mike.
Hi Mike. I was at Ivanhoe in 1962 . I remember your Dad and Mom well. Your Dad shot a black bear (at the camp sites) and I still have a tooth. The neatest think was it turned us into men, We started with 20, buy the end o the summer it was 12 . Home sick was the reason. I remember your Dad put us to work when we arrived! Was the best summer of my life.
John Tiley
Restoule 1984. Most amazing summer. Still think of the other guys and the girls from McConnell Lake
And I was a JR in 1968 at Achray, to say that it was a great summer would be an understatement. I’d do it all over again with the same guys, same cook (Mabel) and the same foreman (Terry, Mike and Bob) at the same place. As I sit here writing this I distinctly recall how we had the camp scared s—less because of the bear roaming among the cabins, actually it was our cabin horsing around, scratching window screens with lite cigarettes as eyes. Unbelievable great summer. Nobody could pronounce my name, everybody called me Dutch
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of my stay at the Sandbar Lake JR Camp. I still hold this as a dear memory as it was one – if not the – best summers of my life. I want to get back in touch with the ’77 Sandbar Lake (Ignace) JR’s. It has been too long guys. Time to get in contact and let each other how we have fared since that 2-month journey throughout the Sandbar Lake area wilderness.
Please contact me, Rik Hudson at rhudson@powergate.ca.
Cheers,
Rik
Revised email address is richardhudson412@gmail.com.
ahmed bond do you know any men from 1983 rangers?
restoule 1983 junior rangers ……?
I was a junior ranger in 1977 in South River Ontario. I have learned a lot that summer. We did compete against other camps and had a great time. We did a canoe trip thru Round lake and North Tea Lake. That was quite the experience. I am still in touch with a few people from back then. It is amazing to hear all your stories. I wonder where my fellow rangers are now. Thanks for this blog.
Irene(Frenchie) Yep we did all have nicknames that summer.
I was a junior ranger 1983 in hearst,i wasn’t at rogers but can’t remember my camp name.Everybody called me wilt so if there anybody out there that knows the camp name or me post a message on this site.
Alzheimer’s can strike at any moment…so what? Jr’s have experiences(mostly caused by badly distilled -fermented alcohol ) but then there are great things that happen because of wonderful people,unimaginable places.I had a great time at Roger’s(just west of Hearst)(1968) and I would not change a thing.I had such a good time that I took my mom there,Roger’s Lake road,the next year(1969).And we fished.My mom recalled that summer ’till she died.,as one of those lifetime moments
Alex
1983, Camp Arnott in Hearst. I remember you Mike, we played chess a few times, you were too advanced for me.
It was a good time, there was no hope I would be invited back for a second year.
On second thought, you were my roommate, Mike, I was thinking of another JR up there for chess. Hope all is well, I’m doing fine.
how are you doing where are you living now it would be great if we could get together sometime with some of the guys
Anyone here from Mijin Lake first girls JR program 1973? We were just south of Wawa. Fantastic summer! Difficult to remember any last names though to reconnect – except Olivia Chow is memorable and of course difficult to reach now.
McConnell Lake 1978– Will never forget that summer and still keep in touch with good friends from way back then.
Hi Julie – I spent half a summer at Mijin in ’75. We started at Hobon Lake north of Wawa then half way through the summer, they switched us with the Mijin girls to give us park experience and them – bush experience. Mijin is gone – they mover the whole camp down to Beaver Rock – lucky kids!!!
HI Debbie, Did you have Clarke and Marge (husband and Wife) as your Camp Foreman and cook? They were like grandparents to us. I went back many times. Beaver Rock is long gone – they actually pulled that beautiful lodge and several of the cabins into Lake Superior and burned them rather than spend money to fix it up. Last time I went to Beaver Lodge there was someone from the ministry renting a little house they built there but it was a pretty sorry shack and garbage eveerywhere. I guess you can never go back. Great memories though! Our foreman would take us there on Sundays to picnic and swim. We were often in the bush working everyday but sometimes we got to do beach or campsite detail. We got to do a week of really deep-woods canoe tripping and build portages with an excellent subforeman, Vic.
I was a JR in ’81 at Obatanga and we used to visit Hobon and go swimming, etc. Used to be a big problem then with black bears swimming across the lake. The foreman used to shoot one rifle shot in the air and they would turn right back around.
