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Laue Seucog Came. For 30 years, Dana Leahey, direc- tor of Lake Scugog Camp, has poured all of her passion and dedication into young people. “I started off as a coun- selor,” she says. With husband Gary, who is an assistant programmer, she oversees the site that was first pur- Cre between 1854 and 1878 by John Eke Scugog Camp is located at RR1, Nestleton, Ont. on a 325 acre parcel of land which includes a vast meadow, mixed forest, grass lawns, adventurous swamp and 1,100 feet of shoreline with a view of the most beautiful sunsets. Mr. Ball first entrusted the acreage to the Presbyterian Church of Can- ada. Then during the 1920s and 30s, it became one of the United Church’s. two “fresh air camps” (the other be- ing at Port Whitby). By the late 40s and early 50s when the property was deeded to the Toronto Conference of the United Church Council, the “fresh air” moniker was abandoned. Over the decades, hundreds of children as well as mothers with young offspring have been treated to the mixed forest and lake envi- ronment while gaining knowledge, attitudes, skills and understandings that will be of value in their homes and communities. Lake Scugog Camp was closed for several years in the early 1990s due to water and sanitation problems, but re-established its program to serve 300 campers per year, adding an LIT (leaders-in- training) component in 1996. Since then many improvements to the dining and recreation halls, cabins, lifeguard tower and dock system have rejuvenated the historic location. Staffing 'y because of the LIT program, which is supported by the Davenport Interest Fund in Toronto. Introduced in 2003, JCs Gjunior counselors) who are the second- 16 FOCUS - Aucusr 2006 Camp provides adventure and learning for hundreds of kids year participants in the LIT program, also assist tremendously. “Most of the staff return year after year,” explains Dana. “They love what they do. Of 35, I only have six newcomers. We have enough staff to help integrate campers of all needs and abilities. Our high counselor/camper ratio means that campers get the attention they need.” Many campers travel by bus from a central pickup point at York- dale Shopping Center in Toronto. There is a sliding fee scale subsi- dized by the United Church and private donations in order to accom- modate all income levels. The staff arrives mid-June to prepare the cabins, canoes and com- mon buildings for the arrival of adolescents in the first ten-day ses- sion (teen camp). Thereafter ten-day sessions for 60 eight to twelve- year olds alternate with seven-day sessions for mothers and kids. “Next week, there will be moms with two and three and four year olds around,” says Dana. “It’s such a change from the teens!” Ten cabins house either six campers with two counselors or two mothers with their children depending on the session. Most camp- ers come from the GTA. “This is their holiday,” explains Dana. See ‘Scugog Camp’ on page 17 Dana and Gary Leahey focus@observerpub.ca