MEET THE 2011 SUMMER STAFF!
Amanda Voorberg - Adventure Camp Coordinator
Hello everyone. I am BACK!!! This will be my fourth year on staff working my way through the positions starting as kitchen staff to counsellor to Day Camps Coordinator and now... Adventure Camp Coordinator. I am currently entering my fourth year at Nipissing University towards a Physical Health and Education degree and LOVING IT!! I love nothing more than random adventures with friends and good old games. Anything to do with sports or games are my cup of tea. I am BEYOND excited to be back at Camp Shalom and I can’t wait to see how God uses each and everyone one of us to reach out and spread his word. God is powerful and I am looking forward to see his hand over camp/staff and campers this summer!
Emily Brix - Special Camps Coordinator
Hi! This is going to be my second year at camp, and I am excited for a new year. Last year I was a counsellor and I loved every minute of it. I am very excited to be in a coordinating position this year. I am graduating from teachers college in May and have been blessed with a teaching position for the fall. I did my undergraduate at Redeemer University and I studied music. In my spare time I love to read and scrapbook. I also enjoy hanging out with friends, playing games, watching movies, playing sports, and playing the piano. I am looking forward to a great summer at camp and watching God work in and through the lives of everyone that is involved.
Marion Vandenakker - Day Camp Coordinator
Hi my name is Marion. I am excited to be the Day Camp Coordinator (D.C.C) this year!! This will be my fourth year on staff but my first time in the position of D.C.C (counselled 1 yr, Special Camps Coordinator for 2 yrs). Before and after camp I work for a great construction landscaping company out of the Millgrove (Waterdown area). Some of my hobbies are: hanging out with friends, playing trumpet, volunteering at different missions/outreaches and quadding/four-wheeling on trails. I grew up on a farm and then moved to Hamilton in 2008 where I joined the Matthew 25 House, and I am loving it there! I am excited for this summer and see how God will use each and everyone of us while we meet all the campers and guests!!
Matt Wensink - Leadership Coordinator
Hello! When I first heard the news that I was returning again this summer as the Leadership Coordinator I was so excited and have already began thinking of great ideas for missions, topics, and games that Leadership will enjoy! For myself, camp has been a place for continual growth as well as testing and prodding at my faith and applying it to every aspect of my life. I have been to camp since I was a little one and I’ve even gone through both leadership programs, which will give me a great idea of what works. The campers that come are already being prayed for and should expect big changes as they will grow closer and deeper into an understanding of God’s love. From September to April I completed my first year at Redeemer University College as a Double Honours Major in Psychology and Social Work as well as a minor in Disability Studies, and from May to June I am working in landscaping and preparing for the summer at camp. Some of the activities and hobbies I enjoy are all sports, missions, and the outdoors. I expect and know that God will do and is doing powerful things in all of our lives not just for this summer but all the time and everywhere. I look forward to seeing you all at Camp Shalom.
Stephanie DeGiovanni - Leadership Coordinator
hey everyone! I'm Steph and I'm so incredibly excited for this summer at Camp Shalom! Disc kids are going to have the time of their liveeess! woo :D I am 20 years old, right now I'm working at a florist making bouquets as well as teaching dance at my dance studio. I love movement! More specifically worship dance, free and creative movement. I am also big into art so I will be attending Sheridan College this September for Visual and Creative Arts. I strongly feel God calling me into worship ministry, through dance and other art forms. I also have a passion for this generations youth- Im thrilled about this oppritunity at camp to come alongside teens to encourage, equip and challenge them in their faith! God's got CRAZY things instore! Cant wait to meet you! :D
David Hania - Trek Coordinator
Hey ya'll, My name is Dave Hania and I can't even begin to explain how pumped up I am about co-leading the trek program this year, getting to know the campers and getting to know my fellow staff. I have just moved back home to Cambridge after spending an academic year at Carleton University in Ottawa studying political science. I also took a nature course where I learned all sorts of neat tricks and facts about nature which I am excited to experiment with on our trek adventures.
This is my second year at Camp Shalom, and after working at a factory last year, I realized I loved my first year at camp soooooo much I had to come back. There are so many things in which I fancy to do, sometimes I can't decide which one to do!!! I love being outdoors and being active, going mountain biking and most recently I've been getting into long boarding (because my bike broke haha). Any and all sports are awesome, especially staff vs. camper capture the flag (definitely a highlight of being at Camp Shalom). I also love reading, and even more then reading, I love writing! I like writing a type of poetry called "slam poetry" which is a kind of performance poetry based on emotion completely flowing from the heart. I love to listen and look for new music all the time and of course... DANCE! Most of all though, I love being in community with people, talking to them, making them laugh and laughing with them (because I laugh at all my own jokes hahaha... oops there I go again.), getting to know them, swapping stories and experiences to learn from each other's lives.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for this summer at Camp Shalom, and I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with such great people, at such an amazing place!
