This is the last summer Calgary scouts will sleep under the stars at Camp Gardner.

On Oct. 1, Scouts Canada will stop using the Bragg Creek site for its wilderness adventures.

Camp Gardner is currently operating at a $500-a-day loss, says the volunteer commissioner with Scouts Canada's Chinook Council. (Chinook Council Scouts Canada/flickr)

"It's a disappointing and tough decision," said Mark Little, the volunteer commissioner with the Chinook Council, which represents all youth and adult scout membership in southern Alberta.

But Little says keeping Camp Gardner open is putting the organization in the red at a rate of $500 a day.

Combined with the losses from Camp Impeesa near Pincher Creek, Scouts Canada has been bleeding about $350,000 per year, says Little.

"We've been making decision of the heart, up until now."

Little adds the camp is also still in need of repair from the 2013 Alberta flood.

This was my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yycflood?src=hash">#yycflood</a> - trying to save <a href="https://twitter.com/scoutscanada">@scoutscanada</a> Camp Gardner. They announced today it's closing. <a href="http://t.co/6EZvkg63vZ">pic.twitter.com/6EZvkg63vZ</a> —@mbingley

Although the Chinook Council is the largest scouts group in Canada and membership is growing, Little says 65 per cent of the kids who use Camp Gardner are from other organizations.

The camp sits on Crown land, which has been leased to Scouts Canada since 1957.

"Back then, there wasn't so much opportunity for alternatives to Camp Gardner. It was still an adventure to go from downtown Calgary out to Bragg Creek," said Little.

"Parents and volunteers are wanting to utilize the outdoors in Kananaskis and the mountains. They're using other camps that have just had significantly more investment, like Kamp Kiwanis, Camp Kindle and the YMCA camps," said Little.

The Chinook Council is currently looking for a group or association to take over the lease, which is paid until 2017, and management of the property, but continue to allow them use the camp on occasion for scout activities.