Brian Blackstock OCA Archives Award

This recognition award is to be given to a group or an individual who, in the opinion of the OCA Archives Committee, has made an outstanding contribution to the Archives of the Ontario Camps
Association located in Trent University.

Candidates receiving this award may be selected from outside organizations, camps, individuals, groups, committees, etc., and will be recognized in the year following their contribution. This award is not presented on an annual basis, but is offered as a special award when appropriate.

Brian Blackstock OCA Archives Award Criteria are as follows:

  • A very significant gift of archival value.
  • A financial contribution which allows the Archives to be notably enhanced of wider accessibility to the public.
  • A book of some form of written work which uses OCA archival material and is made available electronically or in print to the public.
  • A film or visual production using archival material which enhances public awareness of the value of camping. Pictures, archival collections, professional articles, research, event outlines, etc.

This award was initiated in 2017 as an acknowledgement of Canada’s 150th Anniversary and as a result of the vision of past OCA President and Honorary Life Member Brian Blackstock (1937-2016). He was a lifelong camper, a long-time OCA volunteer (including active membership in the Archives Committee) and an inspiration and mentor to many camping colleagues. Brian, a creative and caring person with an infectious sense of humour, was passionate about camping and not only recognized the importance of recording and celebrating our camping history but generously supported and helped realize a number of OCA Archive initiatives. Brian’s vision and spirit live on through this award.

The Brian Blackstock OCA Archives Award was not presented in 2025. 

Past Recipients

  • 2024 :  YMCA Camp Wangoma Alumni/Cedar Ridge Camp
  • 2023 :  Catherine Ross
  • 2019 :  Peter Gilbert; John ‘Jorgi’ Jorgenson
  • 2018 :  Tom Knowlton
  • 2016 :  Bernadine Dodge