Nestled within an environmentally protected Carolinian Forest and bordered by Komoka Creek, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee in Komoka, Ontario, has integrated environmental stewardship as a core value. Guided by its tradition of holding nature sacred, the camp fosters a deep respect for the environment among campers and visitors. In recent years, this commitment has extended beyond programming to facility management, guiding efforts to enhance sustainability, upgrade infrastructure, and reduce the camp’s environmental footprint.

Camp Kee-Mo-Kee spans over 2,100 square meters across 13 buildings, including 8 cabins, a craft lodge, a dining hall, and an outdoor chapel. Within the past decade, the camp has integrated environmental stewardship into its facility management practices. From 2018 to 2021, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee's Board of Directors led the Revitalize Kee-Mo-Kee Campaign, funding key capital improvements. Upgrades included new windows, lighting, and automatic doors in the Craft Lodge and Dining Hall, a new utility building with showers and water treatment, and improved ventilation across all buildings.

Making sustainability a priority in how they operate

Responding to growing concerns about global warming, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee has made sustainability a strategic priority and has set out ambitious goals as part of its vision for the future. The camp’s Strategic Plan prioritizes becoming both a Sustainable and a Four-Season Organization. Over the next decade, the camp aspires to operate year-round by upgrading infrastructure and implementing environmentally controlled buildings. As part of this plan, the camp aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% within five years. Currently, the camp relies on propane as its primary operational energy source for water heating and cooking. The transition plans include implementing a solar thermal hot water preheat system for domestic use that will also provide supplemental space heating during the winter.

Navigating barriers to sustainability

Due to its environmental designation and remote location, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee encounters unique challenges when it comes to becoming a year-round-facility and implementing green building upgrades. As an environmentally protected area, any facility changes must comply with strict guidelines, which limit expansion and significant structural modifications. Additionally, its remote location—over 500 meters from municipal infrastructure in a wooded area — adds additional barriers to implementing upgrades. With a six-month operational season, the camp also remains closed and unheated during its off-season, experiencing extreme temperature fluctuations – requiring durable equipment capable of withstanding long periods of inactivity and extreme weather conditions. Recognizing the challenges, the board remained committed to making impactful changes to help achieve its strategic goal.

“This plan obliges us to continue to grow the organization in a responsible manner - fiscally, environmentally, socially and with accountability. The board was certain a significant difference could be achieved by converting decommissioned equipment to more energy efficient appliances and phasing out the use of propane fuel.”

Seeking guidance and support

Given its unique situation, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee sought guidance from local subject-matter experts and community organizations to identify opportunities for minimizing the environmental footprint of its facilities and making informed, eco-conscious purchasing decisions.

In 2022, the camp conducted a comprehensive energy audit using the Faith & the Common Good’s DIY Guide, consulted industry professionals on energy use and optimization, and hired an engineer to assess and review a proposal to convert their propane water heating to electric as well as provide recommendations for electrical upgrades to support future infrastructure improvements.

The review provided a general assessment of the Camp’s propane-fired domestic hot water services throughout the property. The assessment provided potential revisions to the domestic hot water system to reduce carbon emissions and provided a general assessment of the Camp’s electrical service and its expected capacity as it relates to future projects.

In March 2023, leveraging budgeted capital, funds from the Revitalize Kee-Mo-Kee Campaign, and support from the Faithful Footprints grant program, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee proceeded with recommendations and implemented key infrastructure upgrades. The camp replaced its aging commercial refrigerator and freezer with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and transitioned from propane-fueled water heating in the Craft Lodge and two other buildings to smaller, ENERGY STAR-rated hybrid heat-pump electric water heaters.