Hi Janet! Wow – so nice to hear from someone that spent time in the same places as myself (and obviously loved it as much). Yes – Clark and Marge ran our camp while I was at Mijin. But I spent half my summer out at Hobon Lake as well. We had a dance/BBQ with the guys at Obatanga. When did it become a girls camp? That’s so sad about the lodge at Beaver Rock – but they told us when we were there that there was too much damage to the foundation to save it so I’m not surprised to hear from you that it was torn down. Beaver Rock had become a JR camp for a short time. I just loved that place. Wish I could have won the lottery and saved it!
Hi Debbie, I’m not sure when Obatange became a girls camp. That’s funny because I thought it always was that way. We had our dances/BBQs with the guys from White Lake Camp a few times that summer in ’81. Lots of fun. We went to their camp as well and they even had an outdoor sauna if you can believe it. We, on the other hand, had to take cold showers at our camp. Did you ever go to the mud pits for fun on your days off? That was a highlight of the summer for sure. So many great memories of the far north.
lol – we had a big get together with the White Lake boys too. They kind of had a competition with the Obatanga guys to see who got to see us more! White Lake guys even came into Wawa on our days in town! What a summer that was.
Shoals 1980- Great summer of canoe tripping, cleaning outhouses and clearing huge trees for a new camp, armed with axes and buck-saws and not smart enough to know what could go wrong for a group of 17 year old city boys!
Woke up nostalgic this morning after watching “Apocalypse Now” last night. What could the connection be between JR’s and the war in Vietnam ? “The Horror. The Horror”…not at all. I was reminded of our final Jamboree with 5 other camps and our explosive entrance from our green vans with sliding doors like the Air Cav of the Vietnam war. I stood on a hill, playing “Charge” on my trumpet (why I brought my horn up there I have no idea?) as our vans stormed into the opening ceremonies. The boys did rolls out of the doors and launched water balloons at the other campers creating a near riot with the other camps. It was the start of one of the greatest weekends of my young life. Beach volley-ball, Frisbee chucking, baseball, canoe races, wood cutting, foot races were among the events. After 2 months of steady work, it was an awesome time to compete against the “6′ 4″ Blond, blue-eyed Swedes, from Wrong Lake” as we called them, to meet girls like that cute red-head I’d been too shy to talk to at an earlier visit with one of the girls camps and to ultimately be a goofy 17 year old!
Here are a few highlights of my summer …. Our disgusting homemade “Mr. Bill” super 8 movie, navigating white water rapids, playing sports at every opportunity, slathering our clothes with litres of Deet to fight off clouds of mosquitos, eating more food at breakfast than I’d ever imagined and felling my first tree, second tree and on and on. Great memories.
Would love to hear from any others who from our camp.
I was at an old lumber camp near Wawa back in 1983. We girls saw the movie Flash Dance!! We did a lot of bush clearing, garbage cleaning and worked the ditches along the TransCanada highway.
My father John Wright was a junior ranger in 1967 at Wrong Lake as with everyone else it was one of the best summers of his life. Now he still continues camping and canoeing. He hope everyone of that year is still okay. He met great people there and had a great time, even when the bear chased him from the kitchen and across the baseball diamond.
Im looking for killbear park guys from 1975
Amazing! i was at Kiosk in 1992, easily the best summer of my life! Still close friends with Erin McDonald and in touch with Heidi Muroff, Sarah Morphy, Cynthia Hill, Jenny Burns and Anne-Marie Kontakos. Would love to hear from some of the girls from that summer. Sad to see that they only have 13 camps in operation now.
I work for the MNR and am compiling information on the old JR Camps. If you have photos of the camps that no longer exist and could send them to me, it would be greatly appreciated. My email is elaine.bagnall@ontario.ca.
Elaine – if you happen to come across any photos of Briggs in Temagami….I’d appreciate getting copies!
Cheers!
Paul
Theo Byrne (Lewis)
I was a junior ranger at obatanga provincial park the summer of 1983, met some wonderful people, would be great to hear from some of you.
