A new micro-credential program for managing nonprofit organizations is now available at Trent University, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

Micro-credential programs are rapid training programs offered by postsecondary education institutions across Ontario that help develop specific skills or competencies.

The Nonprofit Management Essentials (NME) program is designed to equip professionals in the nonprofit sector — as well as students and graduates interested in working in the sector — with critical management skills including strategic planning, operational efficiency, and leadership development.

“This program is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to make a meaningful contribution to their community,” says Kevin Whitmore, director of co-op, careers, and experiential learning at Trent University, in a media release. “The fundamental skills taught throughout this program will not only help industry leaders propel their organizations to new levels, but also to equip those entering the nonprofit sector with the tools they need for success.”

Course topics include board governance, grant writing, volunteer management, financial administration, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and more. The 10 courses in the NME program start on September 26 and run monthly until June 2025. Participants can choose to attend as many of the courses as they like.

The NME program is led by Carey McMaster, founder of training and consulting company TRAICON and an organizational development specialist with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

Each monthly course costs $325. Registrants may qualify for the Canada Ontario Job Grant, and 10 per cent discounts are available for early registration, for registering for all 10 courses, and for Trent alumni. Current Trent students receive a 50 per cent discount.

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development teams collaborated to develop the NME program in recognition of the need for targeted skills development within the nonprofit sector.

“By supporting this type of professional development, we are investing in the future of our communities,” says Jennifer DeBues, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

The 10 courses and their timeframes are listed below.

• Business Essentials and Strategies – September 26 to October 25
• Introduction to the Not-for-Profit Sector – November 4 to 22
• Board Governance Essentials for Nonprofits – December 2 to 20
• Foundations of Financial Administration for Nonprofits – January 6 to 24
• Advanced Financial Administration of Nonprofits – February 3 to 21
• Optimizing Fundraising Efforts for Nonprofits – March 3 to 21
• Grant Writing for Nonprofits – April 1 to 19
• Effective Volunteer Management – April 28 to May 16
• Digital Marketing Fundaments for Nonprofits – May 26 to June 13
• Embracing Diversity: Creating Equitable Work Environments – June 23 to July 11

For more information about each course and to register, visit www.trentu.ca/careerspace/microcredentials-trent-community-members.

A 29-year-old Peterborough man is facing an attempted murder charge in connection with a hit-and-run incident involving a cyclist in downtown Peterborough early Wednesday morning (September 4).

At around 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, officers were called by emergency medical services about a man who appeared to be the victim of a hit-and-run incident in the Brock Street and Bethune Street area.

Through investigation, officers learned the cyclist had been struck by a vehicle in a parking lot before the vehicle fled the scene. The victim was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment and was later transferred to a Toronto-area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Police determined the suspect and the victim are known to each other.

At around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday (September 5), officers located the suspect in the George Street and Townsend Street area and took him into custody. During the investigation, police learned the suspect was a prohibited driver and bound by a probation order to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested a 29-year-old Peterborough man and charged him with attempted murder, dangerous operation causing bodily harm, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, operation of a vehicle while prohibited, and failure to comply with probation.

The accused man is being held in custody and will appear in court on Friday (September 6).

The collective philanthropy group 100 Men Kawartha Lakes donated $15,000 to three local charities at its third meeting of the year, held Thursday (September 5) at Boston Pizza in Lindsay,

Prior to the meeting, each member of the group — which currently has 152 members — was given the opportunity to nominate a registered charity in the Kawartha Lakes.

As happens ahead of each of the quarterly meetings, three of the nominated organizations are drawn at random and a representative from each organization attends the meeting to make a brief presentation on their organization’s work and how the organization would spend and benefit from a donation. Members then vote on which charity should receive the group’s donation.

The three charities that presented at Thursday’s meeting were Soroptimist International Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay District Sports Hall of Fame, and Lindsay Montessori Preschool.

For the first time in its history, 100 Men Kawartha Lakes collected the complete donation — which amounted to $15,000 — at the meeting, and all three charities went home with a donation. Soroptimist International Kawartha Lakes received $13,000 and Lindsay District Sports Hall of Fame and Lindsay Montessori Preschool each received $1,000.

The 100 Men Kawartha Lakes group was formed in 2018 by Richard Gauder, who also began 100 Men in Scugog, Oshawa, Clarington, and Whitby. The group meets four times each year in March, June, September, and December. Since its formation, 100 Men Kawartha Lakes has donated more than $200,000 to registered charities in the region.