Moria Poot - Trek Coordinator
Hi, I'm excited to co-lead trek again this summer. I have been at camp for many years and it is always an awesome experience. I am looking forward to getting to know the campers and staff this summer and have some amazing adventures.
I just finished my second year at Redeemer University College. I am majoring in youth ministry and minoring in music. I play piano and french horn as well as playing around a little on the guitar. I love working with youth and being active. During the school year I help out with a Scout group and get to do lots of outdoor activities and camping. Camping is definitely one of my favorite things to do. I also love canoeing and swimming.
I am excited to what God has in store for this summer. We serve an amazing God and he is capable of much more then we can image, and we get to see a glimpse of it. I look forward to meeting everyone.
Kirsten Eisinga - Healthcare Coordinator
Hi! My name is Kirsten and I am excited to be at Camp Shalom this summer for my second time as the Health Care Coordinator. I am a registered nurse and live and work in London, Ontario, when I'm not taking advantage of a summer away from working in the hospital. I currently work in the Family Birthing Centre at St. Joseph's in London and love my job supporting families in labour and birth. In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer and ball hockey, running, volunteering at church and hanging out with my friends. This summer, I am looking forward to spending time with campers, cleaning cuts and scrapes, judging the cleanliness of the cabins and making your week at camp as safe and healthy as it can be!
Hannah Foulger - Media/Tuck Shop Coordinator
hey all! my name is Hannah. some people call me Hannah Manitoba, a nickname i picked up after working the past two summers at Camp Arnes in the interlake region of manitoba. last summer at camp I suffered a blood clot in my brain and I have spent the last year recovering. i live in Cambridge and I studied broadcast television at conestoga college. I'm hoping to go to university in the fall to study creative writing. my interests are reading, writing, theatre, tv/film and sci fi/fantasy.
I'm stoked to return to the camp i went to as a young teen as staff! see you this summer!
Sara Blaak - Assistant Cook
my hobbies/interests are cooking, drawing, art, i went to school at liason college for culinary arts and i went to camp as a kid and worked here last year in the kitchen and loved it.
Tessa DeGiovanni - Assistant Cook
Hey everyone :)
My name is Tessa, and i'm just finishing up my last year of highschool. Im head over heels for my creator and enjoy laughing, singing, and spending quality time with the fam. Im planning on going out west next year to do an internship program at a church in Langley BC for ten months :) I've been going to camp for a long time now but this is my first year on staff. I'm so excited for working in the kitchen and being apart of the incredible ministry that goes on at camp shalom!
Esther deMol - Head Lifeguard
Hi! My name is Esther deMol and i’m 17 years old. I am a lifeguard and swimming lessons instructor at Elmira swimming pool during the year and am thrilled to be working at camp this summer as head lifeguard. I am heading to university in the fall for nursing and love science. This is my second summer at camp and I can’t wait to see everyone again. I have gone to camp every year since I was allowed and I have always loved it. I have done the leadership program and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I am thrilled to be working at camp this summer and can’t wait to be part of the summer staff! :P
Amanda Kors - Lifeguard
Hey All ! My name is Amanda and I am 18 years old, and finishing my last year of high school at Centre Wellington District High School. In the fall I am heading to Georgian College and York University for a Nursing program, which I am very excited for! This is my second time working on staff at camp - and I had so much fun last year meeting all the great staff, campers, guest and volunteers. I currently work at a pool in Guelph as a Swim Instructor and Lifeguard, and as you might guess I love the WATER !! I also enjoy reading, camping, being outside and spending time with family and friends. I cannot wait for summer to start so I can see everyone again and meet those of you who are coming to Camp Shalom for the first time too. I am excited to see what God's plans are for this summer and to watch people experience God in new ways! See you this summer :)
Katrina Zondag - Lifeguard
Hi! My name is Katrina Zondag and I am 16 years old. I live in Chatham, which is between Windsor and London and I am in Grade 11 at John McGregor Secondary School. I attend Gregory Drive Alliance Church where I am involved with the exceptional quizzing program, member of the youth band and participated in service projects. This is my second time at Camp Shalom as I was there during a family camp weekend when I was really young. I am so excited to be a part of the summer staff and am looking forward for God's plans for me this summer!
Heather Dekker - Seasonal Maintenance Assistant
Hello, I’m Heather and I am returning for my second year as staff at Camp Shalom. I am really excited for this coming summer, especially after having such an amazing time last year on staff. This September I will be going into my second year of university and will be studying biological and medical sciences at Western. Some of my interests/hobbies include reading, sketching/doodling, learning cool science facts, swimming (particularly competitively), and playing other sports in general. A curious fact about me is that I have been to more different countries than provinces/territories.
