Taylor Statten Becomes "The Chief"

The year 1906 saw Taylor Statten, A Boer War veteran, become the full-time Boy’s Work Secretary for the national YMCA. His work was celebrated by parents across the country and he soon established the Canadian Standards Efficiency Training program. This program gave children an opportunity to be rewarded for the development of their intellectual, social, physical, and religious skills.

In 1912, while on a family vacation, Taylor became enamoured with a spot in Algonquin Park named Canoe Lake. There he envisioned a place for young men and women to come and bask in its natural glory.

In 1921, Taylor’s dream was realized as a summer camp that focused on teaching wood-craft and natural lore. He named the camp “Ahmek” after his Ojibwa name meaning “Great Beaver.” Having to mortgage his home to fund the camp, Taylor opened Ahmek for six weeks that summer and welcomed 60 boys. As the director of the first Canadian owned private summer camp in Algonquin Park, Taylor became affectionately known around camp as “The Chief”.

Wapomeo is Born

Ahmek was so successful that the Chief opened a camp for girls in 1924 to be run by his wife Tonekela. It was named “Wapomeo”, after the Ojibway term for birds of sunshine and laughter. Though met with great opposition from their colleagues, The Chief and Tonekela insisted that the camp be situated on the island of Little Wapomeo due to its close proximity to Ahmek, in case either camp needed help. This unprecedented idea of a girl’s and boy’s camp on the same lake was not only approved by parents and campers but was also far more efficient. Just like Ahmek, Wapomeo was a great success and offered the same activity programs (though dancing and crafts replaced boxing and wrestling).

In the following years, the camps continued to grow. At Ahmek, a diving tower with hand-made waterslides, riding stables, and even a great pirate ship were constructed! On Little Wapomeo Island, the dining hall, waterfront, and a large scenic platform used for dancing, were assembled.

Both Ahmek and Wapomeo built more and more cabins to house the increasing camper population. In 1927, Wapomeo had to expand to another island because Little Wapomeo was becoming overcrowded. Ahmek’s Log Theatre was also built that summer. The massive theatre possessed a perfect stage for theatrical performances, viewed by campers and staff from canoes adrift in the bay.  

Ahmek Refuses to Close

Not more than three days before the campers were to arrive in the summer of 1937, a savage fire burned down the Ahmek dining hall, kitchen, and store house. The fire was eventually extinguished by the modest work crew in camp at the time forming a bucket brigade. Though no one was hurt, the damage done to these fundamental buildings was beyond repair. The Chief acted fast, instantly preparing for a solution to the devastating disaster. He contacted the Ridpath Company to construct 50 wooden tables by hand, rented 300 chairs from the same company, and ordered two circus tents from Scythes and Co. for the dining hall and kitchen. Many people worked day and night to replenish the camp with supplies, and by Saturday (The fire was on Wednesday) camp began on time with the arrival of over 200 campers. Not even the harshest of elements can keep the Taylor Statten Camps from opening every year since 1921!

Promptly after the first dining hall burnt down, the new dining hall was constructed. Designed by George “Chubby” Chubb, the Ahmek dining hall was finished in the spring of 1938 and stands today as the camp’s focal building. It is complete with two fireplaces, a built-in kitchen, formidable acoustics for musical and theatrical performances, and a very spacious dining area.

The Torch is Passed

The 1950s proved to be a period of great transition and expansion for the camps. In 1954, Taylor Statten II (Dr. Tay) took over as the second director at Ahmek. Tay’s sister Couchie, had already been the director of Wapomeo for several years.

By this time, TSC’s reputation had spread all over North America as one of the leading authorities in the camping movement. A group of TSC alumni published esteemed camping literature such as Camping and Character (1929), Marks of Good Camping (1941), and Administration of the Modern Camp (1948). These and several other works produced revolutionary philosophies and institutions that became common practice for camps in the American and Canadian Camping Associations.

The Taylor Statten Camps grew to be revered for five outstanding characteristics:

1)      Attention to health and safety

2)      Philosophy centered on character education, individual development, and a democratic community. A sharp contrast to militaristic camps of the day.

3)      A rich camp culture centered on values, tradition, and a strong understanding of the natural environment.

4)      Programs built on learning skills for life

5)      A focus on unlocking individual potential in order to train youth as outstanding leaders for the future, supported by measurable objectives.

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