NOVEMBER 2020
November Newsletter
We hope you enjoy reading about what's happening at Camp Kawartha.
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NEWS & UPDATES
Annual General Meeting
December 15th, 2020 6:30pm
Join us virtually this year on Tuesday, December 15th for our Annual General Meeting. The event begins at 6:30pm.

We are delighted to have renowned author and local naturalist Drew Monkman as our guest speaker. His presentation is entitled Climate Change in the Kawarthas! Learn how birds, insects, mammals and other living things are impacted by an ever-changing climate.

January Registration Open for Forest School
This just in...Forest School is a hit! Parents are telling us that this model of education is not only a safe alternative to regular school, but Forest School promotes active, hands-on learning that connects children to the local environment, while meeting expectations from the Ontario curriculum. Here is what one parent said:
"Forest school has been a fabulous alternative setting for our children this fall. The curriculum-linked opportunities for experiential science are endless, and the teachers have creatively linked math and literacy to outdoor themes. The children have so much freedom to explore, play, imagine and create in their forest classroom. The forest school community has been supportive and caring, and the teaching staff have been wonderful role models and guides. My daughters come home energized, full of stories, and excited for the next day."
Johanna Hart, Parent of Elsie (Kindergarten Cohort) and Nora (Primary Cohort)
Visit our website to learn more -- registration is open for the Winter Term (January 4th to March 12th)
Monthly Giving is an Option You Can Consider
What is ‘monthly giving’ and why should you consider signing up? 
Instead of making a mad dash at the end of each year with a lump sum donation to Camp Kawartha, monthly giving is a scheduled, monthly financial donation taken from your bank account or off your credit card. Once enrolled you will find it is a no fuss method of supporting Camp Kawartha while enjoying the benefits of tax relief.
“As a retired physical education teacher and an outdoor enthusiast, I know how I have benefited from a robust outdoor life. There is nothing quite so enriching as a tramp in the woods! Actively engaging in the sights, sounds, and smells strengthens me in so many ways. I am delighted to be contributing to Camp Kawartha because I know their mandate is to engage young and old in these very experiences that I hold so dear. Being a monthly donor makes it so easy to support their good work.”
~ Marg Broadfoot has been a monthly donor since 2014
Monthly donations help us budget and plan for projects, and this method of charitable giving can also help you budget as well! 
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Susan – philanthropy@campkawartha.ca – who can answer your questions or set you up as a monthly donor!
Giving Tuesday & End of Year Donations
Giving Tuesday (December 1st) marks the official start of the charitable giving season! Throughout December we are asking those who are able, to make a tax-deductible donation supporting our special project. What is our special project?

Our special project for 2020 is the new Zero Health Centre, Peterborough County’s first ‘zero building’!

Your gift will help us ‘outfit’ the interior – everything from curtains and beds to stethoscopes and examination tables! It’s important ‘stuff’, maybe some of the most important stuff in these times of virus’ and pandemics!
In return you will be recognized…at whatever level you give. To learn more about our recognition levels, or the project itself, visit our website.

You can donate online, by cheque (made out to Camp Kawartha Inc) or by e-transfer to accounting@campkawartha.ca 

Tax receipts are issued for any donation over $25.00.

Donations are very much welcome throughout December! 
Thank you!
Acorn 30 Had a Brilliant Idea!
Heather Watson, Creative Director at acorn30, a marketing and branding company, as well as being the Douro Ward Councillor in Douro-Dummer Township, contacted the Camp with an imaginative concept. She is recognizing her acorn30 clients with a white oak seedling which they can plant, symbolic not only of her company but also of the work of the Camp, and making a donation to the Camp each time she does so! This creative and inspiring project makes good business sense and demonstrates good corporate citizenship. Thank you to Heather and acorn30!

If your business has an idea like Heather’s or wants to learn more about this unique and meaningful arrangement, contact Susan – philanthropy@campkawartha.ca / 705.652.3860 x-208. To get Heather’s perspective email her at heather@acorn30.com.
FOREST SCHOOL
We are offering one-week, month-long, and full semester!
Leahy Farm Stand Donates Pumpkins to the Forest School
This is a shout-out to Leahy Farm Stand located on Hwy 28, southeast of Lakefield. A big thank you goes to Angus Leahy who donated several dozen pumpkins and gourds to the students in our Forest School. They used them as part of their Halloween crafts and even made up some games. Perhaps pumpkin bowling will become a new National sport!

