December Newsletter

December 2023

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR

Camp Kawartha's mission is to inspire environmental leaders and stewards of all ages through dynamic, accessible, year-round outdoor programming and powerful partnerships to create meaningful change.

Your December Updates from Camp Kawartha

Holiday Hours

Please note that our hours of operation will change over the holidays, as our staff will be out of the office from December 25th until January 8th. We look forward to catching up with you in the New Year!

The Season of Giving

As the year winds to an end, don't forget to donate to the campaigns that keep Camp Kawartha running!

Our campaigns include:

Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated and guaranteed a charitable tax receipt.

To learn more about which campaigns could use your help, click here!

Celebrating Board Member Betsy McGregor Appointment to the Order of Canada!

In late October, Camp Kawartha Board Member Betsy McGregor received the Order of Canada insignia at Rideau Hall from Governor General Mary Simon. This was awarded in recognition of Betsy’s promotion of women in science and for her commitment to nurturing Canada’s next generation of youth leaders.

Betsy’s award was initially announced in December 2021, but the investiture was deferred due to the pandemic. On November 12th, Betsy finally celebrated her well-earned recognition.

Congratulations on this spectacular achievement, Betsy!

To learn more about Betsy's work and mission, click here!

1 Week Remaining for 2024 Summer Staff Applications!

There's only one week left to get in your staff applications for our Summer 2024 Season! If you're looking to spend an awesome summer in a close-knit community surrounded by nature, making a lifelong impact on our community, and exploring and building new skills, working as a staff member at Camp Kawartha may be a great opportunity for you!

Applications can be completed at https://campkawartha.campbrainstaff.com/ and are due back by January 7th, 2024.

For more information, please visit our website at

https://campkawartha.ca/employment-opportunities/, or email our Summer Camp Director, Emma at emma@campkawartha.ca.

We can't wait to connect with all our applicants in the coming weeks!

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting, held on the evening of December 19th for board members, staff, and community members, was a big success! Thank you to everyone who came out to the Main Site to share a plate of delicious food and learn more about the Camp's mission and progress.

Click here to read our Annual Report.

Summer Camp Spaces Available!

For any family hoping to enroll their child in an unforgettable summer experience full of memories, nature connection, and active outdoor fun, Camp Kawartha's Summer programs are a fantastic chance for campers to enjoy the beauty of the Kawarthas!

We still have spaces available for campers of any age in our two-week sessions, Session B (July 7^th - 19th, 2024) and Session D (July 28^th - August 9th, 2024). Two-week sessions are a wonderful opportunity for campers to immerse themselves in camp life by participating in our daily class sessions in Canoeing, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Eco Skills, Nature Art, Archery, and more!

For campers looking to try camp for the first time with a shorter session, we have spots available in our three-night session, Session N (August 25^th - 28^th). Families can register their campers through our website or can inquire about registration and programs at office@campkawartha.ca!

Camp tends to fill up much more quickly after the holidays, so be sure to grab your spot soon!

Check Out Our Two Winter Options at the Environment Centre:

Winter Class Visits

Dear Teachers,

Looking for a fun educational experience for your students outside the classroom as the snow starts to arrive? This Winter, the Environment Centre will be offering various engaging outdoor learning activities such as:

Snowshoeing
Winter Outdoor Living Skills
Tracking & Trailing
And more!

All programs are connected to our stewardship framework, and make use of hands-on exploration, experiments, storytelling, drama, and games to make learning come alive for students.

Each program typically last 1½ hours. A school field trip visit starts at 9:30am and ends at 2:30 pm, and includes two program periods.

School visits take place at our Peterborough location, at 2505 Pioneer Road.

For more information on arranging school visits, contact Amanda at ecschoolbookings@campkawartha.ca.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Winter Nature School Programs

Dear Parents,

Registration is now open for our Winter Nature School Programs for ages 4 to 18. The Early Winter session begins January 8th, and our weekly schedule is outlined in the chart below.

Through lessons, adventures, exploration, play, projects, arts, crafts, drama and more that appeal to a variety of learning styles, Environment Centre Nature School provides repeated exposure and experiences that inspire and help young people develop a robust connection with the living world, while promoting sustainable living in action.

Programs were originally designed to compliment home-school education but are open to everyone.

The programs take place at our Peterborough location, at 2505 Pioneer Road.

Check out our website for more information, and secure your child's spot today!

The Nature School Schedule

Our Recommended Reads for the Holidays

How to Be a Good Creature

by Sy Montgomery

Walden

by Henry David Thoreau

The Backyard Adventurer

by Beau Miles

Want to learn more about which books we recommend for those interested in learning more about environmental education? Click here to check out our Executive Director Jacob Rodenburg's Reading List on Shepherd!

Cartoon Corner

Credit: Loose Parts by Dave Blazek, December 20th, 2020; GoComics.com.

Employment Opportunities

Volunteer

Donate

Pathway to Stewardship