A concerned resident has requested that Gravenhurst council address the “recurring excessive noise pollution issue every summer” made by a nearby summer camp.
Janell Speers brought the issue to the Oct. 21 Committee of the Whole meeting on behalf of herself and neighbours around the area of Camp Shalom, located at 1110 Brydon’s Bay Rd, Gravenhurst. The camp celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2018 and now hosts 235 campers in each of two sessions and employs a staff of 95.
Speers cited recent additions to Town by-laws this past summer, that “noise is recognized in the form of pollution under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. In addition, it states that noise pollution has a negative impact on the quality of life for Gravenhurst residents every summer. This is true,” Speers said.
“Camp Shalom has a music speaker system with multiple outdoor speakers spread throughout the property that directly impacts residents. Every summer this system emits persistent, recurring, excessive amplification off and on for two months. This July alone, the camp played excessive loud music and staff talking on speakers…for 18 out of 31 days,” explained Speers.
“It has had a negative impact on the enjoyment of our property as well as our neighbours, due to this loud music and sometimes before 8a.m., with windows closed, we are woken up and after 11p.m. on many occasions in addition to the daytime noise pollution,” she told council. Speers also noted that Brydon’s Bay is also home to an ecosystem including many native species such as deer, bears and that the National Parks Service says that “noise pollution interferes with animal breeding sites and increases the extinction of some species.
Speers quoted several other sections of the same by-law, including that the Town “desires to preserve the peace and quiet of Gravenhurst through reduction, control and prevention of loud and excessive noise” and that “no person shall cause or permit the emissions of noise…which is likely to disturb peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or inconvenience.” She also referenced a specific section which prevents the use of electronic sound equipment, loudspeakers or instruments except at certain venues.
The neighbours of Camp Shalom have tried multiple times to work with the director and other staff to asking for the music to be turned off or at the very least turned down, Speers said. She said that they have even asked “to have a meeting to find a compromise and the answer, and I quote, was ‘no, there are five weeks left and we will do what we want, when we want.’”
Speers said that many neighbours have made official complaints have been made over multiple summers and they had spoken to by-law officers. “We were told to record each time the music and the loudspeakers were in excess. A few weeks later, we were told not to file any more complaints, but just keep noise journals, so we did.”
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Like others have said, you don’t like it move. No one is forcing you to stay. Put your cottage on the market and be done with it. Go back where you came from. Go further up north in the bush like a bear.
Wow. As a resident of Brydons Bay I am appaled by this article. How long have you been on Brydons bay? Camp Shalom has been here since basically WWII and like everyone else, I knew I was buying a house beside a summer camp. What did you expect?? The loud speaker is used mainly for announcements which is very necessary with such a big camp, and it really isn’t that loud. It’s a camp of 300 kids.. how can you expect them to be quite? You knew you were moving to an area beside a camp. You should have expected this.
People should really read the article before commenting.
The issue is not the sound of children playing at camp.
The issue is “Camp Shalom has a music speaker system with multiple outdoor speakers spread throughout the property that directly impacts residents. Every summer this system emits persistent, recurring, excessive amplification off and on for two months. This July alone, the camp played excessive loud music and staff talking on speakers…for 18 out of 31 days,” explained Speers.”
That would violate noise bylaws everywhere.
Bylaw officers refuse to do their job and shut down the loud speaker system.
Camp Shalom has been an integral part of the local community for a remarkable 75 years. It has not only been a place where children have the opportunity to make friends, learn new skills, and boost their self-confidence, but it has also been a haven of joy, laughter, and genuine fun—providing an escape from the burdens and pressures of the school year. The sounds of children singing, cheering, and the enthusiastic announcements about the fun they are having should be cherished as the sounds of happiness.
The people who own these cottages made their investment with full knowledge of the camp’s presence and its history. The camp has been an integral part of the community for decades, offering generations of children a unique and life-enriching experience. The campers’ laughter and exuberance are not just the sounds of summer; they are the sounds of hope, growth, and the bonds of friendship being forged.
