For 70 YEARS, our community has continued to grow and disperse around the world.  Whether you're a former camper, staff, parent, volunteer or supporter, the newly created Quin-Mo-Lac Alumni Committee (QMLAC) is committed to creating ways to celebrate camp and keep us connected, wherever you are.  This is a place where you can learn about all things QML.  We’ll have information about our Summer program, details for upcoming QML Alumni events and opportunities to contribute to the camp community.

To get the latest updates from Quin-Mo-Lac, complete our Alumni Survey (below) and follow us on Instagram: @quinmolac or send us your email to be placed on our mailing list: kids@campqml.org

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CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF CAMPING WITH A PURPOSE

We will be featuring each QML decade throughout this summer to celebrate our 70th anniversary theme: Building a Legacy.

1950-1959

Quin-Mo-Lac’s roots began in Stirling Ontario at a camp called Oak Lake. In the late 1940’s after many years of world war strife, Christian camping emerged to spread a message of peace, love and unity. A group at Oak Lake realized their site wasn’t big enough for their vision, and a quest to find a new property began.

Lloyd Shorten and Don Williams ventured out on Moira lake to do some scouting, the weather got rough, and when their canoe overturned near Crystal Beach, they could see their dream property from across the lake. When they offered to buy the farm land, the owner said that he would only sell it to be used for a good purpose.

Groups of volunteers began to build up our site, starting with the Dining Hall. The property committee presented plans to build “V” shaped cabins so they would have two walls with views of the lake. Supplies were purchased from the war assets including 175 bunk beds and 1 large camp stove. In 1950, we were declared “Quin-Mo-Lac” and a community began to grow.

In the beginning, each week was coordinated by a different director, with a different staff to lead their own sessions of campers who attended summer schools and leadership camps. Camper rent was $0.40 a day!

One of the first living quarters at QML was a TTC car from Toronto. As the story goes, 2 of these rail cars were on their way to camp, but one needed to be abandoned on Hwy 62. The other one made it to QML and survived the “hair raising” challenge of making it down the main hill in one piece!

Vanderburgh Lodge was built in 1954 in memoriam of Rev. R.F. ‘Van’ Vanderburgh who was essential in our formative years of building and teaching.

1960-1969

The 1960’s began with the construction of “Quin-Mo-Lac Lodge” (later named Zufelt Lodge in 1976). This operated as a separate camp at first with it’s own Chapel along the ridge. Sinclair Lodge was constructed next door for the leaders, in memory of Don Sinclair, Conference President of Y.P.U. and avid QML promoter. Fun fact: Don’s family has continued to stay involved with camp and his daughter Bev (Gough) is the current Chair of our Board of Directors!

Family Camp began in 1961, allowing parents to enjoy camp alongside their children. This became a very popular program and inspired many adults to become involved on QML committees.

Our first ‘Co-ed’ camp was held in 1965, a very controversial decision for the time. The popularity of these camps continued to grow and by 1980 all camps were co-ed.

Joan Stetson “Mother” was our first summer administrator in 1967-68, overseeing both QML Camp and QML Lodge operations. Ron Kennedy and Jim Genge became the first summer resource staff in 1967 as our Craft Director and Assistant. They claimed the storage area under the Dining Hall and specialized in making ‘squirming hermans’ from colourful donated nylon. Ron was a lovely artist and is responsible for making our ‘boobikins’ (three faces) logo.

Our first permanent Directors, Verne and Loretta Zufelt, arrived in 1968. They became responsible for promotions, registrations and overseeing property maintenance. They were known for their love of gardening, having planted many roses, iris’ and even vegetables that supplied the camp.

During the 1960’s our camper registration fees ranged from $11.50-$28.00 per week and “Camping with a Purpose” became our slogan!

1970-1979

The QML program that we recognize today started to really take shape in the 1970’s, beginning with the creation of our Counsellor-in-Training program led by Joan Humphries in ’72. The Zufelt’s announced their retirement in 1974 and the Genge Family became the Administrators until ’79.

This decade saw the shift from weekly volunteer Directors, to Section Heads and a core of hired counsellors. Don and Johanna oversaw this switch, which introduced 3-day breaks for staff every two weeks. The counsellors planned the program for a group of 6-8 campers and signed up for the activities as they wanted.

The Genge’s were known for creating a tight knit staff through their Staff newsletter (Glowing Coals) and our first Winter Staff Retreat in 1975. Nicknames were a big deal, our wet compost system was developed (RALPH), and ‘bogging’ began!

1975 was our first year of Tadpole camp led by Bonnie Davidson and Ron Kennedy. Kanata House was built and year round programming became possible.

