In 1917, Mary Susanna Edgar, renowned author, philanthropist and women and girls’ advocate, founded Camp Oolahwan on Lake Walfred in Ste-Marguerite de Lac Masson in the Laurentian mountains, north of Montreal when she was the Girls’ Work secretary of the Montreal YWCA from 1915 -19. Over the years, her love of camping has empowered thousands of young women to adopt healthy life habits, attitudes and leadership roles, to love and protect nature, learn new skills, enjoy sports and find friendship singing around a campfire at sunset.
Although Camp Oolahwan ceased to exist physically in 2005, its spirit is alive in the memories of its campers and counselors who will come together to celebrate its centennial on September 8-10, 2017. Camp Ouareau in St-Donat has graciously agreed to host the celebrations, which are being organized by a committee of former campers and counselors.
The Montreal YWCA has included a page on their website devoted to the history of Camp Oolahwan http://www.ydesfemmesmtl.org/propos-de-nous/historique/campoolahwan/ and we hope that women in the photos will contact us so they might come to share their Oolahwan memories with us. The YWCA will add more photos to the archive as finances permit. Should anyone wish to send us photos for the site we also have a Facebook page where they can be posted: https://www.facebook.com/events/119118471851838/
For current information on the Centennial Celebrations go to http://www.campoolahwan100.ca
My mother 95 went there in when she was a girl. I will show her this website next week when I see her, Her name was Mary Jones at the time
Thank you for sharing with you mother and us! Feel free to contact us at worldoffice@worldywca.org
My gosh! Fond memories! I was a camp counsellor in the 80s there. Nickname at camp was M&Ms, and my cabin was Wahwahteesee, omg I still remember how to say it. My colleagues were Skittles, Hotdog, Radar, Frimousse, etc. I wonder if the others in my group would see this reunion coming up. The kids in my group at one point were writing to me after camp, but then we all grew up and got so busy with our lives. Don’t know how to get hold of anyone, that was way before fb. I have a few memorable pictures to share, I should say an ALBUM!
I remember you and every girl you mention. I was camper, then C.I.T then counselor, then head of nature program. Alias Chip. Very fun years ’79-83
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing Nathalie.
Hi Sari,
So glad you have found our Camp Oolahwan group!
Yes we now do have a songbook from the 50’s-60’s. It will be printed for our celebration.
I live in Bragg Creek so near you. Could meet for coffee some day if you like. Would be thrilled if you and your cousin could attend the reunion next August.
Contact me on Facebook if you like.
Connie Singer
This is your opportunity to join us in person or from a distance. Share your stories and photos. Camp Oolahwan will live in our hearts forever.
Lesley Charters Cotton (camper and CIT 1958-1966)
This is going to be a very memorable weekend for anyone that attended Camp Oolahwan in Quebec,Canada.I definetly plan to be there.
Connie Singer “CoCo” (canoetripper 1975-1977)
Hi Connie
Looking for a songbook from the late 50s-early 60s — is there one available? My cousin and I are having trouble remembering all the songs!! We hope to come to the reunion. I left a friend request on your Facebook page — I wanted to contact you about the songbook — but I see you have been to Waterton — my favourite place in the world. I am a Calgarian now. Sari Shernofsky