Keewaydin Temagami camp provides single-gender wilderness canoe trips for boys and girls ages 10 to 18. Keewaydin remains true to the vision of our founder, A.S. Greg Clarke, “The Commodore,” who 130 years ago wanted to start a camp that focused on canoe trips.
Today we look much the same as we did in 1893; paddling in wood canvas canoes, using tump lines to portage canoes, double packs, and wannigans (the wooden boxes) in which we carry food and equipment. Meals are cooked over open fires and sections prepare all of their food from scratch. Groups (sections) of six to eight kids travel the surrounding wilderness waterways, often portaging from lake to lake or up and down rivers, making camp at new spots each night, and sleeping in tents with one or two other campers.
Campers grow with our program, returning each summer, expanding their skills, and traveling to new lakes and rivers, for longer intervals, all while enjoying the beautiful landscapes and simple living camping provides. Campers between the ages of 10-13 can attend Keewaydin for 3 or 6 weeks. Introductions to camping skills provided in the first days of camp set them up for their first 5-day canoe trip. Upon returning from their first trip, campers and their sectionmates share stories from trip and prepare for their second 10-day canoe trip.
Preparation for each trip includes learning to tump, paddle, carry their gear, and help pack the food. If your camper is attending camp for 6 weeks in the younger wigwam they will do two more trips in the second half of the summer.
For first-time campers attending Keewaydin for 6 weeks who are between the ages of 13.6 -15, they will have a similar schedule, with two canoe trips in the first half of the summer. Following our MidSeason events, this age group of campers will prepare and head out on a 21-day canoe trip! A trip that cements the Keewaydin experience for teenagers.
