Camp auction underway

Strong Kids campaign.

The auction (on Facebook) went live on Oct. 17 and runs until Oct. 28.

“Own a piece of history and support a great cause,” is the introductory description. Some of the canoes were donated to the camp decades ago by local families and businesses and carry the benefactor’s name.

The Strong Kids Campaign raises funds to provide financial assistance to eligible families who cannot afford programs at their local Y. Seven canoes, three kayaks and a sailboard without a sail are up for bids.

Camp Wapomeo has not operated as a summer camp for many years.

Trish McCourt says all of the watercraft had been removed from the property several years ago for safekeeping after there were several incidents of vandalism and theft. Other items were also removed and are stored in a safe place. The property has since been sold.

“We do have memorabilia that we’ve kept,” said McCourt. “We’re still looking at what we’re going to do with that. Some of it will be made into a display at the YMCA and it will be into a camp corner where people will be able to sit and relax.”

Three red canoes from Camp Wapomeo’s fleet were brought to the Lake Milo Aquatic Club in 2011.

They were rented for several years then Yarmouth Recreation worked out a deal with the YMCA to keep them for the rent it had paid over two summers. The canoes are now used for summer rentals. The Lake Milo program is run by Yarmouth Recreation and is funded by the Town of Yarmouth and Municipality of Yarmouth.

The online auction bidding has livened up after a slow start. Most canoes began with a $100 reserve bid and some are now at more than $200.