Hi, my name is Roxane Mesman (nee Fillmore) and I was a Junior Ranger at Mink Lake, near Quetico Provincial Park. I am looking to connect with any of the girls from 1986 for a possible 30 year reunion in 2016. Calling all BEAR NECESSITIES! Selena, Frankie(Laura), LJ, Renee,Karen, Janet…..think i’m missing one but i’m not sure
were there only 7 of us in that group….and my roommate Vicki 
reach me at roxane_mesman@live.com
Eh.. Roxane… Me hopes my home town of ATIKOKAN was welcoming to you back then.. Quetico Prov Park is BEAUTIFUL and I remember the Jr. Rangers made all the “DIFFERENCE” to the park in the peak summers. I also was a JR in 1975.. In Chapleau Ont. and had the BEST and I mean The BEST summer with warmest memories .. to this day , I thank you for all you did to Help the of Atikokan an we all appreciated how clean the JR worked for out Prov Parl.. MUCH THANKS FROM A OLD RESIDENT OF ATIKOKAN , Ontario
Lee BeBareau
borgsev@mts.net
Lee…Atikokan was indeed welcoming, we all loved heading in to town on the Saturdays that we were in camp. Bought my first fishing rod at the local hardware store…a Zebco 400
Quetico is a beautiful park. I am hoping to get up that way in 2016 if not for a reunion then a family vacation. Take care 
I was a junior forest ranger in 1981 – it was in the tweed district – not sure what the camp was called. Can anyone share some light on what the camp was called and where it was located …..
I was a junior ranger at Kettle Lakes park in 1977. The closest town was South Porcupine. Lots of hard work and lots of fun too. I recall only first names, but others at the camp were Chris (my roomie), Kathy, Hutch, Brita – and many others. I came home “glowing” at the end of that summer – amazing what the outdoors and hard work can do for the body and soul!
I was at Pleasant Lake just outside of Espanola in ’72. A 40 year reunion is being held this year on October 13. It was a once in a lifetime experience never to be forgotten.
I assume you will be going. I look forward to someone getting our ’77 Sandbar Lake crew together. I am trying but have little luck so far. rhudson@powergate,ca if you come across any ’77 Ignace squad.
It was terrific. Six of us were there and several sent best wishes from all around as they could not be there in person.
Great Blog. I was a Junior Ranger stationed out of Achray in the summer of 1982. Truly the best summer of my life. Great crew, hard work and amazing scenery. Definitely understood the value of a dollar…$10/day if I remember.
Can’t say I miss the KYBO work details, but I’m taking my teenage kids up there this summer to canoe from -Achray to the Barron canyon. We’ll see if those boxes are still standing….
I volunteered at Racine Lake near Chapleau as an OMNR assistant working on the Black Bear Project with Martyn Obbard (and Rufus) and George Koleonosky (apologies for any spelling mistakes) from April til June 1993 whilst completing my studies.
I came over from the UK – Hampshire in England, although was originally from Nottingham. Just wondering if any of the other (numerous) guys are listing on here. I remember Tanya (McGregor) but not the names of others. I have a few photos somewhere but am struggling to put names to faces!
Fantastic experience up in the lakes. Beautiful setting, amazing wildlife, wonderful people. Unforgettable.
Eh there Alex .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer. I too got $10.00 a day.. and at the end we got the 2000.00 bonus if we stuck the summer out.. so was that for yea all to ?
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE
GELLEY LAKE 1978. KENORA. Best summer ever. Contact me
gasman1987@hotmail.com
Diane (Farquhar) Corriveau
I was a Junior Ranger in 1980 and it was one of the best summers of my life. I think often of all the girls from that time. So special. Yes we (worked) during that time but even then it was alot of fun. Would love to hear from anyone who knows any of the girls from the Moose Lake camp around Dorset. If you have any info please contact me at darylanddiane@gmail.com.
craig Tice
The year was 1974 and the place was Wrong Lake outside of Chapleau……40+ guys, lots of hard work , lots of fun times, Canoe trips, baseball and digging shit pits at Missinabi Park!!!!! Went back 30 years later (road trip with my son)… the camp is all gone, but the memories……and the Lake are still there!
Eh there Craigx .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer. I too got $10.00 a day.. and at the end we got the 2000.00 bonus if we stuck the summer out.. so was that for yea all to ?
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE
Craig would like to tal to you .. if possible you were at the camp I was a YR before PLS contact me!!!
