Campout fund raiser brings in $40K

SUSAN JAGMINAS, Corporate Communications, Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation

The new Nature Centre at Scanlon Creek is $40,000 closer to being built thanks to the efforts of campers who participated in Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation’s “Roughin it for a Reason” fundraising campaign, on September 24th. This is the second year the Foundation held its “Roughin’ it for a Reason” fundraising event to help raise awareness and funds to build a new Nature Centre at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area. Last year the camping took place on location at Scanlon Creek, but this year, because of COVID-19, the venue changed to a virtual event where people camped in their own backyards, on balconies and in living rooms! Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Chief Administrative Officer, Mike Walters, was one of the 35 campers, raising funds for a cause he is passionate about. “Nature and getting outside is more important than ever before. We can’t expect kids to have an appreciation for nature unless they’ve experienced it. That’s what Scanlon Creek, our Nature Centre and our Education Program is all about.” Virtual host, celebrity camper Frankie “Flowers” Ferragine opened the night with an Instagram Live takeover, at 6 p.m., on location in his cousin (Bradford Councillor and LSRCA Board Vice Chair) Peter Ferragine’s backyard. Campers enjoyed programming every half hour, including: an LSRCA-led kid’s activity; Cabela’s Campfire Cooking demonstration; a Nature Centre presentation; a campfire story, by Tiny Seedlings; and live campfire music, by local band, Dead Mechanics. There was also a visit from Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman and the night was capped off with a final visit from Frankie on Instagram. For over 40 years children have attended Outdoor Education programming at Scanlon Creek, but the building supporting the programming is now at the end of its life. If it is not rebuilt, Outdoor Education will end at Scanlon Creek. Not only will this new building support ongoing outdoor education, but the proposed Nature Centre is also anticipated to be an environmental hub, where the entire community, young and old, will have the opportunity to reconnect with nature once again. Want to learn more about the event and the campers who participated? Visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/roughinitforareason2020.