Camp Northway

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Setting of Camp Northway

Camp Northway, formerly Northway Lodge, is the oldest summer camp for girls in Canada, and overall Canada's fourth oldest summer camp[link]. Founded in 1906 and located in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Camp Northway has maintained a distinctive ethos of simple camping, crafts, and drama. Much of this is the continuing legacy of the Camp's charismatic founder, Miss Fannie L. Case.

Contents

1 Setting
2 History
3 Camp Northway today
4 References
5 External links

Setting

Camp Northway is situated on a peninsula on Cache Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park. The Camp features a number of historic wooden structures, built by some of the first campers,and a new library and craft house. The lake setting lends itself well to canoe trips, which last from 2-10 days.

History

Miss Case, c. 1925

Image:northwaycamping.jpg|Camping, 1925 Image:northwayswimming.jpg|Swimming, 1925 Image:Northwaydramatics.jpg|Amateur dramatics, 1925 The Camp came about after Fannie L. Case, a teacher, met a doctor on a camping trip. While discussing education, the idea arose of a summer camp for girls. Held in its first year at the doctor's camping ground, the camp then moved in 1908 to Algonquin Park. Case beliefed that life in camp should be lived in the same manner as on camping trips, so as to better prepare for trips away. This tradition survives in that all participants live in tents while at the camp. Fannie L. Case was evidently a charismatic leader, who believed that camp should be informal and flexible, "with no set rules, no boundaries, no whistles, bells or bugles". As well as its outdoor emphasis, Camp Northway has always had a strong element of music and drama. Something of Case's personality can be found in these words

There should be leisure at camp, time to dream. We used to describe camp as "well spent leisure". I remember being on the lookout for writings on this subject as a justification of our effort, such as Stevenson's "Apology for an idler". Now we know that leisure is a condition of full and spontaneous living. It prepares for action later. "It is the free port of the imagination".

Camp Northway today

Camp Northway is now co-owned by the Prewitt family with Camp Wendigo, a tripping outpost for boys. Described as a "wilderness camp for girls", it takes 50 campers at a time - about 150 over the course of a season, from July 1st to mid-August. It still has no electricity or running water, and takes pride in its closeness to its rugged roots.

References

External links

[Official website]

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