OUR STORY
A Playground of Endless Forests and Crystal-Clear Lakes.
In 1936 on a cool, misty morning, Lou Handler and Omer Stringer paddled a red canoe across the still waters of South Tea Lake in Algonquin Park. They had a vision for a special place. One with countless outdoor activities, a community of soon-to-be lifelong friends and a place where kids were encouraged to learn, play and grow.
They found a children’s village, they found Camp Tamakwa.
OUR VALUES
When you get the opportunity to spend your summers in the beauty of Algonquin Park you just can’t help but want to make the world around you a better place.
WE PADDLE IN UNISON
Tamakwans are proud individuals who understand the importance of community, family values and the power of working together as a team. A Tamakwan is a person who appreciates camp, strives to achieve personal growth, yet is also kind and willing to give a hand in order to see others also succeed.
LEAVE THE CAMPSITE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT
Tamakwans are stewards of the land and understand the value of their surroundings and rich history in Algonquin Park. They are committed to leaving not just our campground, but any campground down the road, better than they found it.
FRESH AIR OPENS MINDS
Tamakwans believe that fresh air is fuel for the soul, and we’re not the only ones. Research shows that spending time outdoors not only boosts your immune system, it naturally increases energy too.
OUR FOUNDERS
Icons of Algonquin Park and lovers of the outdoors, our founders made Tamakwa a magical place.
LOU HANDLER
A strong man with a warm heart, Lou was a naturalist from Detroit with a deep-rooted passion for nature, camping and life on the water. Amorously known around camp as Unca Lou, the community he created on the shores of South Tea Lake with his friend Omer became a place of warmth and camaraderie that still rings true today.
OMER STRINGER
As one of Canada’s foremost canoeist and outdoorsmen, Omer along with his friend Lou, put their passion for canoeing and the outdoors at the forefront of what Tamakwa would stand for, resulting in a summer- haven built on a strong sense of optimism, resourcefulness, and making every moment count.
OUR TEAM
Carrying on the legacy and traditions of Camp Tamakwa.
These are our leaders who take care of our camp and make sure every Tamakwan’s summer feels like it lasts a lifetime.
DIANE BALD
CAMP OWNER
Diane’s love of Algonquin Park runs deep: Starting as a camper and staff at Camp Wapomeo one lake away from Tamakwa, and then spending time enjoying the Park with her children and family. “Algonquin Park was a large part of our family’s life and instilled in them a love of the outdoors, living simply in nature and their love for camp.” An award-winning architect, Diane’s eye for detail and finding beauty in nature is reflected in every aspect of camp.
MICHAEL BUDMAN
CAMP OWNER
Michael first came to Camp Tamakwa in 1956 where he met many people who influenced and shaped his life including Don Green in 1962. Together, they created the Iconic Canadian brand Roots. After spending his summers up at his cabin in Algonquin Park with his family, Michael has come back to his roots as co-owner of Tamakwa with his wife Diane.
VIC NORRIS
SENIOR DIRECTOR
Vic first arrived at Tamakwa in the summer of 1967 and under the guidance of Tamakwa’s founding owner Lou Handler, Vic rose up the ranks taking co-ownership of Tamakwa in 1980. Under his direction Tamakwa now offers more than twice as many activities, and maintains Tamakwa’s most revered traditions.
LESLIE HARTSMAN
DIRECTOR
Les is a life-long ‘camp guy’ having spent part or all of the past 40 summers at overnight camps including a legendary 9- year run as Program Director at Tamakwa. Les is over the moon to be back at Tamakwa as the Director and looks forward to connecting with campers and staff and infusing everyday with that good ol’ Tamakwa spirit!
JAMIE KUDLATS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jamie first came to Tamakwa as a camper in 1985 and over the years has been a counselor, section head, Assistant Program Director and member of the Tamakwa band. A former school teacher and principal, Jamie lives in Durham, North Carolina where he is a professor of educational leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jamie is excited to support and mentor campers and staff.
OUR TAMAKWA LORE
Our alumni live the traditions of Camp Tamakwa, helping make the world a better place.
Sam Raimi
Acclaimed Writer, Director and actor.
“Camp Tamakwa is a very fond place for me where I developed a lot of my youthful adult tendencies.”
Mike Katchen
CEO of WealthSimple.
“Tamakwa gave me a love for nature . . . To this day, I'm happiest on a silent misty morning, on a lake, in a canoe.”
Linsey Beck Gold
General Surgeon at the Michigan Center for Breast Health
“My summers at Tamakwa taught me about "friends that become family". It will never cease to amaze me how the feeling of being part of the Tamakwa family transcends time, space and generation such that you can meet a stranger and when you discover you are both Tamakwans, you just know that you can count on that person for whatever you need.”
Mike Binder
Comedian, Writer and Director.
“Camp Tamakwa is the most important place in my life . . . I’m a Tamakwan. Everyone that knows me knows that, and I’m really proud of it.”
Charles Tator
Chairman of Neurosurgery at University of Toronto and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Tamakwa's lovely spirit has been in the brains of the Charfoos and Tator families for about 70 years.”
Martine Schwartz
President of La Mer Collections
“My love for nature and passion for adventures all originated while at camp. I honestly believe that my time at Tamakwa was a gift.”
Bernie Goldman
Cardiovascular Surgeon at University of Toronto and awarded the Order of Canada.
“Camp Tamakwa was a turning point in my life . . . teaching me values that I carried into my life in surgery and family.”
OUR CLAIM TO FAME
Immortalized in the iconic movie, Indian Summer, Camp Tamakwa was the inspiration and filming location for the popular film.
Written and directed by camp alumni Mike Binder, the film is about a group of friends that return to their old childhood camp. It captures the essence of Tamakwa traditions, songs and pranks of past generations. While the movie is a depiction of days gone by, it is reflective of the love of camp that stays with a Tamakwan throughout their lives and well into adulthood.
OUR FAMILY VALUES & TRADITIONS
Our Jewish traditions and history have molded many of our core family values.
Camp Tamakwa was founded as a traditional Jewish summer camp. Today, while the majority of our campers and staff are of Jewish descent, we always welcome campers and staff with an array of backgrounds and beliefs to join our Tamakwa family.
Learn More
We are proud members of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA). This organization plays an important leadership role in promoting and encouraging children and youth camping in Ontario, as well as setting high standards for safety and care of campers.