Shepherds Gazebo Update

We almost didn’t do it!

The Shepherd Gazebo collapsed in November; a complete shock to all. Margaret asked me what we were going to do and I suggested we go for a year without doing anything… just plant lots of pretty grass. It would give us time to think about what we REALLY wanted in that spot. Time to make it perfect. She loved that idea! Camp was a muddy mess and one more project did not seem like a good idea at the time.

This opinion shifted over time. As it turns out, we discovered that we NEEDED to have the Shepherd Gazebo.

It was useful: the perfect place for classes to meet on the Pagent court. Ellen-Anne said that we needed something, if not a Gazebo then something else.
It was iconic: one of the prettiest buildings in camp located in one of the prettiest spots in camp. It was hard to imagine losing it.
It was loved: the outpouring of memories from campers and counselors alike was amazing. Many have enjoyed their favorite camp moments in this spot, we could not take it away.

So we designed the best Gazebo we could imagine!

The new Shepherds Gazebo is bigger (10 feet wider and completely open in the middle), better (designed to last 100 years), and beautiful (you will love the timberframe).

A few interesting facts:

The ground in that part of camp was formed when the lake was built (that is why it is flat… they scooped the ground from Lake Edith and spread it on the pagent court). This makes the ground really soft and required us to sink over 50 pilings deep into the ground to support the foundation).
The foundation pilings are 38 feet deep!
It took 40 truckloads of concrete and 1,000 feet of steel to make the foundation.
The side facing the dining hall has a stage for summer concerts!
The construction machines have made deep ruts in the grass (some over 2 feet deep), but don’t worry… we will fix it before you arrive!

So get excited about our newest, prettiest, and most awesome building in camp - you are going to LOVE it!