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SCENES

SCENES

SCENES Accreditation Project

Camp Samac petition to the World Organization of the Scout Movement WOSM for SCENES accreditation.

SCENES accreditation is a process for Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability to demonstrate their commitment to environmental education and eco-friendly operations

Camp Samac Environmental Policy

For consideration, a working document.

Camp Samac adheres to Scouts Canada’s National Environmental Protection policies as part of the Property Standards.

  • Camp Samac is committed to facilitating in youth an awareness, joy, and respect for nature, inspiring them to take action to protect our natural environment.
  • Camp Samac is committed to sustainable environmental management through composting and recycling systems, carbon-friendly HVAC systems, effective building improvements, indigenous vegetation restoration, and the cultivation of tree seedlings and vegetables in our Nature and Tree Centre and greenhouse.
  • Camp Samac is committed to working with community organizations and other SCENES Scouting camps to protect and support the indigenous and varied flora and fauna found at the camp.
  • Implement a comprehensive waste reduction program with specific targets.
  • Promote water conservation practices, such as limiting water usage and using biodegradable products.
  • Increase energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources and energy-saving measures.
  • Incorporate both Scouts Canada’s Scouts for Sustainability and Earth Tribes programs and align with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Continue to practice regeneration and protection of the natural environment at Camp Samac
  • Conduct regular environmental audits to assess progress.
  • Collect feedback from campers, staff, and volunteers.
  • Report on achievements and areas for improvement.
  • Provide educational workshops and materials on environmental issues and practices.
  • Engage campers in hands-on activities to develop their environmental skills and knowledge.
  • Offer opportunities to earn environmental badges and participate in Scouting challenges.
  • Partner with local organizations and other SCENES Scouting camps on environmental projects.
  • Organize community events and volunteer opportunities focused on environmental sustainability.
  • Regularly update the policy to reflect new environmental practices and technologies.
  • Involve Scouts and volunteers in evaluating and enhancing the policy.
Our Project Profile

There’s an introductory and concluding photo and the three main parts deal with Nature, environmental Education, and Environmental Management.
Project Team

Team Lead: Lewis Williams 905-767-3180 [email protected]

Team members: Kelly Corneal, Ute Sack, Gennesse Walker-Scace, Brian Wick, Ken McLeod, Jenn Hurley, Wil Corneal, Paul Garofolo, Kevin Anyan.

Resources

Form A – SCENES self-assessment and requirements checklist – signed Feb 5, 2025

Form B – SCENES information form – Feb 19, 2025

Form C – The peer-review report – Mar 2, 2025

Template – Letter of request for SCENES accreditation – March 4, 2025

Link to Environmental Activities Resource Guide, thanks to Guy Morey (PDF)

Camp Samac Scout Centre – Form B – extended version

Name and title of the person signing the certificate on behalf of the Scout centre:
Lewis Williams, Camp Samac SCENES Accreditation Team Lead

Contact:
Address: 275 Conlin Rd East, Oshawa ON L0B 1J0; Warden Darryl Triebner, phone: 905-809-9689, email: [email protected]

Name and title of the person signing the certificate on behalf of the NSO:
Kevin Anyan, Associate Director, Properties, Scouts Canada, National Service Centre

NSO/NSA:
Scouts Canada

Country:
Canada

Location of the centre:
Camp Samac Location: 43.9502° N, 78.8846° W
Directions: from Toronto, Ontario, Canada: drive east on Highway 401, north on Simcoe St in Oshawa, east on Conlin Rd, south through camp gates to main parking lot.
Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Camp+Samac/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xc3593e9d2305444?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111

Summary:
Forested Nature in a City! This exciting Scouts Canada camp, founded in 1946 is one of Scouts Canada’s oldest and also largest, staffed camps and has over 66 ha (163 acres) of forested nature in the middle of the fast growing, diverse, City of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Camp Samac remains a quiet and restful learning centre and playground for the youth. There is a considerable amount of outdoor space with forests, fields, a lake and a stream, plus winterized cabins and indoor meeting spaces. Engaging and dynamic programs are offered year round.

Languages centre can offer in activities:
English

Description of surrounding natural places of interest:
The Natural World Abounds at Camp Samac. With 15 km of signed trails, with wheelchair accessibility plus camping sites, managed forests and meadows, and a lake, swimming pool and stream there is a vast amount of natural space for guided learning activities about Nature and unstructured, independent exploration. Camp Samac boasts a vibrant, natural environment consisting of native species of flora and fauna including wild turkeys, red fox, coyotes, native birds including great blue and green herons, woodpeckers, ducks, trumpeter swans, hawks, barred owl also beaver, striped skunk, raccoon, white tail deer, squirrels, frogs, snapping turtles, snakes. rabbits, bats, and native species of fish including wild chinook salmon, brook trout in addition to an array of indigenous plants, flowers and trees.

Environmental Education programmes available, including examples of learning opportunities:
Camp Samac is a Natural Classroom. Camp Samac is ideally situated at the nexus of the natural world and the local community. The rich natural world in the camp along with structured and unstructured activities for youth create a rich environmental education opportunity. . The focus of Camp Samac is environmental education and personal and leadership development. The result is a very dynamic Scout Camp with a sustainably managed forest, a vegetable garden that supplies food to local food banks, an Indigenous plant garden, a pollinator garden, a state-of-the-art Nature and Tree Centre with hands on activities, a large, modern greenhouse, a Program Cabin containing learning activities kits, a huge summer outdoor camp program and many planned environmental programs like International Earth Day and stream study activities.

