Feature Article September 4, 2002
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2002 Summer Daze kids' camp in the booksby Will Cybulski The three weeks of 2002s edition of the Land OLakes Summer Daze Kids Camp are gone, and in retrospect, the time now seems to have flown by. It was a busy session, one that hopefully expanded some youthful horizons, while providing an opportunity to see something new and interesting.The first week we were based at North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne, and from there we took a trip to Bonnechere Caves. During that week, we had a presenter come in to demonstrate martial arts, and importantly, we learned that karate was a way to make friends, rather than a form of fighting. Our highlight of this week was a fishing trip to Skootamatta Lake, where we were hosted by the Dacuk family, and our youngsters enjoyed a day of pan-fishing sponsored by our good friends from the Conservationists Of Frontenac Addington. MNR Conservation Officer Barry Wilson came to visit, as did OPP Marine Officer Greg Lackie and student Blake Thompson with their police boat. We want to thank the Dacuks for having us, and COFA members for not only providing the tackle and bait, but for patiently baiting hooks, taking off fish, and preparing a great shore lunch from our catch. The uniformed representatives of the MNR and OPP did a great job intermingling with our kids, showing that there is more to law than just an enforcement side.
Week two was at Flinton Recreation Centre. We went to Fort Wellington in Prescott, and saw a portrayal of life within a defensive military compound in the early 1800s. Our martial arts exhibitor made a return trip during the second week, and OPP Canine Handler Glen Perry brought in his attack/tracking and explosive sniffing dogs. There were some pretty big eyes when Glen had Bud come at me in attack mode, particularly when the dog had just been introduced in a friendly way to the youngsters. Both animals showed how easily they seek out illicit drugs and explosive materials.
Unfortunately, nature didnt co-operate in the latter part of the week for our visit to Bon Echo Park, with the rains keeping up all day long. We did make the trip across Mazinaw on the Mugwamp, and climbed the trail up The Rock, but the cold and dampness took a lot of fun out of the adventure. We did manage to get the barbecues fired up long enough to make a credible version of hot dogs, but we had to call off our planned day of swimming.
Week three saw us exploring the Serpent Zoo at Norwood, as well as journeying to Hershey Chocolate and the Rideau Canal Museum in Smiths Falls. A side-trip to the ice cream shop at Balderson Cheese was a hit. During week three, we had the Northbrook and Area Volunteer Ambulance staff come in for a demonstration of their equipment, and Sheila Perry from Kaladar/Barrie Fire Department gave us her time in a session that reminded us of the importance of fire safety and 911 protocol.
So what did we do when we werent a travelling road show? Well, we had wacky Olympics every Monday. Our youngsters and their leaders took part in wheelchair races, water carries, egg races (yes, they were raw), toilet paper relays, tugs-of-war, putting contests, and other seemingly silly games that promoted new partnerships and teamwork.
We built bridges with pasta, and if that sounds easy, try it sometime. Its a great way to practice patience, and it does require a team effort. Face painting, playground activities, and arts and crafts took up our Fridays, and each day, we provided either a nutritious snack or a full course lunch. Fridays pizza and ice-cream parties made for a popular day! If your child wants to show you how to make ice-cream at home, it is a new skill they acquired at camp.
While on our travels, we stopped at various parks and playgrounds for picnic lunches.
What we did discover from the three weeks in outlying centres is that our area could use a large, well designed playground and park, with equipment that will handle a bigger group of kids. The Memorial Park at Marmora is a prime example, and it was a good place to spend an afternoon.
A sincere thank you goes out to all our host communities for their facilities, individuals who helped out, presenters, financial supporters, the steering committee, Camp staff and volunteer leaders, our bus driver Nora, and most importantly, our kids, for the fun and memories of Summer Daze 2002.
