Camp Samac to receive Ontario Heritage Act designation

Camp Samac to receive Ontario Heritage Act designation - April 29, 2021 

Camp Samac has been recognized by City Council as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act. At the April 26 Council meeting, Council unanimously approved the designation of Camp Samac at 1711 Simcoe Street North. 

Since 1946, Camp Samac has been used by Scouts Canada for scouting and guiding programs, taking advantage of the property’s natural features (Oshawa Creek, Samac Lake, woodlands and open spaces) which provide a unique outdoor setting. Thousands of youth have benefitted from the opportunities to learn outdoor skills, develop leadership qualities and teambuilding skills and enjoy outdoor sports and recreational activities. 

Celebrating Oshawa’s Heritage 

Heritage designation is a process established in the Ontario Heritage Act to recognize and protect properties of cultural heritage value or interest. Heritage Oshawa, a City Advisory Committee, nominates candidate properties for heritage designation for Council’s consideration. The inventory of the City’s Heritage Properties maintained by Heritage Oshawa contains over 600 properties with potential for heritage designation. The inventory and details regarding designated properties are available on the Heritage Oshawa Inventory webpage. 

The Heritage Oshawa Advisory Committee advises Council on matters relating to the conservation, education and promotion of Oshawa’s cultural heritage resources. For more information, visit the Heritage Oshawa webpage or Committees of Council webpage. 

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Quotes: 

“Oshawa is home of some of Canada’s most valued built and natural treasures, from Parkwood Estate to Camp Samac, a 155+ acre majestic Central Park-like green space in the heart of an urban city and a cherished institution to generations of youth in Oshawa, who like I have grown up hiking its trails, learning to swim and the life skills of becoming conscientious leaders from an early age,” said Ward 2 Regional and City Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri. “As someone who has strongly and relentlessly advocated for its protection and preservation on behalf residents of all ages, I believe this designation recognizes Camp Samac as an important part of our community history today and for years to come.” 

“The City of Oshawa is home to many significant and beautiful heritage properties, including buildings as well as natural areas such as Camp Samac,” said Councillor Jane Hurst, Ward 2 City Councillor and Council Representative, Heritage Oshawa. “I’m confident that Colonel Robert S. McLaughlin, who donated the land to Scouts Canada in 1943 and for whom the name Camp Samac was chosen, would have been pleased with the heritage designation of this property.” 

“Heritage Oshawa is very pleased that Council has chosen to advance an Ontario heritage designation for Camp Samac. Designation and preservation of heritage properties is core to the mandate of Heritage Oshawa, and we are very proud to support this important designation,” said Diane Stephen, Chair, Heritage Oshawa. 

“We greatly appreciate the City of Oshawa's recognition of the impact Scouting has made in the local community. Camp Samac has provided countless youth in Oshawa, and across Ontario, with the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends and get active outdoors," said Jeff Sauve, Council Commissioner, White Pine. “This designation honours and celebrates the role the camp has played in supporting youth in building confidence, resilience and gaining leadership skills for future success. We look forward to providing great outdoor adventures to youth at Camp Samac for many years to come.” 

Read this news update on the City of Oshawa website.