Trip Leaders and Site Staff

Liam Agnew (he/him)

From Vancouver, BC. Liam went to Capilano University in British Columbia for Outdoor Recreation Management. His favourite activities are hiking, baking, and Dungeons & Dragons. Great Moment In Camping: “Hiking for two months on the Te Araroa Trail, covering the 1300km length of New Zealand’s South Island.” Liam will be leading VII this summer. This is his 14th year at Wanapitei, and his 5th year on staff.

Liz Andrews (she/her)

From Sainte-Agathe-Des-Monts, Quebec. Liz studied at Thompson Rivers University and completed the Adventure Guide Diploma. Her favourite hobbies include sailing, skiing, and reading. Great Moment In Camping: “Is playing an animated game of rock bocce on a sand bar with a great group of friends.” Liz will be leading trips this summer. This is her second year on staff at Wanapitei.

Sam Angel (he/him)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Sam attended Dalhousie University for a BSc in Microbiology & Immunology, as well as McGill University for a MSc in Experimental Surgery. His special interests include doodling, push-ups, sauna culture, and cooking rice. Great Moment In Camping: “Skipping school to go winter camping, only to pee in my sleeping bag and accidentally steal a dog.” Sam will be a canoe instructor this summer. This is his 13th year at camp, and his 8th year on staff.

Gordon Annan (he/him)

Coming soon.

Asher Birenbaum (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Asher is attending the University of Waterloo for Physics. He is a huge soccer fan and plays quidditch for Waterloo. He traveled around Europe all of May. Great Moment In Camping: “Watching the sun rise over the mouth of the Moose River. We had been windbound for almost 12 hours near the mouth of the Moose. Finally at about two in the morning the winds died down and the tides were right and we paddled the final stretch of our trip in complete darkness, only using the headlamps on the boats ahead of us and the dim lights coming from Moosonee as guidance.” Asher will be leading trips this summer. This is his 8th year at camp and his first year as staff.

Matthew Blumberg (he/him)

Coming soon.

Kai Bruce (he/him)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Riley is at Queen’s University for the Concurrent Education program (Bachelor of Education and Science). Her interests include swimming, skiing, rock climbing, and canoe tripping. Great Moment In Camping: “My greatest moment in camping was my V2s make-shift square dance on day 32. We brought out our guitar, pan flute and pots onto a dusty dirt patch and swung each other around in crocs for over two hours. ” Riley will be leading trips this summer. This is her 8th year at camp, and her first year on staff.

Matthew Chung (he/him)

From Guelph, Ontario. Matthew is studying Physics and education at the University of British Columbia. His favourite hobbies include cooking, hockey, and working out. Great Moment In Camping: “All of them really, it’s funny how you never remember any of the times you weren’t happy on trip.” Matthew will be leading trips this summer. This is his 11th year at Wanapitei, and his 2nd year on staff.

Jordan Decker (she/her)

Coming soon.

Gwen Elmhirst (she/her)

From Tottenham, Ontario. Gwen is studying Sociology at the University of Victoria. Her favourite hobbies include painting, hiking, and hanging outside with pals in general. Great Moment In Camping: “I’d like to say the first time I paddled under the bridge. I was flooded with emotions I didn’t expect and I remember I just couldn’t stop smiling. That moment was one of the many reasons I just kept coming back.” Gwen will be leading trips this summer. This is her 4th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Liz Evans (she/her)

Coming soon.

Clare Farley (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Clare took a gap year, and is headed to the University of Victoria in September where she’ll be studying Earth and Ocean Sciences. Her interests include whitewater kayaking, cross country skiing and reading. Clare Worked in Red Lake at an exploration drilling camp during the winter and for the month of May traveled around Europe. Great Moment In Camping: “Waking up to the sight of a caribou on VII!  We were all excited to see some new wildlife, only to be distracted by other group members sticking their arms ALL the way down their pants just to stay warm.” Clare will be leading trips this summer. This is her 7th year at camp, and her 1st year on staff.

