Frances Rutherford (left) and Eric Hansen, the Camp Warden at Camp Sheldrick were very busy at the North Dundas Local Business Expo explaining what Camp Sheldrick is all about and how they have so much to offer, so close to home. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – If you drive along County Road 31 just south of Winchester, then chances are you’ve passed a sign at Nesbit Road that points east and identifies Camp Sheldrick. Maybe you’ve wondered about it but never took the time to turn that direction and have a look. If you did, you’d discover the business with the largest footprint in North Dundas.

The camp is 55 acres in size, with groomed sites on the south side of Hess Creek, which flows through the site. Each groomed site has its own fire pit. Being one of the few Scout Camps in Eastern Ontario that is fully off grid requires you to follow the Leave No Trace camping experiences. It is simply a hidden gem in Scouts Canada’s Property Portfolio in partnership with South Nation Conservation.

Camp Sheldrick has just completed its 40th anniversary of operation. While they are a Scout Canada camp, they are also open to guiding and third-party like-minded organization rentals to help book the property,  to keep the camp going for the kids, and to allow them to get out and enjoy the  outdoors. They can accommodate a small group of 10 or a large group of 500 due to their open field layout.

According to Eric Hansen, the Camp Warden, they have a lot to offer. “For the region we are, I believe, really, the largest conservation mindset camp south of Ottawa. Everything we do is like-minded with South Nation programs, but with scouting, switch to it. So, we’ll have knot tying activities, compass work, insect research, and basic camping skills.”

In many ways Camp Sheldrick has the perfect location. “We are a 45-minute drive south of Ottawa, and 45 minutes from Brockville to here, and not too far if you’re coming from Montreal to here. We have the widest range pull for groups in scouting or guiding.

“We’re usually booked three weekends of the four weekends every month, with at least with one group,” added Hansen. “And we have our YouthCon event where we’ll have anywhere up to 80 to 100 youths on site. (The YouthCon event is taking place this weekend, May 9-11) And then it’s back to leadership skills for our Venture/Rover programs.

For the summer of 2025, Camp Sheldrick has some exciting, new plans.

“This year, we have just opened up our north side of property that we haven’t actually used since I’ve taken over as the Camp Warden,” said Hansen. “And we’re going to be given water access to canoe on the river now.

“We’re working with South Nation Conservation Authority to actually start doing canoe trips on the South Nation River to all the portage spots. We’re getting more into expanding the camp into the community than it has ever seen before. We have the largest footprints in North Dundas as a business, but it’s an unknown rural business.”

Camp Sheldrick is located at 12489 Nesbitt Road, just south of Winchester east of County Road 31. To learn more about them, you can reach Camp Warden Eric Hansen at 613-818-5375, or by email at warden@campsheldrick.com.

 

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