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.
- Reminiscents of the “Y” camp in the 20’s, by Doug Cruthers
- Camp Brochure (c. 1929)
- Rotary Club Kawartha Boys’ Camp -a wonderful and detailed 1949 personal recollection of the heritage of Camp Kawartha by Claude H. Rogers
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.