Ontario Government Invests $49,775.95 to Enhance Camp Kawartha's Washroom Accessibility

The Ontario Government has invested up to $49,775.95 to redesign existing washrooms at Camp Kawartha’s Outdoor Education Centre.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to a press release, the project will add enhanced accessibility features for seniors and people with disabilities, allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities independently, with dignity and comfort.

As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding supports more than 40 projects across the province that expand accessibility and create opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities to fully participate in their communities, said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Ensuring local facilities like Camp Kawartha are fully accessible allows everyone in our community to take advantage of the wonderful outdoor programming right here in Peterborough-Kawartha,” he said. “This investment will remove physical barriers and create a more inclusive, welcoming environment for seniors and visitors of all abilities.”

Through the Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities can receive up to $60,000 for local accessibility projects. Supported initiatives include upgrading building entryways, adding ramps and elevators, levelling sidewalks and parking areas, installing accessible washrooms and signage, and removing physical barriers in public spaces.

“Our mission at Camp Kawartha is to foster stewardship by creating spaces where both people and nature can thrive,” said Jacob Rodenburg, Camp Kawartha executive director. “Accessibility is an essential part of that mission, helping ensure that everyone has the opportunity to connect with nature, take part in our programs, and experience the sense of belonging that comes from being welcomed into a place designed with them in mind.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Donates $25,000 to Camp Kawartha For New Health Centre

The Rotary Club of Peterborough took another step toward their $100,000 multi-year pledge to Camp Kawartha with a $25,000 cheque presentation towards creating an environmentally sustainable health centre for staff to look after the health needs of campers and other guests.

(From left to right) Rotarian Jim Coyle, Camp Kawartha Philanthropy Coordinator Susan Ramey, and Rotarian Ken Seim. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The $25,000 payment brings the total contribution up to $75,000 toward their $100,000 pledge.

“Our Rotary Club, has and always will, support Camp Kawartha and its Outdoor Education Centre,” said Jim Coyle, past Rotarian president. “Rotary has always been involved with programming to Develop the Youth of Today to be the Leaders of Tomorrow and that is what Camp Kawartha programming is all about. This new Rotary Health Centre is not only a necessary component of the Camp infrastructure but it is a shining example of construction methodology that is mindful of the environment that it is situated on.”

The Rotary Health Centre is a carbon-neutral straw bale building that replaced a smaller cabin that was built in 1955.

“The Rotary Health Centre is an inspiring example of sustainable design in action. It shows campers, students and even health professionals, what a Healthy Health Centre can look like. We are enormously grateful to the Rotary Club of Peterborough for making this project possible,” said Jacob Rodenburg, Camp Kawartha executive director.

“I am pleased to be presenting this cheque in the amount of $25,000 as another step towards meeting our multiyear pledge of $100,000 to Camp Kawartha for the creation of a unique environmentally sustainable health centre,” said Betty Halman-Plumley, Rotary president.

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Camp Kawartha Celebrates 100 Years With Exhibition Through Peterborough Museum & Archives

The Camp Kawartha: Making a Splash for 100 Years exhibition celebrates a century of camp life from Sept. 17 to Dec. 4 at Peterborough Museum & Archives.

File Photo.

Since 1921, children have experienced outdoor activities and education on the eastern shore of Clear Lake through Camp Kawartha’s summer camps, retreats and workshops.

Featuring nostalgic camp memorabilia like a 1930s wool swimsuit and a Peterborough Canoe Company vessel, Camp Kawartha: Making a Splash for 100 Years displays archival and contemporary photographs of campers participating in various activities at the campsite.

Through this temporary exhibition attendees can learn how the camp evolved over the last century into the award-winning environmental leadership centre it is today.

The exhibition admission is by donation.

For more information, contact the curator of Peterborough Museum & Archives Kim Reid at (705) 742-7777 (ext. 2473).

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Camp Kawartha Celebrates Opening of New Rotary Health Centre

Following a multi-year fundraising campaign, Camp Kawartha (CK) formally opened its new Rotary Health Centre announced on Saturday. 

(left to right) David Goyette; Jason Huffman, Past Board CK Chair; Myke Healy, CK Board Chair; Liam Churchill, CK Board Director. Photo Courtesy of Camp Kawartha.

Camp Kawartha boasts the building as one of the most environmentally responsible in Canada. The 2,070 square foot building is a straw bale construction that features net-zero utility costs, zero toxins, zero fossil fuel use, zero waste output and a zero-carbon footprint.

Designed by the local firm Straworks, it showcases the use of natural building materials – the majority of them local – as well as elements such as a living roof, energy-efficient radiant heat and super-insulated walls that sequester carbon.   

Named for the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the building represents ongoing cooperation between the Camp and the Club, both of whom are celebrating their centennials this year.

