Haliburton Scout Reserve (HSR) is a Scout camp, originally a frontier Canadian logging camp, located east of Haliburton, Ontario and just south of Algonquin Park, one of Canada's natural wonders situated deep and secluded within the Canadian shield. Being one of the oldest camps in Canada, the Haliburton Scout Reserve opened in 1947 and has been operated consistently by Scouts Canada. HSR is located in the heart of the Haliburton highlands with 18 lakes and a rolling natural landscape rich in nature and untouched beauty. Centered on Kennabi Lake to the southeast of the property are 24 campsites accessible by water. HSR is Canada's largest Scout camp and third largest in North America. Scout troops normally come to the camp for week-long summer camps. The young and energetic HSR staff provide numerous adventurous programs for tens of thousands of scouts from around the world. HSR, as it is commonly known, is currently operated under Greater Toronto Council supervising the 50-70 young, well-trained resident staff who cooperate to run the diverse camp program throughout the summer months.
History
Following World War II, Toronto Scout District (now Greater Toronto Council) wanted a rugged site for Scout camping. Their camping committee eventually located a site owned by the Mill Valley Lumber Company in now, Haliburton County, which was completing cutting in that area. The property was purchased in the fall of 1946 and opened the following summer as Camp Kennabi. Many of the original lumber camp buildings are still in use. The first Camp Chief was Field Commissioner James C. Moore, after whom Moore Lake and the J. C. Trail are now named.
Starting in 1953, a composite camp (consisting of scouts from various troops attending as individuals with leadership provided by the camp staff) called Camp Kennaway, was run on the site. Camp Kennaway and Camp Kennabi merged in 1960 to form Haliburton Scout Reserve. Over the years, various plots of land were added to the original purchase. Since 1947, thousands of Scouts from North America, Europe, and Asia along with many other areas globally have visited the reserve to experience its fantastic adventure-centered program within the worldly-unique setting of the Canadian wilderness.
Since its earliest days, the camp has operated under the supervision of senior staff members supervising young staff members hired to run camp programs and help provide food and maintenance for the staff that do so. Staff members are more than often brought on for their first summer in a volunteer capacity, known as a Staff in Training or SIT This offers a chance to try their hand at the many positions that the camp has to offer for paid staff members that not only offers preferred hiring opportunities for the following summer but also a magnificent addition to any resume and the chance to fill out some if not all of your secondary school required volunteer hours. Staff are also hired in paid capacity right from the start if their abilities provide that opportunity. Staff spend the summer in a beautiful settings with powered room and board provided.
HSR has not operated since Summer 2020 due to COVID-19.
Program
Staffed programs
After driving to your site on Saturday after you arrive, HSR's trained staff run a variety of instructional programs during the week starting with driving to the hub area for basic Canoe lessons on Sunday to get your group started with daily transportation. Programs throughout the week include: