Jury Lands Foundation

Nominee for the AK Sculthorpe Award for Advocacy

The Jury Lands Foundation (JLF), led by chair Marilyn Morawetz, is nominated for saving Camp 30 in Bowmanville, Ontario. The site is Canada’s last intact Second World War German prisoner-of-war camp and a National Historic Site. It is historically significant as the location of the 1942 “Battle of Bowmanville,” a rare multi-day prison riot involving hand-to-hand combat on Canadian soil.

After years of abandonment, vandalism, and neglect, the site reached a crisis when the roof of the historic Cafeteria building partially collapsed. Citing safety liabilities and a high stabilization price tag, developer Kaitlin Corp and municipal staff recommended demolishing the structure.

JLF rejected this outcome and organized a direct community response. They launched a major public campaign, gathered thousands of petition signatures, and partnered with Manorville Homes to present a realistic financial and structural plan for adaptive reuse.

The strategy worked. In January 2026, Clarington Council voted unanimously to deny the demolition permit. Instead, they approved a framework to transition the heritage buildings into public ownership.

JLF immediately pivoted from advocacy to execution. They are now actively managing a $1.6 million Phase 1 stabilization project on-site, funded by donations and grants, to safely convert the campus into a community hub and educational center.

The foundation did not just oppose demolition; they delivered the practical solutions needed to stop it. Their persistence, organization, and collaborative approach embody the exact spirit of the A.K. Sculthorpe Award for Advocacy.

Picture is a Camp 30 Model from the Jury Lands Foundation Website