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 June Updates from Camp Kawartha! | |
Scroll down to get all caught up on Camp Kawartha's latest news! | |
Cheers for the Start of Summer Camp Season! | |
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Well, folks, it's officially that time of year again - time to welcome you all back for another amazing two months of making wholesome, magical Summer Camp memories!
We'll be opening the doors to welcome in the first Session (Session A) of campers on June 30th.
We can't wait to see you here!
For those looking to squeeze into remaining spaces:
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At the Main Site, we've opened up more options for Sessions B and D!
Great news - we've added more one-week options to Sessions B and D! Session B1 runs July 7th to 13th, with B2 from July 14th to 19th. D1 will run from July 28th to August 3rd, with D2 from August 4th to 9th.
To register or inquire about sessions, please reach out to our registrar Serhii at serhii@campkawartha.ca.
For more information, visit our website.
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At our Environment Centre, a few more spaces are also available!
Below are some of our open sessions:
- EC Day Camp Week 5 (Ages 7 to 12)
- Woodland Adventures Camp (Ages 12 to 15)
- EC Leadership Program (Ages 14 to 16)
Families can register their campers through our website or email serhii@campkawartha.ca!
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Newly Arrived for Kinder Camp: A Nature Playscape!
Over the past few months, we've been working on an exciting new build for the summer season: a Nature Playscape for our Kindercampers!
Our dear friend and longtime associate Paul Patterson has been taking the lead in putting this exciting project together, including elements such as a mud kitchen, stackable tree stump circles, and an interactive log line.
You might be wondering: what is a Nature Playscape, exactly?
According to Sean Harris, builder and owner of The Little Building Company, who recently constructed a naturalized playscape for GreenUP,
"When I look at the playscape, I see not only a fun space for children to play and learn, but also an environmentally responsible play area with low embodied carbon cost and no landfill waste at the end of its lifetime."
Big thanks to Paul for all his hard work in putting this natural playground together!
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Updates on the Planting Hope Project! |  | |
As you may already know, we want to help children and youth from low-income families attend outdoor programs over the coming months.
That is why we started the Planting Hope Project: to give the Summer Camp and Outdoor Education experience to kids who could not otherwise afford to participate.
Over just the past few weeks, we have received an outstanding amount of support from our community in support of the Project, raising nearly $6,000 for the Subsidy Fund!
Thank you so very much to the many generous donors who have made it possible for priceless, lifelong memories to be made at Camp this year.
Meanwhile, for each donation, we have been planting a native species of tree at the Main Site to teach children the immense value of protecting and rebuilding our local ecosystems.
If you're interested in learning more about supporting the project and helping both kids and nature thrive, click here.
I's not too late to get your gloves on - let's work together to plant some hope!
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Pictured: Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator Mira planting an American Mount Ash, a special species of tree that is native to Ontario. | |
Pictured: some of the many trees we have started planting on the Main Site in honour of all donations to the Planting Hope Project! | |
Pictured: Glen Caradus singing as Cool Captain Climate at Environment Day. | |
Camp K at Environment Day!
On May 17th and June 14th, our Outdoor Educators went over to Beavermead Park to teach over 100 students each day about the natural world!
The May Environment Day was held for the PVNCCDSB (the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland, and Clarington Catholic District School Board), and the June Environment Day catered to students from the KPRDSB (Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board).
In addition to Camp Kawartha, organizations including Otanabee Conservation and Ecology Park were involved in teaching the principles of stewardship to the children in attendence.
This marks another successful Spring of encouraging young people to care for the Earth and each other!
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And with the start of Summer Camp comes the end of School Visits... for now! | |
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Pictured to the right: hand-crafted bird nests constructed by a visiting school group in June during their class visit!
Big cheers to another amazing year of class visits to the Outdoor Education Centre at the Main Site and the Environment Centre in Peterborough!
