For the last three years, the Agur Lake Camp Society has set aside a day in September to show off the work they have accomplished in the woods outside Summerland as the pursue their dream of an accessible wilderness camp.
This year, the day falls on Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizers want everyone to come up and have a look at the progress being made in creating a barrier-free outdoors camp for children and others with special needs, along with their families, to enjoy nature safely in 35 hectares of wilderness. It’s a plan the society has been working to make a reality for almost a decade, ever since Bonnar Dowler and a group of visionaries founded the society in 2004.
And they have some progress to show off, according to society manager Christina MacMaster.
“There has been some great strides made,” said MacMaster. Two cabins, built by students of the residential construction program at Okanagan College are almost ready to go, she said, and should be available for limited use next season. There are finishing touches to be made. That includes, she said, outfitting them with dishes, cutlery and other appointments.
The next steps for the society includes finishing the day use area — MacMaster expects the gazebo should be finished by camp day — and getting a third cabin installed, and then building more. MacMaster said the society would like to see five cabins at the camp.
“There is also space cleared for up to five RVs,” she said. A lot of trail prep work has been done as well, with rough surfaces in many places now sporting a gravel finish.
There will be a range of activities for visitors to enjoy at the day area, from the Peachland Lion’s Club serving up hot dogs and hamburgers (by donation) to a performance from a dance troupe and tours of the camp facilities. And of course, there is the great outdoors to enjoy. While not all the trails are wheelchair accessible, MacMaster said most of the camp should be accessible.
Agur Lake Camp is about 30 minutes by car past the KVR Railway Station on Bathhurst Road. Check out www.agurlakecamp.ca for maps and more information or call 250-809-7130.
