TSC’s Canoe Tripping Program
For many years, both Ahmek and Wapomeo campers had become familiar with canoe tripping in Algonquin Park. The trips in Algonquin had been so successful that the interest to travel outside the park arose. The approaching 1967 Centennial of Confederation had the Canadian Camping Association encouraging camps to explore sections of the cross-Canada canoe route travelled by the voyageurs.
The Quetico region was chosen in 1965 for TSC campers to take a 21 day trip; the first long trip outside of Algonquin Park. The voyage was to begin with a bus ride to North Bay, a train to Quetico, three weeks of tripping, a 15km portage, and end with a 5-day bus trip back to camp. Quetico was a huge success, and has ever since, survived as TSC’s most popular canoe trip.
“The Outpost”
In 1969, as a precaution from the provincial government’s threat of revoking all commercial leases in the park, the TSC company purchased a small parcel of land in Temagami to move the camp. It would be called “The Outpost.” This land was home to an abandoned fishing lodge that was not accessible by land, and was much smaller than the spot in Algonquin Park.
In 1973, the government extended the leases of all camps in the park granting great relief to all camp enthusiasts. After the new lease was conceded, the camps retained ownership of the Temagami site, opening the door to a whole new region for TSC tripping. The Outpost served as a transportation hub, food & medical provider, and base camp for long trips, outside of Algonquin. Today the Outpost stands complete with several cabins, a gorgeous main lodge, and a blissful sauna. It has since, allowed campers to experience longer trips that diffused from further away and explore other areas of the Canadian wilderness. Trips such as Kipawa, Bisco, and all Temagami trips would not be possible without the Outpost.
The Outpost remains one of TSC’s hidden treasures that has allowed the tripping program to become unrivalled by any other, and is cherished by all who get the chance to make its acquaintance.