Jacob Fischer (they/he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Jacob studied Philosophy at Trent University with a Specialization in Normative Ethics. Their special interests include cooking, chess and political organizing. Jacob is working on writing samples to apply for PhD programs in Kant Studies. Also an Esports competitor for Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ranked Top 5 in the Province. Greatest Moment In Camping: “finishing a particularly difficult trip of portage due sauvage as a leader and having campers cheer me on as I brought back my last load, seeing all my campers happy to see me return always brings a smile to my face.” Jacob will be leading trips this summer. This is their 15th year at Wanapitei, and their 5th year on staff.

Gabe Fischer-Schmidt (he/him)

Coming soon.

Jing Fischer-Schmidt (they/them)

From Toronto, Ontario on Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Huron and Wendat lands. Jing works as a forest teacher in Coast Salish Territories, known as Vancouver. Favourite activities include weaving, singing, teaching, connecting with nature with kids, elders, friends, and our non-human companions, crafts, games, and adventurous challenges. Jing will be our Arts and Nature Instructor this summer. Jing grew up at Wanapitei and this is their second year on staff.

Severen Fischer-Schmidt (she/her)

Coming soon.

Jack Gardiner (he/him)

Coming soon.

Logan Germain (she/her)

From Richmond Hill, Ontario. Logan completed her Bachelor of Sciences from Queen’s University and is now doing her Master’s degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology, also at Queen’s. Her special interests include snowboarding, she has been a snowboard instructor for 6 years, including one year teaching at Whitewater Ski Resort in BC. She also enjoys indoor and outdoor climbing. Great Moment In Camping: “During my camper V2, we spotted a heard of caribou up on the escarpment above the river, so we pulled off and jumped out of our boats to go spot them from on top of the escarpment. Once we got on top, we started slowly approaching, but of course, once we got close enough they started running away so a few of us started running off behind them. It was pretty cool chasing a herd of caribou for a couple of minutes!” Logan will be leading VII this summer. This is her 10th year at camp and her 6th summer on staff.

Eamonn Gogan (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario.  Eamonn recently graduated from McGill University with an MA in History. His favourite hobbies are collaging in the arts and crafts tent. Great Moment In Camping: “A memorable moment at camp was pranking the LITs after Bay Trip & paddling under the bridge after V2 (for the first time post-COVID)”. Eamonn is leading a Bay Trip this summer, and he is also looking forward to collaging in the arts & crafts tent. This is his 8th year on staff.

Henry Gould (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Henry studied engineering physics at Queens University. His special interests include musical theatre, climbing, and improv. He has been working in BC the past year and a half as an engineer in nuclear fusion energy, but is now taking some time off to head to camp and travel in the fall! Greatest Moment In Camping: “Packing up the wanagan as a beautiful red-orange sun was setting over James bay, and saying ‘Bye sun.'” Henry will be leading vII this summer. This is his 10th year at Wanapitei, and his 7th year on staff.

Riley Heavens (she/her)

From Montreal, Quebec. Riley is studying at Concordia University, majoring in Human Relations. Her favourite hobbies are traveling and painting. Great Moment In Camping:  “My greatest moment of camping was leading my first ever trip with Wanapitei. It was a Junior trip that rained and hailed for 3 days straight. The feeling of coming under the bridge at the end was something so amazing that I will never forget.” Riley will be leading trips this summer. This is her 5th year at Wanapitei and her 5th year on staff.

Molly Heintzman (she/her)

From Toronto, Ontario. Molly studied History at McGill University. She has been working for the past year and a half in Nemaska, Eeyou Istchee at a High School with the organization Youth Fusion. Great Moment In Camping: “Seeing the northern lights on the Broadback river on my I1”. Molly will be leading trips this summer. This is her 10th year at Wanapitei, and her 5th year on staff.

Trevor Hester (he/him)

Coming soon.

Daniel Horton (he/him)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Daniel is studying at the University of Waterloo, he is in his second year of Mathematics co-op. His Favourite hobbies include sailing, programming, video games, and canoe tripping (obviously). He spent last Winter working as a teaching assistant for a first-year software engineering course at Waterloo as his first co-op job. Great Moment In Camping:  “V2 height-of-land portage. We started the day on the bank of a small forest stream. After an exhausting 10 hours of portaging we finally broke past the tree line and crested the ridge we were climbing, only to be greeted by one of the most amazing views I’ve seen. We found ourselves staring out across a valley of rolling hills with small lakes/ponds in between, which was flanked by mountain ranges on either side and went on as far as the eye could see. The weeks of upstream and hours of portaging leading up to that moment had suddenly all paid off at once. It was the most incredible feeling, and was just the motivation we needed to push through the final few hours of our longest and hardest day of trip.” Daniel will be leading trips this summer. This is his 7th year at Wanapitei and his first year as staff.

