The visually impaired community is an important part of Bowen Island’s history as well as its current social and cultural life. Bowen has been home to the blind and visually impaired since the very beginnings of its development.

During the steamship era of Bowen’s history, the Terminal Steamships (1902 – 1920) and Union Steamships Company (1920 – 1960) would regularly organize company picnics with ferry services from Vancouver. Amongst the groups looking to enjoy the peacefulness of Bowen was the Canadian Federation of the Blind which planned annual picnics for the blind. The Bowen Island picnic for the blind offered food, drinks, and activities for visually impaired people to enjoy thanks to the collaboration of the Union Steamship Company.

This initial opportunity for the blind to discover Bowen marks the beginning of a constructive and enduring presence on the island. The following establishment of a lodge for the blind and the Camp Bowen project continued the historical relationship of the visually impaired community with Bowen Island.