What a great find this site is!! I was a Junior Ranger in the summer of 1981 at Obatanga Provincial Park up close to Wawa, ON. It is to date the best summer I have ever had in my whole life. I met so many great people, had so many amazing experiences, things that I had never done before – stocking fish ponds, building retaining walls, cutting down trees, clearing the highway of garbage, planting trees, cleaning up campsites deep in Lake Superior Park, flying in a 4-seater airplane over a gorge, going to the mud pits to play on our “day off”, etc. If anyone was a ranger there that summer, I would love to hear from you (janets100@hotmail.com). I still have my yellow helmet, and a box of memories tucked safely away. I have met several others over the years who also shared the same JR experience. It says a lot about a person I think to be able to do the things we did for $10/day, but totally worth the experience.
Bear Island, Lake Temagami,1965! It was a fantastic summer, good food, great bunch of guys, and $4.00 a day! Best of all was when we heard “Satisfaction” by the Stones for the first time on somebody’s transistor radio — WOW!!
Anyone from that summer — would like to hear from you — duskysal@gmail.com
I was a JR at Ivanhoe Provincial Park near Folyet in 1977. Our first job was cutting down trees, debarking them. and using them to build a fence around our compound. We used to walk a couple miles to a store outside the park to get a case of coke. I bought myself and my mom a pair of native mitts lined with rabbit fur and trimmed with beaver fur as souvenirs; she wore them to keep warm at my hockey games. The jamboree was the best time where we met up with the JR from Five Mile, Racine, Wakami, and Shoals Park and had competitions in fire line setup, canoeing, baseball, orienteering, and others. We had a bunch of us meet up at the CNE when we got home and a reunion a year or so later. My son just completed a summer as a Ranger at Wade Lake near Cochrane; he had a great time, two months paid work experience, and two school coop credits.
I work in the Public Service now at the Public Health Laboratory in Toronto.
Paul – I have some photos kicking around of Briggs. Sarah
Briggs photos? Really? That’s awesome!
I’d to see them if possible. Best summer of my life – started me on a much better path in life. Met the best dude ever there…sadly he passed away just last year.
When were there?
Cheers!
Paul
Hello….what an awesome find!!!! I was a JR in Timmins (Kettle Lakes) the summer of ’81.
Hello .Everyone echos my same feelings ! I was at Lipsett Lake in ’79.I beleive the camp was sold a couple of times since. – “Shakespeare”
Hello, I was a Ranger at Esker Lakes in 88′. Was the best summer of my life so far. Started off with meeting a fellow Ranger in Cobourg (Michelle), she stuck by my side because it was my first time away from home and boy did Union Station scarred the heck out of me. We were one of three camps on the train, one going to Tamogami (not sure of the spelling) and the boys going to Burt Lake. I turned exactly 17 on the that trip. A few girls went home with in the first few weeks and two were their replacements. Sandvicks are really sharp as I found out put one in the toe of my work boot, thank the lord for steel toes. Got called a lilly dipper, hey I found the wild life just a little more interesting lol. The dance with the Burt Lake Boys, and actually skipping a record and getting trouble for doing it (with Christine), having a seceret santa that gave me wine gums which are now one of my favs. Working at a fish hatchery, lots of laughs, spilling my roast beef and gravy on my lap and aquiring the nick name Spaz for the rest of the summer. Finding out that sound really does travel accross water. Me coming accross the bear while picking up garbage on camp clean up, again scarred the crap out of me. Flying for the first time, climbing the mountain, fish hatchery, Adams mind, bleaching rock, planting trees, so many memmories with a great bunch of girls, three of which I still talk to and one is my best friend. I am hopeing the program last so that my daughter can apply when she is 17.
Next summer (2013) it will be 25 years since I was a Ranger. Michelle Schumann (now Kerrigan (the girl I met in Cobourg))and I want to see if we can find as many of the girls that we can and have a reunion, so if anyone is or knows of anyone that was a Junior Ranger at Esker Lakes Provincial Park in 1988 could you let them know or give them my email address tracybeyer@hotmail.com, I am also on facebook under Tracy Cochrane Beyer.
Thanks
You might be interested in the Friends of the Ontario Rangers Facebook page; they have a whole pile of photos and stories from Esker; you might even see yourself there:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.398029433595827.95018.397709593627811&type=1
I was a Ranger this past year at Esker, Its funny to read your comment, knowing I went to the exact same places and did the same things such as secret Santa, bleaching rocks, and climbing that mountain! Such a blast!
