SITE / FACILITY

Location  

The property is located 600 meters above the Valley floor, mitigating smog that can accumulate on the Valley floor in the summer, and providing, on average, an extra foot of snow per year as compared with the Valley region. Populated with a balance of coniferous and deciduous trees and very healthy grown cover, the lake water is warm enough in the summer months for swimming and boating activities. The lake itself is more than 10 kms long and two kms wide, providing superb water activities. The greater Valley area offers many excellent camping and out tripping opportunities. The site is located approximately 15 minutes from Kentville and New Minas, and 125 minutes from the IWK Health Centre.


Community

Partnerships are key for Brigadoon. This includes pursuing and fulfilling our responsibility as an active member of the community, both locally and abroad. Already integrating Brigadoon into the local Valley community, we have pursued various relationships, from shared fundraising events, to strategic organizational alliances. As well, the staffing compliment for the facility will be shared between the Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society and its partners. A seasonal staff for hotel services such as Kitchen, Maintenance and Core Programming areas (Fine Arts, Outdoor Education, Aquatics, Environmental Programming) will be hired by Brigadoon.

Brigadoon is very pleased to be working with the Aylesford and Loon Lakes Property Owners Association (ALLPOA) in its mandate: "To represent the Aylesford and Loon Lakes Property Owners Association (ALLPOA) in all matters pertaining to, or impacting, the lake environment, water quality or lake ecosystem.  Brigadoon and ALLPOA signed an MoU in May of 2008.  We are also very proud of our association with our closest neighbours - the Eastside Drive Cottage Owner's Association - an MoU also signed in May of 2008.


Environment  

The Aylesford Lake property is currently undeveloped. Brigadoon must upgrade the existing 1.6 km logging road onto the site, and the site itself must be readied for water systems, environmental controls and waste management systems, electrical service and distribution and landscaping. Subscribing to Brigadoon’s objectives and ideals, the site will be prepared using the latest in alternative energy and sustainable building practices and theories.

First and foremost, Brigadoon is a camp. Camp is its own world of nature, fun, adventure and escape. To this end, and to eliminate any institutional appearances, camp buildings will be sited loosely to the concept of a slow-growth rustic village. Clusters of buildings will be organized to appear as though the camp has been slowly evolving over time, in a somewhat random fashion. Landscape will not be heavily controlled; rather forces of nature such as erosion and natural vegetation will be an integral part of the aesthetic. A fine line between nature and human intervention will make for a practical natural setting. Spaces ranging from personal and intimate, to huge and public, will be carefully planned and allowed to evolve over time.