Thank you to Leahy Farm Stand for their generosity and helping creativity thrive here at Camp Kawartha!
HEALTH CENTRE
A Special Auction in Support of the Health Centre
Local artist, David Hickey, has always been a great supporter of the Camp. He approached us recently with an idea. Because the Camp was shut down from March through to September and our annual major fundraising event was sidelined, David has donated a beautiful piece of his artwork for us to raffle off during December.

“For well over a decade I have helped Camp Kawartha with their spring fundraising event. Due to the cancellation of this year’s long anticipated event I wanted to offer this work entitled Twin Pines for an online auction. The full proceeds will be used by the Camp to further enhance their ongoing programs and activities. I am delighted to do so.”

David has made a career of creating both metal sculptures and paintings that capture iconic features of the Canadian landscape. The Twin Pines wall hanging measures 43” tall (109 cm) x 25” (63.5 cm) wide and is valued at $950.00.
This amazing piece would look good in an office or in your home!  The auction begins Tuesday, December 1st at noon and runs until Tuesday, December 31st at 6:00 p.m. The winning bidder will be contacted in the New Year!! 

Visit www.campkawartha.ca/auction to place your bid! 
The reserve opening bid is $250.00.
Health Centre Update: A Zero-Building Primer
The Health Centre construction team at Straworks have made impressive strides lately and have the foundation set, shell up, and roof on, ready for the winter weather. We asked Straworks President, Deirdre McGahern for a little primer on some of the features of the new building.

Primer on Straw Bale Construction
by Deirdre McGahern, Straworks Inc.
On a farm bales of straw are used for bedding or mulch, but on our job sites like ours, they are big bundles of golden insulation. Straw is a super insulator because each straw (and there are a lot of them in a bale) is a hollow tube that traps air and slows the transfer of heat. Continue reading.

Straworks Inc. is a Peterborough based company that has been designing and building straw bale buildings since 2004. They take pride in their work and have fun doing it, because when built properly, straw works. Visit www.straworks.ca to learn more.
SUMMER CAMP
and Spaces are Filling Quickly!
Same great camp experience with a few tweaks for everyones safety!

Changes include:

  • Day Camp Registration is closed until at least February. Families are encouraged to Waitlist their campers in the meantime.
  • Session changes to minimize movement in and out of camp and allow for a full day of thorough cleaning in between each session.
NATURE NOTES
Animal Showcase: The Minnow
The minnows that hung out around our dock have moved on…as has the dock. It got us thinking about this small silvery fish.

Actually, "minnow" is the common name for the largest family of fish found in North America! 

Minnows live in bogs, swamps, springs, rivers, ponds, and lakes; some in cold water, others in warmwater environments; some prefer moving water others like brackish, still water; some prefer large schools and some are found alone. It is possible to find a dozen different species of minnows in a single section of a stream!

The diversity of the minnow comes down to their ability to survive in a variety of habitats; most species require a relatively short period of time to reach breeding age; and a large number of minnows can occupy a small space and find enough food and shelter because of their small size.

Many minnow species are ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’ primarily because of habitat loss or habitat degradation and use as live bait. 
Looking for some engaging nature activities for the kids to do at home? Check out our YouTube Channel for a wealth of Nature Notes from our Executive Director, Jacob as well as our Summer 2020 CK at Home Staff
Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship promotes and supports healthy childhood development, community connection and environmental stewardship through building an early and ongoing relationship with nature.

Recently they have released a great series of videos full of inspiration and ideas to get children outdoors, featuring local educators and naturalists. Check them out.
GIFT SHOP
Use the Discount Code PLUSH20 at checkout for 20% OFF all Plush Animals until Dec. 15th
CHOOSE CURBSIDE PICKUP OR HAVE YOUR ORDER SHIPPED RIGHT TO YOUR FRONT DOOR!
GREAT ACTS THIS SEASON
  • Shop locally and support small businesses
  • Don't forget, charitable giving makes a great gift!
  • Try wrapping gifts sustainably (Newspaper, reusable fabrics or bags)
  • Think about packaging when purchasing (less plastic & waste)
  • Think about small and safe acts of kindness you can offer your community.
  • Get creative with your virtual holiday plans!
  • Walks outside are a great way to destress and connect with nature.

We're all in this together! Let's be patient and kind with one another.
Stay home, stay safe & wear a mask!
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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