ASSISTANTS

	Luis Arevalo Recalde	From Pasto Narino, Colombia, Luis works as a full time music teacher. He has studied Music, Architecture and German Language and also plays with his own band, having experience with guitar, keyboards and drums. A regular volunteer with the YMCA in Colombia, Luis also has camp experience in the United States at Camp Woodhaven and the Cambridge School of Weston Summer Day Camp, both in Massachusetts. He joins us for his first summer at Manitou.
	Dan Bartlett	From Kingston, Ontario, Daniel has been working for the past year in Windsor as a Tool and Dye apprentice. Daniel has extensive Canoe Tripping experience over the past 5 years in locations such as Algonquin Park; the Adirondack Mountains and Labrador through Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. He holds his ORCA Flatwater Instructor, Tripping Level 2, Moving Water Level 1 as well as his Bronze Cross and Wilderness First Aid certifications. Daniel joins us for his first summer at Manitou.
	Warren Carmichael	From Kingston, Ontario, Warren is a student at Laurentian University in Sudbury in the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program. Warren has several years experience taking leadership and training courses through the Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. He holds his ORCA certifications in Flatwater Instruction, Moving Water, Flatwater Kayak and Tripping level 2 as well as his NLS and Wilderness First Responder certifications. This will be Warren’s second summer at Manitou.
	Jennifer Claessens	From Campbellville, Ontario, Jen is a student at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo studying Geography. Jen is the captain of Laurier’s Varsity Women’s Swim Team and has been swimming competitively for over 14 years. She holds her NLS and Swimming Instructors certifications and worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor with the town of Milton for three years. This will be her third summer at Manitou.
	George Crouch	From London, Ontario, George is a student at South Secondary School. During the year, George competes on his school’s Swim and Cross Country teams and is also involved with the Music Council and Senior Jazz Band. George has previous experience as a Lifeguard at Algoma Music Camp and holds his NLS. This will be his first summer on staff at Manitou.
	Collette Dufour	From Sarnia, Ontario, Colette is a student at the University of Windsor studying French language. She previously spent one year studying Recreation at Memorial University. Colette has previous experience on staff at Camp Tamakwa and as an LIT at Camp Medeba. She was also a volunteer in the Katimavik program, spent a year working as a nanny in Banff Alberta and holds her NLS certification. This will be Colette’s first summer at Manitou.
	Ryan Forman	From Toronto, Ontario, Ryan is a graduate of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia with a degree in Sociology. A former ranked Junior Tennis player in Ontario, Ryan also has coaching experience as the Head of Tennis at Zodiac Day Camp in Toronto. In 2005, Ryan helped to set up The Ryan Forman Corneal Equipment Fund and has been actively organizing fundraising activities to support the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundations. He returns for his second summer on staff at Manitou.
	Matt Freder	From Westmount, Quebec, Matthew is a student at McGill University studying Mechanical Engineering. He has been a keen waterskiier for many years and holds his NLS and Swimming Instructors certification and his PCO card. He is also an NCCP level 1 Downhill Skiing coach. Matt was a Manitou camper for three summers, completing our CIT program in 2003. This will be his seventh summer at camp and fourth on staff.
	David Gardos	From Toronto, Ontario, David is a student in the Faculty of Law at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. David also holds a degree in History from the University of Western Ontario in London. David worked for three years at Camp Northland as a Unit Head and as their Head of Tennis. He holds his OTA level 1 certification. He also has experience directing and starring on stage for CoLe Theatrical Productions. This will be David’s first summer at Manitou.
	Lisa Lang	Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Lisa is a graduate of the Outdoor Pursuits program at the University of Calgary in Alberta and has spent the past year working in Toronto. Lisa has worked as a group leader and lifeguard in several camp settings and has been trained in lead climbing, multipitch, top roping, ropes safety & rescue, and alpine and glacier travel in the Rocky Mountains and has experience teaching a University level rock-climbing course. She holds her level 2 swift water rescue certification, is an ARCA certified Class 1 river instructor and holds her NLS. She also completed the LIT program at Camp Madeba and holds her RCM grade 10 level in piano. In 2005, she was named World Games Captain. Lisa returns for her fifth summer on staff at Manitou.
	Ruth Lantz	From Chicago, Illinois, Ruth is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Fine Arts and is now currently working for Decor Galor in Northbrook. She also maintains Emission Studios, and artists run collaborative in Chicago. Ruth has many years experience working as a Lifeguard and Swimming instructor with the American Red Cross. She also has experience working as a nursery supervisor and more recently worked as an assistant at the Phyllis Bramson Studio. Ruth returns for her third summer working at Manitou.
	Hayley Levinter	From Toronto, Ontario, Hayley has been studying Photography through York University and Pikto. Hayley also holds a degree in Sociology from York University and has taken courses in Fashion at George Brown College and Photography through Toronto Image Works. Hayley was at Camp White Pine for 14 years, including four summers on staff. She was also a competitive figure skater for many years and holds her Bronze Cross. This will be Haley’s fourth summer on staff at Manitou.
