Keewaydin Temagami — Attraction in Temagami

I attended Keewaydin when I was 16 and being from Texas, Canada seemed like a far away place. That first summer as the guide’s bowman of Section C we set off. I didn’t know it then but I would return for five more summers as an assistant guide and guide for the rest of my years at Keewaydin. After paddling 800 miles that first summer, it set a standard for endurance and adventure that I have profited from and enjoyed for the rest of my life. I am 62 today and my son is headed for his summer at Keewaydin in 30 days. We have had great time working together to get ready and he is getting more excited to go as each day passes. We went down the Grand Canyon together last summer. One of the guests asked the guide what’s it like and is it hard to be a guide in the Grand Canyon? She said, “I let the Grand Canyon do the work”. There are many wonderful Staff, campers and support at Keewaydin to make these summers happen, but in the end, the beauty and challenge of the trip does the work of turning boys into men and now, girls into adventurous and strong women! I could not recommend the oldest summer camp in the Americas more highly. Ka Kee Kay! Keewaydin! Thank you, John Kerr...

My daughters attended a 3-week session several years ago at age 13. Finding their old leather tump lines in the attic recently made me laugh at the memory of picking them up from camp. The choreographed display of campers returning from their trips with all their traditional gear was inspiring, and my daughters had acquired a ruggedness I hadn't seen before. That lasted all of a few days, before their horror at what they had been put through came out.

From what I heard from them and others, and from what I observed while at the camp, the adherence to tradition, in terms of equipment, practices, and relationships, attains a cult-like level of importance that sometimes marginalizes the need for children to feel respected themselves, in favor of conformity to the tradition. The interactions of the counselors with the children while out on the trip stood out as examples of this. Hearing that they were frequently crying in their tents was heartbreaking.

I write this hoping it will be useful to parents deciding whether their children might enjoy the camp. I sent my daughters there knowing that I would have loved it as a kid (I still believe I would have), but...

This is hands down one of the most impactful experiences in my life. Going to Keewaydin is absolutely magical and if you're considering sending your children I'd suggest you do it whole-heartedly. There's no internet or other distractions, and really helps kids develop into powerful human beings, both inside and out! The administration staff are extremely helpful, so if you have any questions don't hesitate...