Gambier Island
Gambier Island is an island located in Howe Sound near Vancouver, British Columbia. It is about 17,000 acres (69 km²) in size and is located about 10 km north of the Horseshoe Bay community and ferry terminal in westernmost West Vancouver.
A rugged and sparsely populated island, it is far quieter than its neighbour Bowen Island, which is popular with day-trippers and summer vacationers. Gambier Island is accessible only by B.C. Ferries passenger service, water taxi or other boats. There is no central road network.
The island elects two trustees to the Islands Trust, an organization that unites small island communities in British Columbia to oversee development and land use. Other islands in Howe Sound include Keats Island and Anvil Island.
Population
There are under 200 long-term residents on Gambier, but the population swells to about 1,000 in the summertime due to the island's summer holiday homes.[citation needed] The island's scenic setting and solitude make it popular with artists and writers.
Communities
The main wharf and settlement area is called New Brighton, on the west side of the island. Gambier Harbour, another small community, lies to the east, with another wharf and boat dock. A locality at the north end of the island is Elkins Point[1]
Facilities
Gambier Island had a general store (closed about 2010) and one bed and breakfast. Barging companies provide service from Gibsons and Horseshoe bay for transport of large items. Fire service is run by volunteers. There are no garbage processing facilities on the island. There is a community center.
Halkett Bay Provincial Park is located on the southeast side of Gambier.[2]
Gambier Island hosts the annual "Commotion by the Ocean" blues and rock festival each summer. This event started in 2000.[citation needed]
Camps
Camp Artaban is an Anglican camp, serving children, youth and adults. Sailing, canoeing, swimming, hiking, volleyball, crafts, camp fires, music, games and much more is offered. Worship is held in an outdoor chapel, and all programs include components for spiritual growth. Camps are offered on a weekly basis during the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. Programs include girls camp, junior and senior coed camp, family camp, single parents camp,sailing camp, and a fine arts camp. During the spring and fall seasons, the facility is available for use by outside groups. Camp Artaban was named after Artaban, the main character in Henry Van Dyke's book "The Other Wise Man".[3] Across the bay (Port Graves), Mount Artaban was named by Reverend A.T.F. Holmes, Vicar of Lulu Island, for the camp. An older name for Camp Artaban was Long Bay. The camp was established in 1924 by Reverend J.N. Brachner.[4]
Camp Fircom, a United Church summer camp for children, youth and families, is located on the island's south-eastern edge near Halkett Bay. During the summer it offers camping experiences and programs, a tradition that began in 1923. During the fall to spring months the remote site is offered for rental by user groups of all shapes and sizes. Camp Fircom has undergone major renovation in 2011 and accommodates up to 190 people with many facilities.
Camp Latona is an outdoor education center and youth summer camp on the north end of Gambier Island. Camp Latona was originally a Sea Cadet Naval Base during WW2 and became a summer camp in the early 1950s. Thousands of children have spent their summers hiking the trails of Gambier Island or paddled the waters of Howe Sound from Latona. The Camp is a favourite rental location for schools and private groups to learn about environmental sustainability, alternative energies, diverse ecosystems and First Nations studies. Many groups use the camp for corporate retreats and leadership team building on the newly installed Zip Lines and High Ropes Courses. Camp Latona also has undergone considerable revitalization recently with new cabins, boats, activity areas and the building of a massive Tipi Village.
History
The island was named by Captain Richards in 1860 for James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet who had a distinguished career in the British navy,[5] was a Governor of Newfoundland and served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent ending The War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.
References
- ^ "Elkins Point". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "Halkett Bay Park". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "Mount Artaban". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "Camp Artaban". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Walbran, Captain John T. (1971), British Columbia Place Names, Their Origin and History (Facsimile reprint of 1909 ed.), Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre, p. 197, ISBN 0-88894-143-9,