Anyone from Sioux Lookout camp in 1963 out there? Stan (with the Ukraniun alphabet last name) was the foreman and Mrs Roy was the camp cook. I don’t think Stan liked his job. Mrs. Roy on the other hand put out great meals. Our crew flew into Pickle Lake for a week or so where I managed to have my hand stitched up by a vet as there was no local doctor available. No anesthetics either. Could it get any better?
Little Wenebegon Lake, near Chapleu, in ’84 On an out-trip I slept in mud and am a better man for it.
Eh there Blake .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer. I too got $10.00 a day.. and at the end we got the 2000.00 bonus if we stuck the summer out.. so was that for yea all to ?
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE Memory is jogging.. Little Wenebegon.. also sounds familiar to me
Very sad news today, the Ontario Ranger/Junior RangerProgram has been cancelled. If you take a look at this fb page it gives you some info but if you can write to McGuinty telling him what a wonderful program it is that would be great.
phttp://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.398029433595827.95018.397709593627811&type=1
get the word out there!!!!
Yet another rediculous move by the McGuinty Liberals to show they are “fiscally responsible.” Not! I am deeply disturbed by this move. Where are tomorrow’s natural resources professionals going to “cut their teeth” as they enter the feild? What a bonehead move – much like scuttling the “Slots at Racetracks Program” which infused the government with $1.5billion annually and drives a multi-billion dollar economy, located mostly in the rural areas of the province. Ahah – that’s it! Because the Ontario Ranger Program and SARP do not affect the Liberal strong-hold, aka Toronto, the Liberals are hacking away at these basic and essential programs.
Oh so sad to hear about this impending cut to a truly wonderful program. Sadly, the powers that be will never understand what impact this had on the futures of hundreds of 17 year olds, that is of course unless they were a JR themselves.
I’ll never forget it.
Sita Ahuja, Ivanhoe 1983
Eh there Sita .. I was a JR. Ranger in the same area.. the lake I can’t remember…1975/ twas the Greatest summer to say the least. were there at yor time 6 cams in the area .. 3 men’s and 3 girl’s> We swarmed Chapleau one week end and that to was a logistic nightmare with so many NEW FACES in the town.. .But always welcoming to JR. Rangers at all time.. were in the town.. 3 times in the summer. I too got $10.00 a day.. and at the end we got the 2000.00 bonus if we stuck the summer out.. so was that for yea all to ?
borgsev@mts.net
Looking for others of this summers Years.. lets chat.. I think my camp too was WRONG LAKE
Memory jogging.. another one IVANHO one of the female camps in the Chapleau 6 pls get back.. some memories … coming forth
If you feel strongly about the Ranger program and think it should be saved from the chopping block… please sign and leave a comment on this “save the rangers petition.” http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/premier-dalton-mcguinty-do-not-cut-the-overnight-ontario-ranger-program
I was a jr. Ranger in 1977 at Beaver Rock in Wawa. Would love to hear from any other gals! Wondering if the camp is still there? Located on an absolutely beautiful beach,as i can remember. What a great bunch of girls, had wonderful, fun adventure!
Hi Diane! I was thrilled to see your post. I found an old xmas card from Cecile Poullet of Parry Sound and started searching for JRs and Beaver Rock when I came across this. Yes the beach and camp were beautiful. I have pictures! Maybe one of you. Actually I have a group photo of everyone and a letter that the ministry sent in February 1978 as a memento for my “participation in the Wawa District’s 1977 Junior Ranger Program”. Found my way back to the camp about 20 years later. There were some ministry employees staying in one of the buildings. They were so happy to meet a former JR. The bunkhouse we stayed in was condemned. I’m not sure if the historical society saved those log cabins or not. Anyway what a fantastical summer. I will never forget our beautiful camp, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Hobon, the train trip through Agawa Canyon, the rock concert in Sault St. Marie…
I would love to share my photos with you and any of the other girls I hope to hear from.
Wow Theresa! I totally remember you! So sad to hear that our camp is gone. My email is rammer@interlinks.net
Please connect with me. Diane Shearer Ramsden
I was a Jr Ranger stationed at Rough Rock Lake north of Minaki in 1971. It was an amazing summer with a lot of great guys. Turned us from boys into men by the end of summer. Hope the guys are all still out there and doing great. Anyone from the Minaki camp from that year know what happened to “God”, Cookie and Fred?