Jonathon Godwaldt - Maintenance
• Live in Hamilton, Ontario
• Attending Westdale Reformed church
• Turning 18 years old
• Hobbies and interests
· Guitar
· Camping
· Swimming
- Water Polo
· Road Hockey
• In Grade 12 at Saltfleet District high school in the Specialist High Skills Major program
for Horticulture and Landscaping
• Career Aspirations
· Landscaper and Horticulturist
• Camp Experience
· Volunteered in the Kitchen two years in a row
· Volunteered with maintenance last year
• I can’t wait to be able to stay at camp all summer this year and I am also looking
forward to meeting new people who believe the same thing I do
Scott Hogeveen - Counsellor
hi i'm Scott Hogeveen, i'm 17 years old and attend Woodland Christian High school. I am super stoked for camp this summer, i have been going to Camp shalom as a camper for the last ten years and have attended Leadership 101 and 201. Soccer is pretty much my only major hobby, other than i spend most of my time hanging out with friends and such. i am super excited to share God's amazing love this summer and to make new friends, and just have a fantastic Summer.
Colin Mol - Counsellor
My name is Colin Mol and i attend Woodland Christian High School in Breslau and will be attending Mohawk College next year. I currently am from Palmerston, Ontario. My hobbies include biking, playing videos and just hanging out! In my spare time i will usually hang out with my friends or just sit at home with the family. I have been attending Camp Shalom since i was 7 years old and have participated in the 201 program. I have volunteered there twice over the past two years. A few things I am excited for is to become great friends with the staff there and meet all the campers! I can't wait to see God work in the campers lives like i have seen over the past ten years of attending camp shalom.
Justin Eisinga - Counsellor
Hey there, my name is Justin Eisinga. I am 20 years old and live in Grimsby, Ontario. I graduated from Grimsby Secondary School 2 years ago and took a couple years off to complete a Youth Ministry coop and spend 6 months as a missionary intern in the Philippines, where I worked with children and families living in squatter communities. I am passionate about child and youth ministry. I will be attending Redeemer University College this September and intend on majoring in Youth Ministry and International Studies. I love to cook (just like my sister and camp cook, Mama Jo!), watch movies, and spending time outdoors during the summer. I love music, though I can't play an instrument for the life of me! I also am a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and am confident they will win a World Series this year... or next... or the year after that. I attended Camp once as a child but am really looking forward to working as a counselor this year. I am looking forward to the relationships that will be built as I live in a Christ-centered community.
Mike VandenBerg - Counsellor
Hey, My name is Mike and this will be my first year working at camp, although I've been a camper for years. Being a counsellor at camp is something I've wanted to do ever since I was in munchkin's. I'm 17 years old and I enjoy music, boating, movies and hanging out with friends. I'm very excited to see what summer has in store and how God will work in each person's life. Camp is truly a spiritually powerful place and I am honored to be apart of it!
Paul Kabbes - Counsellor
Hi. My name is Paul Kabbes. This year i am graduating from grade 12 at Wellington Heights Secondary School in Mount Forest Ont. This will be my 6th year at camp but my first time working there. I have lived on a dairy farm all of my life and one day I hope to take over the home farm. Some of my favourite sports are basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisby, and hockey. This summer I am looking forward to working with great people, making a difference in whatever way possible with God directing me, and having a BLAST.
Joshua Merkley - Worship Counsellor
My name is Joshua Merkley and this will be my first summer working at Camp Shalom. I am excited to work at the camp in the position of worship councellor. I have just completed a one year Christian Studies program at Heritage College and before that I obtained a degree in Kinesiology at Wilfrid Laurier University. At my home church I have been involved as both a youth group leader and a worship leader for several years. My hobbies include playing sports and music. I am looking forward to spending the summer engaging young people about what it means to worship God.
Brittany Vos - Counsellor
My name is Brittany Vos. I am currently in Grade 12 at Hamilton District Christian High. Next year I am taking a year off to go to a Discipleship Training School. When I have a spare moment, you can often find me playing a game (especially Dutch Blitz and Cribbage). I play the violin and another random fact is that I am in a bell choir at my church. My favourite animal is a fish and I have one. His name is Nacho Crub Dos, named after one of my much-loved movies “Nacho Libre”. I joined a book club so I guess I like reading. I love kids and I babysit whenever I get the chance. This will be my 13th year at Camp Shalom, but my second time working there. I'm excited to be counselling this summer and to meet all the amazing campers, volunteers and staff at Camp Shalom and to see how God works in their lives.
Alaina Visser - Counsellor
I just graduated from the University of Waterloo and am going to teachers' college in North Bay in the fall. I love to travel, read, watch movies and hang out with my friends. I went to Camp Shalom as a camper many years ago and am super excited to be back as a counselor and am even more excited to meet the campers and fellow counselors.
