On Tuesday, December 14th, Camp Kawartha hosted its second virtual Annual General Meeting. Registered guests watched in safety as Board Chair, Myke Healy opened proceedings with an overview of the Camp’s challenges and accomplishments over the past fiscal year (October 1-September 30).
Healy noted “Operating a summer camp during the pandemic provided challenges never experienced in the Camp’s 100-year history. Due to the incredible commitment of camp staff and the board, the generosity of donors, and careful fiscal planning, the Camp has weathered the storm and will continue to provide exceptional stewardship education for campers and visitors going forward into our next 100 years”.
This past year was Healy’s first term as Board Chair. He thanked all Board members for their careful and thoughtful oversight at such a challenging time. He also congratulated the staff, acknowledging their hours of dedicated service and ability to run an amazingly successful Summer Camp and Outdoor Education programming under such demanding conditions.
Brad Collyer from McColl Turner LLP reported on the financial health of the organization and noted that Camp Kawartha emerged from the financial storm of 2020 and successfully navigated 2021. With the help of loans, insurance coverage as well as Camp Kawartha’s fundraising efforts and a nearly full Summer Camp, Collyer congratulated the staff and board members for their hard work, quick, and ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis. The auditor’s report is available on our website.
Executive Director, Jacob Rodenburg also provided a summary of all of Camp Kawartha’s accomplishments over the past year, despite the pandemic and its restrictions. From establishing a Forest School to developing outreach programs that bring outdoor learning to schools; from developing new programming to train educators, to offering virtual nature hikes during the lockdown, Camp Kawartha is at the forefront of connecting children to nature. He also spoke about the successful return of Summer Camp and the difference it made to over 900 campers and their families.
Healy and Rodenburg made a special presentation recognizing Adam Strasberg, who announced his retirement as Summer Camp Director after a 19-year tenure. Strasberg was credited with building one of the premier Summer Camps in Ontario leaving a legacy of engagement, adventure, inclusiveness, and a strong sense of family and community. “We owe Adam an enormous debt of gratitude for his vision and hard work, year after year. He brought so much knowledge and ability to this demanding role, and he leaves us in a very strong position. I thank him…we all thank him.”
The keynote address was delivered by Malaika Colette a passionate environmental advocate. Malaika is a graduate of the Cam Douglas Youth Leadership in Sustainability Program at Kenner Collegiate. Since then, she has been working hard on a global stage to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change and to motivate and empower youth to engage in positive action.
For more details on 2021, check out the 2021 Camp Kawartha Annual Report.