The Dining Hall was rejuvenated in 1977 and cabin groups were responsible for doing the meal dishes throughout the week. Water was carried out by counsellors and campers were organized to wash, rinse, Javex and dry. Staff led songs to make the job go faster.

In 1978 a ‘Russian Satellite’ landed at the top of the lodge hill. The camp group that found it had to see the nurse for special treatment (Vaseline) and it even made the local news! The area where it was discovered has been known as ‘Satellite’ ever since.

Morley, an 8’ puppet was made by Rev. Morley Hawley of Tweed and introduced to Quin-Mo-Lac in 1978. Morley still lives in our Dining Hall and requires the effort of 3 people when he needs to stretch his legs.

In 1979 Stoney Island was purchased for $18,000 and named Williams Island in recognition of Don G. Williams, one of the founders of QML. It became a destination for picnics (but no overnights initially).

The end of the decade welcomed Tom and Nancy Birss as Administrators in 1979.

1980-1989

The 1980’s began with our site in disrepair due to deteriorating buildings and lack of funds. The Board of Directors initiated a full camp upgrade, starting simple with painting all the white cabins brown and yellow.

QML administrators Tom and Nancy Birss were instrumental in creating the interview selection process and the structure of our Counsellor-in-Training program. They emphasized the importance of the C.I.T. Directors to “…share advice and teach skills and then are able to back away and let the C.I.T.’s muddle through on their own, make their own mistakes and grow from them and know the success of their own accomplishments. …it is a training event, not a continuation of the normal camp.”

Tom Birss was a Physical Education teacher in Frobisher Bay before coming to QML and his connection to the North introduced him to Wendell White, a principal at an elementary school in Chesterfield Inlet, NWT. Wendell and Rosanne White were hired as the new administrators in 1981 as they were beginning their family.

The coed camper groups were formed in 1982 with a new animal name and a defined schedule. Cabins were previously known by a country name, but now we know our groups as: Bears, Buffalo, Caribou, Eagle, Fox, Muskox, Owl, Raven, Seal, Turtle and Wolf. (In alphabetical order).

Our site renovations continued with a complete kitchen re-build in 1985. This particular Work Weekend marks the very first arrival of a camp legend, Iris Bullock of Cobourg. She would continue to attend Family Camp and help out in the kitchen until she passed away in 2017.

Pretoria was constructed in 1986 using funds from the sale of Camp Pretoria, near Oshawa. The Dining Hall received a new basement in 1988 and was named Shorten & Williams Hall.

Wendell introduced Canoe School as a training component for our staff, and in 1988, Wilderness Crew was introduced as a 2 week program, 10 day trip in Algonquin Park.

The QML Board grew and as the decade drew to a close, plans for a brand new in-lake pool started to unfold……

We found this incredible photo set from 1986 and we’re excited to share it with you! Quin-Mo-Lac had a dark room at the Directors house, so these photos were likely developed there.

1990-1999

The 1990's began with the installation of an “in-lake UV filter system” which purified the lake water within a floating drop-curtain perimeter.  The ‘gunge’ (algae) was getting thick and this was a great solution for our swimming program.  The raft at the end of the swimming dock was equipped with UV lights and the water would circulate through it.

In 1991, we installed our first ‘Initiatives’ low ropes activities, starting with the T.P. Shuffle, Wild Woosey and Port Hole.  The Initiatives Director was also tasked with leading our new orienteering program.  The archery range was created in 1995, giving us one more activity to offer spring school groups.  Our Pre-Camp Maintenance Crew became an Outdoor Education Team, and we welcomed teachers and students from Toronto to Ottawa.  We built our rock wall in 1997 and a new summer programming team, “RATIO” (rock wall, archery, tripping, initiatives, orienteering), was formed.

In 1998, Peter and Sharon Mouncey, Faye Jose and Veronica Garcia started our Mexico program, bringing campers from Monterrey for 2 weeks.  This was always a special time at QML and very emotional when they’d have to leave!

One of the most important developments of the 1990’s was our attention to standards and liability.  QML Director Wendell White created a teaching tool called Prickly Pickles to highlight the uncomfortable topics we face as young leaders in a setting with inherent risk.  He spoke at many camps and through the Ontario Camping Association to address unsafe summer camp culture and practices.  

(Please note, many safety standards for activities such as waterfront and climbing wall have evolved since the 90’s too. 😉)

2000-2009

The 2000’s were a busy time for Quin-Mo-Lac, with lots of site upgrades and some fun new traditions. We started the decade by purchasing a 32’ Voyageur canoe, building a second rock wall, gazebo and bio-friendly camp bathrooms.

