Camp Owakonze was founded in the early 1920s by Duke Childs as a wilderness canoeing camp. It operated as a youth adventure camp for decades. During the 1970s the camp changed owners several times ultimately being bought by Boy’s Hope Girls Hope (a Jesuit charitable organization), which ran it until 1995 or so.

The entire island can be bought for US $600,000 or nine shares of US $60,000 will be sold. The owner will be keeping one for himself!

The most likely buyer for the whole island would be someone with a large family who wanted a special place for reunions, vacations, etc. Share buyers would be people who are interested in what will essentially be a private camp/resort in the north woods that they could create from a substantial already existing infrastructure. For instance, the island has a barge that can transport 6000 lbs. of material at one time and an excavator that can do heavy lifting, digging, etc.

In 1998, Hub Stern, Jr., a former camper from the late 1920’s, bought Owakonze for the use of his family and friends. At this time, the island was in disrepair. Much clean-up and remodeling was undertaken over the next two years. Hub Jr. unfortunately died in 2000. His son, Hub III, also a former camper, is now the current owner and has chosen to extend his father’s vision outside the family.

Until recently, access to Baril Lake and the camp was limited. The highway from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Atikokan, Ontario was not completed until 1954, and the Brule Creek Road (dirt), which goes almost to the edge of Baril Lake, did not exist prior to 1985. Because of its secluded location and historically limited access, Baril Lake has seen no new development for over 50 years. This is unlikely to change since Baril is a headwaters lake and the Canadian government values this resource.

Other than Owakonze, there are only five other cabins (generally referred to by locals as “camps”) on the lake. They are miles apart from each other and most date back to the 1940s. All other land is owned by the Canadian Government. Logging is not permitted within approximately ¼ mile of the lake.

The Vision for Owakonze

The concept behind Owakonze is to create a community of like-minded people who love the north woods’ lifestyle and want to be a part of it with others. They must be financially able to participate in realizing the vision. This is a lifestyle opportunity NOT a real estate investment opportunity. Join the community by purchasing a share(s) of stock in the corporation that owns Owakonze.

In exchange for their purchase, shareholders will receive unlimited access to the island (currently, approximately May 15 to late September), an unimproved cabin site on which to build their own cabin, and use of all community owned facilities. By having your “own” cabin, you will be emotionally committed to the community vision. In addition, as a shareholder/owner, you will participate in directing, governing, and maintaining the community on a year to year basis.

Proceeds from the share purchases will partially reimburse Hub Stern for his out of pocket expenses as well as go into a common fund. Money in the common fund shall be used to continue upgrading the island’s community facilities. Hub will not make a profit from the sale of shares--nor does he so desire. Rather, he seeks reimbursement for his out of pocket expenses. The bulk of proceeds from the sale of shares will be used to realize the Owakonze community vision.