Virginia Hastings Production Blog

The Taylor Statten Camps

If the walls of Taylor Statten Camps could talk, you would hear a story rich in history.

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing the alumni of the camps for a video piece we are putting together (stay tuned for this, it will be a beautiful piece once it’s complete). I interviewed past campers from both Camp Ahmek for Boys, and Camp Wapomeo for Girls, who ranged from 40 years old to the ripe age of 87.

Cal Wilson was our 87-year-old participant for the video. What a gentleman. As we sat down for the interview I explained to him that this was a very casual ‘interview’ and that we really were just going to talk about his experiences at Camp Ahmek as a young boy. He turned to me and jokingly said, “how much tape do you have?”

The Taylor Statten Camps are one of, if not the oldest running camp in Canada. Located on the shores of Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park, the camps have many traditions and history that really set them apart from the rest. Started in 1921 by Taylor Statten I, the camp is now operated by his great grandson, Taylor Statten IV.

As Cal started to share his stories with me of his time as a camper, and then counselor (which was pre-World War 2), he became quiet and looked off into the distance - when this happens, I know from many interviews over the years that there are usually tears to follow. He looked back, tears streaming down his face, and apologized. I told him there was no need to apologize. And he said to me, “it’s just that a lot of people didn’t come home from the war….but I came home. And not only did I get to come home, but I got to come back here.” He looked up at me, and of course by this point I had tears running down my face. Cal continued, “This is a long way from the trenches. I was just so lucky to come home, and so lucky to have this place in my life to come home to.” Cal returned to the Taylor Statten Camps after the war and resumed working for the camps as a Canoe Guide for several years.

In these moments, I always feel so privileged. This is my work. This is what I do for a living. I am constantly meeting beautiful people like Cal. Spending time with them, hearing their stories, learning, and knowing that something about me makes them comfortable enough to go to that place. These moments are the greatest compliments I get in my work. It is a privilege that someone allows me and my camera to be a part of that moment. I learnt a long time ago to keep Kleenex in my camera case.

I said to Cal, “So I guess it goes without saying that Ahmek gave you a lot in your life?” He smiled and told me that it also gave him his love of the water and canoeing. The Taylor Statten Camps have a rich history with canoe tripping; they specialize in this and their canoe-tripping program is second to none. Cal explained to me that before he came to Camp Ahmek he had never been in a canoe - never held a paddle in his hands. “Everything I learnt about canoeing, I learnt here. And it is a skill and love that has taken me on many trips over the years, and more than that it is something I have spent my whole life doing with my sons.” As he talked I just kept smiling. “And confidence, growing up here gave me a real confidence,” he said.

As I interviewed the others that day, ‘confidence in self’ was a theme that kept coming up. And ‘friendships,’ lifelong friendships that are still strong.

I know that I may be a bit biased here, spending so much time over the years filming at this beautiful camp, but I must say, I have had the good fortune in my life to travel to many places. I have seen 6 of the 8 World Wonders, 49 of the 50 most famous pieces of art and architecture in the world, and have seen unforgettable sights. And yet, I can very confidently say that The Taylor Statten Camps, particularly Camp Ahmek, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. If a 9th World Wonder was ever needed, I think The Taylor Statten Camps should be in the running.