Lakefield Herald Special Report

Camp Kawartha gets $69,900 for environmental education

by Anita Locke

Camp Kawartha was the recipient of a $69,900 grant from the provincial government last week.

The money is from the Ontario’s Community Go Green Fund which finances projects that inform, teach and motivate people to reduce greenhouse gases or otherwise fight climate change.

Camp Kawartha will use the money to construct a Zero Footprint Environment Centre at the camp’s Trent University location. The center will use green architecture to showcase carbon neutral features.

Of the $225,000 needed to construct the building, $160,000 has been raised to date, which includes a donation from the Gainey Foundation ($92,000) for construction, and $8,000 in seed money.

The camp’s executive director, Jacob Rodenburg, said the center is expected to open in September and will offer programs for students ranging from the elementary to high school level. It will also be used as a teaching facility for students in teachers’ college.

Students learn about the environment at Camp Kawartha, and this new funding will allow them to further that knowledge in such areas as alternative energy, sustainable buildings and living, environmental awareness and protection, species depletion and global warming, among other things.

Utilizing “hands-on” experiences, students learn about various aspects of the environment in a fun and informative way.

The provincial funding will go towards the hiring of a project manager, two environmental educators and equipment, as well as provide subsidized busing to get students to the center.

The ‘zero footprint’ building is being constructed by Fleming College students. It will generate more electricity than it uses, utilizing geothermal and solar energy.

MPP Jeff Leal said, “Choices we make everyday affect our environment. Small changes add up to big differences. I’m thrilled that Camp Kawartha is helping people in this community do their part to fight climate change.”

For more information, contact Camp Kawartha at (705) 652-3860, toll free 1-866-532-4597 or visit their website at www.campkawartha.ca.

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