A century after establishing what would become Camp Kawartha, the Rotary Club of Peterborough has donated $100,000 towards the construction of the camp’s new zero-carbon health centre.
Replacing the decades-old health centre at the outdoor education centre, located on the shores of Clear Lake off Birchview Road in Douro-Dummer, the new health centre has been designed by Straworks, a leader in high performance natural building construction.
Straw-bale constructed with net zero utility costs, zero toxins, zero fossil fuel use, zero waste output, and a zero-carbon footprint, the 1,200-square-foot structure will showcase the use of natural building materials — the majority of them local — and incorporate elements such as a living roof, energy efficient radiant heat, and super-insulated walls that sequester carbon.
“This donation meshes wonderfully with Rotary’s environmental mandate because it advances the cause of environmental stewardship and sustainability,” says Jim Coyle of Peterborough Rotary in a media release. “It also continues our 100-year history with Camp Kawartha — it helps us mark our 100th anniversary as well as the camp’s.”
Among the first Rotary Clubs in Canada, the Rotary Club of Peterborough was formed in 1921. One of its first projects in 1921 was to purchase land for the creation of a summer camp to provide underprivileged boys with an opportunity to experience the outdoors, to build skills, and develop character.
It operated as both a Rotary camp and a YMCA camp until 1985, when a group of Rotarians negotiated the purchase of the camp from the YMCA to form the non-for-profit organization Camp Kawartha Inc.
VIDEO: Camp Kawartha Health Centre Centennial Fundraising Project
To be named the Rotary Health Centre in recognition of the donation, the centre will be used to look after the health needs of campers, students, and visitors.
“Over its 100-year history, the camp has evolved into a year-round operation reaching more than 17,000 children, youth, and adults per year,” says Camp Kawartha’s executive director Jacob Rodenburg.
“To continue our legacy of learning and leading, Camp Kawartha has embarked on a campaign to upgrade parts of our facilities at our main site on Clear Lake,” he adds. “To realize our vision of becoming a nationally recognized environmental education leadership centre, we are investing in new green buildings that will be a showcase of the very best in regenerative and healthy architecture, a place that demonstrates sustainable living in action.”
The Rotary Health Centre will provide educational opportunities for students, campers, and visitors to learn about carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life cycles, and green-waste management systems.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Rotary Club of Peterborough,” says Camp Kawartha board chair Myke Healy.”This is a unique opportunity to connect once again with the club and at such a meaningful time in both our histories.”
“The vision of those in 1921 is honoured by the vision of those in 2021.”
