There’s a new day camp for kids this summer in Belwood
Belwood Forest Camp hopes to fill the void left by the closure of the township camp that ran from Belwood Hall while renovations are underway
BELWOOD – Having trouble finding day camps for your kids this summer?
Rem and Kate Kaesermann had that same problem, with the added complication this year of Belwood Hall being closed for renovations and the summer camp usually offered there temporarily on the blocks.
So they decided to offer their property as a site for summer camp and let their niece Abby Carter be camp director.
Carter is working on a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University and brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, they say.
She has worked at the Rowan Tree Children’s School in Peterborough, which is a nature school, meaning all classes are outdoors.
She’ll be joined by Ange Billings, who has over 25 years of teaching, tutoring and mentoring experience and is well known in Fergus.
Rounding out the staff will be Theresa McCarroll, who brings 20 years of experience to the job. She’s known for creating a fun, safe and welcoming environment for kids, officials say.
Belwood Forest Camp will be an outdoor summer camp.
With 84 acres, a pond, a forest, a soccer pitch, kilometres of walking trails and several outdoor shelters, there will be plenty for children to do in a safe, well-supervised environment, officials say.
This hasn’t been a spur-of-the-moment decision, the Kaesermanns say.
“It’s been a lot of work actually,” Rem said in a phone interview. “There’s a lot to it. But the Ontario Camps Association and the Township of Centre Wellington have been very helpful.”
The camp is geared to children aged six to 10, with a maximum of 30 campers per session.
“That’s an eight to one ratio, which is better than most schools,” Kate said.
There are three one-week sessions on offer but one week is already full.
Spots are still available July 27 to 31 and Aug. 10 to 14 at $320 per week.
Drop off is between 8:30 and 9am and pick up between 3:30 and 4pm.
Campers should bring their own food, water and rain gear. Life jackets for kayaking and swimming will be provided.
Kate grew up on a country property and Rem grew up in Collingwood, so they both love the outdoors and are excited to offer that outdoor summer experience to other children, including their own boys.
The property is located on 7th Line just north of Belwood. All the details can be found at belwoodforestcamp.com.
