The Killdevil Lodge Experience in Gros Morne National Park

Book excerpt: The year 2019 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Killdevil Camp and Conference Centre, situated in the scenic Bonne Bay area of Lomond, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Gros Morne National Park. The twofold purpose of this book is to tell when and how the site was acquired in 1959 by the Diocese of Newfoundland and developed over those sixty years, and to hear first-hand the experiences of people who have spent time at Killdevil, particularly campers and staff. Thirty-five people have sent the author stories of their experiences. Some stories pay tribute to certain volunteers who gave many years of service directing camps and to making Killdevil what it is today. Bishop and Mrs. Robert Seaborn came to Newfoundland in 1958, Bishop Seaborn to be the assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newfoundland. They naturally brought with them their experiences and love of church camping and planted the same in what has become known as the Killdevil Camp and Conference Centre. In 1959 a large house known as Killdevil Lodge was purchased on a fourteen-acre site. Bowaters Pulp and Paper in Corner Brook deeded 30.6 acres of adjoining land to the developers. When Gros Morne National Park came to life in Bonne Bay forty years ago, Parks Canada expropriated the Killdevil property and paid out $200,000. From there on the property has been leased and has carried on church camps and conferences. In the beginning the focus was on church camps for children and young people, but almost immediately it expanded to include a conference centre. All the people who pass through the gate at Killdevil are visitors to Gros Morne National Park, which is important to Parks Canada. In addition to the thousands of people who have experienced Killdevil in one way or another, the organizers have had, during the author's time as Bishop of Western Newfoundland, three Boy Scout Jamborees, in 1987, 1991, and 1995. In 1987 there were more than 1,600 scouts and leaders on the site. This book shows through personal anecdotes, historical narrative, and photos the Killdevil experience from its beginnings to present day.