Meet Our 2024 Staff Team
Elizabeth Andrews (she/her)
VII Leader
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: “Playing an animated game of rock bocce on a sandbar with a great group of friends.” Liz will be leading trips this summer. This is her fifth year working at Wanapitei.
Bruce Annan (he/him)
Trailblazer Section Head
From Ottawa, Ontario. During the off-season Bruce studies Geography at the University of Victoria. His hobbies include climbing, paddling, hiking, and spending time with family, especially his brothers. His great moment in camping: Seeing a moose for the first time, wading near our canoe right after a long portage. This is his first year at Wanapitei.
Gordon Annan (he/him)
Kitchen Staff
Coming soon.
Islay Ballantyne (she/her)
Trip Leader & Program Director (Early August)
From Toronto, Ontario. Islay is currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Science at Queen’s University. She loves sports, both watching and playing all different kinds, but most notably swimming. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Finishing the overland section of my VII after dragging and walking for pretty much the entire trip up to that point. Nothing will beat that sense of accomplishment.” Islay will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her twelfth year at camp, and her second year on staff.
Keitay Becker (she/her)
Trip Leader & Program Director (Late July)
From Bear Island, Lake Temagami. Keitay is at Nipissing University for Indigenous Studies. Her hobbies include paddling, swimming, running, sewing, and drawing. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Getting stuck in a storm on Maple Mountain and singing all the way down!” Keitay will be leading trips and working on site this summer. She paddles because it makes her feel grounded and connected to the land and culture. This is her seventh year at camp, second year on staff.
Asher Birenbaum (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Asher is attending the University of Waterloo for Physics. He is a huge soccer fan and plays quidditch for Waterloo. Great Moment In Camping: “Watching the tides change on James Bay.” Asher will be leading trips this summer. This is his twelfth year at camp, and his fourth year on staff.
Matthew Blumberg (he/him)
Trip Leader, Program Director (Early July)
From Toronto, Ontario. Matthew is studying Environment, Sustainability, and Society at Dalhousie University. His favourite activities include reading, storytelling, nice long walks, and believing in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Great Moment in Camping: “The first day of trip each summer! There’s always a really neat moment about half an hour into paddling of “Wow I’m on trip again! I missed doing this!” It’s shortly followed by the ache of paddling muscles being reactivated but the trade off is always worth it.” Matt will be leading trips and working as one of our Program Directors this summer. This is his fourteenth summer at camp and fourth year on staff.
Aenea Briggs (she/her)
Trip Leader
From San Francisco, California (but grew up in Toronto!). Aenea is studying physics and math at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Her favourite hobbies include dancing, hiking, and reading. Great Moment in Camping: “We were paddling on the Arctic Ocean, it was a beautiful warm and sunny day, and we had to stop paddling for about an hour as a pod of belugas passed by us. They surrounded us and swam under our boats, making all sorts of noises. It was unforgettable.” Aenea will be leading trips this summer. This is her eighth year at camp and her third year on staff.
Helene Briggs (she/her)
Trip Leader
Coming soon.
Riley Buckle (she/her)
Trip Leader & Senior Program Director (Late July)
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 V2’s 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 eleventh year at camp, and her fourth year on staff.
Myrna Burns (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Madison, Wisconsin. Myrna is attending Dalhousie University for Psychology. Her favourite activities include playing soccer, reading, watching movies, and travelling. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Waking up at 2am and seeing the northern lights with my group.” Myrna will be leading trips and working on site this summer. She has been at Wanapitei for nine years, and this is her second year on staff.
Audrey Cameron (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Baltimore, Maryland. Audrey is studying Genetics at the University of Toronto. Her favourite activities include volleyball, embroidery, and getting outside! Great Moment in Camping: “Having VII wrestling matches on a sandbar.” Audrey will be leading trips and working on site this summer. “I paddle because I love it and it’s a skill I can always be improving!” This is her eighth year at camp and her second year on staff.
Robbie Carey (he/him)
Trip Leader, Program Director (Late August)
From Toronto, Ontario. Robbie is studying Accounting at the Ivey School of Business. He loves everything outdoors and has a special interest in rock climbing. Great Moment in Camping: “In the Northwest Territories, my group came across a lake where every cast of a fishing rod rewarded a huge trout. We ate fish for dinner and breakfast that day.” Robbie will be leading trips and working as one of our Program Directors this summer. This is his sixth summer at Wanapitei, and his third on staff.