I was just looking at the few photographs from my summer at Rough Rock in 1971. Such a long, long time ago.
Class of ’73 here, McConnell Lake, first year women were admitted. Life-changing, life-enhancing. Favourite memories include the Saturday bus trips into North Bay – the place was crawling with JRs (guys!) from camps all round. Great Mattawa River canoe trip end of season. Love to all Junior Rangers everywhere.
Bob Craig – Class of 72 here. What a great summer. In fact a friend I had met there and I drove up to the camp in 73 and spent an afternoon there so may have met you. Same here…trip along the Mattawa, old school bus to North Bay every Saturday afternoon. Great memories
For those of you who don’t know, the Ontario Ranger Program (Junior Ranger before) was cut by the government this September. I would please ask anyone who was a former Ranger, Partner, or even just a supporter to go to this website and fill out the membership, so we can record past members of the program as well as the many supporters. http://friendsoftheorp.com/membership.htm Leave a comment and let them know about your experience! Thanks
James Urquhart
wow! what more to say! every one has the same opinion.. Best Time Ever
I was at Ft. LaCloche and JR2 in Espanola. both years were awsome!1985&86
I was a Ranger at Restoule in 78. Best summer of my life .. who could forget the hikes up to the fire tower or the days canoeing doing water samples. Made a lot of friends with the girls from Sam de Cham ( I believe) or was it Kiosk? Really enjoyed the ride in the Twin Otter and the occasional trip into North Bay.
Anybody remember seeing Sha Na Na or going to the Big NIckle mine?
Hi Andrew,
I was a JR at McConnell Lake near North Bay in 1978. We were the only girls’ camp in the area. The guys’ camps were Boulter, Restoule and Samuel de Champlain and they all stopped by for visits and we would also hang out in North Bay on Saturdays. No doubt we met at some point. It was definitely one of the best summers of my life.
QUEENS PARK TORONTO JANUARY 4TH 2013 AT 1:30 PM-2 PM RALLY TO HELP SAVE THE RANGER PROGRAM, if you have ever been a ranger you know the importance of keeping this program running!
Sign the petition! And write or call your MPP! Go to friendsoftheorp.com.
I was at Wild Goose Lake, Geraldton in 1968. Anybody else out there from that year and locale. Great reading all the posts and it really was one of those milestones in your life that you remember forever. Too bad about the cancellation. We should all send a response to our MPP on this one. Maybe they’ll replace it with a virtual web site that can let you work and canoe from your keyboard
Whitefish Lake, Algonquin Park summer of 1967. A terrific way to spend a summer ! We had tents with wooden floors and 3 ft. plywood sides . Awful drive in from the main road through Algonquin. The bus had no shocks and I’m surprised none of us got injuured when the axes on the floor in the back went flying every time we hit a bump. Canoe trips to set up camp sites on Burnt Island Lake were great. No hot water , so we used an old canvas tent and rigged up a sauna with metal buckets and rocks heated on a campfire. The cook was really a pastry chef so we had pies at every meal including breakfast…..the rest of the food was just fuel ! We had a visit from Lord and Lady Hunt while we were in camp. Lord Hunt was in charge of Hilary’s conquest of Everest. I’ve still got my green leather “Lands& Forests” jacket that I bought at the end of the summer. I wore it with pride for a few years.
good day fellow rangers, was browsing 2 find info on the JR program 2 enroll my son this year, 2013. found out our Liberals don”t think highly of this program(probably never were JR,s) thats how i found this site. I was at Sandbar camp in 79, the last year we were allowed 2 fire fight, terrible accident at
Geralton that summer, 7 JR,s and experience
kids killed in a prescribed burn.Still was the best summer ever,fishing , making new friends, livin the life! Would love 2 hear from any alumni from that great summer. cheers, sincerly Jay Paluck.
HI Jay,
Where is Sandbar camp located? Is it close to Wawa? I was a JR at Obatanga in ’81 and we were told that story about the 7 JR’s being killed while fighting a fire. How awful. Very sad that the program has been cancelled and replaced with a day work experience program. It will not be the same. I was hoping that my daughter would want to be a JR, but it won’t happen now. Good site to be connected to. Hopefully you can reconnect with some of the JR’s from your camp and year.
