History
In November 2007, Camp Kawartha in partnership with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland, Clarington Catholic (PVNCC) District School Board and Trent University created the "Trent Nature and Environment Centre". Located on Trent lands, this facility provided innovative curriculum-linked nature and environment programming from Kindergarten to Grade Four.
In September 2008, the Gainey Foundation of Montreal agreed to help replace this existing Centre with one of Canada's most sustainable buildings located on the beautiful wildlife sanctuary at Trent University. Thanks to a very generous donation of $100,000, The Gainey Foundation helped to inspire other organizations, foundations, businesses and individuals to raise an additional $650,000 in capital and programming support (see funding partners and donors). The Gainey Foundation is also generously supporting phase two, the outdoor learning grounds of the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre.
The Environment Centre was built and designed by Sir Sandford Fleming College’s Sustainable Building Design and Construction Program, headed by award winning designer, builder and instructor Chris Magwood, who has co-authored three books on straw bale building. The centre opened in November 2009.
