May Newsletter:
Special Storm Edition
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Dear CK Community,
We hope this Newsletter finds you and your loved ones all in good health. On Saturday, May 21st, the Douro-Dummer region was hit by a storm that devastated the entire area. We know that many of you are dealing with the aftermath of this unprecedented storm and wondering how you’re going to piece things back together in the wake of all this destruction.
We at Camp Kawartha empathize and stand alongside you as you have stood alongside us the last couple of years. It is with a heavy heart that we share with you all that our beloved Camp Kawartha was hit particularly hard by the storm and has sustained significant damage. Trees that we have all loved, climbed, sat under, and hugged have been uprooted and now lie across camp. Some of our buildings that were once home to magical moments of laughter, check-ins, and so much joy have been damaged beyond repair.
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An Update from our Maintenance Team |
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We're hard at work getting camp to a place where it's safe for volunteers to come pitch in and help out! Over the past couple days, we've had Hydro One in doing maintenance on our main line to first ensure that the site is safe for tree clearing crews to come through. Once the main site has been declared safe, we'll be able to bring in volunteers to pitch in with the clean-up efforts!
The upside to all of this will be that we’re going to have everything underground going forward which will be great for sightline, for the environment, and for the trees! Additionally, we’ll be in a better position going forward, so that if we ever have a storm like this going through, we won’t see the kind of damage that we’ve seen this time around.
While there is a lot of work ahead, this storm has given us lots of opportunity to rebuild with green structures using materials from the land and create a lot of good teaching tools for everybody that comes on site.
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An Message from our Executive Director |
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Renewal. This is a word that is infused with hope and possibility.
As we make plans for getting back on our feet, our thoughts also move to the future, to renewal. To renew Camp Kawartha, we’ll begin planting new trees and shrubs. In the spaces that have been most impacted, we are considering planting a “pocket forest”, an idea that was conceived in Japan. Essentially it means planting a small area in layers to encourage as much biodiversity as possible within a confined space. This will be a teaching tool to help others create more nature rich areas in their “neighbourwood.” We’ll plant a food forest (native species that have food value such as fruit and nuts) – so that we can create food for both people and wildlife.
Eventually we hope to begin replacing our damaged cabins with exemplars of sustainable building in action. For example, we hope to use lumber from the downed trees for repairs or for a new cabin. In the end what I hope will come out of this – is that we can create spaces where both people and nature can thrive.
Best wishes,
Jacob Rodenburg
Executive Director
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The Storm of 2022 – that’s how people will remember May 21st, 2022. We at Camp Kawartha will certainly remember it – the storm was frightening and destructive.
But we will also remember it for the generosity shown by donors, camper families, alumni, and the public! We have, without even asking, received financial support and gifts-in-kind from dozens of people. Almost $5,000.00 has come in since word got out about our situation! And Drew Heming from Heming Lawn & Garden even jumped in with a fully kitted-out Stihl chainsaw!
We are grateful for each donation, and we ask for your help too. Donations can be made through our website/CanadaHelps, or you can send an e-transfer to accounting@campkawartha.ca and include the notation Camp Renewal.
When you donate to Camp Kawartha, you will receive a tax receipt and the heartfelt thanks of our team!
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There’s a lot of work to do to get camp ready for the summer, and we need your help! We’ve had an incredible show of support from staff, alumni, families, and community members so far. Due to storm damage and the resulting hazards, the camp is currently closed to all visitors, including volunteers but as soon as it is safe to start work, we will be calling everyone in!
If you might be able to volunteer in the upcoming weeks please send an email to our Managing Director Sadie 'Ridgely' Snell at sadie@campkawartha.ca to be added to our volunteer email list. She will be communicating updates about how and when you can help. We will need support with brush clearing, debris clean-up, and building repairs, as well as in other areas of camp such as the kitchen and gardens. Wherever your skills lie, there will be something for you to do! At this time, we are only able to accept volunteers that are at least 18 years of age.
Please share this with anyone who might be interested in helping out and encourage them to be in touch. With the support of our incredible community, we’re confident we can be ready to welcome campers back for another amazing summer!
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Even though the storm has done some damage, we have many things to look forward to! Summer Camp 2022 is a GO! Not only do we have an optimism that it is going to be the best summer ever, we also have reason to jump for joy as it is CK's 2nd 100th year anniversary! This summer we will be celebrating another milestone as Camp Kawartha turns 100 AGAIN!
We will be celebrating another 100th year anniversary as in 1922, CK ran its first overnight camp! What a better way to celebrate then by having you all join us for another fabulous summer!
While you are all at home, work and school patiently awaiting summer, our summer camp staff is busy working away to ensure that we have all of your campers wacky favourite games, crafts and activates ready to be played with and used by the time your session rolls around. This summer will be like no other as we have a new found excitement for joining together as a camp and recreating what was known as a normal summer. We are excited to be saying goodbye to cohorts and saying hello to camp wide games and goofy silly times!
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Adventure Day will still be Adventurous! |
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We know that by Saturday, June 18th we will be ready to welcome guests…Adventure Day is still a go! It will be somewhat modified but, still a fun and exciting fundraising event.
Although the climbing wall is out of commission, we are replacing it with challenging Traditional Skills & Games! These will test your strength, balance, and agility – give the knee jump a try, it’s harder than you think!!
Take aim at the Archery Range, try your hand at axe/knife throwing, get creative with arts and crafts, try your hand with the bow drill or flint and steel to make fire, skim over the waves in our giant North canoe! And don’t forget to place your bids at our silent auction tables – local businesses have been generous!
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Once you’ve worked up an appetite and you’ve registered to stay for dinner, enjoy a 100-kilometre meal! The Kitchen Staff are making a healthy meal to please all palettes and will include some special desserts! Listen for the live auction during dinner!
With a satisfying meal behind you, make your way to our Campitheatre for some theatre! Music, songs, stories and more will help round off your day!
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Anniversary Celebration Postponed |
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We have decided that we need to postpone this week's 10th Anniversary Celebration (May 27th @ 3:30 pm). In the aftermath of last weekend's storm and the continuing challenges many people are facing, it seems the best choice.
We thank everyone who was planning on joining us, we look forward to celebrating with you in the future, we are looking at dates most likely for the fall and will be in touch.
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May 29 - Family Nature Day |
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A collection of young Environment Centre and Youth Leadership in Sustainability graduates have come together and organized a collection of small workshops for young families to enjoy the outdoors and build a relationship with the natural world.
When: Sunday, May 29th from 1pm - 4pm
Where: Environment Centre 2505 Pioneer Road, Peterborough
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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
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705-652-3860 1-866-532-4597
info@campkawartha.ca
campkawartha.ca
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