Those interested in joining 100 Men Kawartha Lakes can visit 100menkawarthalakes.ca.

Five Counties Children’s Centre is asking clients, family members and volunteers to “Gimme 5” in honour of its upcoming 50th anniversary.

The regional children’s treatment centre is looking for those who have received or provided services at Five Counties to share their memories and experiences by taking five minutes to document their thoughts.

“We really hope to hear from anyone with a neat memory or recollection of an interaction or experience they had at Five Counties — whether as a client, parent or caregiver, volunteer, or supporter,” Bill Eekhof, spokesperson for Five Counties, told kawarthaNOW.

“We’ve been fortunate in the past to have families share their stories of how their child has benefited from the services they received at Five Counties. It’s these kinds of magical moments that happen within the walls of our Centre that we really hope to share with our communities as part of our 50th anniversary festivities in 2025.”

The centre, which supports kids and families with physical, communication, and developmental needs in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton, first opened its doors in 1975. To mark its golden anniversary, Five Counties is planning to host a year-long celebration in 2025.

The “Gimme 5: Your Story is Our Story” appeal is essentially to encourage current and former clients, families, staff, volunteers, board members, donors and community supporters to share any recollections they have of the centre.

“Five Counties is made up of much more than bricks and mortar,” said Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre, in a media release.

“The centre was truly built on the magical memories and moments of the thousands of children and youth and their families we’ve been able to assist over the years. The Five Counties story would be totally incomplete if we are unable to tell and share the many stories from members of our extended Five Counties family.”

Five Counties is reaching out to key individuals and groups who helped establish or had a long relationship with the centre. Five Counties also wants to seek out memories, mementos and artifacts from other people who may have a story to tell.

The organization asks those who wish to participate in the anniversary project to download and complete the Gimme 5 story package that includes several questions to help prompt discussion and sharing.

In addition, anyone with a story or memento to share can email 50@fivecounties.on.ca or call 1-888-779-9916 ext. 200. With approval, some stories that are collected will be shared publicly by Five Counties during its 50th anniversary celebrations, the centre noted in the release.

The origin of Five Counties dates back to 1970, when the Rotary Club of Peterborough was looking for a suitable initiative to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. Local Rotarians settled on the idea to establish a “children’s care centre” to provide care closer to home.

According to a history of the local Rotary Club, this “centre was designed for the treatment, educational, social and physical needs of handicapped children within the ‘five counties’ region” — including Peterborough City-County, Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes (then Victoria County), Haliburton County and North Hastings County. This prevented the need for families to have to drive to Oshawa or Toronto for help.

In the early 1970s, Rotary clubs across the region got behind the centre idea, committing funds and convincing the Ontario Ministry of Health and what was then known as the Ontario Society for Crippled Children to support the initiative.

In the fall of 1975, Five Counties opened its doors to a new treatment centre on Dutton Road in Peterborough. Over the years, the centre added sites in Lindsay, Minden/Haliburton, Campbellford, and Cobourg, and has continued to serve families across its entire region.

From the purchase of a 22-unit apartment complex in Colborne to developing a new homeless shelter with wrap-around supports in Cobourg, Lisa Horne has been at the helm of Northumberland County projects centred on housing and homelessness supports.

Those recent projects are but two of the initiatives she has overseen in her role as the county’s community and social services director. Horne’s time with the county is winding down, with her departure slated for next month.

Northumberland County announced this week that Horne, who has been with the county since 2001 and has served as director since 2016, will officially retire on October 25.

“Lisa’s leadership and contributions have significantly impacted our organization and our community,” said county CAO Jennifer Moore in a media release.

“Her unwavering commitment to a people-centered model of service has not only enhanced capacity within our social services division to address the evolving needs of our community, but has also fostered long-term stability and empowerment for many individuals and families. While we will miss her leadership and dedication, we wish her all the best as she embarks on this next chapter.”

With her departure, Glenn Dees, the county’s current director of health and human services, will take on the community and social services portfolio. He will also continue in his role of overseeing the operation of the Golden Plough Lodge long-term care home in Cobourg.

Horne has spent 34 years in public service. She began her career in social services in 1990 with the Metropolitan Toronto Social Services Department before moving to Durham Region Social Services in 1993.

