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Update: We have returned from the expedition with further interesting signals from our fish finder. Report and analysis will be available in the club newsletter. View journalist Neil Horner’s video of the expedition here:

View our own video journal of the trip here:

On September 14th, 2010 the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club will once again conduct a comprehensive analysis of Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island, in an attempt to determine whether or not the lake could be hiding an elusive creature. Last year, the BCSCC used a fish finder to obtain several readings of larger than average objects at varying depths under the water.

The Cameron Lake Cryptid?

Sighting reports of the Cameron Lake Cryptid date back many years, and residents of Parksville, Port Alberni, and other nearby communities have grown up hearing stories about the lake and its possible inhabitant. A now-famous photograph taken by local Brigette Horvath seems to offer a tantalizing glimpse at what might be an unknown creature.

This year, we will once again scan the lake using several methods in an attempt to solve the mystery of Cameron Lake. Check out the following media coverage of our upcoming trip:

BC SCC Vice President Adam McGirr on the Dave Rutherford Show
CHQR 770AM in Calgary

Sea monster or big fish in B.C. lake?
By Sheena Goodyear, QMI AGENCY

Monster hunters return to Cameron Lake
By Neil Horner, Parksville Qualicum Beach News

Monster hunters continue search for creature in Vancouver Island lake
By Dustin Walker, Nanaimo Daily News

The British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club investigates unknown creatures in BC such as Sasquatch, Giant Salamanders, and Lake Monsters. Learn about the club’s activities, gatherings, and theories in this short video presentation. Questions? Email: amcgirr@bcscc.ca

The Unidentified Creatures of BC
Thursday, March 18, 7:00 pm

Welsh Hall, West Vancouver Memorial Library
1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Organized by the West Vancouver Museum

Sasquatch, Ogopogo, Hiaschuckaluck and the black salamander have been the subject of fascination for more than a century. Presented by the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, Hidden Monsters -The Unidentified Creatures of BC promises to be a fascinating talk on the history, habitats and lives of B.C.’s hidden animals. Find out how these creatures continue to survive today and what we can do to preserve them for posterity.

This event is FREE and open to all.

Update – Watch the Cryptid Culture Part 1 below. Find Part 2 here.

The Cameron Lake Cryptid

On September 19th, 2009, members of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club conducted a search on Vancouver Island’s Cameron Lake, in response to a number of sightings and an extremely interesting photo taken by Brigette Horvath (left).

The club would like to thank the Oceanside Tourism Association and Seasmoke PR for making the expedition possible by providing accomodations at the fabulous Sunrise Ridge Resort, and the use of a boat with a fish finder which provided some very interesting results.

Watch BCSCC President John Kirk explain the details of the expedition:

Watch BCSCC Member Adam McGirr’s Interview on CTV Morning AM with Seamus O’Regan here.

On July 18th, 2009, members of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club and their guests gathered at the Green Point Day Use area, on the shores of Harrison Lake and on the edge of Sasquatch Provincial Park. The occasion was to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the club which was founded in 1989.

The picnic area and adjoining beach started to fill up with people quickly. After staking out a few picnic tables and setting up our information tent, we started to welcome visitors who were greeted by our new club mascot.

The new vinyl signs featuring the artwork of club member Jason Walton should stand up to several years of sun and rain, perfect for British Columbia’s climate.

We were lucky enough to be joined by John Green, veteran Sasquatch researcher, but we also had the unique company of a two-person crew who are working on a cryptozoology documentary for the BBC. They conducted interviews with some of our members and generally captured what it is really like to be a cryptozoologist in BC.

Soon we were ready to fire up the barbeques and we had quite a feast. After that it was time for more discussion on the latest news in cryptozoology. A popular topic was the recent Ogopogo sighting that occurred on Thursday, July 9th. A witness described a large snake-like creature over 30 feet in length, swimming or slithering across the middle of the lake. For more details consult the original Kelowna Daily Courier story here: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=198344

As we passed the Sasquatch Inn on our way towards Harrison Lake, it became clear that we were in the middle of Bigfoot country. Sasquatch Provincial Park provided the perfect setting for members of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club and Westcoast Sasquatch to sit down with famous Bigfoot researcher John Green.

The group was honoured to hear Mr. Green speak of the pioneering days of Sasquatch research. He kindly shared tales of working with the late Rene Dahinden, anecdotes about media interest in the matter, and even a story about the Cadborosaurus.

John has lived in the Harrison Lake area for some time and is intimately familiar with the land and its lore. As one of the most famous Sasquatch researchers and author of several books on the subject including Sasquatch: The Apes Among Us, an opportunity to hear Mr. Green’s stories first-hand is one that no true Bigfoot enthusiast should pass up, no matter how hard it is raining.

As people began to arrive at the appropriately-named Green Point Day Use Area, everyone was eager to lend a hand setting up the tarps and in just a short time we had established a small shelter with just enough room to keep everyone relatively dry.

The gathering was fortunate enough to have all three authors of Meet The Sasquatch present. Thomas Steenburg is an intrepid Sasquatch researcher who has conducted countless interviews and investigations. On the way up to the park he pointed out several spots along the road where actual sightings have taken place.

Chris Murphy from Hancock House Publishers actually presented a Sasquatch exhibit at the Vancouver Museum, also home to the HR Macmillan Planetarium. The Hoopa Project is an upcoming release from Hancock House about a former police investigator bringing a forensic sketch artist down to speak with members of the Hoopa tribe in Northern California about their local Sasquatch experiences. We got to see some of the resulting drawings in advance and they are magnificent.

And of course John Green, our guest of honour, was already interested in Bigfoot when Rene Dahinden, infamous Sasquatch researcher and star of a previous Kokanee advertising campaign, came onto the scene. It was fascinating to hear about how the Sasquatch phenomenon was once so popular it warranted its own section in the Vancouver Sun/Province at the time.

The rain let up and the sun managed to break through the clouds long enough for us all to take some group photos down on the beach of Harrison Lake. Mr. Green was also presented with a handsome certificate indicating his honorary lifetime membership in the BCSCC by club president John Kirk.