MAY 2021
June Newsletter
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NEWS & UPDATES
Rotary Donation
Rotary Club of Peterborough officials formally announced a $100,000.00 donation to the Health Centre campaign!

“This donation meshes wonderfully with Rotary’s environmental mandate because it advances the cause of environmental stewardship and sustainability. It also continues our 100-year history with Camp Kawartha.” stated Jim Coyle, Rotary Club Rep. “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this project. It (the Centre) helps us mark our 100th anniversary as well as the Camp’s. It is this generation’s legacy, and what a legacy it is!”
Pictured L-R: Myke Healy, CK Board Chair; Cathy Romano, CK Healthcare Coordinator; Wayne Harding, Rotary President; Jacob Rodenburg, CK Executive Director
The Rotary Club of Peterborough was formed in 1921, among the first in Canada, and one of its first projects was to purchase land for the creation of a summer camp. Rotary Camp was established to provide underprivileged boys with an opportunity to experience the outdoors, to build skills and develop character.

Over its 100-year history, the Camp has evolved into a year-round operation reaching more than 17,000 children, youth, and adults per year. It is recognized as one of the premier camps and outdoor education centres in the province. 

The features of this unique building will provide educational opportunities for students, campers, and visitors to learn about carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life cycles, and green-waste management systems.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.” stated Myke Healy, Camp Kawartha’s Board Chair. “This is a unique opportunity to connect once again with the Club and at such a meaningful time in both our histories. The vision of those in 1921 is honoured by the vision of those in 2021.”
 
This is an amazing boost, not only to the campaign, but also for the spirits of everyone at the Camp. It’s been a tough year and more, and this donation provides a bright light at the end of that proverbial tunnel! Thank you to all the Rotary Club of Peterborough Executive and Membership!
Summer Camp is READY ...
Now all we need are the kids!
Without doubt, this year has been the most difficult year for organizing Summer Camp! Announcements from the province have slowly rolled out causing some consternation for our Summer Camp Team (and parents) but, we think we are ready.
 
The first intake of campers will be on July 11th! Although there will be some changes – masking, cohorting etc. – the kids will still be excited to get outdoors and just have some plain old FUN!
 
We can only imagine what the kids take away from Camp this summer, what memories they will have of this very unique time in their history. All the staff -- the maintenance team, cleaning team, healthcare team, office team, summer camp team -- will continue to work hard to ensure that those memories are happy ones.
Another Glimpse of Our Early History
The Evening Examiner, Peterborough Tuesday, July 23, 1922    
EAGER BOYS OFF TO ROTARY CAMP
Junior Members of Holy Name Society Left Yesterday.
The assembly hall at St. Alphonsus’ Lyceum was alive yesterday afternoon with swarming boys, whose bright faces and eager eyes anticipated the forthcoming occupancy for the next twelve days of the Rotary Camp at Clear Lake by the junior members of the Holy Name Society. With their sweaters and caps and small bags all ready, they were ready to tumble out into the waiting motor cars, after answering the roll-call and listening to the rules of the Camp read out to them by Rev. Father Costello.
Among those who will attend the Camp are the following: Bob White, Jim White, Jack White, Keith Carroll, Paul Koster, Ralph Koster, Gordon Finn, Harold Whaley, Norman Guerin, Tom Kelly, Basil Hart. Angus Deforge, Frank Deforge, Jim Scollard, Felix Scollard. Emmett Guiry, Jack Roche, Jim O’Brien, Clement Cronin, Cleophas Picard, Fred Jones, Aloysius Milloy, Roy Deannard, Harold Welsh, Harold Armstrong, Alex Levasseur, Leo. Crough, Alex Fitzgerald and Ed. Bolton.
Do you recognize any of these names? Some of the surnames persist in the Peterborough area.
 
We are sure that these boys had the same excitement as the campers of today. And we are delighted to continue the tradition of welcoming kids for a day, a week, two weeks, a canoe trip, or leadership camp. The faces change but, the purpose does not!

If you have a story or photo you would like to share, please reach out to Susan (sramey@campkawartha.ca) and help us build our archive!
acorn30 Offers an Innovative Gift
Camp Kawartha has received a highly creative gift in support of the development of the new Health Centre.

Local marketing agency acorn30 is delivering white oak tree seedlings as gifts to its clients and planting a seedling for each client on the grounds at the Camp. For each planting, a donation is made by acorn30 to the Health Centre fundraising campaign. We believe this to be a first in terms of local fundraising.

Tree planting is a perfect fit with our work in fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. What a wonderful message a tree gives, as we plant hope for a greener future.
 
The fundraising partnership was conceived by Heather Watson -- Creative Director for acorn30 and Douro Ward Councillor – together with Campaign Lead David Goyette. Heather said, “I want to offer something that demonstrates our appreciation for our clients. At the same time, I value the good work of Camp Kawartha as a local community resource for environmental education and sustainable living."
Rotary Members Lend a Hand
Adaptation is the name of the game these days, and our Summer Camp Team is adapting… in a creative way. Because summer campers will need to be co-horted, we have had to add ‘cabins’ in the form of large tents. These tents will be positioned around the Camp property, and each will be mounted on a wooden platform. These platforms had to be built and in came Bill Crins and a team of Rotary volunteers for a session of measuring, sawing, drilling, and fastening with our Maintenance Team!!
 