She joined Northumberland County’s community and social services initially as an Ontario Works caseworker. Her roles evolved over the years, leading to her appointment as housing services manager in 2009 and ultimately as director eight years later.

During her tenure with Northumberland County, Horne has played “a pivotal role” in several transformative initiatives, the release noted. She led the local implementation of the province-wide system service manager model for housing services in 2016, and Early Years services in 2018.

Under Horne’s guidance, the county developed its first 10-year housing and homelessness plan, a comprehensive affordable housing strategy, and a five-year early learning and child care plan.

“Lisa’s tenure has been marked by a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of our residents,” said Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander.

“Her ability to lead a team in adapting to evolving community need and a complex social services environment has set a high standard for public service. On behalf of county council, I extend our deepest gratitude to Lisa and wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement.”

The county said Horne’s leadership was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she spearheaded the department’s response, “ensuring that vulnerable community members received continuous support and access to essential services.”

“She has often reflected with pride on the exceptional resilience and compassion demonstrated by the social services team during this challenging period,” the county said.

Nobody can get things done quite like a group of like-minded, determined, and generous women. That’s why Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) is teaming up with the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) to host the inaugural “Women Build Retreat” in Haliburton County in October.

A combination of a relaxing fall getaway to stunning cottage country, a hands-on fundraiser for Habitat PKR’s upcoming multi-unit build in Haliburton, and an opportunity to learn to build and connect with women in the community, the retreat will offer participants with an unforgettable experience.

The Women Build Retreat is running from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th at Haliburton’s Camp Timberlane. Thanks to the support of sponsors, the price of the event has now improved to $400, with tickets available at www.womenbuildretreat.ca. The price includes two nights accommodation, all food and snacks, and activities and swag (the only thing not included is transportation to and from Camp Timberlane).

“We know that women build businesses, they build communities, they build families — they’re the backbone of a lot of places,” says Natalie Raponi, Donor Impact Manager at Habitat PKR. “We want to get those minds in the same group, in the same area, and what better place to do that than to bring everyone together at the most gorgeous time of year in the most beautiful place?”

Throughout the weekend, guests will be staying in the staff cabins on Camp Timberlane’s 1,100-acre site on the edge of Two Islands Lake, located in the heart of Haliburton Highlands near the southern boundary of Canada’s famous Algonquin Park.

Participants will enjoy the rustic charm of the cabins — many of which overlook the private lake — with single and queen-sized beds available, as well as private showers and restrooms. The property includes a sauna, high ropes course, kayaks and other watercraft, sandy beaches, and so much more.

“Camp Timberlane is known for their incredible food and beautiful location with wonderful accommodations,” says Raponi. “They have a private lake, so it’ll combine a really incredible atmosphere with what we know will be an incredible group of women.”

Between organized activities, women will be working together to build garden planters to be donated to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to offer therapeutic gardening activities for women staying at the Haliburton Emergency SafeSpace (HERS), which provides temporary housing for women and families moving from abusive home situations — a mission closely aligned with that of Habitat PKR.

“Safe and affordable housing is the crux of so many larger issues,” says Raponi. “When you don’t have options, when you don’t have the ability to make changes, when you feel you’re stuck in one spot, that’s just the most dangerous place to be. Having affordable housing gives people options, and having a safe place to call home is absolutely fundamental to grow and thrive.”

Habitat PKR’s all-female trade staff will be leading participants through the build, offering construction techniques and teaching them to use power tools.

“We have a lot of women at Habitat PKR who are represented in the trades — whereas in the construction world, conversely, that’s not always the case,” Raponi explains. “Sometimes, to get women participating and to feel comfortable in construction and building, having a safe space is what’s needed.”

“This will be that super safe place where we’re actually going to put a power tool in your hand. You can ask questions, you will be taught with respect and gentleness, and we’ll meet whatever level of skill you are at and hopefully just take you to the next level.”

After a delicious and hearty breakfast while enjoying the stunning array of fall colours to start the day, half of the group will join the tradespeople for building while the other women will engage in a range of other fun activities — and then the groups will swap places in the afternoon.

Guided activities will range from yoga instruction to games of pickleball, hiking trails, and art workshops.

The groups will then come together for scheduled activities, including a wine tasting experience with expert Leah Spooner, an extravagant gourmet s’mores bar sponsored by Hickory Lanes Kitchens, themed dinners, a bonfire on the beach, and more.