Claire Hunter (she/her)

From Toronto, Ontario. Claire is studying Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University. Her favourite activities include going to the dog park. Great Moment In Camping: Doing the Napoleon Pickerel Bay challenge in the pouring rain with a Temag!” Claire will be leading trips this summer. This is her 9th year at Wanapitei, and her 2nd year on staff.

Ella Iles (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Ella is studying Physics and Computer Science at McGill University. Her favourite hobbies include whitewater kayaking, tree planting, wandering aimlessly, organizing cross country skis that are way too far and then crawling the last 10 km (with Tenley). Great Moment In Camping: “Witnessing someone go down a set while doing a headstand in the stern.” Ella will be leading trips this summer. This is her 8th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Sarah Irvine (she/her)

Coming soon.

Romey Karovitch (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Romey is studying Environmental Biology at McGill University. Her favourite hobbies include climbing, arts, running, and baking. Winter of 2023 she’ll be doing an exchange in Scotland and is very excited for that! Great Moment In Camping: “Reaching the final hill at the end of our overland in VII. We came to the top and were struck with this amazing valley dotted with small lakes and marshes, surrounded by humongous mountains. The sun was setting and the lighting was incredible. Just stood and took it all in with my fellow camper and leader. It was pretty amazing.” Romey will be leading trips this summer. This is her 12th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Sophie Karovitch (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Sophie is studying Math and Physiology at McGill University. Her favourite hobbies include lots of crocheting lately. Great Moment In Camping: Swimming in crystal clear blue water 4 times a day on Georgian Bay.” Sophie will be leading trips this summer. This is her 13th year at Wanapitei, and her 2nd year on staff.

Xin Ke Law-Gallagher (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Xin is studying at McMaster University in Hamilton. He is in a program called Arts and Science, studying everything! Chemistry, Calculus, Philosophy, Argumentation…etc. His favourite hobbies are the varsity cross country and middle distance track team at McMaster. He love maps, loves to cook (eating more-so), and dabbles in yoga. He has been working with the Canadian Blood Services to encourage and facilitate McMaster students to donate blood. Great Moment In Camping: “After considerable deliberation, my GMIC was getting to the Mountain River at the end of our second overland on VII. My leader and I, without a word, jumped out of our boats and sprinted/scrambled to the water. Out of breath yet elated, we both tumbled in fully clothed.” Xin will be leading trips this summer. This is his 9th year at Wanapitei and his 1st year as staff.

Santina Lebrun (she/her)

From Toronto, Ontario. Santina’s favourite hobbies include gardening, traveling, cooking, cycling, playing guitar, and doing home renovations. Great Moment In Camping: “Any and all rock/cliff jumping.” Santina will be the Host at the Chateau this Summer. This is her first year at Wanapitei.

Clare Littlechild (she/her)

From Aurora, Ontario. Clare is studying Political Science and Women’s Studies at Western University. She just completed a Fulbright Killam Fellowship at Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Her favourite hobbies include being a competitive equestrian and polo player since she was a child, teaching polo and horseback riding, crafting, and hiking. Clare works as an activist, including work with anti-SLAPP statutes, Beyond Borders ECPAT, and anti-trafficking work for Liberia. Great Moment In Camping: “Seeing a mother moose and her calf going for a swim.” This is her 3rd year at Wanapitei, and her third year on staff.

Cameron MacPhail (he/him)

From Vancouver, British Columbia. Cameron studied Biology at Queen’s University, and hopes to do his Masters in the future. His Favourite hobbies other than canoe tripping and whitewater, include skiing/ski touring, hiking, running, and rugby. This past year he took a break from school after graduating to travel Canada, driving out to the east coast for the fall and spending the winter in Whistler to ski. Great Moment In Camping: “Greatest is impossible to say, but a great moment was swimming in the Arctic Ocean in the middle of the Arctic “night”, with a large bonfire on the beach that did little to nothing to warm us up when we got out of the chilly water.” Cameron will be leading trips this summer. This is his fifteenth year at camp and fifth year on staff.

