Bowmanville’s Camp 30 is taking a significant step forward to remind the community of its importance.
The Jury Lands Foundation, a not-for-profit set up to restore Camp 30, has a mission. To preserve, protect, and teach local history.
Last week, it launched a website re-design that shares resources, history, and current activities. As well, on Sept. 26 and 27, it hosted two weekend family movie nights.
“These are incredibly unique stories about our national history and hardly anybody knows about them,” said Marilyn Morawetz, founding chair of the board of directors.
As Clarington continues to grow, she said they hope to educate newcomers about the site.
“It’s just amazing how many people still don’t know the story. Even people my age who grew up in the area,” she said.
The site has served many purposes over the years, including being a boy’s training school and a Second World War prisoner of war camp.
The Jury Lands Foundation has worked to preserve and restore at least the shells of the buildings since it was abandoned in 2008.
As of now, the municipality owns just under one hectare (two acres) of the land, and one building, the cafeteria.
Board member and the event co-ordinator for last weekend’s events, Katharine Warren, said there is hope for the cafeteria to be restored as a community hub.
There’s also a community garden and mural created by volunteers and board members in the south space of the site. A grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation funded these projects.
Earlier this fall, just over 117 kilograms (267 pounds) of fresh produce from the garden was donated to the food bank, said Warren.
Included in the garden were pumpkins grown to be used for an event activity, which had to be replaced.
“When I got here this morning, I wanted to cry because at least 20 of them had been smashed by people overnight,” said Warren.
With only a section of the land owned, it is hard to protect the property, according to Warren. She also advises the public not to enter the buildings.
“They are not safe for you to be in. We don’t want anybody getting hurt,” she said. “It’s not a pretend sign that says danger. They’re very old, and you shouldn’t be in there.”
Morawetz said the organization wants to educate the public on the history while creating a sustainable space in the future to serve the community.
The foundation continues to fundraise through hosting community events. It offers tours, volunteer opportunities and historical information.
All details can be found on their website, or their social media @savecamp30 on Facebook and Instagram.