Cabins get moved at Bryerswood thanks to generosity of crane company

stones that were sinking.

Each new cabin costs $14,000 but Robertson said that cost swells to $30,000 when the electrical, beds and other necessary amenities are acquired to make the cabins ready for use. The Solcz Family Foundation, Windsor-Essex Community Foundation and an anonymous private donor stepped up. Robertson said they are grateful to them and all donors who have supported the camp’s purchase and restoration.

Moir donated their time to help move the cabins, Robertson stated.

The BYCOC states they have to pay off the mortgage to another anonymous donor that helped with the land purchase while there are other projects and upgrades they are planning around the site. Winterizing one of the buildings and making it accessible is on the agenda as well, with Farm Credit Canada being another organization offering grant funding. Farm Credit Canada is helping to fund the replacement of windows in the activity centre.

Walker Aggregates donated stone for the driveways and Robertson added there have been new additions to “The Founders Club,” including Ground Effects president Jim Scott and several anonymous donors.

“There’s always something to be fundraised for,” said Robertson.

Robertson also pointed out that Extreme Drilling from the Fortis Group donated the horizontal drilling to put in the water line from the main lodge to the activity centre, the latter being the building that is being winterized.

By Ron Giofu

Upgrades continue at the Bryerswood Youth Camp and the latest work involved a large crane being brought to the site.

Moir Crane Services was at the Texas Road campsite last Thursday moving the cabins to newly poured cement bases where they were placed on cribs. Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) president Kathi Poupard and vice president Cathy Robertson were excited as they saw the crane load up the flatbed truck and haul two cabins at a time to a new location at the campground.

Robertson stated that project has been something they’ve been working on since Feb. 2022.

Original cabins were removed, with Robertson estimating they were from the 1970s when the site was first a KOA campground. It later became a Girl Guide camp and is now owned by the BYCOC.

“We wanted to push the cabins back into one area,” she said. “We wanted to make more like a group setting.”

The cabins currently sit on cribs with the next part of the process to put spray insulation underneath them so they can better handle winter temperatures. They will be then lowered to the concrete bases, which replace patio

A number of children’s summer camps are planned for July and August as well as a camp for families. A “Mess Maker Day Camp” is also in the works for June 9. More information on those camps can be found at www.bryerswood.com. People can also sign up to donate or volunteer through that website.

Poupard pointed out their second annual golf tournament is planned for September at Coachwood Golf and Country Club (formerly Fox Glen) and they hope to top the $5,600 they raised last year.

“A lot of things are happening, and we’ve had great support,” said Robertson. “We feel very blessed. We’re here for the kids. It’s all for the kids.”