Children and youth in Summerland are set to reunite for the first time in two years thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Penticton Kinsmen Club.
The town’s boy scout club “Camp Boyle,” led by Shauna Perkins, is making plans to reopen on June 1 after its prolonged COVID-19 hiatus.
The Summerland-based camp has served the community for generations, organizing outdoor activities for kids through scavenger hunts and hiking trips.
Norm Dishkin, a member of the Penticton’s Kinsmen Disability Resource Centre Society, learned about the camp’s inability to reopen because of “significant” financial struggles.
It took him four days to track down Perkins and let her know that his Penticton-based group wanted to help out.
“Kinsmen has had a long history with scout clubs, so we wanted to help them get out of immediate trouble,” Dishkin said. “We based our donation on what it would take to get them back up and running soon.”
Fire protection systems, water well upgrades, septic systems and insurance were all described as “critical” items the Summerland camp has struggled to pay for since 2020, according to Dishkin.
“They’ve made a sizable donation,” Perkins said about the Kinsmen club. “Now, we’re going to be able to kickstart Camp Boyle. We have a rich history that’s been operational for years and it’s all about connecting kids with each other and with nature.”
About 25 kids from Summerland are currently enrolled in the camp.
The scout club was presented with the cheque this week in front of the historic CPR Station building in Penticton.
“I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll be open again on June 1,” Perkins said. “We need approval from Scouts Canada, which would mean our camp is safe to reopen for youth.”
With the club hoping to make its pending return to the community, Perkins is encouraging local youth to join in on the activities this summer in preparation for fall registration as well.
READ MORE: Penticton’s historic CPR Station to be gifted to new non-profit organization
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