Camp Chapleau
What inspired Anna May Borden to finally write a book that had been in the making for many years.
In 2003 Anna May woke up one day and felt compelled to revisit Camp Chapleau, which had been associated with the Old Brewery Mission which provided a refuge from the storm that life had thrown at thousands of disadvantaged Montrealers over the past 100 years.
The good news was that year Camp Chapleau was celebrating its 100th birthday. Anna May and her siblings had been sent there with their mother for refuge and to save them from the abuse for the summer months.
After 9 hours driving Anna May found Camp Chapleau. Theresa Forster advised her that they were looking for one of the first families who had attended the Camp. With only God’s work there Anna May appeared at the camp and met up with Theresa Forster who was so happy to see us.
Theresa remembered that she saw a picture of the Borden family in the McCord Institute on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal. Sure enough, Anna May and her sister Shirley sifted through 14 albums in the McCord archives and finally we found the picture.
From there, Shirley and Anna May were interviewed on CTV in Montreal. The interview was based on the children being neglected, abandoned and frequently abused, however, eventually, moving onto a productive life.
Anna May and Shirley were also interviewed by The Montreal Gazette.
Anna May credits the camp experience and the Old Brewery Mission for helping all nine children land on their feet.
As a consequence, Anna May devoted her life to helping others less fortunate.
There was a dinner in Honour of the Borden family at the Old Brewery Mission. Also an event at Camp Chapleau was put on in honour of the 100 years celebration honoring the “Borden Family”, whereby a Time Capsule was to be placed in the ground with the story of Camp Chapleau and the Borden story as well.
A congratulating letter was sent to Camp Chapleau for its centennial anniversary by THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA, MICHAELLE JEAN.
Subsequently the Time Capsule was buried. Anna May can only wonder what the world will be like in 100 years from now. Will poverty be a definition in the dictionary rather than a reality on the street? Will violence in the home be replaced by tranquility and peace? It is Anna May’s fervent hope that this will be so.
Regardless, the message that Anna May sends to the next generation, should be to work hard towards a society that is free of cruelty toward each other.