Matthew Chung (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Guelph, Ontario. Matthew is studied 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 and working as one of our Senior Program Directors this summer. This is his fourteenth year at Wanapitei, and his fifth year on staff.
Quinn de Pencier (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Quinn studies acting at Concordia. His hobbies include biking and dance. Quinn’s Great Moment in Camping was on his Bay Trip: “We finished a hard day and saw a breathtaking sunset and a full rainbow. I was totally at peace”. Quinn has been at Wanapitei for 5 years, and this is his first year on staff.
Serena de Waal (they/them)
Site Assistant
Coming soon.
Jordan Decker (they/them)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Jo is studying Environment & Health and Kinesiology at Western. Their favourite activities include tree planting, taking photos, spreading time with friends and family (and their dog Duck), playing hockey and being silly. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Getting to the Fraser valley on V2 and getting to take in the beautiful landscape with our little family.” Jordan will be leading trips and working as one of our Senior Program Directors this summer. This is their twelfth summer at camp and fifth on staff.
Clare Farley (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Clare is studying Geology at the University of Victoria. Her interests include whitewater kayaking, cross country skiing and reading. 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 tenth year at camp, and her fourth year on staff.
Gabriel Fischer-Schmidt (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Gabriel is studying Forestry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His favourite activities include sitting in the sun, skiing and, when the weather allows, both at the same time. Now that it’s summer, he’ll swap skiing for canoeing. Great Moment in Camping: “Paddling under the bridge after my VII, a moment I had thought about for a long time and it exceeded expectations.” This is his sixteenth summer at Wanapitei, and sixth year on staff.
Kate Funnekotter (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Kate is attending Concordia University for Anthropology. She enjoys painting and hanging out with her friends in her free time. Greatest Moment in Camping: “On Bay Trip, when me and a few others walked 2 km to ‘Nunavut Island’ and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and wildlife of James Bay.” She loves paddling because it is calming and the people she’s met through paddling are so kind and amazing. Kate will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her tenth year at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.
Robyn Fyfe (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, ON. Robyn is studying journalism at Carleton University. She loves singing, swimming, knitting, baking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and of course learning as much as she can about the plants in her environment. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Canoeing across James Bay in total darkness and looking up to see the northern lights for the first time.” Robin will be leading trips this summer.
Evan Gautreau (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Evan is studying Engineering at McMaster University. During the off-season Evan enjoys hiking and spending time with friends. His Great Moment in Camping: “Spending a day in a natural hot spring with all my friends in the Northwest Territories on V2”. He has been going to Wanapitei for seven years and this is his first year on staff.
Colin Gould (he/him)
Trip Leader, Program Director (Early August)
From Toronto, Ontario. Colin is studying Mathematics and Engineering at Queen’s University. Special interests include skateboarding with his friends. Great Moment in Camping: “Near the end of my VII on the Mountain River, we had a bit of extra time so we had some half days where we would end at lunch and go on a hike in the afternoon. One particular hike we climbed straight up this mountain and followed the ridge line along the top for a ways. The ridge went around this amphitheater-like cut out in the mountain that looked like a dragon’s lair. From the top we had the most spectacular view of the river and surrounding mountains!” Colin will be leading trips and working as one of our Program Directors this summer. This is his tenth summer at Wanapitei, and his third year on staff.
Destiny Greyson (she/her)
Kitchen Staff
From Haileybury, Ontario. Destiny will be attending George Brown College for Baking this fall. Her favourite hobbies include baking and running. Great Moment in Camping: “Climbing mountains and baking desserts on V2!” Destiny will be working in our kitchen this summer. This is her tenth year at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.
Hailie Greyson (she/her)
Childcare
Coming soon.
Maureen Hodnett (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Maureen studies Global Studies and Fine Arts at Bishops University. Her favorite activities include playing volleyball, basketball, tennis, reading, playing guitar, and spending time outdoors with friends. Her greatest moment in camping: Floating down the Coppermine River on VII, serenading her friends on guitar and singing with absolutely no worries. Maureen will be leading trips this summer. This is her twelfth year at Wanapitei and her first year as a leader.
Tegan Henry (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Chelsea, Quebec. Tegan is studying Cognitive Science at McGill University. Her favourite activities include being outside, white water paddling, and volleyball. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Canoeing on the Arctic Ocean during our V2 while belugas were swimming around us.” Tegan will be leading trips this summer. This is her sixth summer at Wanapitei and her third year on staff.