Description of environmental management practices of the centre, including examples of policy and procedures:
Camp Samac has a comprehensive Environmental Policy which guides the programs and practices of the Camp which are focused on environmental sustainability, restoration and preservation of this sensitive natural environment and are assessed on an ongoing basis.. For example, advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, growing trees from seeds for planting, maple syrup production, recycling and composting programs and accessibility infrastructure are utilized. In addition, a local, professional arborist educational program regularly manages the forests and also culls invasive vegetation. The programs of Camp Samac are guided by the Canadian Path, The Sustainable Development Goals and the Earth Tribe Initiative. Camp Samac has connections with other Canadian SCENES Scout Camps and with the local community including the Indigenous Metis community, the local Conservation Authority, Ontario Tech University, Durham College, local food banks, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, a local arborist school and community schools, Ontario Power Generation, the Trumpeter Swan Society, the Federal Ministry of Inland Waters and Fisheries and the local Oshawa City Council.

Camp Samac Scout Centre – Form C – extended version

Name of the Scout centre, NSO/NSA, and the peer-reviewer

Camp Samac, Scouts Canada, Paul Garofolo Blue Springs Scout Reserve

Brief information about the Scout centre and the findings during the review process.
Explanation of the peer-reviewer’s reasoning on the requirements according to the following
model:

Key requirements
A natural area, including all sub-criteria

Best Practices: Camp Samac is a 76 hectare property with 66 hectares of natural area that include forest, meadow lake and stream. The very important water ways transversing the property or home to spawning salmon runs from Lake Ontario. There is sufficient land and water for youth to explore, learn experience the native flora and fauna of Camp Samac.

Areas for Improvement: Currently Camp Samac is actively re-establishing its native forest element. Some forested areas of the camp have suffered tree damage due to storms over the years and many of these trees are non-native Scots pine which are ubiquitous throughout much of Southern Ontario. However Camp Samac has taken to the task of building a green house to grow native plants and trees in order to rehabilitate the forest.

Environmental education, including all sub-criteria

Best practices: Camp Samac provides educational workshops for environmental issues and best practices. Campers have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities related to ecology and specific environmental issues. They earn environmental badges and participate in Scouting challenges, such as ‘Helping you Local Environment” a scout challenge developed by Scouts Canada.

Areas for improvement: Through Camp Samac’s greenhouse program they are not only reclaiming native species but are growing vegetables to be donated to local food banks for people in need. As part of the 17SDG’s this is a great first step for Samac’s SCENES journey. They have engaged with the local regional conservation authority in stream study programs for salmon habitat in their waterways. Samac will continue to fulfill the list of SDGs and provide awareness through innovative programs and youth experiences.

Environmental management, including all sub-criteria

Best practices: Camp Samac has indeed implemented a thorough environmental policy aimed at environmental conservation, protection and education. As part of Scouts Canada Properties umbrella Camp Samac has been and continues to be one of the more exemplary Scout Camps in Canada. Samac has actively engaged with the community and environmental agencies on ongoing projects.

Areas for improvement: Camp Samac will look to continue to develop ecologically sound operating procedures and practices and develop programs and projects that compliment the Earth Tribe initiative.

Highlights of the Scout centre and suggestions for the future development of the centre, including:

Camp Samac is a gem of green space within the larger urban environment of Oshawa, Ontario, a fast growing urban centre near the city of Toronto. Samac’s ecologically responsible initiatives have so far been a great success for scouts and leaders from all over Ontario and the local community. The new nature centre and the new green house are just two examples of new initiatives that have facilitated the implementation of environmental programs. This camp has a tremendous team of volunteers and staff that promote and support these initiatives. This group will continue to improve upon existing programs and be an shining example to Scout Camps in Canada.

its involvement in the network
Conclusion, including the peer-reviewer’s suggestion for the final verdict

Camp Samac is absolutely deserving of SCENES designation. They have outperformed most camps in Ontario in terms of Environmental intiatives and related program support. Samac has developed great relationships with local community groups and will continue to be a leader in environmental awareness and education for the local community on behalf of Scouts Canada.

Reviews from our Visitors-Camp Samac is a 5 STAR Camp!
  • “Wonderful Nature!!”
  • “We have been to the “Join In Jamboree”. We had a fantastic camp. We were joined by an American Troop from Pennsylvania, a Scout Troop from England and a wonderful contingent of Guides. We shared and learned so much. CANT WAIT TO COME BACK!!”
  • “My child attended overnight camp here. The grounds were very clean, and the parking lot and paths well maintained. Lovely outdoor scenery, a lot of trees and a river. The lodges/cabins are cute. Wheelchair accessible and clean.”
  • “Fantastic, beautiful, friendly, every bit the best of Scouting can be. Great facilities!!”
  • “Great camping spots to enjoy the super outdoors with nature and the elements.”

SCENES Next Steps Committee

A committee has been formed to develop program elements consistent with the objectives of the SCENES Accreditation. 

Here is a connection to the Canadian Path and OAS (Outdoor Adventure Skills) Program Alignment, items that could be developed in line with programming in the Nature Centre.