“They are wonderful volunteers who believe in our mandate and want to be there to help us do what it takes to move forward.” That is how Maarten Bonten, property manager of Agur Lake Camp, describes the Penticton Adventurers Club.
Numerous times this fall members of the Adventurers Club have pitched in with axes, chain saws and rakes to clear away the unwanted shrubs and dead fall that clutter the forest around the camp buildings.
Bonten said cleaning up the area near the buildings not only enhances the appearance of the camp, but it also removes fuel which could destroy the camp in the event of a forest fire. Though much of this work is simple hard labour, it needs to be done with professional skill, which many in the Adventurers Club have.
The Penticton Adventurers’ Club is for people 50 and over.
“We became involved because one of our members, Ken Carlson, is on their board of directors and two other of our members Gerry and Lenora Klappe, have worked with the camp in years past,” said Sue Mavety, president of the club. “We want to come back because we love the outdoors and find this very satisfying work.”
Beth Bonten, president of the camp society, said “We are so excited to hear that they want to return because come spring there will still be tons of work to do with the clearing of the undergrowth.”
The wilderness camp, 20 kilometres west of Summerland, is for families with a member who has special needs. It is closed for the winter and once the snow comes is not accessible until late April. Campers will begin using the camp in June.
Agur Lake Camp is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board. It provides campers access to wilderness camping free of the obstacles that often challenge people with special needs.