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| Scouts: sturdy building, strong mission |
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| Three scouts and an up and coming beaver can’t wait to see the results of this $138,000 cheque, which will be used to spruce up a cabin at Camp Samac. |
By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express In the heart of North Oshawa lies a gem known as Camp Samac. The 163-acre parcel of land is used for camping, canoeing, and other activities and is also home to Scouts Canada, a not-for-profit organization which strives to educate young people, to help build a better world where people are selffulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. Courtesy of a donation from both the provincial and federal government, the camp’s oldest building, Kitchie, will be getting a much-needed facelift.“Recreation facilities are vital…for our community,” says Oshawa MP Dr. Colin Carrie, adding the funding will encourage economic growth, improve energy efficiency for the building and improve the overall health of the community. The funding was made possible through the Recreation Infrastructure Canada program and means a lot to Scouts Canada, says Natalie Benson, manager of revenue development for Scouts Canada. “To be re-doing this building right now means the youth coming here will have a great building,” she says. About 4,200 kids use the Kitchie building each year making it the most utilized building in Camp Samac. And while it’s a vital part for Scout training, community groups and church organizations also use it. The building currently sleeps 80 people and is not very energy-efficient, she says. According to Benson, the money will mainly be used to tackle the accessibility issues in the kitchen and bathrooms. It will also be used to make it more energy efficient.“This building really needed to be re-done,” she says. Benson was behind the application for the funding and says the Kitchie building, which is more than 50 years old, needs some work. A number of young and old scouts were on hand for the $138,348 cheque presentation, including a former scout, Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette. He says scouting is very important to him. “Scouting is one of the building blocks of my life.” Ouellette is one of seven people in Canada deemed as a Chief Scouting King.“The funds that are being issued here today are to ensure that scouting stays strong in Oshawa.” Camp Samac has been in operation since 1946. Colonel Sam McLaughlin made a donation so the land could be purchased, hence the name Camp Samac (Sam- Mc). The area surrounding Camp Samac is getting built up with houses, which worries some about the “gem’s” future as a year-round camping site. But Carrie says he’ll do his best to ensure nothing happens to it. “Where else could you go to a Tim Horton’s and then drive 10 minutes and be in the wilderness?” says Carrie. And in true scouting pride, instead of a traditional thank you, Carrie received a hip-hip hooray. |
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©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