Ella MacPhail (she/her)

From Kingston, Ontario. Ella is completing her Bachelor of Science at Dalhousie University. Her favourite hobbies include gymnastics and cheerleading. Thrifting is her passion. Great Moment In Camping: “Reaching a flood in a valley due to a very large beaver damn and traversing it by pushing the canoes down it like a slide.” Ella will be leading trips this summer. This is her 9th year at Wanapitei, and her 2nd year on staff.

Kai Malcolm (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Kai spends his off-season where he is happiest: the outdoors (currently BC)! His favourite activities include snowboarding, whitewater, kayaking, and climbing. Great Moment in Camping: “Seeing the northern lights light up and dance across the entire sky, surrounding us in a bowl of flashing white lights surrounded by best friends on V2”. Kai will be leading trips this summer. This is his tenth year at camp and his fourth year on staff.

Tenley McKay (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Tenley will be starting her Bachelor of Health Sciences this fall at Simon Fraser University. Her favourite hobbies include cross country skiing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and a good game of cards. Tenley took a gap year and recently  spent some time volunteering on ranches in British Columbia where she got to learn about farming and even helped deliver a few calves. Great Moment In Camping: “It’s hard to pick just one but I would have to say that my favourite moment in camping happened on day 45 of V2. I was on lunch crew and we were up until really late making loaves but we got to see the northern lights for the first time.” Tenley will be leading trips this summer. This will be her 9th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Callum Nicholson (he/him)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Callum went to George Brown College for Culinary Management. His interests include macro insect photography, and vegetable gardening. Great Moment In Camping: “Sailing by canoe raft up the Mackenzie River.” Callum will be the chef at the Chateau this summer. This is his 7th year at Wanapitei and, after a few years away, his third year on Staff.

Tobin Nickle-Lott (he/him)

From North Bay, Ontario. Tobin is studying Industrial Design at Sheridan College. His interests include problem-solving and working on fun projects. Great Moment In Camping: “My road trip out west was a really memorable stretch of camping. Getting to see the variety of biomes that we have within our country and spending a night in each one.” Tobin will be working on-site this summer. This is his 3rd year at Wanapitei, and his 3rd year on staff.

Jack Panayi (he/him)

From Yellowknife, North West Territories. Jack’s favourite hobbies are paddling and skiing. Great Moment In Camping: “Running around with my friends on a beautiful island with moss so soft and green it looked like a golf course.” Jack will be leading trips this summer. This is his 7th year at Wanapitei, and his 3rd year on staff.

Rae Panayi (she/her)

From Yellowknife, North West Territories. Rae is studying at Trent University in the Concurrent Education Stream with a Major in Biology. Her favourite hobbies include cross-country skiing, soccer, walks, climbing, and cooking. Great Moment In Camping: “My favourite moment was arriving at Goz Lake, our height of land on our V2 after 32 days of dragging upriver, it was a huge relief and felt amazing!” Rae will be leading trips this summer. This is her 5th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Laura Peberdy (she/her)

Coming soon.

Ethan Rajaratnam (he/him)

Alex Roeder (he/him)

Coming soon.

Brigid Roeder (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Brigid went to McGill University for her Bachelor of Education. Her favourite activities include baking, skiing, and music. Great Moment in Camping: Hiking up a mountain on VII and seeing the river stretched out way behind us and way ahead of us, and our tiny tents down below!” Brigid will be leading trips this summer. This is her 6th year at Wanapitei, and her 5th year on staff.

Sabastian Shaw (he/him)

Coming soon.

Zoë Szabo (they/he/her)

Ella Taylor (she/they)

From Toronto, Ontario. Ella is studying Curation and Criticism at OCAD University. Her favourite hobbies include working at a rock climbing gym as a setter and coach, also loves writing and being outside. Great Moment In Camping: “After fighting through thick alders we reached an esker -a long ridge of gravel deposited by glacial meltwater.” Ella will be leading trips this summer. This is her 9th year at Wanapitei, and her 2nd year on staff.