Mika Hoffer (he/him)
Trip Leader & Program Director (Late August)
From Ottawa, Ontario. Mika is studying Environmental Studies at Concordia University. His hobbies include reading, listening to and playing music, and telling stories. One of his Great Moments In Camping: “Square dancing in Dawson City at the end of V2.” Mika will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is his fifth year at Wanapitei, and his second year on staff.
Daniel Horton (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Daniel is studying at the University of Waterloo, working on a Mathematics co-op. His Favourite hobbies include sailing, programming, video games, and canoe tripping (obviously). 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 tenth year at Wanapitei and his fourth year as staff.
Claire Hunter (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Claire graduated from Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University and is finishing up her Master’s degree in England. 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 twelfth year at Wanapitei, and her fifth year on staff.
Oliver Ingoe (he/they)
Kitchen Staff
From Aurora, Ontario. Oliver is studying baking and pastry arts at George Brown College. Their hobbies include singing and playing a variety of instruments. Great Moment in Camping: “Paddling with a pod of beluga whales.” Oliver is working in the kitchen this summer. This is their twelfth summer at Wanapitei, and their third year on staff.
Ella Iles (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ella studies Physics at McGill University. When asked about her hobbies, she said: “Whitewayer kayaking ! Running ! Card games ! Inventing games ! Conversation ! Comedic timing ! Reading ! Reading out loud !”. Her Great Moment in Camping was on her V2 when ” we dragged around a corner and there was a beautiful black wolf that looked at us for a second and walked away.” She has been going to Wanapitei for nine years, and a staff for four.
Mado Iles (she/her)
Trip Leader
Coming soon.
Romey Karovitch (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario, Romey’s favourite hobbies include crafting, music, sunshine, and petting big dogs. Her Great Moment In Camping: “Being completely alone on my birthday during my solo trip in WLIT. Ate brownies all day and soaked up the perfect quiet. Couldn’t have asked for a better day!” Romey will be leading trips this summer. This is her 15th year at Wanapitei, and her fourth year on staff.
Sophie Karovitch (she/her)
VII Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario, Sophie has just finished studying Math and Physiology at McGill University. Her favourite hobbies include knitting, crafting, and skiing. 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 sixteenth year at Wanapitei, and her fifth year on staff.
Ellie Keith (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Ellie studies Engineering Physics at Queen’s University in Kingston. Her hobbies include rock climbing, planting trees, enjoying the sun, drinking coffee and casually running. Ellie has been going to camp for nine years and this is her second year on staff.
Maddy Kurt (she/her)
Program Support
From Toronto, Ontario. Maddy is studying Anthropology with a specialization in Paleopathology at McGill University. Some of her favourite activities include listening to music, hanging out with friends, doing special effects makeup on anyone who will let her, and (obviously) canoe tripping. Great Moment in Camping: “On V2, the feeling of being completely spent and yet so content— singing slightly off key to a battered guitar, surrounded by people I love.” Maddy will be working on site this summer. This will be her seventh year at camp, and her second year on staff.
Nuan Law-Gallagher (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Nuan is studying honours Health Sciences at McMaster University. Some of her favourite things include cooking and/or eating, being cozy in a tent while listening (and smelling) the rain, rowing, and being in nature with friends! Greatest Moment in Camping: “Making full use of our mysterious and enormous grassy plateau 20 feet above the river, pulling out our disc that had – after 30 days in a food pack- seen better days. Absorbed in how huge the landscape around us was, it didn’t seem to matter that we spent more time chasing after the disc than catching it.” This is her twelfth year at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.
Xin Law-Gallager (he/him)
Trip Leader & Canoe Instructor (August)
From Toronto, Ontario. Xin is studying at McMaster University in Hamilton, and working with the Department of Family Medicine researching the history of medicine. His favourite hobbies are the varsity cross country and middle distance track team at McMaster. He love maps, and loves to cook (eating more-so). Great Moment In Camping: “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 twelfth year at Wanapitei and his fourth year on staff.
Evie Light (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Evie is studying History at Queen’s University. Her favourite activities include hiking, playing the ukulele, and biking with friends. Great Moment in Camping: “During VII: Climbing over the last ridge on the hottest day of a very hot overland and finally seeing the Keele River in the valley below.” Evie will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her fifth summer at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.
Ella MacPhail (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Kingston, Ontario. Ella is completing her Master’s at Dalhousie University. Her favourite hobbies include going for walks, climbing, and thrift shopping. Great Moment In Camping: “Everytime we found a bone on our V2 and then named them all Bev.” Ella will be leading trips this summer. This is her thirteenth year at Wanapitei, and her fifth year on staff.
