Guiding Mosaic, the international guiding camp at Camp Woods from July 9-17, was a huge benefit for Girl Guides in Canada and around the world.
For the Town of Sylvan Lake and the surrounding summer villages, it was also an opportunity to have their lake and environment to be a bit cleaner thanks to the help of the guides and Leanne Bertram of Clean ConscienceRecycling.
“My goal was to help increase environmental awareness at the Guiding Mosaic by opening the girl’s eyes and showing just how wasteful we can all be,” she said. “I was hoping to change the way they think regarding wastepractices.”
The amount of waste picked up and diverted at the camp is staggering. Over the course of the project 8,470 lbs of organic waste was diverted; 9,019 lbs of mixed recycling were picked up; and 26,202 bottles, cans and containerswere recycled – which equaled $2,620.25 of containers.
“I’m happy with the results considering this is the first time they have attempted to divert waste from what I understand,” Bertram said. “I had some people approach me saying that they will be definitely be expecting more at thenext camp and that I opened their eyes.
“This was, In my opinion, a great learning experience for all,” she added.
The idea to reuse and recycle rubbed off on the guides, as many of them started to practice new tactics such as using their cereal bowls for tooth brush cups, reusing their cutlery more then once and many decided to use reusablemugs and cups.
“I wanted to thank all participants for putting efforts into reducing, reusing and recycling at camp and thank you so much for sharing the ways in which you contributed to greening the event,” Bertram said. She added that shehopes the lessons and documentation that Clean Conscience Recycling has provided to the camp will lead to more clean camps in the future.
“The girls who attended this camp will be seen as leaders in waste reduction and recycling at camps,” she said. “They are the ones who took that first step towards sustainability. I know we made a difference at the 2016 GuidingMosaic and you all played a part in what we accomplished.”
If you would like more information on Guiding Mosaic, you can visit their website at guidingmosaic.com or to learn more about Clean Conscience Recycling visit cleanconsciencerecycling.ca.
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com