“We are meticulously curating the perfect blend between relaxing and adventuring, introverting and extroverting, and just bringing people together,” Raponi says.

“There are lots of things that women can choose from that will be guided for you with plenty of moments where you can just disappear, read a book on the beach or on the dock overlooking the water, and then join us all for a delicious dinner and a movie on the beach after.”

Habitat PKR has set a goal to raise $15,000 in support of its upcoming multi-unit build in the Haliburton region. By participating in the retreat, women will directly contribute to organization’s mission to help families and individuals reach affordable home ownership through lower-than-market interest and geared-to-income mortgages with no downpayment.

“Haliburton is experiencing a really intense housing crisis and, because it’s considered cottage country, those exorbitant housing costs are just going up and up,” says Raponi, adding that the Women Build Retreat is much more than just a fundraiser.

“We can ask for money to support the build, but if we can also talk to you and have a shared experience with you and create those meaningful connections, that’s going to go so much further than just accepting a cheque.”

With the goal of forming connections through the retreat, Habitat PKR is leading by example by using the event to also support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and by combining forces with the WBN, whose 2024-25 theme is “collaboration over competition.”

“We know the WBN is filled with a powerhouse of women who get things done and want to see good in our community and beyond,” says Raponi. “It’s a win-win-win to bring different organizations together, and different women, to work on things that are even beyond the scope of Habitat.”

Raponi acknowledges that the support of female-led businesses sponsoring the event — including Lakeshore Designs, ACM Designs, and Abbott Construction Group — are all prime examples of what happens when women come together with one goal in mind.

“The more affordable options we can give people, the more choice they have, and the more they will be able to thrive,” says Raponi. “Let’s link arms with every organization that is working towards these goals, and let’s link arms with the companies and individual women who want to come along for the ride, and let’s support the community.”

To view the full Women Build Retreat schedule and to register, visit www.womenbuildretreat.ca. For more information on Habitat PKR, visit www.habitatpeterborough.ca.

A fire has closed the historic Doube’s Trestle Bridge, a popular spot along the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail between Peterborough and Omemee that is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Reports of the fire on the decking of the 175-metre bridge, which stands just over 21 metres high over the Buttermilk Valley, were shared on social media on Wednesday afternoon (September 4).

The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association website includes a notice that the bridge, which is also known as Orange Corners Trestle Bridge, is closed and “impassible.”

According to the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, it took multiple fire crews over an hour to bring the fire under control. Several metres of the bridge’s decking were destroyed, and underlying structural beams were also damaged.

The cost of the damage is unknown, as is the cause of the fire. However, Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the fire as possible arson.

The fire comes five years after the original wooden decking of the bridge, which was rotting, was replaced with composite lumber at a cost of $140,000. The project was funded by the National Trans Canada Trail office, private donations, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association supporters, and federal grants.

Doube’s Trestle Bridge was constructed in 1883 for the Midland Railway’s route between Peterborough and Lindsay. Originally made of wood and 1,500 feet long, the central part of the trestle was later converted to a steel bridge with nine spans totalling 572 feet long.

In 1921, Canadian National Railways took over the route, which was initially used by both passenger and freight trains. Eventually, only freight trains used the route until trains ceased using the route in 1978. The rails were then lifted and the route became the property of the provincial government’s Ontario Realty Corporation.

It was eventually leased to Kawartha Rail Trail as a recreational trail that became the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, and is a popular route for cyclists, hikers, and runners with Doube’s Trestle Bridge being the main attraction with its scenic views.

The bridge has also become an increasingly popular destination for visitors, again because of its scenic views.

Doube’s Trestle Bridge is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, a sequel to the critically acclaimed mystery comedy-drama television series Monk starring Tony Shalhoub at the titular character — a former San Francisco homicide detective turned private police consultant who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and multiple phobias.

Last May, the film’s production crew and cast were at the bridge to shoot several scenes involving bungee jumping.

In the movie, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Monk comes out of retirement to solve a case involving his stepdaughter’s journalist fiancee.

It’s not a secret that flooding is one of the greatest impacts that the Peterborough area feels from climate change. This is a result of the increased intensity of storms that are forecasted to occur as a result of increased moisture in the atmosphere.

When rainwater lands on a hard surface, such as a rooftop or asphalt, it will immediately run off into the closest stream or river. If too much water is allowed to enter a creek at the same time, it can overtop and cause flooding.

