Preparing for another century
Campaign on to renew Sunken Lake Scout Camp lodge in time for centennial
One of the oldest continually operating Scouting camps in Canada is in need of some major infrastructure upgrades and the goal is to see projects completed in time to celebrate a centennial.
Floyd Priddle, a Beaver leader with the First Wolfville Scout Group and chairman of the Sunken Lake Scout Camp Association, said the camp sees a lot of use. Thousands of young people have benefited from the camp since it opened in 1920.
He said about 500 young people from across Nova Scotia – but mainly from Kings County – attend each year throughout all seasons. Activities include canoeing, swimming, hiking and more.
Priddle said the E. Percy Brown Lodge building, which opened in 1960, is a fabulous facility that they’re very proud of but it’s starting to show its age.
“It’s reaching the point in its life cycle that it needs some maintenance,” Priddle said.
They kicked off a fundraising campaign called ‘Preparing for Our Second Century’ with the goal of renewing the main lodge in time for the 100th anniversary of the camp in 2020.
Priddle said it’s a five-year plan of fundraising and repairs that’s currently in its second year. They’ve raised approximately $44,000 of the $100,000 goal so far and have already installed a metal roof. Other major upgrades planned include new windows, a door, siding, insulation, a kitchen renovation, and general modernizing and winterizing of the main lodge.
He said generations of young people have attended camp in Sunken Lake. They’ve heard from and received donations from some former Scouts that camped there in the 1940s.
Priddle said he’s pleased with progress to date and with the level of support being demonstrated. In addition to many private donations, they’ve received great support from local Lions and Rotary clubs and the Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Foundation.
Priddle said he’s been indirectly involved with the Sunken Lake camp for about a decade through his three children, who are in Scouting and Guiding. He’s been directly involved for the past four years as a leader with First Wolfville Scouts Group.
He said perhaps the greatest benefit of the camp is giving kids the chance to get outdoors and be active. It affords young people in Kings County and beyond an opportunity to learn camping skills while making new friends and memories. It also provides an opportunity to be mentored by adults as young people develop into future leaders of the community.
A www.gofundme.com page set up for the Sunken Lake camp fundraising campaign has raised $100 since March 8. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/ sunken-lake-scout-camp-renewal to make an online donation. Louise Schaffner and they married in 1963. After being posted back in Ontario, Murdy left the air force in 1969. The family moved back to Nova Scotia in 1974, buying a small farm in Welsford. Murdy worked as a mechanic but continued his interests in Bay of Fundy rockhounding, photography, and inventions. He founded Fundy Energy Systems in 1976, part of the trend in exploring wind and solar power during the energy crisis of the 1970s. Murdy retired from Cobi foods in 1990. He continued renovation projects on the farm and experiments with solar energy, astronomy and photography. His grandchild, Silas Eammon Daniel was born in 2005. Murdy loved to take him for rides in the wheelbarrow or on the lawn tractor. Cremation has taken place. There was no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, was held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2017 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 48 Belcher St., Kentville, Father Craig Cameron officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in the Berwick Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to The Winslow Unit, Grand View Manor, 110 Commercial St., Berwick, NS B0P 1E0. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.