The Grand Opening of

The HICOP at Gordon Williams Lodge

Camp Nemo

Saturday October 22, 2011 was indeed a grand day for Camp Nemo. There were two ribbon cuttings on the same day. My focus here will be on the opening of the HICOP however the opening of the Picnic Shelter certainly deserves mention. We now have a rainy day eating area and outdoor classroom built with funds donated by the Moose Lodge.

The HICOP opening was, in my mind, perfect. The HICOP team and all the wonderful volunteers who helped with the transformation of Gordon Williams Lodge were certainly standing tall and rightfully so. I am very proud to be associated with this group of hard working dedicated individuals.

Sharon Miller was Master of Ceremonies and she did a great job of introducing all our dignitaries. Councillor Blair Lancaster brought greetings from the City of Burlington. Marty Albert thanked all of the volunteers who worked on the centre. Dylan Reinhart our National Youth Commissioner brought greetings from our National Council and presented us with our SCENES charter.

The ribbon was cut by Jennifer Potter who represented the future of Camp Nemo, Jeff Cowperthwaite, general manager of the Keg in Waterdown, which provided the grant of $25,000 to make the renovation possible, represented the present and Elsa Maitland, Gordon Williams daughter, represented the past.

 

The ribbon was cut and 250 pieces of cake were served up to a very patient and polite group of Cubs and supporters. The centre was open for business in the afternoon and it was packed. We couldn't have fit anywhere near as many people in the old HICOP. I am going to love working in this building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

	Sharon Miller our gracious MC introducing our special guests. It was Sharon who sent our proposal to the Keg and made all this possible so it was very fitting that she lead the ceremonies.
City of Burlington Councilor Blair Lancaster speaking on behalf of the City.
	Project leader and HICOP naturalist Marty Albert thanked all the hard working volunteers who made this happen.
Dylan Reinhart a well spoken and engaging young man is our National Youth Commissioner. He brought greetings from National Council.
	Dylan also presented us with our SCENES Charter. We didn't know that it was coming and we were very surprised. We can now prove that we are an internationally recognized Scout Centre for Excellence in Nature and the Environment. This presentation was the topping of a truly a remarkable day for Camp Nemo.
The three original staff members.	Dr. Hague Vaughn ecologist, mentor and friend.
Elaine as proud as the rest of us.	Debbie Christie, the newest member of our team, serves up cake.
Jennifer, our youngest but most energetic team member.
Skye Walker, Battlefields Youth Commissioner	Pia Melin Mortenson a Danish Scout from the Naesbecentret, a SCENES camp in Denmark, with John Edwards Central Escarpment Council DCC Camps.