Margaret Eaton School Digital Collection: Camp

Camp Tanamakoon 

The Margaret Eaton School was one of the first institutions in Canada to offer girls and women a camping experience. Camp Tanamakoon was established on White’s Lake in Algonquin Park, Ontario, by Mary Hamilton in 1925. Mary Hamilton integrated camp activities into the curriculum of The Margaret Eaton School during her term as principal from 1926 to 1934. In September, students of The Margaret Eaton School would take the train north from Toronto to visit the camp. Campers participated in sailing, canoeing, swimming, diving, archery, tennis, gymnastics, horseback riding, crafts, music, and wilderness training. This camp leadership training, combined with a regular physical education courses, was the first of its kind in Canada. Many students also served as counsellors at Camp Tanamakoon during and after attending The Margaret Eaton School. Mary Hamilton provides a reflection on her experience as Camp Director in her book The Call of Algonquin, included in The Margaret Eaton School Archival Collection. Camp Tanamakoon is still active and under private ownership. The camp offers a summer camp for over 800 girls from Canada and around the world, as well as outdoor education programs for 1000 students each spring and fall.