Sinclair Lodge was restored in 2003 and we used its deck as the stage for our first ever Lakestock concert created by Peter Vooys and Scott Graham. This happened to be the day the lights went out across the Eastern United States and Canada, but the show went on! Lakestock has continued to be the BEST way to conclude our summer ever since (17 years!).

In 2004, the camp went through major renovations to adhere to fire codes. This meant we needed to completely restore Zufelt Lodge and the staff cabins. Zufelt Lodge became winterized and is our primary residence for year-round rental groups.

We experienced an invasive species in Moira Lake (zebra mussel) leading us to build a pool in 2005. The old camp bathrooms were opened up to become our craft hut, and the craft hut became our pool house.

Wendell White began to take a step back after 25 years and Trevor White was hired as a summer Director in 2006. Trevor grew up at Quin-Mo-Lac and had recently worked as a high ropes instructor at a camp in Algonquin Park. In 2007 we decided to build a high ropes course of our own along the ridge among our low ropes initiatives. Thank you @adventureworks_assoc !

Our first Women’s Event took place in 2007 led by Bev Gough, sharing Coed 5 with Family Camp and creating a more manageable schedule for both programs. This week has been the best way to catch our breath near the end of the summer so we can finish our season strong!

2010-2019

Our most recent QML era has faced one of the most challenging tests of any generation: technology and social media. Throughout this decade our Staff was diligent to make sure that the latest online pressures and distractions didn’t impact our camp community. Being sensible online and keeping devices out of camp became the norm and we maintained our QML energy by being phone-free.

In 2010, we installed a playground for the youngest campers and built a new Tripper Cabin. Since then, Bill Chambers has renovated much of camp and rebuilt many decks. After 70 years, things start to show their age!

We built a new staff cabin & called it 'The Rock', purchased a new dock, enlarged the Dining Hall walk-in fridge, moved the Tripper Room to the kitchen foyer, and installed a new Dining Hall floor. All of this was completed with the help of donations and careful financial planning from our Board of Directors.

In 2016, Rosanne White retired after 34 years. She began her office responsibilities with a typewriter and hand written notes and evolved with the latest technologies through the 1980's to 2000's. She also managed the kitchen and developed an incredible menu. Rosanne was the ultimate background operator and Quin-Mo-Lac's longest running employee.

So, we were obviously pleased when Beth McKinney returned to Quin-Mo-Lac to replace Rosanne as our Office Administrator! Beth is a life-long QML'er having progressed through the staff ranks to Assistant Director in 1989/90 and was one of our first Low-Ropes 'Initiatives' course instructors! She went on to be the Camp Director at Kasota East Camp in Alberta. On her return to Ontario, we always looked forward to her visits as Chaplain. We are so glad to have her back with us!

This decade finished with the rebuilding of a new Dining Hall deck, a huge project completed with the help of the Parrott Foundation in Belleville. We are excited about the potential that this space will have as an outdoor, spacious, open-air dining area.

Help Wes Fenwick Cut Off His Camp Bracelets

Wes Fenwick (QML camper, counsellor, CRATIOH, Leadership Director, Assistant Director 2015) is having a hard time cutting off his 28 camp bracelets... BUT, he has decided that if he can raise enough money to send a kid to camp for a week ($500), then he will concede, follow through and remove them all! 
Follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/willwesfenwickcutoffhisbracelets to donate through our GoFundMe page. You will be giving a camper the opportunity to start a friendship bracelet collection of their own!

Iris Bullock, a Quin-Mo-Lac Legend.  1981-2017

Today we said good-bye to a great Quin-Mo-Lac friend, Iris Bullock.  It wasn’t long after she arrived at camp when it became obvious she was an angel among us.  She taught us about simplicity, humility and kindness.  She loved everything about camp; being accepted, its laughter, the joy of music and the warmth of a young person’s attention.  The sound of Iris laughing, her singing of “How Much is that Doggy in the Window” year after year, and her message on stage about how much she loved camp, was inspirational.  

She gave so much, for so little, to so many, and for that we love her dearly.

Iris eyes are shining!

Wendell White, QML Director 1981 – 2006

QML NEEDS LIST

Quin-Mo-Lac depends on donations to keep
registration fees low and affordable for everyone.  Donating 9V batteries for smoke detectors, sports equipment, efficient light bulbs and Canadian Tire money go a long way to help us keep cost low.  
 
Thank you for considering QML as a charity you’d like to help support!  Please also consider
donating on a monthly basis throught our
‘Giving Back to Quin-Mo-Lac’ PAR Program. 
 
Visit our website: www.campqml.org
or email: kids@campqml.org