History of Camp Timken

The Past: The camp was purchased in 1976 with a cash donation of $35,000 from Canadian Timken, through their Maple Leaf Foundation. The original property purchased was 50 acres. Elgin District also invested $25,000 from the sales of the Scout House that belonged to St. Thomas council to erect the picnic shelter, the tractor barn and 2 bridges over the next few years. In 1982 Elgin District purchased an additional 10 acres for $5,000.00.  In 1989 after a 2-year fundraiser from the community, the Longhouse was built at a cost of $70,000. This addition to the property saw a huge increase in usage and revenue and in 1996 a new project was developed called Timken 2000. This plan called for an investment of $45,000 over a period of 5 years. The selling of prints from a Peter Robson painting called the "Spirit of Scouting" funded this initiative. This is when the camp took on an environmental theme with the front Wetland development, new water supply to ensure safe water at the camp, and the building of 2 bunkhouses. The Elgin Gilwellians also erected the chapel. In 1998 during a routine monthly inspection some cracks were found in the support foundation of the longhouse and after many consultants' opinions, it was decided to replace the current foundation with a full basement containing showers and 3 meeting rooms. The funds for this project came from reserve funds held by Elgin District. In the final year of the District a portable classroom was purchased and the picnic shelter was closed in for 4-seasons usage.