Camp Mazinaw – Main Lodge c 1977
Image by CDHS
The history below was compiled by Ken & Cathy Hook through interviews in August 2008 from Paul and Martha McLean and Jim Smart (former camper).
The Photo above is from the Bon Echo Park Archives.
One of the more successful camps near Bon Echo was Camp Mazinaw. Started in 1940 by P. K . Hambly, a Toronto teacher and guidance councilor, Camp Mazinaw was always a camp just for boys. Hambly purchased 3 farms south of Bon Echo that encompassed several acres. Over the decades, 30 buildings would be constructed from trees on the properties. The full season (originally a 7 week camp) had an all inclusive fee of 0.00. Emphasis was placed on music in the years under Hambly's direction. Each boy was encouraged to choose one of 30 different instruments of his liking from which he would receive instruction. If the boy was musically inclined he was asked to participate in the camp's orchestra. The Annual Concert in the Cloyne Hall was a "standing room only" affair with proceeds often donated to charity.
The founder was soon joined by 2 other teachers- Harry Hull and C.R. Blackstock. These 2 gentlemen shared Hambly's vision of providing a first class experience for boys that concentrated on developing self reliance, comradeship and an appreciation for the outdoors. Harry Hull was an outstanding athletics instructor winning championships 5 years in a row. Also an excellent diver winning several awards in his own right, he brought this experience to share with the boys.
C.R. Blackstock, nicknamed "Blackie" by his friends, joined Hambly and Hull to complete the group of owners.
Black had an eye for talent and recruited the talented artist and craftsman Fred Hagan in 1944? to be Art Director at the Camp.
Hambly, Hull and Blackstock eventually developed the camp with a capacity of 60 boys over a 3 or 6 week period every summer. The Camp had a main lodge consisting of large dining room and kitchen. Twelve cabins were built each containing 5 boys and a Councillor.
To provide meaningful instruction and guidance required up to 40 staff for 60 boys. Councillors provided the instruction of several sports including archery, boxing, wrestling, and baseball.
The main focus however was on aquatic sports- swimming, diving, sailing, and canoeing. Members of Camp Mazinaw became masters of the canoe when their swimming abilities were sufficient. Canoe trips were a big part of camp life. The boys were shown how to paddle and navigate a canoe efficiently in the water- a skill they never forgot.
The Camp was divided into 2 Tribes. Campers were either a member of the Algonquin or Iroquois and quite often families of campers that spanned generations would remain of the same tribe. Regattas, races and shows of strength kept the boys competitive even though members of different tribes would share the same cabin with their Councillor. Membership in a tribe was evident in the Council Ring and pow-wows. The closing Council ring was at the end of summer that encapsulated memories for a lifetime.
Under the direction of Fred Hagan, campers learned wood and leather crafts as well as working with plastics. Nature and rock collections also occupied many campers as they roamed the Mazinaw shores. Fred Hagan was an accomplished artist and often looked off the lake for new subjects to paint and captured much imagery from the surrounding villages. Hagan also taught at the Ontario College of Art and his teaching load forced him to resign from the Camp. Much of Hagans beautiful wood sculptures remain in the private collections of friends.
Camp Mazinaw was a good neighbor. One of the added benefits of the Camp in addition to the influx of money to the area, was the services of a doctor and nurses. One of 3 doctors was ever present at the Camp and local residents could visit by appointment and pay the doctor directly for services rendered- something very much appreciated.
The Camp operated nearly 50 years making a lifelong impression on 100's of boys. Paul McLean and Brian Blackstock-both former campers and councilors, operated the Camp during the 70's and 80"s. Paul and Martha McLean completed the last year of running the Camp in l987.
Part of the Bon Echo Provincial Park Collection
Note: All CDHS Flickr content is available for the public use providing our Rights Statement is followed:
pioneer.mazinaw.on.ca/flickr_statement.php
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