Janet
Sandbar Lake JR Camp is outside Ignace, NW of Thunder Bay. I was a JR there in 1977. I am trying to find fellow ’77 Sandbar Lake JR’s.
Reading over these comments brings back great memories, Rough Rock outside of Kenora 1973
Allo Bill…. Kenora… WOW.. memories.. there was a dude from Kenora and myself for Atikokan at the camp in Chapleau in 1975. I too wish I could find some of the old men of the past in our cams too. What camp were you posted to..? Pls Email me… borgsev@mts.net
Great to see a posting.. My Name is Lee I was a JR. Ranger at one of the men’s camps in 1975. I was the one that suggest to build a camp marker that left Canoe sign.. with the Top one the opening of the camp and the Boss..PUXKSY Under hanging sign .. Had all the men that were that year. Coming for a family of 6 boys all of us went to Jr. Ranger camp in the 70′s
When I was there I was in the Park we were assigned to and we were there one night for a slide show… and at the end I ran out not seeing the old Steam drill and ran in to the handle … rushed to the hospital. Has to get 5 stitches.. and was put on light duties Cleaning.. Then the WILD TRAIN RIDE… to Toronto.. 3 Cars full of Jr Rangers. And we all had a stash of hidden booze on the train. The Highlight was the summer JAMBOREE.. with the 6 cams then in the area .. Tree men;s and 3 Girls.. nuff said.. Pls Email if you too of this era .. Like to know if the sign was up for camp especially 1976 or 1977 if you seen or were at this one camp…
“Junior Rangers Golbing” genuinely makes me personally ponder a small bit more.
I personally loved every single part of it. I appreciate it -Dallas
One morning (1962) I took a few pictures of Junior Forest Ranger camp at Klotz Lake near Longlac. One of them is here. I suppose this was typical.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/54321749
That was very similar to the camp at Rogers lake,Hearst,where I was in 1968>It was a great experience,and would wish it could happen for all the young adults,to get to know Ontario,and what a great bunch of people that we have.
Good day Dave ..ohh now,,,Wrong lake , Chapleau, Ont…. were I was in 1975.. was a complex of 20 trailers…4 were the cook house… and one housing unit like you show exclusive to the female cooks. None the less it was THE BEST SUMMER THUS FAR in my life and I am now 52 yrs old . thx for sharing./.. Lee
I was a JR in 1977 at Madeleine Lake west of Thunder Bay near Northern Lights Lake. It was such a memorable experience. I remember one of the girls was a songwriter and guitar player. On our way from the airport to the camp, our van got caught in the sand a the side of the dirt road. I also recall meeting boys from Sandy Lake . It is unfortunate the programme was cancelled.
i was a junior ranger restoule summer of 1983
hey dave henson what is your email ? from timothy gill ” speedy” here is mine ” soldierspy_1965@hotmail.com thanks….
my email is no longer timothygill007@hotmail.com * attention* it is soldierspy_1965@hotmail.com – timothy thanks…….
GELLEY LAKE KENORA 1978
Anyone remember Gelley Lake? I was there in summer of 1978. I remember so many good times. I wonder if anyone remembers “Citrus Tim and the Electric Oranges”? Meatloaf,…..
Tom H.
Hearst in ’68,was THE best.I know all of you had the best,too.Where can we send our kids now??
Was foreman at Kiosk 75-80, great summers, it was a fabulous program.
So many great things: the camp, the program, the staff, though the 42 unique seventeen year old rangers made the program and memorable summers. Very nice to hear from some of you. Live in BC, I just heard about the closure of the program, shame on the Ontario government.
Hey Colin! Great to hear from you! I’m amazed at the number of comments my little posting has collected and now that I’ve had a comment from you that tops it all off. I still have your sureform plane, btw!
Hi John;Really nice to hear from you.I do believe I have that photo of my dad with the bear.Ivanhoe Lake Park has changed a lot over the years;The government wanted to close it down for camping and just have a day-use area;but the people have prevailed for know. I really don’t know what going to happen in the future.Had a great time in the summer and great memories.
Looking for any of the boys of Law camp near Temi in1969
Hi everyone, Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program is looking for Ranger stories to share on our blog. We would love to hear from all of you! Our website is friendsoftheorp.com and email is friendsoftheorp@gmail.com