TSC Legacy
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 enamored 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”.
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.
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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:
- Attention to health and safety
- Philosophy centered on character education, individual development, and a democratic community. A sharp contrast to militaristic camps of the day.
- A rich camp culture centered on values, tradition, and a strong understanding of the natural environment.
- Programs built on learning skills for life
- A focus on unlocking individual potential in order to train youth as outstanding leaders for the future, supported by measurable objectives.
A Third Generation of Statten
By 1975, Couchie and her husband Dr. Harry Ebbs decided it was time to retire from being director at Wapomeo. In 1976, Taylor Statten III or “Tike” moved to Wapomeo with his wife Sue to take on the director position.
In Dr. Tay’s final years as camp director, Ahmek and Wapomeo had the distinction of caring for the sons and daughter of three Canadian Prime Ministers. Prime Minister Trudeau, a former Ahmek camper himself (and yes, we taught him the renowned “Ahmek J-stroke”), sent Justin, Alexandre (Sasha) and Michel (Mike) to Ahmek. Both Justin and Mike eventually became counsellors. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney sent Ben, Caroline and Mark to TSC and visited them via helicopter in 1987. Prime Minister John Turner also sent his son Michael for a couple summers.
Also In 1987, word was received that the beloved Dr. Tay would be honoured with the Order of Canada. While TSC’s reputation continued to grow, so did both the in-camp and canoe-tripping programs with new buildings, new activities, and new canoe trips!
In 1988, Tike became director of Camp Ahmek and of the Taylor Statten Camps and continues to this day in these capacities.
Following in the family footsteps, Tike’s son, Taylor Statten IV, formally assumed the role as Director of Business Operations in 2003. He continues to manage the company’s finances and day to day operations in his current role as Managing Director.
Fundamentally,TSC Remains the Same…
In recent years, camp has modified some of its ways to accommodate the modern day family lifestyle. Try-out camp was arranged for campers who could not come for a full month. The Bursary Fund was set up for underprivileged children to attend camp. A new ’green’ policy was applied to reduce the environmental impact of the camp and its trips. The camps still emphasize individual development, leadership skills, basic core values, and group co-operation. The original philosophy written by the Chief has been passed down through four generations and prevails today. Of all the small adjustments that TSC has made, however, the same fundamental principles and philosophies employed throughout its history, continue. TSC indeed remains very much the same.
More on TSC History:
Fire of 1937 >>
Wapomeo is Born >>
TSC’s Canoe Tripping Program >>