The Club is the primary financial sponsor of the Centre. Building on that sponsorship, a fundraising campaign led in 2020 and 2021 by David Goyette has now raised more than $470,000.  

Wayne Harding, Rotary President recognized those Rotarians who first initiated the development of the Camp as a Club project in 1921.

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Camp Kawartha, and we are honoured to have our name associated with this outstanding project,” he said. “This building makes all of us leaders in the drive to reduce carbon emissions and sets Camp Kawartha apart as a trailblazer in environmentally sustainable construction.” 

Photo Courtesy of CK.

“We are here today to marvel at this extraordinary building. The Board of Directors is thankful to the many individuals, organizations, foundations, and businesses who supported the vision of this exciting and unique project,” said Myke Healy, Camp Kawartha Board Chair. “This building is a testament to human ingenuity and Camp Kawartha’s mission. Not only is it a beautiful and fully functional health centre, it is a building that inspires camp visitors and teaches about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.” 

The Rotary Health Centre will provide educational opportunities for students, builders, architects, and campers to learn about carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life cycles and green-waste management systems. 

Building tour information is available at info@campkawartha.ca.  

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Monarch Ultra Relay Run Inspires Pollinator Protection and Raises Funds for Camp Kawartha

The Monarch Ultra Relay Run kicks off on a 21-day running adventure, raising awareness and funds in support of monarch butterflies and Camp Kawartha in Peterborough on Sept. 19.

Carlotta James and Clay Williams running in Mexico during the 2019 Monarch Ultra Relay Run. Photo Courtesy of Rodney Fuentes.

A launch party is planned in Peterborough at 8:00 a.m. at the DePave Paradise garden, located at the southern end of Water Street. The public is encouraged to join for the send-off celebration which includes a monarch butterfly release, milkweed seed giveaway and an opportunity to meet the Monarch Ultra Team.

The relay run, originally planned to follow the monarch migration from Canada to Mexico as it did in 2019, has been shortened to a 1,800-kilometer run across southern Ontario with COVID-19 protocols in place to keep participants and supporters safe.

From Peterborough, the runners head southwest to Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catherine's and Niagara Falls, before looping back around towards London, Cambridge and Kitchener. It will end in Barrie on Oct. 9. Each morning, two ultra runners will begin a 50-kilometer leg at 8:00 a.m. and finish around 2:00 p.m., depending on their pace. Another two runners will pick up exactly where the first two left off and run a 30-kilometre leg.

“Not only will this be one of Canada's longest relay runs, it will also be an opportunity to connect communities across Ontario on an inspiring journey of hope and resilience that combines ultra-running and environmental conservation,” said Carlotta James, project co-founder.

The team hopes to meet many Canadians who are also passionate about protecting the earth along the route and already have several popups planned to highlight communities involved in conservation actions such as native plant habitats and nectar gardens for pollinators.

This year’s run is raising funds for Camp Kawartha, a non-profit organization that offers nature education programming for youth. Almost $5,000 has been raised for the camp through the Monarch Ultra’s fundraising campaign with a goal of reaching $10,000.

The Monarch Ultra team invites people to come out and cheer on the runners along the way, as well as to dress up in costumes and make signs for the runners who are running extremely long distances in support of monarch butterflies. The relay run takes place along the Trans Canada Trail and Waterfront Trail. The full route can be viewed here.

The team will also be sharing stories on their 21-day journey through their social media sites, follow the Monarch Ultra on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit their website to learn more.

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Stuff to Do In The Peterpatch This Weekend

Friday

YWCA presents Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, 12 p.m. starting from City Hall.

Saturday

Peterborough and District Farmers' Market 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Morrow Building Parking Lot)

The Great Gilmour Street Garage Sale, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. [Map]

The Fowlers Corners & District Lions Club presents a Spring Craft Show 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Lions Hall at Orange Corners

Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Auction, 10 a.m. (500 Water Street) [Related Link]

Peterborough Children's Water Festival at Riverview Park & Zoo - One day only!

2672 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Annual Parade and Inspection, 12:30 p.m. (220 Murray Street)

Sunday

Camp Kawartha presents their annual Green-in-Motion Fundraiser, Registration begins at 9 a.m. 

Kawartha Community Midwives Annual Picnic, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Riverview Park & Zoo, Shelter #2

Riverview Park & Zoo presents Rye Street to kick off their 2011 Concert Series. 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the Gazebo

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend (Including Watching A Polar Plunge!)

Saturday:

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents Latin Heat featuring Marion Newman - Showplace Performance Centre - 8 p.m.

Africville Productions presents Celebrating Difference - The Venue - 8 p.m., Tickets $25 at the door

Sunday:

Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club - 9 a.m., meet at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre. An opportunity to track and trail local wildlife (map) - FREE 

Family Sundays at Art Gallery of Peterborough - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., FREE

31st Annual Polar Plunge (see graphic at right), Rotary Park, Ennismore - 2 p.m.

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.