This past winter, Camp Marist received a devastating blow. Due to abnormally brutal weather conditions three buildings were destroyed.

The greatest disaster to summer 2008 was the collapsing of Scots Lodge. The cabin for girls ages 12 and 13 had stood on the property for many years. During the 1990s, before Camp Marist went coed, it was known as Cabin 5. Prior to that it was known as Cabin 7, where Bro. Francis Thomas was prefect for many years. With views of the lake and located next to the basketball court, it was a staple of Camp. Luckily, the cabin was able to be rebuilt in time for the first day.

The other buildings were not as lucky. The Rec Hall, which in recent years remained unused, was the second building to collapse. As one of the original buildings on property, it held strong memories for Camp Marist. From roller skating to plays to talent and magic shows, the Rec Hall provided decades of entertainment for all ages.

Located near the entrance, the Gym was the final building to be destroyed. After the storm it was reduced to twisted metal and wood. The building that used to house activities such as basketball, floor hockey, martial arts and weightlifting was buried under feet of snow. The Gym was used for storage in the off season which led a great number of Camp property lost in the destruction.

Even with all the destruction, Camp Marist still stood strong and opened on time for its 59th summer. The Rec Hall and the Gym will be carefully rebuilt to meet the needs of upcoming summers. Even though the future of Camp is bright and there is great potential for the new buildings, the project will be costly. The spirit of Camp remains unfazed but the property could use your help. If you are interested in making a donation to support Camp Marist, please contact Executive Director Joe Bouchard.