Tenley McKay (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Tenley is studying Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Her favourite hobbies include skiing, rowing, hiking, country music, and a good game of cards. Great Moment In Camping: “It’s hard to pick just one… I would have to say that my favorite moment in camping happened on day 45 of V2. I was on lunch crew and we were up super late making loaves but it was totally worth it because we got to see the northern lights for the first time!” Tenley will be leading trips this summer. This will be her twelfth year at Wanapitei, and her fourth year on staff.
Josie Nuttall (she/her)
Trip Leader
From just outside of Perth, Ontario. Josie is studying Biology at Trent University. Her favourite activites include climbing, reading, cooking, wandering aimlessly outside, and attempting to teach herself guitar. Great Moment in Camping: “It was day 42 of VII, and I got to solo a loaded tandem canoe through really fun little sets for the first time and it was incredibly fun– especially after being nervous about doing it!” Josie will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her ninth year at Wanapitei and her second year on staff.
Rae Panayi (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Rae is studying at Trent University with a major in Biology and a minor in Geography. Her favourite hobbies include cross-country skiing, walking, and cooking. Her Great Moment In Camping: “Eating cherry cake soaked in melted margarine on V2!” Rae will be leading trips this summer. This is her eighth year at Wanapitei, and her fourth year on staff.
Sacha Payne (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Kingston, Sacha loves Skateboarding, Snowboarding and Climbing. His Great Moment in Camping: “Turning couscous into something delicious”. This is his third year at Wanapitei and his first on staff.
Zoe Payne (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Kingston, Ontario. Zoe is studying History and English at McGill University. Her favorite hobbies include hiking, reading, and playing volleyball. Zoe will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her fourth summer at camp, and her second year on staff.
Ethan Rajaratnam (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Ethan is in medical school at the University of Toronto. His favourite hobbies are Capture the Flag, hitting the gym, and hanging out with friends. Great Moment In Camping: “For our first Bay Day on Baytrip, we needed to leave at 2 am to catch the tides. It was a beautiful night and the stars were shining down on us. Then we got to the Bay just in time for one of the most stunning sunrises I’ve ever seen!” Ethan will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This will be his eleventh year at Wanapitei, and his sixth year on staff.
Pyper Rajaratnam (she/her)
Trip Leader
Coming soon.
Lauren Richardson (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Lauren is currently studying Biochemistry at Queen’s University. Her favourite activities include whitewater paddling and swimming. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Waking up to the northern lights on V1 and experiencing them with our whole group!” Lauren will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her eighth year at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.
Gabriel Riendeau (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Gab will be attending Carleton University’s Industrial Design program this upcoming fall. The past few years, Gab has been woodworking, coaching gymnastics, and tree planting. Great Moment in Camping: “On VII reaching the Fraser River in Labrador. A truly breathtaking view.” This is his tenth summer at Wanapitei and his fifth year on staff.
Alex Roeder (he/him)
Head of Maintenance
Hartley Rucklidge (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Hartley is studying mining engineering at Queen’s University. His Hobbies include reading, running, music, hockey, animals and -most importantly- laughing!
Hartley’s Great Moment in Camping: On V2, I loved cooking on trip, especially making dinner in the Barrens with everyone gathered around after a long day. One day, after a windy, cold, and physically taxing push day on Abeerden Lake—the biggest, coldest, and choppiest lake of our trip—I found myself preparing dinner. The consensus was made: we were having mac. My partner Elan and I got straight to work. Everyone was tired and tensions were high, but dinner was served quickly, and no quarrels arose. Not a word was said during the meal until everyone had eaten, but somehow it felt like an entire conversation had taken place. The connections you form by being in such close proximity with others on a trip are truly amazing. It was in that moment I realized how special the bonds formed through canoe tripping—both with people and with nature—can be. That’s why I consider it my greatest moment in camping. This is Hartley’s fifth summer at Wanapitei and first on staff.
Emma Syme (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. In the off season Emma studies political science at Mcgill University. Her hobbies include thrifting, sewing, and biking around. Great Moment in Camping: “One morning towards the end of V2 on the Coppermine, an arctic wolf waltzed through our campsite!” This is her twelfth year at Wanapitei, and first year on staff.
Oscar Szablowski (he/him)
Kitchen
Coming soon.
