A New Life for Camp Columbia

We would like to inform you that interests associated with the Porter Family have purchased the former Camp Columbia property. Broadly the family's intent is to conserve the critical natural habitats, and manage the property for environmental education and community participation around nature, sustainable living and conservation. Ultimately parts of the property will be open to the public and will support community events.

The family has reached out to ThINC and other organizations, such as BC Parks, Islands Trust Fund, and the Cowichan Land Trust to explore ideas for the property's future use. A steering committee has been put together, consisting of members of ThINC, the Porter Family and other interested persons in the community. The committee will be soliciting ideas from the community and like-minded organizations, and will look at projects that have worked in other communities. 

The steering committee will be coordinating an open house in late September to gather suggestions from the Thetis Island community at large. In addition to your creative ideas about how you'd like to see this amazing property used, we'd like to know about successful projects in other communities you may have experience with, and suggestions for potential partner organizations.

If you are unable to attend the open house, we invite you to send your ideas to ThINC@thetisisland.net 

In the meantime the property remains in private hands, and for liability reasons the family will need to restrict access. We would ask everyone to respect this. Watch espokes for future announcements regarding public access. 

The property also adjoins the proposed Fairyslipper Forest nature reserve. There is a strong desire for all on the committee to make the 2 projects work in harmony. We thank the community for its continuing support for ThINC's efforts to make the nature reserve a reality. 

Sincerely The Steering Committee