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History of Camp Kawartha

Since 1921

For almost a century, Camp Kawartha has been providing outstanding outdoor recreation and education experiences to children, families, youth groups, and the wider community.

1920s

1921

The Rotary Boy’s Camp was the ‘brain child’ of Rotarian Claude Rogers. It was his inspiration that suggested it, and his initiative that brought it into realization.

In October 1921, the Rotary Club of Peterborough purchased several acres of land on Clear Lake from a local farmer, Mr. Samuel Bryson for $250  The Club intended to develop a boy’s camp “free from the artificial life of cities” … “where boys learn to rely on their own resources and experience the joys of achievement in their work and play” (from a brochure published in 1922).

1922

By July 1922, the “Kawartha Boy’s Camp” was in operation, serving its first forty boys. The Camp operated under the direction of the Rotary Club until the early 1950’s.

1950s

1954

The camp was purchased by the Peterborough and District YMCA in 1954. The Camp developed into both a boy’s and girl’s facility and was renamed “Camp Kawartha.” After many successful years of operation, the YMCA closed the camp in 1982 when it encountered financial challenges.

1980s

1985

A group of Rotarians and concerned citizens formed Camp Kawartha Incorporated. They purchased the property to promote camping and an awareness of the natural environment to youth “for all seasons”. Camp Kawartha has functioned as a year round, not-for-profit organization ever since.

1990s

2000s

2004

Rotary Hall was Built. Gainey & Orielly Cabin donated, IODE cabin built

2005

Greenhouse was built

2006

Camp Kawartha hosts the International Straw Bale Conference, who assists with building our straw bale main office.

2007

In November 2007, Camp Kawartha in partnership with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland, Clarington Catholic (PVNCC) District School Board and Trent University created the “Trent Nature and Environment Centre”. Located on Trent lands, this facility provided innovative curriculum-linked nature and environment programming from Kindergarten to Grade Four.

2009

The Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, designed and built by students in Fleming College’s Sustainable Building Design and Construction program, is a unique partnership between the Gainey Foundation, Trent University, Fleming College, and Camp Kawartha.

2010s

2012

Cabin Upgrades, various facility upgrades

2013

Kitchen undergoes a major renovation

2014

More cabin upgrades.

Future

Site and Facilities Master Plan

The objective of the Master Plan is to establish a cohesive vision and long term planning strategy to guide the environmentally sustainable development of the Camp site and its facilities. The plan includes options for upgrading, expanding and/or replacing existing facilities, as well as recommendations for the development of new facilities as required.