Get ready to camp outside under the stars Thursday, Sept. 24 in support of the Connect Campaign to build a new nature centre at Scanlon Creek in Bradford.
This unique camp-out fundraiser aims to raise $50,000 towards the new Scanlon Creek nature centre and is encouraging campers to collect donations and sleep outside in their backyards.
But here is the catch: The more donations campers receive, the more their camping experience is altered.
With every donation received, campers can add a camping luxury item such as a pillow, sleeping bag, flashlight, or tent. Alternatively, campers can start off with a list of luxury items and have them removed with each donation collected.
Initiated by the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation and sponsored by Cabela’s retail store, the campaign has a fundraising goal of $50,000, which will support the $6-million nature centre and is set to open in 2022.
On the night of Sept. 24, campers will be able to stay connected with other pledgers by tuning in online to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Instagram page (@lakesimcoeconservation) or Facebook page where a schedule of activities and events will be shared along with campfire music and bonfire cooking demonstrations.
The event’s celebrity camper, television personality Frank Ferragine, will be joining other campers remotely from his own backyard while raising money together with cousin, Bradford town councillor and LSRCA vice chair Peter Ferragine.
“Kids today need to be outside," said Frank, who is perhaps more commonly known as 'Frankie Flowers' for his gardening prowess. “Studies have shown the release of serotonin from outdoor play… kids are happier, healthier, and more knowledgeable about nature and wildlife."
The original 30-year-old nature centre at Scanlon Creek was constructed with three repurposed portables and currently has insufficient washroom and storage facilities and is at the end of its life cycle.
The new nature centre will have 8,000 square feet of space to host schools and educate children about wildlife, plants, and environmental sustainability. It will also offer summer camps, new trails, and other community-driven events.
“I learned how to swim in the lake there," recalled Frank. “I’m invested in this nature centre they are building."
The Scanlon Creek area has been around since 1963 and has 300 acres of protected land. It is home to many birds and wildlife and features a dog park.
The new development seeks to bring communities closer to nature and offer benefits for human health and reducing stress by walking through trails and participating in nature programs at the new facility.
“So much of our lifestyle is spent in a sedimentary fashion and spent looking at screens,” said Nicole Hamley, education manager at the LSRCA. “As a teacher, I’ve noticed an increase in anxiety and stress in children… we really have that disconnect (from nature)."
For campers participating in this great cause, do not forget to use the hashtag #roughinforareason during your outdoor backyard camping experience on Sept. 24.
“It’s a beautiful hub in our community," Frank said of Scanlon Creek.
To learn more about Scanlon Creek or to make a donation, click here.
