Northwoods Paradise
Owakonze’s rustic campus spans two islands on Baril Lake in southwestern Ontario, just east of Quetico Provincial Park. Surrounded by miles of undeveloped wilderness, the outpost is just a few short portages from rivers that lead west to International Falls, and north to Hudson Bay.
Anderson Hall
STep back in time
To step into Anderson Hall is to step back in time. Now used as a dining room, lounge and library, treasures from Owakonze’s rich history abound. Adorning one wall is a 30-foot Pocock rowing shell from the 1930s, made famous by the bestselling book Boys in the Boat. On the opposite wall, 40 feet of windows overlook the ball field and Baril Lake.
Boathouse
Restored to its former glory
Since the beginning, visitors to Owakonze have stepped onto the island by way of the welcoming boathouse. Fully restored by our late caretaker Tony Ickes and his crew, the double-bay boathouse protects watercraft from the weather, provides a safe space for loading and unloading gear, and is a constant reminder that your car is in another world.
Trips Room
Lakeside ‘Luxury’
Built in the 1960s as a place to pack food and store gear, the Trips Room has been lovingly reconfigured as a cozy lakeside cabin to host alumni couples and small families. The porch sits just feet from the water’s edge, and might be the best spot on the island to watch the sun rise with a cup of coffee in hand.
Clubhouse
A marvel of wood & Glass
Inspired by a Popular Science article in 1920s, the clubhouse’s lattice vault ceiling is stunning to behold. Originally built to protect badminton birdies from wind, this all-wood gymnasium has hosted basketball games, musical performances and Sunday services. More recently, it’s been used for cruising school and in rough weather, as a pack gear.
OTHER FACILITIES
Other buildings include the Chapel (now a three-bedroom alumni cabin), three other alumni cabins, and a wood-burning sauna. The island’s infrastructure also includes a water tower, workshop, carpentry shop, and generator house.
sustainability
We are committed to preserving the wilderness that makes Owakonze such a serene retreat. Solar panels power lights and appliances, propane is limited to food preparation in the alumni quarters, and generators are only used when necessary. Visitors are asked to help us minimize power usage and garbage production, and otherwise do everything possible to keep Baril Lake and its surroundings pristine.