OTTAWA, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, Hydro Ottawa and Christie Lake Kids celebrated the success of the first summer camp held at the Hydro Ottawa Sustainable Youth Leadership Centre. This innovative facility, located at Belle Island on Christie Lake, provides economically disadvantaged youth with hands-on sustainability education and leadership training.
"Contributing to the well-being of our community has always been a part of Hydro Ottawa's core mandate", said Hydro Ottawa President and CEO Bryce Conrad. "The programs that Christie Lake Kids offers build character and provide youth with practical, hands-on experience. Through our support, we are providing valuable life skills that help at-risk youth grow into healthy successful adults."
For seven weeks in the summer and eight weekends during the school year, youth aged 13-17 live and work together on Belle Island, building leadership and teamwork skills. The facility includes roof-mounted solar panels to power lighting, composting toilets, solar-heated showers, and a bicycle-powered water pump that works with a gravity-pressurized water system.
More than 300 children and youth from Ottawa are expected to visit the site each summer to explore alternative sources of energy and sustainable living.
"The Hydro Ottawa Sustainable Youth Leadership Centre has provided a one of a kind opportunity for our youth to develop pro social skills, outdoor skills, and a lifelong passion for energy conservation and environmentalism," said Carole Gagne-Ince, Christie Lake Kids Executive Director.
Hydro Ottawa employees helped construct the new Sustainable Youth Leadership Centre in May, and have the opportunity to mentor youth enrolled in the Christie Lake Kids S.T.A.R. (Skills Through Activity and Recreation) Program.
About Hydro Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) owns and operates two subsidiary companies, Hydro Ottawa Limited and Energy Ottawa Inc. Hydro Ottawa Limited is the third largest municipally owned electrical utility in Ontario serving more than 310,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman. Energy Ottawa Inc., Ottawa's largest producer of green power, generates renewable energy and provides commercial energy management services.
About Christie Lake Kids
Christie Lake Kids is a registered charity with a 90-year history of serving economically disadvantaged children and youth by providing recreation and skill-building programs at no cost, with all barriers to participation removed. Christie Lake Kids seeks to enrich the lives and prospects of children and youth through its community and camp programs which help build leadership, physical, artistic and social skills, as well as positive attitudes and personal qualities.
SOURCE: Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
Laura Lauzon
Supervisor, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
613-738-5499 ext. 145
[email protected]
Darcy Delaney
Camp Director
Christie Lake Kids
613-742-6922 ext 233
[email protected]
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