Former Director of Kilcoo Camp, David Latimer, Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations in Lawsuits by Former Student Camper and Staff Member

The director of a boys’ camp in Ontario, Canada, has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct made against him in two separate lawsuits. David Latimer, the longtime director of Kilcoo Camp, was accused of grooming, manipulation, and sexual assault by a former student camper and a former staff member in lawsuits filed earlier this year.

The lawsuits, which sought a minimum of $5.5 million in damages, alleged that Latimer engaged in inappropriate relationships with the plaintiffs and that the camp failed to protect them. However, Latimer’s lawyers filed statements of defense at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, stating that he treated both plaintiffs like any other student and denying any knowledge of assault or inappropriate relationships.

Latimer, who had been the camp director since 1985, stepped down earlier this year. Kilcoo Camp, located near Minden, Ontario, provides private summer camp facilities for boys aged 8 to 16 and outdoor educational programs throughout the year.

In the first lawsuit, the plaintiff, identified as J. Doe #1, claimed that Latimer sexually assaulted them in a garage near the camp when they were a preteen camper in the early 1990s. In response, Latimer stated that the allegations were a “complete shock” and denied any inappropriate interaction.

The second lawsuit, filed by J. Doe #2, alleged that Latimer groomed and sexually assaulted her when she attended the camp as a staff member. Latimer vehemently denied these allegations, stating that their interactions were consensual and that he treated her like any other student.

Both Latimer and Kilcoo Camp have asked the court to dismiss the lawsuits. The next steps in the legal proceedings are expected to take place in the first half of 2024.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. Crisis lines and local support services can be accessed through the Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. In case of immediate danger, call 911.