A shout-out goes to – in front L-R Jeremy Courneyea (CK), Gord Regts, Joe McCulloch, Sidney Fox / in back L-R Bill Crins, Mike Schmor (CK), Joe Hall, Stan Pineau. 
 
Thanks to each of them for sharing their time and talent!
Camp Kawartha Day
Douro-Dummer Township Council has done us the honour of declaring Sunday, July 4th, 2021 as CAMP KAWARTHA DAY in recognition of our 100th Birthday! We are very gratified that the Township has made such a declaration.
 
HEALTH CENTRE
A HUGE Thank You to Two Local Businesses
We recently received generous support from both Peterborough Appliances and Harwood Kitchens for the Health Centre!

“These are two local companies with big hearts.” says E.D. Jacob Rodenburg.  “The owners and their staff were quick to come forward with help when we asked, and it is so generous of them to support us in this meaningful way.”
Harwood Kitchens donated all the cabinetry for the Centre. Everything from tongue depressors and towels to PPE and extra bedding will have a home and give the space a professional look.

“When we were asked if we would be able to help Camp Kawartha with their cabinetry needs for the new Health Center, we were more than happy to help. The timing was perfect as we had some cabinets in our inventory that was just what was needed. We are very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with Camp Kawartha and give back to the community.” said Michelle Meddings, Designer at Harwood Kitchens.
Peterborough Appliances also donated some essential equipment – a refrigerator and washer-dryer set. The refrigerator will have not only cool water and ice cubes but also hold the necessary camper or student medications. The washer-dryer ensures that there is on-site cleaning of sheets, towels, and camper clothing.
“We were excited for the opportunity to give back to Camp Kawartha! All three of my daughters loved their time at the Camp, and that break from technology and all of the stresses of the real world is priceless. Peterborough Appliances is proud to support Camp Kawartha as they lead the way with this eco friendly, sustainable new building designed with the wellbeing of all future campers in mind.” Tiffany Alton-Froggatt, Sales Manager at Peterborough Appliances
We are so grateful to both businesses who will be recognized with other supporters at a formal ceremony in September.

"The Healthcare Team are very excited about what Harwood Kitchens and Peterborough Appliances have done to make the Health Centre function efficiently and effectively." says Cathy Romano, Healthcare Coordinator. "The appliances and cupboards are essential items and I thank both companies for their generous spirit!"
FROM THE CK KITCHEN
A Goodbye and a Hello!
We are saddened to announce the departure of our Food Services Manager, Tina Barnes. Known to campers and staff as Momma T, Tina was an amazing chef and a versatile one! She could whip up a full meal and at the last minute add shawarma or tacos or vegan options! We will miss her in so many ways. She was a part of the team for 7 years but, has moved on to other adventures with better hours! You can only do 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for so long! We thank her for her devoted service, and we will miss her dearly.
Taking on the Food Services Manager role is Carter Mahoney. Also known by the camp name Gnome, he has been at the Camp in one form or another for 17 years! A veteran of the kitchen and all its chaos, he is an absolute dream choice to take over! A graduate of the Fleming Culinary Program and with hands-on experience at many restaurants locally, he is a talented chef with lots of energy and ideas. The summer campers who have been before will enjoy some of the old but, also be introduced to new food options.

ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
Environment Centre Day Camp Registration is Open for 2021
Join the waitlist... and our Registrar, James, will be in touch shortly to confirm spaces.

We are very excited and hopeful to be able to go ahead with our popular nature-based, experiential & outdoor learning camps at the Environment Centre again this summer!

Programming will be adapted of course due to Covid-19 restrictions and safety precautions, but the same great underlying principles apply... being out in nature, with friends & inspiring leaders to learn, enjoy and be a part of taking care of the Earth.

Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have questions. info@campkawartha.ca
NATURE NOTES
Animal Showcase: Common Garter Snake
I saw one of these booting it across the road on my way home one day. She moved very rapidly and made it safely across.
Garter snakes can be found in a variety of habitats – forests, fields, wetlands, and even in cities. It is that adaptability that has made them successful and they can be found throughout Canada.
GIFT SHOP
Important Notice for Summer Camp 2021
There will be no in-person shopping on
arrival or departure days this summer.
This is necessary in order to follow social distancing protocols to keep our staff and campers safe throughout the summer. You can place orders for care packages to be given to your child while at camp, or have your order shipped directly to your home by Canada Post.
GREAT READS
About Camp Kawartha
Camp Kawartha is an accredited, award-winning, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to the promotion of the highest standard of programming, with a particular focus on outdoor environmental awareness, outdoor and environmental education and stewardship. Registered Charity # 12453 9214 RR0001
705-652-3860 1-866-532-4597
info@campkawartha.ca
campkawartha.ca
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