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Gittens Lodge

Contact information

Roxanne Gregory
Events Coordinator
NSCC Truro Campus
Phone: 782-370-1536
 

A brief history

In 1969, Prof. Ted Gittens and Dr. Verl Short, faculty members from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, looked for land to establish an Environmental Science Centre. They found their land at Scott Paper, who leased the College a 600-acre block of land at Manganese Mines.

Gittens Lodge construction began in 1971 and was completed in 1973. All the lumber used in construction was supplied by Scott Paper. Most of the supplies and labour were donated by local companies and organizations.

Renovations and upgrades have been performed through the years drawing on resources from Scott Paper (now Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation), the Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Nova Scotia Teachers College, the Nova Scotia Community College and the local community.

In 1993, an evaluation of the woodlands surrounding the Lodge was conducted and 23 ecological study sites were documented and mapped. In an average year, approximately 1,500 children and 150 adults make use of Gittens Lodge and surrounding property.

Rental details

Getting here

  • Pick up the key and pay your fees at the Business Office at Truro Campus.
  • Proceed East on Arthur Street, through the traffic light, past Truro Center Shopping area.
  • Proceed along Walker Street across Prince and Queen (traffic light at each), cross the Salmon River Bridge into Bible Hill.
  • Proceed under the railway to traffic light and turn right onto Pictou Road.
  • Follow Pictou Road under Trans-Canada Highway, leave pavement at top of the hill. Sign says Manganese Mines.
  • Follow signs to fork on right into the woods, proceed to chain gate. (Please relock the lock on the post.)

Things to Pack

  • food
  • dishwashing needs and hand soap
  • first aid kit
  • seasonal clothing
  • bedding
  • firewood

Fees

A signed rental agreement must be returned with a copy of your organization's liability insurance naming NSCC Gittens Lodge as the certificate holder. All fees must be paid prior to picking up the key.  

Overnight bookings

  • One night stay: $150.00 + HST
  • Multiple days: $150.00 + HST for the first day, $100.00 + HST for each additional day
  • Check in time: 3 pm
  • Check out time: 11 am
    • *If you require an earlier check in and/or later check out, you'll be charged an additional day

Daytime Bookings

  • One day usage: $150.00 + HST
  • Multiple days: $150.00 + HST for the first day, $100.00 + HST for each additional day
  • Check in: 8 am
  • Check out: 4 pm

Check-in and check-out times

In order to allow a 4-hour break between bookings, check-in and check-out times may vary. Please advise the members of your group of your particular check-in and check-out times.

Keys to Gittens Lodge

Keys to Gittens Lodge are signed out and returned to the Business Office at the Truro Campus.

Important guidelines

  • Limit outdoor fires to the fire pit located to the right of the driveway in front of the lodge.
  • Make sure that any fire is completely out before leaving it.
  • Don't remove dead branches or fallen trees. (They are part of the ecosystem and should remain undisturbed.)
  • Don't bring alcoholic beverages on the grounds.
  • Ensure safety through a reasonable and responsible ratio of adults to youth.

Gittens Lodge – Information Sheet (PDF 282KB)

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