	Karen Lew	From Vancouver, British Columbia, Karen is a graduate of the Emily Carr Institute with a degree in Fine Arts. She previously completed a Fine Arts diploma at Langara College. Karen has specialized in ceramics, especially sculptural, but also has experience with digital mediums. She has previous experience with AWANA, a children’s outreach ministry, as well as at Hastings Summer Safari Daycamp. This will be her first summer at Manitou.
	Lauren Markowski	From Kingston, Ontario, Lauren is a student at the University of Western Ontario in London studying Visual Arts. Lauren has experience as a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor with Progress Fitness and Aquatics Centre, the Kingston YMCA and Varty Lake Swim Program. After taking many courses through the Gould Lake Outdoor Centre travelling through Algonquin Park, the Adirondacks and James Bay, she holds her OCRA Tripping 2, Flatwater Instructor and Moving Water 1A certifications, along with her Wilderness First Aid, NLS and Swimming Instructor certs. This will be Lauren’s second summer working at Manitou.
	Fraser McIntosh	From Kelowna, British Columbia, Fraser is a student at the University of British Colombia’s Okanagan Campus studying Ecology. Fraser has been rock climbing for over six years and also coaches volleyball at KLO Middle School. He spent one summer as a volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium and is also a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. This will be his second summer at Manitou.
	Melanie McNeill	Originally from Carleton Place, Ontario, Melanie has been living in Toronto for the past several years working on theatrical productions including The Lord of the Rings, Mama Mia!, Hairspray and The Producers as well as a number of “Fringe” shows. Melanie is a graduate of the Technical Theatre Program at Ryerson Theatre School and has experience as a designer, cutter, painter, prop maker, puppet clothier and more. She returns for her third summer at Manitou.
	Ian Mitchell	From Brisbane, Australia, Ian is a graduate of Griffith University with a degree in Environmental Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology. He has spent much of the few years travelling throughout Canada and Europe. Ian has experience working with Games Plus doing Team Building games and activities for children and adults and has also been working off season groups with Camp Olympia. He has played competitive Rugby and Track and Field and has taken several years of Guitar. Ian returns for his third summer at Manitou.
	Carly Rogers	From Pickering, Ontario, Carly is a student at Trent University in Peterborough studying Environmental Science. Carly previously spent a semester with Outward Bound Canada College building her Tripping and Paddling skills. She holds her Wilderness First Aid, ORCA D and Bronze Cross certifications. She has experience as a Canoe Instructor through Trent University and at Doe Lake Girls’ Camp. She also was a volunteer with the Girls Guides of Canada for seven years and was awarded the Canada Cord. This will be Carly’s first summer at Manitou.
	Gina Santos	From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Gina is a student at the University of Winnipeg studying Industrial Arts Education. Through her program, Gina has done placements at Darwin School and at Sisler High School. She also has taken courses in Theatre and runs her own Greeting Card company. Gina joins us for her first summer at Manitou.
	Ryan Shuman	From Toronto, Ontario, Ryan is a student at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec studying International Business and Marketing. In 2005, he was a member of the school’s silver medal winning Commerce Games team. Prior to returning to school, Ryan worked for three years as a Manager at EDO and EDO-ko restaurants in Toronto. He has been an avid waterskiier for many years, including working a season at Camp Arrowhead as well as a season and a half at Manitou. A Manitou camper for four years, Ryan completed our CIT program in 1998. He returns for his fourth summer on staff and eighth at Manitou.
	McKenna Sweet	From Springfield, Missouri, McKenna is a student at Missouri State University working towards a degree in Recreation. During the year, McKenna works in an after school program for elementary students with the Springfield Park Board. She has also been the Assistant Head Lifeguard at Quail Creek Pool for the past three years and holds her American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification. This will be McKenna’s first summer at Manitou.
	Aimee Woods	From Tasmania, Australia, Aimee has been working in Banff, Alberta for the past year. Back at home, she was the Director of the MRC Childcare Centre for two years. She is a graduate of the University of Tasmania with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Aimee also has experience as a Team Leader at Stewart Childcare and has several years experience teaching in Kindergarten and elementary school classrooms. This will be her second season at Manitou.
	Jen Zok	From London, Ontario, Jen works a Music Teacher with the Peel District School Board. A graduate of Queens University in Kingston, Jen holds degrees in Music and Education. She also studied in the Educational Partnership programs with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Center and has completed the ‘Music Mentorship’ accompaniment program with the National Ballet of Canada. She has played piano in numerous Kiwanis Music Festivals and has accompanied numerous shows. She also has experience teaching piano and guitar lessons. She returns for her fifth season at Manitou.

Staff 2007