Helen Mason has been camping in Ontario’s rural parks for almost four decades, but nothing like this has ever happened: while visiting a friend away from the campsite, someone showed up and stole all her belongings, from the tent and grill to the food she ate. she packed her luggage for the trip.
“I’ve been camping in country parks for 39 years since I was 13, and they’ve never stolen anything from a campsite, not even a tent peg or something from a cooler. it even goes through my mind, “said a resident of Oakville Mason, who was on a private campsite in the Pineri Provincial Park on Lake Huron.
“I had no idea anyone would have the courage to just drive and pack my entire campsite.”
Mason arrived at Pinery on the night of April 29, pitched his tents, and made a nice campfire. That same Sunday, an old friend called and asked her to visit him.
Mason returned the next day and found almost everything missing.
“I thought my tent had taken off because you could really see my bright red tent when you drove to the campsite and I didn’t see it. Then I approached and got out of my car and slowly realized that absolutely everything I had brought for camping was gone, from my tent to my clothes, the kitchen tent and all the things in it. ”
Although thefts at campsites happen from time to time, such big ones are unheard of, said Mark Custers, Pinery’s manager.
“Never on this scale. Usually people steal smaller items, a cooler with alcohol in it,” he said.
Camp thefts are ‘rare’
Theft violates an unspoken rule in camping, a system of honor that people do not steal from each other because it is impossible to lock things up and everyone is in the wild together.
“I’d say it’s rare, rare, rare,” Mason said. “It’s a system of honor because you can’t really expect people to want to go camping and sit with their belongings all the time, and there’s no way you can lock certain things up. I’ve never met anyone else with something stolen. ”
For its part, Ontario Parks provides a range of camp safety tips on its website. When it comes to preventing theft, it says, “As long as campsites are safe places with park rangers, it’s a good idea to keep your valuables locked in your car and out of sight.”
Mason on one of her solo camping trips, with her tent before the recent theft. (Submitted by Helen Mason)
Mason reports the theft to the park ranger, who said he had never heard of an entire campsite being taken.
Mason loves camping and makes solo trips once or twice a year. She also goes on two or three other trips with her children.
But it will take time and money to replenish its camping equipment supplies. In addition to her new tent for 10 people, other stolen items include a pop-up queen bed, a heater and a new chair. Her bed linen and home-made blanket were not taken away.
These items were stolen from the kitchen and dining tent: her barbecue, Coleman’s grill, all her cooking utensils, pots, oils, spices, cutlery, plates and lanterns for camping.
They also took her shampoo and soap, but left her backpack and Starbucks coffee.
“I was shocked at how thoroughly they cleaned everything up. I can’t think of anything they left from my camping kit. ”
Although he has his old equipment to use as a spare, Mason said he will have to start stockpiling new equipment as the season progresses. However, the theft did not stop her from camping.
“Honestly, I was more upset about terminating my campsite than having someone take my things,” she said. “My concern is that if someone is left camping for a week and someone takes all their food, shelter, what will happen to them? Not everyone has the luxury of camping by car.”
Mason had set up these tents in Pinery Country Park for her solo camping trip, but now they are gone. (Submitted by Helen Mason)
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