Recognizing this problem, when we build new buildings, subdivisions, or parking lots, we ask developers to make sure that they build in a way that will retain as much stormwater as close to where it lands as possible.

Worth considering is the impact that many stormwater management strategies have on our municipal carbon footprint and the surrounding environment.

In the past, the way that developers have accomplished their stormwater management requirements was to build a stormwater pond. You can see many of these ponds around the city — behind shopping malls, at the edge of subdivisions, or near parking lots.

These ponds are effective at controlling stormwater but require a great deal of concrete and gravel fill, and can even release methane gas from decomposing plant material in the pond. To build them and maintain them, they can release a great deal of carbon emissions.

Over the past decade, designers and regulators have started to embrace green stormwater facilities such as rain gardens, green roofs, or bioretention cells. These are smaller structures that can be spread more evenly throughout a development to capture water close to where it lands.

The change to “low-impact development” was prompted by the desire to decrease the negative impact of stormwater on water quality in lakes and rivers. A hidden benefit to these facilities can be the decreased carbon footprint as well.

Information on the carbon footprint of stormwater facilities is limited, but a review of what is available suggests that a stormwater pond can release as much as 108 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre over a period of 30 years. A green roof, on the other hand, releases on average of 42 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre — less than half of a stormwater pond.

The real climate hero, though, is the humble but mighty (and beautiful) rain garden. Some studies suggest that a rain garden is actually carbon negative, absorbing as much as 12.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre over a 30-year lifetime.

Considering this amazing news, companies or homeowners that are looking to decrease their carbon footprint can make a great start by constructing rain gardens on their property, while increasing their resiliency from flooding at the same time.

Due to the many benefits of rain gardens, the City of Peterborough offers subsidies for both commercial landowners and homeowners to install rain gardens on their property. If you ever need to build some stormwater management at your home or business, here’s just one more reason to go green. Green stormwater design is already great news for the environment, and this is just one more benefit to these amazing new ideas.

Dylan Radcliffe is a water resources technician with Engage Engineering, a Peterborough-based business and Green Economy Leader with GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) hub.

GEP is for the business community. With membership, organizations commit to taking a comprehensive inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions, set reductions targets, and are coached towards achieving their own sustainability goals. To learn more, visit www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.

GreenUP works with the City of Peterborough to provide eligible homeowners with educational resources and assistance in applying for the Rain Garden Subsidy, including on-site consultation and rain garden design. To learn more, visit greenup.on.ca/rain-garden-subsidy-program.

Three teens residing in the Kawarthas are buzzing with excitement as they train to represent Canada at an international beekeeping competition at the end of the year.

The International Meeting for Young Beekeepers (IMYB) is an annual meeting and the world’s largest gathering of young beekeepers aged 12 to 18 years old. Both a competition and a diverse social and cultural program, the meeting consists of practical and academic testing of knowledge and skills.

Held for the first time outside of Europe, the 13th annual meeting takes place Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Wednesday, December 18 to Sunday, December 22.

“It’s an opportunity for young people to interact and meet peers and form friendships that last forever,” says John MacFarlane, one of the Team Canada chaperones leading the youth to the event. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and we are thrilled to get invited back and be the only team from North America.”

MacFarlane, who is one of the founders of Kawartha Junior Beekeepers program, will be joined by fellow founder Lenka Petric and Northumberland beekeeper Dana Petrillo as chaperones. This year will mark the third time Team Canada has made an appearance at the event, but the first time each team member hails from the Kawarthas region.

One of the team members who will be representing Canada is Ben Marshall of Trent Hills, who began beekeeping as a way to keep busy during the start of the pandemic and hasn’t stopped since. On top of running his own swimming lesson company and selling freeze-dried food, the 17-year-old serial entrepreneur also sells his own honey.

“It’s always been about the learning for me,” Marshall says. “I love the new information and new ideas that are always shared within the bee community. The theme for Dubai is Beekeeping in Arid Lands, so it’s a really neat perspective I’ve never actually thought about … I’m really looking forward to learning more about it.”

Joining him in Dubai will be 15-year-old Heidi Westbye of Cavan, who has been beekeeping since 2017. Her passion led her to do a project on honeybees which won her third place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences class of the 2024 Peterborough Science Fair. She is already looking forward to pursuing further education for a career in honeybee research.