Below are just a fraction of the feedback we have received from teachers over this past year:
The opportunities provided to our students at Camp Kawartha these past three days have been more incredible then we could have imagined. Seeing our students who may not necessarily excel in a typical classroom environment thrive at camp was what reminds us all what our roles as teachers are. We are so grateful for all the absolutely incredible staff who supported all of our students, be it through fears, needs, or otherwise.
- Edmison Heights Public School, May 2024
The food was outstanding. The instructors were amazing. The site was inspiring. Thank you!
- Westside Secondary School, December 2023
Thanks to all the talented, hardworking Outdoor Educators, Kitchen Staff, Housekeeping and Maintenance teams who made this OE season a fantastic one!
We'll see you all back here for the start of September 2024!
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New Option: Extended Day Visits!
Extended Day Visits are for teachers looking for an educational school trip without the constraints of an early afternoon bus schedule.
Teachers can choose from our 60+ curriculum-linked programs, enjoy delicious meals, and end with an evening campfire or hike!
Click this link to learn more!
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Don't forget about team-building!
Looking to bring the work crew back together after a fun summer? Team-building days in the Fall are the perfect solution!
For both on-site and off-site visits, our award-winning program staff will help your team develop communication skills, trust, and a clearer vision of your shared goals.
Click this link to learn more!
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Meanwhile, Over At Our Environment Centre... | |
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Psst! A message from a teacher visiting the Centre this year:
"We had an exemplary day at the centre. We knew from the moment we arrived that our Kindergarten students would be engaged. From the first moose song to the pond exploration to foxes chasing deer. The children were delighted with their day! Thank you!"
Hey Teachers,
Are you looking for an engaging, educational trip with all the benefits of a healthy, fun day outdoors this Spring?
The Environment Centre has been fully booked up for the past few months, but there are still spots left for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025!
A class trip to the Environment Centre starts at 9:30 am, ends at 2:30 pm, and includes two program periods.
Each program typically lasts 1½ hours.
These day trips are at our Peterborough location, one of Canada's most Sustainable Buildings, at 2505 Pioneer Road, Peterborough (at Trent University Nature Lands).
Visit our website or contact us to book a day field trip or for more information.
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Big Thanks to Race Toyota!
Pictured: Michael Schmor, Maintenance Coordinator, with a beaming smile in the new vehicle!
Our maintenance team recently replaced the old truck with a much needed new one - a Toyota Tacoma!
Since we are a not-for-profit organization, the team at Race Toyota very generously agreed to provide a discount for this large purchase.
Many, many thanks to Dave DeRusha from Race Toyota for all his help with facilitating this gift.
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Staff Highlight: Glen Caradus!
Our longtime Outdoor Educator (and longtime friend) Glen Caradus was recently announced as one of ten inductees for the 2024 Pathway of Fame!
"In between the 1960s, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, to name a few, spoke to anti-war protesters and civil rights activists in a voice they understood and rallied around. Fast forward to the new millennium and Peterborough singer-songwriter Glen Caradus who, for some 20 years now, has, through his music, spoken to countless children and young people about the environment and nature and their developing role in the preservation of both."
Way to go Glen for earning this remarkable recognition! We're confident to say you've earned it.
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Camper Care Packages Are Ready to Order!
Great news - we're all stocked up with Camper Care Packages for the season!
This is a great way to let your little ones know you're thinking of them if you're a Summer Camp Parent this year and want to share something for your child to enjoy while they're away at camp.
Check out this link to view the collection!
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Mini Nature Finds of the Month | |
The following finds were spotted across the Clear Lake Site by our Office Staff during our little ventures around the Camp. Which ones can you spot in your own backyard? | |
Pictured: a Bog Fritillary butterfly out at the start of the Yellow Trail. | |
Pictured: Viper's Bugloss growing out in the back range. | |
Pictured: Common Milkweed growing along the borders of the front parking lot. | |
~ You made it to the end! Thank you very much for reading - Until next time! ~ | | | | |