If someone truly seeks a silent and tranquil summer retreat, there are remote areas they can move to. This camp is here to stay, and its presence benefits the community in numerous ways. Rather than focusing on the “noise” it is more constructive for these cottage owners to learn to enjoy and appreciate the camp’s positive impact on the lives of the children and the community as a whole.
The essence of summer is not just about a quiet escape; the camp’s joyful sounds are a reminder that the spirit of summer is alive and well, and they should be celebrated, not silenced.
Most of us who have cottages near the camp recognize the deep-rooted history and appreciate the joy it brings to the lives of children. Rather than complaining and rallying others to do the same, it is our collective duty to rally around the camp and ensure its legacy continues for generations to come.
This camp is out of control! The noise from the camp plus noise from the wake board boats that run all summer. Kills the shoreline and the boats are incredibly loud. Sounds like trucks on the 401. That have no respect for neighbors, environment or peace of mind. Boats needs go.
As far as noice pollution ask anyone on Brydens bay or even as far Andrews court. They all suffer with the bad neighbor.
Congratulations to Janelle Spears for taking the lead here. Please contact myself and neighbors who all are distressed by this place.
As long as the camp follows the same noise by-laws as the rest of the town has to, there’s not much that can or should be done by town hall. Sure, I get that it is annoying, but I don’t think town council is the proper venue for change. Could you imagine if town council made an exception in the noise by-laws specifically targeting one business? Yikes.
It’s a shame there’s so many Karen’s that keep complaining about everyone else, shut up, and mind you’re oun business, go back to the city if you don’t like it
It is really sad when leople like this make comments about children having fun. The camp has been around for 75 years and most likely longer than this person has owned their cottage. Maybe you should have checked before you purchased your place and stop being so inconsiderate. That’s like moving next door to an airport then complaining about the noise. The suggestion to fix the issue is easy
Move back to the city where you came from and the problem will be solved
Anti semetism is rampant in the Muskokas apparently.
A camp with 80 years of summer camp deserve the rite to continue the same . This is a place giving children lifetime memories . 2 months is not so bad please allow the children this positive life experience .
I guess the best advice. When you are purchasing a property do a little research first.
If you want peace and quiet don’t purchase property next to an aircraft runway, active railway tracks, next to a lake with noisy boat traffic, or a summer camp for children and then complain about noise.
Camp Shalom existed long before the current residents.
Shame on those complaining about kids having summer fun?
Does loud music, speaker amplified public announcement etc. at early and late hours need to be part of kids having fun?
The complaints are not about the kids but the arrogant attitude of camp operators!
If the camp has been there for 75 years, it’s likely they were there before you bought your cottage/home nearby.
Why would anyone/you buy anywhere near to a noisy children’s camp if they were at all affected by noise? Maybe it’s time to admit your mistake and move on. Figuratively or literally.
For environmental reasons alone, this loud speaker noise should not be used in sensitive eco-areas. What are we teaching our kids? Answer: it doesn’t matter. “We do what we want when we want.” Unfortunately excessive noise has become part of our culture: in the Malls, on the Streets, in Classrooms. Quiet means.boredom.
This is really sad. 😰
What is the world coming to.
This is a childrens Camp.
I am sure that there is a lot more to this story than simple noise.
Noise pollution needs to be of a decibel reading and consistency of much more than what is in evidence here..
Amusing story.
If u don’t like it MOVE.The camp has been there 4 75 years.Adapt or move.
You Gotta Be Joking…. Adults… With there Cottage Partys. Every Weekend Fireworks!!!! However Children Having Fun is Obscene? Jusr maybe learning to Swim for the First Time? Maybe having A First Group of Friends?… Maybe you should try to Work with Camp S. Instead. Just a Thought.
Shame on the adults complaining about children in a supervised environment having fun and making new friendships that can last a lifetime. Have they forgotten that they were once children themselves? Do they prefer these children on the streets getting into mischief?
Enjoy the noise and the happiness you still have your hearing.
Denise