Canadian Camping, February 1957
Among Ourselves
by John Latimer
Director, Camp Kilcoo
We are all aware of the tremendous strides that camping in Canada has made during the last half century, and most of us are even more amazed at the growth which has taken place in the last decade. Many names will be cherished in the ‘Hall of Fame’ of camping, but one in particular will be remembered as one of the small number of men and women who had so much to do with the early development of organized camping throughout this country.
Charles F. Plewman made his first investment in the youth of Canada at Lake Couchiching in 1904. From that year until 1955, he continually added to this investment and has gained untold dividends from his efforts in molding the great change which has taken place in the camping movement.
Wilbur Howard, one of the many Canadians influenced by Charlie Plewman, refers to him as a man with a dynamic personality and a keen interest in boys and young men as individuals. “He has the ability to stimulate them on to better things, and is possessed with the creative power to present with deep penetration the ideals and principles which have influenced the lives of thousands of Canadians with whom Charlie has been associated”.
These characteristics were first felt in1911, when Charlie directed a small camp at Rosebank, near Pickering, Ontario. From 1913 to 1917, he witnessed, as director, the growth of Camp On DaDa Waks, at Golden Lake, and following this he traveled to Winnipeg and Camp Stephens on the Lake of the Woods. However, in 1921 he returned to Ontario and assumed the post of Secretary of the Ontario Boys Work Board, a position he held until 1934. He recalls most vividly some thirty-five camps which he was instrumental in organizing, most particularly the training camp at Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay, where he will never forget the thrill he got from sharing with 125 volunteer workers who came from all parts of the province. When Charlie was being introduced to this group for the first time, the late Taylor Statten said, “Gentlemen, may I present your new leader, Charlie Plowman … a man with a tenacious spirit which drives him to fight even harder when the chips are down, and when the odds are against him…” Such short term camps as this at Beausoleil took him from Ottawa to Temagami, from Nippissing to the Grand River, and from Canoe Lake and Couchiching to his final camping site on Gull Lake in Haliburton. It was here in the height of the depression, and with Taylor Statten’s words echoing in his ears, that he started Kilcoo Camp.
During his travels however, one of Charlie’s most notable achievements was recognized, for he organized and drew up the constitution for what was the first of the present day Older Boys’ Parliament.
Charles Plewman has been connected with the Ontario Camping Association since its inception. In the beginning, informal meetings were held with other pioneers of the private camps. Such stalwarts as Cochrane, Statten, Chapman, Miss Edgar, Miss Hamilton, and Miss Halliday shared together their experiences and worked as a team to further the aims of the camping movement throughout the country.
With the advent of World War Two, Leopold McCauley instigated a move to have Charlie take over as Secretary of the Toronto Red Cross, and he held this arduous post until 1949. During this time, however, in 1945, Charlie was asked, as one of the younger members of the ‘Old Guard’ to accept the position of President of the O.C.A. It was his responsibility to bridge the gap between the old and new generation of camping enthusiasts . . . for many of the younger members were just returning from active duty overseas. It is safe to assume that during his term of office, the Ontario Camping Association took on its present form. Permanent quarters were needed, and these were found by Charles. The budget needed to be increased, for the financial situation of the O.C.A. offered little scope for the committee to further the needs of organized camping. Charlie obtained the first annual grant from the Ontario Government. A greatly increased budget was adopted and the first full time secretary was appointed. Working together with the secretary he sent a stenciled news bulletin to the members of the association, and the forerunner of the present periodical was published.
Throughout his many years in the camping field, Charles Plewman has always been a guiding inspiration to the younger leaders now operating their own camps. The thousands of young men who have been in contact with him cannot help but share the enthusiasm and the sincere interest which he shows to them as individuals. Although I have only known Charles Plewman for twenty years, I have been able to glean from this close association, the characteristics which have made his life so happy and rewarding. I have always been deeply impressed with his ability to recognize the best in people, and his willingness to give them a second chance. I have often seen him objectively study the problems of a counsellor or staff member who was not following through on his duties or responsibilities. Charlie, realizing that personal problems may be affecting these young men, has taken considerable time in chatting with them, encouraging them to solve their own difficulties. His dynamic personality and understanding of human frailties has made them more aware of their obligations to him and the camp, and as a result they go forward with a renewed interest in pursuing the finer details of leading other youngsters. I have also been moved by his ability to move forward with the times, and with the camping movement.
He was ever mindful of his duty to his campers and staff, and was most willing to listen to new ideas and plans, despite the fact that his mature mind might have presented some doubts, His staff were encouraged to present new policies and suggestions, and when possible he strongly supported them.
Though he is free from the responsibility of owning and directing a camp, he is by no means inactive. The summer finds him and his wife working in their summer home, darting about Gull Lake in his new outboard, or entertaining friends, their children and three grandchildren. Charlie is doing some painting as well. The winter finds him curling, active in Rotary and serving on various community activities.
I recall most vividly the final flag-lowering at camp in 1955. As the Kilcoo banner was being lowered from the yard-arm, Charlie turned to me and whispered. “Well, John, I fear this is my swan song”, and as he slowly moved away I could see in his moist eyes the recollection of the hundreds of times that this same flag had been lowered to indicate the close of day, and of the thousands of young men who had gathered round that flag-pole, ever conscious of their great leader who had guided them through many days of happy camping. As Charles Plewman looks back over such an active career, knowing that he has been a part of so many early beginnings, I cannot help but share this joy, and I accept the challenge from him as an inspiration to continue to practice and follow his high ideals and worthy principles, to the attainment of wholesome, laughter-filled days of camping in Canada.