“Camp Kagama really is a true home away from home for our campers,” said David “Capi” Wattie, one of the directors of Camp Kagama, near the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary, out on Morrison Island.
“Many of us think of this place as our ‘stable home’. We all lead different lives and have different careers, but we always know that it’s Kagama Come Home.”
On Saturday, June 25, dozens of former campers, leaders and volunteers of all ages “came home” to the beautiful grounds beside the St. Lawrence River to renew old friendships, to reminisce and tell stories, and to celebrate a milestone in Kagama’s history, its 80th anniversary.
Under sunny skies guests could visit the cabins (named St. Paul’s, Moose Creek, Avonmore, Ingleside, Knox, Maxville, Martintown and Newington) and Barkley Hall. There were craft and flag displays and pictures, some of which went back eight decades, in the Mess Hall. People also took time to share favourite memories of staying or working at the camp.
The original Camp Kagama was founded in 1936 by three United Church ministers, Harry Hamilton, Charles Dawes and Narcisse McLaren, the original honourary Big Chief Kagama, on Sheik’s Island.
However, construction of the Seaway flooded that island, and the camp had to find a new location under the volunteer leadership of Lorne McLaren (son of the original founder), Fred Barkley, who headed up finances and Charles Crump, who served as construction chair.
Nina Crump, widow of Charles, and their son Robert, were among the visitors attending the 80th anniversary June 25.
“My dad had to go up against Hydro during the Seaway construction,” Robert Crump said. “Hydro gave the camp some land to re-build after the flooding, but the land was swampy and not good at all. Dad told Hydro ‘We’re building a camp for children, not for ducks,’ and demanded this area on Morrison Island. He got it. We built seven wooden platforms that year, and everyone stayed in army tents.”
“This place brings back so many memories,” added Nina Crump. “All my kids and their friends came to this camp every summer.”
Also bringing special memories to Camp Kagama’s anniversary celebration was Marcel Beauchamp.
Marcel, 94 years young, came to the very first camp in 1936, and, although a boy, actually worked on some of the early construction.
“My uncle and I helped to build the first camp dining hall,” Marcel Beauchamp said. “Mostly I got to just hammer in some nails. Until then, we lived and ate out in the tents. Sure it was a rough time in those days, but it was a wonderful camp.”
Murray Barkley, son of the late Fred Barkley, shared memories of his father’s love for the camp, and the strong connection his family still has with Kagama.
“My grandmother was the first cook here at the Camp,” he said. “My mother volunteered here. My sisters and I are all involved. My dad always gave as much as he could to what he believed in. I think my Dad Fred’s spirit is still here at Camp Kagama.”
The camp is non-profit and non-denominational, and has seen some 20,000 boys and girls from this area and beyond camping here in its 80 years. The camp offers canoeing, swimming, sports, arts and crafts, God Chat, campfires and story telling. Campers pay to come to the camp for a week at a time, but some are also sponsored. This year, according to David Wattie, “the Awkwesasne Mohawks are going to be holding a special retreat here in the summer.”
The help and support of legions of volunteers has been vital to the success and longevity of Camp Kagama. MPP Jim McDonell, whose three children all attended the Camp, brought anniversary greetings and praised the hard work of volunteers and staff.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of a cheque for $2,000 to the camp from the Cornwall Kinsmen. “We’ve supported this camp for many years,” said Kinsmen vice president, Steve Riviere. “Kinsmen have often helped with repairs and renovations because this is a wonderful place for kids.”
“It’s an exciting day for us to see friends and family coming back,” said director Christine “Pixel” Levesque, part of a team that plans themes and activities for each camp. “I started here in 2008. You definitely develop friendships that last a life time at Camp Kagama. And we’re far enough from the city to have our own beautiful little world here.”
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