Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-07-05, Page 32Wednesday, July 5, 2006 Exeter Times -Advocate 31 Twenty-four schools and 457 students attended the fifth annual Grad Dance at South Huron Rec Centre June 28, sponsored by local Optimist Clubs and this year hosted by the Junior Optimist CIub.Above Ieft,Warrant Officer Sam McGee of 2923 Huron Middlesex Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps escorts Biddulph Central's Patrick Ryan into the dance, while at right, South Huron Mayor Rob Morley leads Emily Walraven of Clinton Public School into the Rec Centre. (photos/Scott Nixon) A look back at Camp Sylvan (Note: The following is the fourth of 12 columns in 2006 about the Ausable Bayfield watershed's conser- vation pioneers, during the 60th anniversary year recognizing the formation of Ontario's first Conservation Authority — the former Ausable River Conservation Authority, now the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority — and the creation of the Conservation Authorities Act of 1946. Ontario's longest -running program of its kind is in our watershed EXETER — Camp Sylvan has had an incredible impact on thousands of children and adults. For some it has changed the way they look at a snake, bird, tree, or stream. For some it has changed the way they relate to their peers and teachers. For others, it has been a turning point in their lives. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has been co-ordinating the Sylvan Conservation Program at Camp Sylvan since 1964. Camp Sylvan, owned by Scouts Canada and located southwest of Parkhill, is a 350 -acre pristine natural area that offers the diversity of coniferous and decid- uous forests, ponds, streams, fields and meadows. The first half of the 1960s were busy times for the young conservation authority and as the ABCA cele- brates its 60th anniversary in 2006, it's important to note that the creation of one of Ontario's first resi- dential -based conservation education programs — now the longest -running program of its kind in Ontario — occurred during this time. In 1963 the former Ausable River Conservation Authority (ARCA), now the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, brought forward a proposal to the London District Council of the Boy Scouts Association of Canada, the Ontario Department of Education, the Department of Lands and Forests and local school boards. The ABCA's proposal was to cre- ate a partnership with the London Scouts Association to lease Camp Sylvan (a permanent Scout camp) and maintain it as the location for the residential Conservation Science School where the ABCA could provide hands-on learning to students in a natural environment. Thanks to Terry McCauley's vision and initiation in 1963 when he proposed the creation of a residential environmental school, and the commitment and dedi- cation of the ABCA, Scouts Canada and teachers, the Sylvan Conservation Program at Camp Sylvan has been the longest -running education program of its kind in Ontario. During the first year of operation of the Camp Sylvan Conservation Science Program in 1964, 61 male high school students attended a week-long camp. Although the name and format of the pro- gram have changed slightly through the years, its goal and commitment of educating watershed resi- dents about conservation and the importance of nature resources has remained steadfast. Since 1964, more than 20,000 students, teachers, parents and visitors have been privileged to share the experience of Camp Sylvan. At camp, students take part in a two -and -a -half day ecolo- gy -based, outdoor experience where they sleep in chuck wagons and attend classes on a variety of topics such as ori- enteering, forestry, water quality and play the survival game. Spending days and nights immersed in the environment provides chil- dren with a sense of connection beyond what single day field trips can provide. To many people Camp Sylvan means positive experiences and long-lasting memories. This is no more apparent than with current ABCA general manager Tom Prout. As a participant in one of the first school groups, as a junior leader and as a co- ordinator, there is little doubt that the Camp Sylvan experience of learning in the outdoors, working with people, and practicing conservation had a major influence on Tom. "To me personally, Camp Sylvan means the begin- ning of a career," Prout explained. "After one trip to Camp Sylvan my career path was set. Under the cat- egory of 'most likely to become' in my Grade 8 year- book it says `Manager of the Conservation Authority."' We celebrate 2006 as a Year of Conservation and today we say `thank you' to our local conservation pioneers and acknowledge their work in the develop- ment of the Sylvan Conservation Program, an out- door experience connecting children with nature for more than 40 years. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is joining with partner schools, municipalities and indi- viduals to create `Sixty Projects' and `Sixty Classes' for Sixty Years, in honour of the local pioneers of conservation who helped protect our lives and prop- erty through flood management and watershed stew- ardship. MATE REDMOND ABCA CONSERVATION EDUCATION SPECIALIST Huron opens its doors HURON — Significant buildings, natural heritage sites and other historic areas in Brussels, Goderich, Seaforth, Zurich and communities in between will be open for public viewing at no cost July 8-9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Doors Open Huron 2006. The provincial program is spearheaded by Ontario Heritage "Doors Open Foundation, and orga- nized locally by Heritage and Cultural Partnership, in partner- ship with the municipali- ties of Huron East and Bluewater and the Town of Goderich. "Doors Open Huron 2006 cele- brates the rich heritage we have here in Huron County, and often take for granted," said Heather Boa, co-ordinator of the Heritage and Cultural Partnership. "It's an opportunity for churches, industries, her- itage homes and business- es to share their histories with visitors and local resi- dents. And it's a chance for the people to visit places that are not nor- mally open to the public." Participants can map a route that will take them through nearly 100 sites across the county, while enjoying other events the area has to offer. In Goderich, they will be able to wander through more than 150 displays by artists and artisans in the Goderich Arts and Crafts Festival. At the train station, they can preview Linda Wiebe's Worth Their Salt project, and Karen Melady's lantern making workshops while the Ontario West Coast Garden Railway Society's out- door display will also open for viewing. In Hensall, they will be able to view ice sculptures that will eventually be shipped around the world. There is a Boot Sale in down- town Brussels Saturday morn- ing with antiques, crafts, baked goods and other items along main street. Participants can also visit Clinton to take part in the annual pluckinfest, with a chicken wing cook - off, chicken barbecue and horseshoes. For maps and site list- ings, pick up brochures the days of the event at By Gone Days Cafe in Zurich Kiosk at Archie's UPI gas station in Seaforth. Brochures are also avail- able at the Old Fina Gas Station in Brussels and Tourism Goderich at 91 Hamilton Street. For more information, call 1-800-280-7637 or email hboa@sympatico.ca Huron 2006 celebrates the rich heritage we have here in Huron County, and often take for granted," HEATHER BOA, CO-ORDINATOR OF THE HERITAGE AND CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP. bcolher, This is one of our great Little mow' Brothers who loves hockey. He also enjoys playing baseball, basket- ball, and soccer. His other inter- ests include bowling, bicycling, fishing and swimming. This Little Brother is looking forward to a friend- ship with his Big Brother. This Little Brother is one of the many children waiting to be matched within a mentoring friend- ship. For informa- tion on our volun- teer programs, call 235-3307, email cw@shbbbs.on.ca or visit our website at www.shbbbs.on.ca POLICE BRIEF Driver found drunk BAYFIELD — On June 10 Huron OPP stopped a vehicle on Bluewater Highway in Bayfield. The driver displayed signs that he had consumed liquor and was given a lawful roadside test. The driver provided a breath sample, registering a fail. He was arrested for over 80 and transported to the Huron detachment. The driver provided two breath samples, which were analyzed, both results were twice the legal limit of 80 mg of alco- hol. A 23 -year-old Brucefield man will attend Goderich Provincial court August 21, facing one count of driving a motor vehicle with more then 80mg of alcohol.