Camp Samac
{{Short description|Camp in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada}}
{{Location map|Ontario
|caption = Camp Samac, Ontario, Canada 43.941628, -78.88667944
|lat_deg = 43.941628
|lon_deg = -78.88667944
}}
Camp Samac is a Scouts Canada camp located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The main entrance is on Simcoe Street North.
History
A 150 acre parcel of land for the camp, which had previously been Brookside Park, was donated by industrialist Sam McLaughlin in 1943.[https://chronicle.durhamcollege.ca/2018/02/history-scouting-fun-meet-camp-samac/ "History and scouting fun meet at Camp Samac"]. The Chronicle, By Kirsten Jerry - February 28, 2018M. McIntyre Hood. [https://books.google.com/books?id=XCQzAQAAIAAJ Oshawa: "The Crossing Between the Waters": A History of "Canada's Motor City"]. Published as a Canadian Centennial project by McLaughlin Public Library Board; 1967. p. 319. The camp was founded in 1946.
In the 1950s the camp acquired additional land which had previously been the Pleasure Valley Speedway.[https://oshawaexpress.ca/a-new-spin-on-a-piece-of-oshawas-history/ " A new spin on a piece of Oshawa’s history"]. Oshawa Express, September 3, 2019 Additional funds donated by the McLaughlin family were used to create camp building, a swimming pool, and later a water system.[http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/ClaPL/CLaPL002715049pf_0007.pdf "Col. McLaughlin gives $60,000 to Camp Samac"]. The Canadian Statesman, August 29, 1957
In 1964 Kitchie Lodge, with sleeping accommodations for 80 people, was built. The lodge was renovated in 1980,[https://www.durhamregion.com/community-story/3466780-kitchie-lodge-in-oshawa-gets-first-makeover-in-nearly-30-years/ "Kitchie Lodge in Oshawa gets first makeover in nearly 30 years"]. Oshawa This Week, Jul 05, 2009 and in 1982 a 36-bed log bunkhouse was built.[http://news.ourontario.ca/oshawa/1213889/data?n=2 "Camp Samac's new log cabin provides lodging for 36 campers"]. Oshawa Times, 29 Jun 1982, p. 3
For many years, the camp was used for outdoor education classes by the local school board.[https://books.google.com/books?id=4N0hAQAAMAAJ Ontario Naturalist]. Vol. 16-17. Federation of Ontario Naturalists.; 1976. p. 129. During the 1980s and 1990s, the camp hosted monthly gatherings of the Pineridge Bluegrass Folklore Society.[http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/Whitby/002451706p14.pdf "Bluegrass lovers gather for jammin' sessions"]. Whitby Free Press, January 21, 1987. by Maurice Pifher[http://www.durhamregion.com/durhamregion/article/1166472 "Love of Bluegrass Music lives on in Pineridge Bluegrass Folklore Society"], durhamregion.com, 19 Jul 2002
Beginning in about 2002, the camp hosted an annual Beaveree, a fun fair with activities for children aged five to seven.[https://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/3505157-durham-beavers-converge-at-oshawa-s-camp-samac/ "Durham Beavers converge at Oshawa's Camp Samac"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303035245/https://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/3505157-durham-beavers-converge-at-oshawa-s-camp-samac/ |date=2020-03-03 }}. Oshawa This Week, May 29, 2012 by Chris Hall. In 2003, a rash of thefts led to the closing of the camp gates to the public.[http://news.ourontario.ca/oshawa/1220065/data?n=9 "Camp Samac closes gates to public - Recent spate of thefts total almost $30,000"]. Oshawa This Week (Oshawa, ON), 26 Sep 2003, p. 16
As well as scouting activities, the camp has been used for many years to host other community events, including training camps for safety patrollers[https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/3772388-local-patrollers-combine-learning-with-fun-camp-experience/ "Local patrollers combine learning with fun camp experience"]. Northumberland News, Aug 09, 2005 and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority Watershed Festival.[https://www.durhamregion.com/community-story/3472408-groundwater-event-makes-a-splash/ "Groundwater event makes a splash"]. Oshawa This Week, Oct 02, 2011 by Kristen Calis
The original pool was removed and replaced with a smaller pool in 1992-1993. The pool offered swim lessons, public swim and was available for the campers. Later the City of Oshawa began renting the pool and providing swimming lessons and recreational swimming. In 2013, the city arranged to take over maintenance of the pool for the 2014 season.[https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/4238533-oshawa-councillor-booted-from-meeting/ "Oshawa City Hall in brief"]. Oshawa This Week, Nov 27, 2013 by Reka Szekely.
On April 24, 2021, Oshawa City Council officially declared Camp Samac an Ontario Heritage Property, protecting it from future development.{{Cite web|url=https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/137798?fbclid=IwAR3ZzM-Aeppy337CQEtC1sXfcXzROHwAd-LtYHGuXk7XqUaCL53CPaCpVA4|title=Camp Samac in Oshawa designated as heritage property}}