The lands that K’aayxada Adventure Camp are located on are the unceded territories of the Haida People, and more specifically the territories of the Cumshewa Clan. Since the time of creation Haida people have protected and cared for this land, allowing youth and visitors to enjoy this beautiful place in all of its glory.

Discussions to build a youth camp facility on the shores of  Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake began.  A group of K’il Kun Sandspit residents formed a sub-committee of the Moresby Island Management Committee and named it the Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Society.

With Blake Ward in the lead, K’il Kun Sandspit residents had:

• Received approval from BC Lands and Western Forest Products for lease of the land, and developed a shared use agreement with Haida Fisheries

• Formed the Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Society

• Obtained donations of services for construction, materials, including wood, to build the camp

• Completed a marketing survey of schools across BC and Canada

• Completed a draft business plan.

The objectives of the Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Society were to:

• Increase the economic diversity of Sandspit and its neighbouring communities by constructing a group camp facility that would attract educational, youth, and tour groups to the Islands.   

• Create a facility that is safe, sanitary, and environmentally sound where outdoor education, recreation and nature studies can be conducted in the unique island environment.

• Establish partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide a variety of services that groups might request.

• Provide groups with key local information on what they could do on Haida Gwaii.

With the help of Haida Gwaii Community Futures Development Corporation, Gwaii Trust, and the Community Economic Adjustment Initiative, and $50,000 in community donations, the facility was completed.

It is important to note that the original creation of camp was done so without the consent and approval of the Cumshewa people, who’s territory camp sits on.

Two longhouse style buildings were built. One houses two dormitories with about 20 bunk beds and a large common room suitable for classroom space. The other building contains two kitchen facilities. The idea was that the groups would bring their own food and bedding and do their own clean up.

A new Executive Director, Jonathan Ebbs, was appointed, and a new vision for the Society began to take shape.  Jonathan secured funding through the South Moresby Forest Replacement Account and the Gwaii Trust to run a 28-day leadership development course, for overall operations, and some canoes and kayaks. Jonathan was able to facilitate other organizations’ use of the facility, and offered outdoor programs for kids between 6 and 18 years old.  In the Fall of 2005 Jonathan partnered with School District 50 and Kimiko Von Boetticher to host the first Forest Stewardship Programs for grades 4, 8 and 12.

Since those initial years, the Mount Moresby Adventure Camp hosted thousands of youth and community members under the guidance of several Executive Directors.  These have all been passionate community members who believed in creating quality outdoor land-based education for the youth of Haida Gwaii. 

Teal Jones applied to log around Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake, where seasonal youth camps are held. However, the Council of the Haida Nation rejected the application because of the 2011 House of Assembly Resolution (Forest Classrooms 2011-HOA-51) which set an objective for Gawu Kuns Siiwaay to be protected as intact forest for birds, fish, insects and habitat, all contributing towards educational values facilitated through trails and easy access for teaching.  

The Mount Moresby Adventure Camp Board of Directors worked with the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program Elders and the Cumshewa Matriarch, Dr. Kii’iljuus Barbara Wilson, to rename the organization. Today, the camp and the society are known by the Xaayda Kil name: K’aayxada, which is the Xaayda Kil name of Moresby Mountain.

With the new name, many improvements have been made to the grounds and infrastructure at camp.

The Forest Stewardship Program is held twice a year, in the Spring and the Fall. The Spring camp is held for Grade 6 Students as well as Grade 9 Students.  For the Grade 9 camp, we partner not only with SD50, but also the Archipelago Management Board, Parks Canada, and the Haida Watchmen Program. Every year, the Grade 9 Students have a unique opportunity to travel to Gwaii Haanas Park and Haida Heritage Reserve and stay at Hlk'yah G̱awG̱a, Windy Bay and learn from the Watchmen there, as well as Parks Canada Staff.