July 2023

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.

Bees Take Up Temporary Residency

Recently, a swarm of bees appeared on a large branch up high in a tree near the upper playing field. It was a fascinating sight, but after the ooing and awing, we knew we needed to find a new home for them. A local beekeeper was contacted. He set out his bee pheromones to attract the hive, and all the bees followed their queen into the trap. He transported them to his property where they are now making a new hive and living a bees life.

It turns out that when the queen leaves the hive, most of the bees will follow. They will cluster on a tree limb while scout bees will go look for a suitable site for a new colony.

The beekeeper was an elegant solution, and we want to thank Beekeeper Peter for carefully removing the swarm and giving them a home.

We Do Docks Repairs Our Docks

Okay, we found out that repairing a dock that is floating is not always easy! John Armstrong and his team came in to repair a large portion of our docking system and not long after this picture was taken one of his team members took an accidental swim in the lake! That was OK because it was a brutally hot day and a welcome relief from the heat and humidity.



Our waterfront staff are delighted with the new decking and the new ladders. The old metal ladders made exiting a challenge…and hot on the hands!

We thank John and his team for their excellent work! John donated his company’s labour – a significant and generous gift! We highly recommend John and his team. They are dedicated, hardworking and professional. If you are interested in getting a new dock or repairing your old, contact John at wedodocks1@gmail.com to get a quote.

Subsidies are Helping Families!

At the end of every fiscal year (September 30^th) we report on the number of campers and students we are able to support through our subsidy program. From October 1^st, 2022, to June 23^rd, 2023, Camp Kawartha was able to directly assist 1,052 students and their families with an outdoor education subsidy!

Visit our website to learn more about our subsidy programs and hear about how your donations are making an impact!

Glen and Nick are riding for climate again this year!

Mark September 30th, 2023, on your calendar!

Glen Caradus and Nick Ormond will be riding 280KM non-stop to highlight what preindustrial levels of carbon (280 parts per million) once were like in a stable climate.



This year all proceeds fundraised will be donated to For Our Grandchildren (4RG), a local non-profit that "engages and mobilizes our community to take effective action to combat climate change" (4RG, Mission).

Upon their arrival at the finish (Camp Kawartha Environment Center), the dynamic duo will freely hand out 280 trees for planting locally! Click here to learn more and contribute to their campaign.

Nature Showcase

Wildfires

Wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem and have been a part of forest ecology for eons. In the past, they were neither good, nor bad, they were just part of the regular cycle. Continue Reading

Summer Activities

• Summer Sensory Exploration
• Practice Creating Sound Maps!
• Join Green Up's Summer Ride Club
• Join the Big Backyard BioBlitz!

Great Reads

• Voyageur Brigade to paddle Trent-Severn Waterway in celebration of new Canadian Canoe Museum
• Yukon First Nations adopt youth climate plan