Search KelownaNow
Silver Lake Camp (SLC) is starting up its summer camp season for kids and youth with a new operator.
Located about 20 kilometres northwest of Peachland, Silver Lake Camp has been operating for almost 40 years.
This year the camp is being operated by the Evans Lake Forestry Education Society.
Evans Lake, founded in 1960 is a Squamish-based society.
SLC camp runs a forestry and outdoor education program that allows kids to learn in an experiential environment.
"Basically they'll bring their staff out from Squamish in the summer and they'll stay up there all summer and operate the camps for us," said Emma Oliver, camp manager of SLC.
"Evans Lake is the only other Forestry Education Society in B.C. so it's a good fit for us," she said.
While Evans Lake is based in Squamish, Oliver said they tried to find a local operator but didn't have any results.
"We tried to reach out to the Boys and Girls Club and then numerous other groups," said Oliver. "We were really close with the Boys and Girls Club and then I'm not sure what happened, they just decided not to go through with it," she said.
Oliver says the camp is ready to run for the 2017 summer season. Two camps are sold out already with the first camp starting July 11th and the last running until the end of August.
Activities lined up for the summer include pond study, archery, high ropes, zip lines and more.
"The support from community groups within Peachland and surrounding areas has been overwhelming and we anticipate re-establishing our camp and ensuring sustainability for generations to come. We will be looking for more long-term financial support within the Okanagan Valley to ensure its continuation," said a spokesperson for SLC.
To facilitate with financial support, Peachland town councilor, Keith Thom has joined the board as Director of Fundraising and Promotions. He's also a singer-songwriter and just might be utilizing those skills in the fundraising world.
For more information about Silver Lake Camp, visit their website.
Last year SLC hosted about 800 people for various events.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.