Mark Teron (he/him)

From Toronto, Ontario. Mark is studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in the Musical Applications of Technology at McGill University. His favourite hobbies include skateboarding, snowboarding, rock climbing, music, cars/bikes – builds off road race cars with McGill, and of course canoeing and camping. Great Moment In Camping: “After a tricky portage on my VI, my leader Sam and I went up to grab the last boat when he let me know if we left it empty we could run the giant piece of whitewater the portage went around. We planned out our route knowing we were probably going to dump but wanted to have some fun getting as far as we could get beforehand. After some of the biggest waves I have ever run, we finally dumped right where we thought we would and gently floated down river to meet up with the rest of the group after a set well ran.” Mark will be leading trips and one of our Program Directors this summer. This is his 6th year at Wanapitei, and his 2nd year on staff.

Helen Thomas (she/her)

From Toronto, Ontario. Helen completed her Masters in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York in the United Kingdom. Her favourite hobbies include adventuring (climbing, hiking, getting stuck in alder bushes), currently living in London so mostly spends time trying to make padded cycling shorts acceptable ‘office wear’, eating overpriced sandwiches, and thinking about what it would be like to live at the top of a skyscraper on a windy day. Other interests: cats, the Toronto Blue Jays, bread and books, and what they call “wild swimming”. Great Moment In Camping: “I had an incredible time last summer on the WLIT whitewater trip; it was my first canoe trip since the pandemic and it felt so good to be back out there. After a summer away, I noticed all sorts of things I hadn’t known I’d missed — chatting about everything and nothing with your paddling partner, BBQ corn nut dust, collecting firewood when it gets really windy before the rain comes. I’m really looking forward to being back this summer!” Helen will be leading trips this summer. This is her 18th year at Wanapitei, and her 8th year on staff.

Min Timmins (she/her)

From Toronto, Ontario. Min is studying Religions and Cultures with a Minor in Law and Society at Concordia University. Her favourite hobbies include exploring new places, meeting new people, playing guitar, rock climbing, and clothes/fashion/jewelry! She also really appreciates sharing a nice meal with friends and family. At the end of her degree, a distant dream is to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Canada or Te Araroa which is the entire length of New Zealand. Great Moment In Camping: “It was the last day of my WLIT whitewater trip and we got picked out later than planned so we ended up portaging the beach trail in the middle of the night. Once we completed the portage our little group of 7 huddled together to share one last moment before paddling under the bridge, beneath the stars. No one was awake to cheer us under, but at that moment it didn’t really matter.” Min will be leading trips this summer. This is her 10th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Emma Tutt (she/her)

From Moffat, Ontario. Emma studies Integrated Science at McMaster University. Her favourite hobbies are skiing, she has been spending her winters coaching ski racing. Great Moment In Camping: “Paddling through the peel canyon on my V2.” Emma will be leading trips this summer. This is her 5th year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Emma Van Velzen (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Emma is studying Biopharmaceutical Sciences at University of Ottawa. Her favourite hobbies include soccer, knitting, and playing piano. Great Moment In Camping: “Last summer, I went camping with a few friends who’d never been camping before, and we got rained out with over an inch of water in our 40-year-old tent, so we came back a day early.” Emma will be the office assistant this summer. This is her 1st year at Wanapitei, and her 1st year on staff.

Lucas Whitear (he/him)

From Scarborough, Ontario. Lucas studied HVAC at George Brown College and now works in the field during the year. Great Moment In Camping: “My greatest moment in camping is coming under the bridge after finishing my V2. The accomplishment of doing that trip plus the entire camp community cheering made it very special.” Lucas will be leading trips this year. This is his 11th year at Wanapitei, and his 4th year on staff.

Emmerson Wilson (she/her)

From Ottawa, Ontario. Emmerson studied Biology at St FX. She is moving to Newfoundland for her Masters in Biology come this fall. Her favourite hobbies include skiing, hiking, and baking bread. Great Moment In Camping: “Waking up to snow on my birthday in July on V2.” Emmerson will be leading V2 this summer. This is her 13th year at Wanapitei, and her 5th year on staff.

Cian Wilson-Valdes (he/him)

From Nelson, British Columbia. Cian is studying to be a paramedic and works as a paddling instructor. His favourite activities include paddling, whitewater solo canoeing, snowboarding, and playing rugby. Cian will be leading trips this summer. This is his 8th year at camp and his third year on staff.