Count me as another "Charlie Guide," but from 1996 - 2010.  I've worked at all three facilities, with one summer off in 2008.  During 2008 I took a trip with a few other Charlie alumni from Lake Superior to Hudson's Bay.  Many memories (mostly fond, but several not-so-fond ones as well) from working there during the summers.

I worked at the base as a guide the summer of 1998.

My favorite but least lucrative job Ive ever had.

When I worked there, they used to have some Canadian guys that worked trips out of Atikokan, although I've never been there.

I had one of my fellow guides pick up a Meany paddle up there. Still one of my favorite possessions today....

Went through Sommers as a scout in '93 on a 10 day Quetico trip up Kawishiwi through Kawnipi and back via McEwen and Louisa.  Later I guided for Sommers in '99 and '00, so I've done a few trips through there.

It's a good experience for those inscouting, but as I'm not actively involved, I've done partial outfitting through outfitters in Ely since 2003.

I helped organize a trip for our Troop through the Charles Sommers base in 2003.  We were Crew E72703D and went into Quetico.  Took a tow to PP, then headed up to Kahshapiwi, through McNiece and Yum Yum into the S-chain, then down Agnes to Meadows, Sunday, Burke and out.  We had a great time.

I went through the Okpic Program (winter camping/travel) in the late 1970s and early 1980s with my scout troop.  Lots of fun.  A buddy and I mushed through the Sommers base a couple of years ago while finishing a winter loop back to our truck on Snowbank, and I noticed how much the base has grown over the years.  Glad to see it's prospering.
I assume they send few trips to Quetico anymore (due to the cost, need for passports and RABC, etc), as I paddled over a hundred miles in Quetico last week and didn't encounter a single scout group.

This is not exactly related to the question in the original post but here goes.

Just off highway 11 east of Atikokan (and about 5 minutes drive west of the French Lake entry point), there is a point of land in Marion Lake called Sommer's Point. My wife and I have stayed at a B&B there for the past two years.

Now I am wondering if this refers to the same Sommer's that Sommer's Boy Scout Canoe Trips is named after. Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks.

I've never gone out of Sommer's, but my Dad was one of the members of the first canoe guides they employed back in the 40's.   

I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed before or not but I was wondering if any of you went through Charles Sommers for your early canoeing experiences?  If so when did you and where did you go? 

We were crew 806M in 1970.  Our route was north to Kashapiwi in Quetico to Cutty and Sark then back home.  We did have time to start up a 3 gallon container of blueberry wine.  Needless to say it wasn't real good  .

But the real purpose is to see if you went out of Sommers and when.

Thanks for the responses.