5^th Summer Camp of the Brebeuf Cadets

By Rev. Fr. Jean de l`Estourbeillon SSPX
Rector of Holy Family School, Lévis

Already six years have elapsed since the foundation of the Brebeuf Cadets in Lévis, Quebec. They are a group of Naval Scouts that sails on the St Lawrence River and nearby lakes. The Summer Camp is very important for them, as it gives them the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge of navigation they have received at Cadets’ meeting throughout the year. So, evidently the Camp has to be set up near the water. In 2003, after a lot of research, and with the precious help of Mr. Michel Arsenault, the Traditional Catholic Cadets were able to spend the Camp on Châtigny Island, on the southern side of the St. Lawrence River, in front of the town of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, near Montréal. Privately owned, it has a superficies of 100 000 sq. feet, and is covered by trees that protect the islanders from the river’s wind. Its shape is that of a banana, and it is endowed with nice beaches. This is the site we have “conquered” peacefully, due to the amiable help of Mrs. Pauline Brodeur, who lives on the shore of the river and has obtained for us the authorization of Mr. Di Tomasso, owner of the island. I take this opportunity to thank them publicly for their kindness. The story of the Camp has been published in the Quebec City great newspaper “Le Soleil” (The Sun); they had send a reporter to cover that unusual event: A group of REAL Naval Scouts having a Camp on an island! What follows here is an account of what happened at the Camp, and it was made by some Cadets. Enjoy your reading!

The Camp’s Chronicle

The Camp took place from the 4^th to the 14^th of August 2003. After an early warning, the Cadets’ Staff Members and some helpful men gathered at the Lévis School in order to haul into a 53 feet long truck all the material necessary for the Camp. The truck was graciously provided by Mr. Roger Lambert from Lévis. We tugged into it our eight boats, the floating piers that we use as our movable quay, ten big tents, and a lot of other stuff.  When all set, we left towards Valleyfield, where Mrs. Brodeur, a nice lady, who owns a House with a long terrace facing the island, is waiting for us. Upon arrival, we were able to admire the beautiful site: the blue of the water, and the island looking like a puff of green floating over the St. Lawrence river. The island is covered thick with trees, and even intertwined lianas. Then Father Estourbeillon, the only priest doing the Camp, decides to go on the island for exploring it and preparing for our landing there. So he leaves with 5 Cadets while the others follow Mr. Arsenault who goes to fell some wood that will serve for the installation on the island. At the end of this long day, Mrs. Brodeur provides us with a good meal, and after leaving the semi at her home, we went back to Lévis.

Left to Right: Mr. Michel Arsenault;
Mrs. Pauline Brodeur and Fr. Estourbeillon SSPX

Now comes the big day! All the knapsacks are well packed, and children and adults are grinning. After the morning Mass and a quick breakfast, the 36 boys fill the bus, and the group sets off for the big adventure. After a three hours trip, we arrive at Mrs. Brodeur’s place, and she welcomes us with great joy. Straight away we empty the truck and get ready to cross the river. Father is doing often the all-round trip to and from the island, aboard his motorboat. He must be careful, because the water is not very deep, and some rocks are barely covered. We start our installation on the island. The Chief’s Assistants fix, at the most suitable location, the four floating docks together in a L shape. This will become our marina, where we will moor our boats. Meanwhile the four teams of Cadets, each numbering around seven or eight scouts, choose a place for their encampment, and set up to prepare for it. It will take about two days to render each of the four camping sites suitable. Concretely that means: to make a log table for the meals; to smoothen the ground where the tent has to be; to make a special cooking stand on which to put on a fire; and finally to arrange a suitable oratory for Mass and prayers. Each team also tries to imagine other accommodations that could facilitate camp life, and that could beat others` ideas. For at the end of the installation period there was the Great Inspection by the Chiefs of Staff and the Admiral Commander of the Fleet, i.e. Father de l’Estourbeillon and his board formed by MM. Arsenault, Blaise Lapointe, Jean-Marc Houde, Pierre Roy, and Félix Chapleau (acting also as the Navy Bugle Player). This distinguished Body went to each campsite to evaluate them, and they were welcomed by each team in their best uniforms. After the visit, the Admiral and his Counsel were comparing their notes and giving the final mark for each team’s work.

Since we were living on an island, and the wind and the sun were good, Father decided we were going to do mainly naval activities this year. Each morning after mass and breakfast, the four teams would run up the boats, pull up the sails, untie the moorings, and start the race! The goal was given by Father once every boat was at sea, and they had to race to it. Days at “sea” were funny because we would at some point start fighting on the water, trying to board the other boats. The practice of sails manoeuvring, the pirates cunning approaches to the adverse teams, the pails full of water that we would throw at other boats when under the wind, getting as close to them as we can, all these activities make us laugh hard, and give a spicy touch to the day. When we are tired and scratched, Father says it is time to sing our naval songs, and this is joyful, as the notes echo over the water. Lunch is taken either on board, either on the shore of some island nearby. Then it is time to go back to our base, and when we arrive there we can relax bathing. Afterwards it was Rosary, and then a good hot supper prepared by our devoted cooks. Then we prepare for the evening (rehearsals of sketches, stories, etc.), and we have a great fun around the campfire. We end up the day with the singing of night prayers, and then it is off to bed, and one scarcely has time to lay down before he is sound asleep! But turns will be taken by the Cadets to watch over the camp at night, while meditating on a sentence from the Gospel, or an article of our Faith.

Many other interesting activities took place during the camp. There has been a cooking contest where each team had to prepare a meal for the Admiral and his Staff. The meal had to be made in a restaurant-like manner. A sketch had to be played during the meal, and there were four themes from which to choose: Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Napoleon on St. Helen’s Island, Robinson Crusoe, and a Meal at the Ranch. Mrs. Brodeur came as a guest of honour. Everything went well, except a log table that collapsed at the Iberville Team’s site. The chiefs later on gave the results of the activity. We should not forget the “combat” drills. This year of course they had to be done in the water, then so be it! The first competition was to swim for a hundred meters holding a metallic stick that was not to touch the water. Then one had to use the stick to come back holding two pails full of rocks. These were heavy enough to maintain us under water, so we had to swim more strongly to reach the surface to catch some fresh air. Another type of challenge was a tug-of-war between aluminium rowboats. Only the Chiefs were allowed a paddle, the other had to row with their hands. The last competition was a rowboat race. We also had the joy to assist to the last of the Season’s “Musical Tuesdays” in Valleyfield; beautiful music was played by the Chateauguay Grand Orchestra!

Towards the end of the Camp we received our parents and friends. Father was going back and forth with his motorboat to carry them to and from the island. They assisted to our traditional campfire. Despite some itching problems due to poison ivy, the ten-days Camp was very thrilling and fun, thanks to Mrs. Brodeur and Mr. Di Tomasso, thanks also to the good weather, the dedication of the chiefs, the good spirit of everyone, and especially thanks to God’s Goodness.