“I’m really excited for the experiences I’ll have in Dubai and getting to work with so many other people from so many different places,” Westbye says. “Working with kids from Europe and Asia is just really inspiring, because one competition can bring so many people together.”

The third member of Team Canada is Rebecca Wood of Pontypool, whose trip to Dubai will be her first time outside of Ontario. She began beekeeping at 10 years old because she lived on a farm and was afraid of bees. Not only did she get over her fear, but she found a passion in studying pollinators.

Now 17, Wood sits on the Kawartha Pollinator Action Committee and created the Bee Friendly Pollinators and the Seed Library program at her school. She was recently a recipient of a 2023 Kawartha Lakes Environmental Student Hero Award.

“It was the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers that just planted that seed in me and made me want to continue seeking out more information and learning more about pollination in our area,” Wood says. “I always like to say the best way to combat fear is through education and I really think what I was taught by John and Lenka, and what I’ve learned on my own over the years, has helped with that.”

Each of the three young beekeepers learned what they did by joining the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers, a hands-on program for children and youth interested in beekeeping. Following a bee’s year from equipment managing to harvesting, participants aged eight to 12 years old meet monthly to put into practice concepts learned in class and through guest speakers and field trips.

MacFarlane and Petric founded the program years ago because they noticed most beekeepers in the region were of older generations.

“We were looking towards helping to develop or initiate and encourage a new generation of beekeepers, and no one was doing that,” says MacFarlane.

“Beekeeping, for some people, is their first education about pollinators, so they learn about bees and then they also learn about all the other pollinators that are so important to our environment,” adds Petric. “That’s another really important reason for continuing this program, as it’s one way of immersing kids through hands-on learning where they can see about how important pollinators are for our environment.”

The duo notes it’s been very “gratifying” and “rewarding” to watch youth first become engaged and continue their studies, and then pass on their knowledge and passion. All three youth are now mentors for current students of the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers.

“The fact that I still have such like a great memory and a great passion for what I was taught in Kawartha Junior Beekeepers really speaks to how well they’ve crafted this program,” says Wood. “With the impact it had on me and the change that I am trying to make in my community, it just means the world to be attempting to do that for other kids. Honestly, I think everyone should have the opportunity to be in a program like this.”

Over the four-day event in Dubai, there are two days of competition linked to specific tasks where the youth will have to show their knowledge about beekeeper tools, putting a colony together, building hives, the anatomy of a bee, honey tasting, and more. The group will be competing individually and as a team, and there will also be some components wherein the participants are paired with beekeepers from other countries and must work together.

Like the Olympic Games, the meeting is bookended with extravagant opening and closing ceremonies. Throughout the week, there will also be opportunities for excursions, and each team will be required to do a presentation — like a song or dance — to introduce their country.

“The aspects of the whole meeting, the whole get together — they are so far reaching for these kids, and they all come back with something that they can bring back to their community,” says MacFarlane. “For us it’s one of the most important things, and we work on that and that’s one of the main goals other than education.”

While the participants undergo “intense” training in preparation for Dubai, Team Canada is also hosting fundraisers, including a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $12,000. The team is also selling notebooks, gift packs of honey, beeswax candles, and handmade bee kitties. Purchases can be made by emailing kawarthajb@gmail.com.

The teens are also available to lead presentations for local communities and beekeeping clubs to let them know about their trip and the knowledge they will be collecting to bring back to their communities.

“We want to show that this is important — here are three young people from this geographic area who are going to be highly educated in this whole beekeeping process,” says MacFarlane.

“They’re among the best in Canada and they are local … they need the support of our local community as well, because what they’re going to bring back is only going to enhance and create more of an environment for education, and it’s an investment in the future of these communities.”

For her part, Petrillo notes that representing Canada puts the Kawarthas on the map when it comes to beekeeping, and opens opportunities for future local beekeepers.

“I’ve dreamed since I was in grade four of becoming a beekeeper, but it wasn’t accessible until fairly recently,” she says. “That accessibility is now going across Canada and Northumberland and Kawarthas is definitely a hub for that. Really trying to get out there and spreading that message across Canada is huge. These kids are going to have that opportunity, and they’re spreading it out to kids all over, so if we can get more programs starting all across Canada, it’ll be fabulous.”

For more information on the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers, visit jjrbeekeepers.ca. Follow the IMYB Team Canada Facebook group to keep up to date with the team’s preparations for Dubai.