Zoë Szabo
Trip Leader & Senior Program Director (Early July)
From Ottawa, Ontario. Zoë is studying Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Zoë favourite hobbies are martial arts and swing dancing. Greatest Moment In Camping: “On one of my trips as a camper, we paddled all the way up the Obabika River from the Sturgeon in one day, and reached Wawiagama creek just as the sun set. We traveled up the creek with our headlamps as our only light source, navigating around and over fallen trees. When we finally reached the mouth of the creek, we paddled out and watched the starry sky open up in front of us, perfectly reflected on the still lake – we rafted our boats together and slept on the water, under the stars.” Zoë will be leading trips this summer. This is Zoë’s fifth year at Wanapitei, and fifth year on staff.
Mark Teron (he/him)
Trip Leader & Canoe Instructor (July)
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 this summer. This is his ninth year at Wanapitei, and his fifth year on staff.
Sarah Thomson (she/her)
Childcare & Family Camp
From Guelph Ontario, Sarah Thomson is a student in bio-chemistry at the University of Ottawa. In the off-season, Sarah enjoys swimming, climbing and skiing. Sarah has been going to Wanapitei for eleven years, and this is her first summer on staff.
Min Timmins (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Toronto, Ontario. Min studied for two years at Concordia University in Montreal, and is currently working and travelling. Her favourite hobbies include playing guitar, climbing, travelling, seeing live music, and tree planting. 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 fourteenth year at Wanapitei, and her fourth year on staff.
Molly Tinmouth (she/her)
Trip Leader
From Ottawa, Ontario. Molly is studying biology and international development at McGill University. Her favourite activities include cross-country skiing, rowing with the McGill team, trail running, hiking, and pretty much anything that gets her outside. She also loves to cook and bake. Great Moment in Camping: “Freezing cold dips after long days on my VII, just soaking up the incredible landscape.” Molly will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her tenth year at camp and her third year on staff.
Derek Tutt (he/him)
Trip Leader
From Moffat, Ontario. Derek is studying Business at the University of Guelph. His favourite activities include skiing, hockey, reading, camping, and video games. Great Moment in Camping: “On my V2, when we first got to the ocean and witnessed a big pod of beluga whales swim by our campsite.” Derek will be leading trips this summer. This is his seventh year at Wanapitei and his third year on staff.
Emma Tutt (she/her)
Trip Leader & Senior Program Director (August)
From Moffat, Ontario. Emma studied Integrated Science at McMaster University. Her favourite hobby is skiing, and 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 and working as one of our Program Directors this summer. This is her eighth year at Wanapitei, and her fourth year on staff.
Lucas Whitear (he/him)
VII Leader
From Scarborough, Ontario. Lucas has been an HVAC technician for 3 years, but as of September, will be going back to school and studying Building Automation at Algonquin College. Greatest Moment in Camping: “Last year, after battling with tides for a few days and finally getting to our final bay campsite, the whole group saw a beluga whale that was swimming up the Moose River and breaching the surface for air about 20 feet from shore. It was a beautiful moment to wrap up an amazing Bay Trip.” Lucas will be leading VII this summer. This is his fourteenth summer at camp, and his seventh on staff.
Charlotte Wiese (She/Her)
Trip Leader & Program Staff
From Guelph, Ontario. Charlotte is studying Media and Communications at the University of Western Ontario. Her favourite hobbies are swimming and painting. One of her Great Moments in camping was running a set backwards! Charlotte will be leading trips and running sailing this summer. This is her third year at Wanapitei and first year on staff.
Cian Wilson-Valdes (he/him)
VII Leader
From Nelson, British Columbia. During the spring, Cian teaches tandem and solo whitewater canoeing at Madawaska Kanu Center and runs private river runs and lessons. Whenever he’s not working, he spends his time kayaking all around the Madawaska Valley and Ottawa Valley. When the hot season is over he travels back to his home in Nelson and works as a supervisor at Whitewater Ski Resort and snowboards in his off time while he waits for the warm times to return. Cian has been at Wanapitei for eleven years, and this is his sixth year on staff.
Sasha Zuchlinski (she/her)
Trip Leader & Program Director (Early July)
From North Bay and Temagami, Ontario. Sasha is beginning her Engineering studies at the University of Guelph. Her interests include participating in numerous university councils and committees, 70s and 80s dad rock, and going to concerts, but her greatest joy comes from spending time with friends. Great Moment in Camping: “The exhilarating feeling of removing a canoe after a long portage.” For Sasha, paddling is a way to escape everyday life, create unforgettable memories, and meet incredible people. She will be leading trips and working on site this summer. This is her thirteenth year at Wanapitei, and her second year on staff.