The Schoales Dam Ranger Camp is a quiet forest retreat tucked away in the Shepody area about a kilometre past Adair’s Wilderness Lodge. The current building is actually made up of two separate structures.  The original building was moved to its current location in the early 1950s’ and was connected to a garage, which was built at that time and housed a DNR fire truck.

The main building, which dates back to the late 1800s, is located near lakes and trails, and has “a bit of historical significance,” said Graham Milner, a co-founder of the Homesteaders Association Incorporated. It’s been used over the years by the Department of Natural Resources for trapping courses and patrols for moose hunters, as well as the Boy Scouts, Army Cadets, RCMP and fire departments.

“Even church groups have had youth groups out enjoying this property for hikes and camping,” Milner said. “Everyone who lives out there or goes out there hunting or fishing knows where this building is. It’s been an icon out there for years.”

Once endangered, now needs a little TLC

Several years ago however, the Homesteaders Association Incorporated received word the camp was in danger.

“We got word that they were going to tear it down,” Milner said, “but we thought that would be a shame.”

The group successfully petitioned the government to take possession.

“They sold us the building, and they gave us a 20-year lease on the land,” Milner said.

The Homesteaders Association Incorporated did several fundraising events to fix up the Schoales Dam Ranger Camp. (Submitted by Graham Milner)

The building was “a little rough inside,” Milner said. Despite some roof leaks that have caused a bit of rot on the inside, a contractor hired to assess the building said the bones and roof structure are good.

“There’s even a chimney in there in perfect shape, not a crack in it,” he said. The building is “salvageable, it’s just going to take a little bit of time and money to do it.”

Milner said the location — close to trails, lakes, and wilderness — makes the Schoales Dam Ranger Camp an ideal staging area for people who love the outdoors.

“For us, the building is a centre of activity,” he said. “You’re right at the cusp of outdoor adventures in that area — and hopefully the Fundy Trail will be extended to go right by there in the next couple of years as well.”

Change of Ownership

Sadly, the Homesteaders Association were unable to fulfill the dream of refurbishing this property and it was voted on that the property would be handed over to an organization which held the same beliefs and respect for nature as they did.  It was agreed that the Sussex Valley All-Terrain Club would take over the property and signed a new lease agreement with the Province and bought the buildings from the Homesteaders.  The hard work had already been don by the Homesteaders Association meaning they had ‘gutted’ the building so the ATV club had a clean a slate to work with.  Through some Provincial funding received, the club was able to completely finish the interior of the building to make it a usable property again.