Kaitlyn Cowperthwaite - Counsellor
Hello, my name is Kaitlyn Cowperthwaite. I am currently studying at Wilfrid Laurier University for a degree in Honours Business Adminstration. After obtaining my undergraduate I hope to become a Chartered Accountant.
This will be my third year on staff, and I will be counselling again. I have however been attending Camp Shalom since I was a cute little munchkin. My favourite colour is purple, however I don’t seem to wear a lot of purple. I am fairly short, but not as short as Marion (sorry I had to say that, she was my counsellor when I was a camper). I am random, creative and love making people laugh. I like to eat and drink out of weird containers. I love singing but I am totally tone deaf so key changes are my best attribute when it comes to signing. I have one pet that is all mine he is a beta fish named after the character in Pride and Prejudice Mr. Bingley (one of my favourite movies). I use to have a fish name after the main male character Mr. Darcy but he was a sad little fellow and is no longer with me. One of my much loved activities at camp is Ugly Sweater campfire, which happens on Monday nights…so much fun. Revival night is my absolute favourite, I love seeing everyone get so excited to worship the creator of the universe! Some of my favourite activities to do when I am not doing homework or serving coffee at my part time job is to read, hang out with family and friends, go for walks, go to the beach and make sand angels. I am the owner of a Red Saturn which is 17yrs old, a pretty beastly looking car; his name is Petit Bijou (because he is my little jewel).
I know one thing for sure I am so excited to be working at Camp again. I can't wait to see each and every one of you come through camps gates this summer. I also look forward to seeing you all grow in your relations with Christ all the while creating memories that will last a lifetime. God Bless!
P.s My friends call me Katie or Kakey. If you wanna know where the nickname Kakey came from I guess you’ll just have to ask me
Alida VanderMeulen - Counsellor
Hiya Everyone, my name is Alida VanderMeulen and I've got a huge heart for Camp Shalom! I've been an adventure camper, a Wilderness explorer, a Servant in Training, and a volunteer, and this year I get to be on staff. I just finished my third year of University of the U. of Guelph studying Wildlife Biology. My #1 passion is for God, but I also like climbing trees, swimming, smiling, I like animals, candy, lasagna, dirt, rain, grass stains, and laughing (in no particular order). I've seen God work at camp before and I'm super excited for the adventures He has in store this summer!
Michelle Koobs – Counsellor
Hi I'm Michelle and I'm super pumped to hang out with everyone this summer! I can't wait to get to know you and to experience God in new and exciting ways together. I love music, badminton, drama, and Disney princesses. I work part-time at Tim Hortons where I make a ridiculous amount of coffee. I live on a farm near Listowel, with my parents (who I love soooo much) and I'm currently in my last year of highschool. Next year I'll be going to McMaster for Social Work. I'm still trying to figure out what God's plan for my life is exactly, but I definitely want to help people and love them like Jesus. Camp has always been a huge part of my life. I've been going to camp since I was five, I have made some amazing friends and grow so much in my faith because of it. This will be my first summer counseling and I can't wait to be used by God. I know that He has big plans for everyone who will come through the Camp Shalom gates and I know we'll have a great time growing together and building stronger relationships with Christ and eachother! God Bless!
Alejandra Fernandez - Counsellor
Hello, my name Alejandra Fernandez and this will be my first year working at Camp Shalom !
I'm so excited to be part of this staff. I know that God will make wonderful things during this summer. I am in gr. 12 and this year, I will graduate from Blessed Trinity Secondary School in Grimsby, ON. Hopefully, I will study music in university when I finish school.One of my favorites things to do is play music and listen to it.I love to sing and play Clarinet and piano.Also, I like reading, swimming and I like to make new friends.
I can't wait to see how God will use us to change other people's lives this summer!
Holly VanAnkum - Counsellor
Hello! My name is Holly Van Ankum and I'm from Alma, Ontario (the middle of nowhere)! I have attended camp all my life either as a camper or a vounteer and now I'm so pumped to be a part of staff! I just finished Grade 12 at Centre Wellington District High School. I'm a country girl at heart who has a lot of big dreams and loves Disney movies! Next year I'll be off to university studying Bio-Medical Sciences. My future ambition is to be a Family Doctor (thats a LOT of school) in a rural area and also to go into missions. My interests and hobbies include rugby, volleyball, baseball, playing guitar, singing and reading, This summer I hope to do God's will in whatever form he has planned. I'm so excited to see the amazing plans He has in store for the campers, guests, staff and volunteers this summer. God Bless :)
Lea Stelpstra - Program Director
Hi, my name is Lea. I have been working at Camp Shalom for the last 7 years as summer staff and year-around staff. I graduated from Nipissing University a few years ago as an elementary school teacher. I love spending time with kids in my neighborhood and working in camp ministry. Some of my hobbies are camping, canoeing, hockey, volleyball, soccer, reading and country music. I also recently became a mother of a beautiful baby girl named Jadeyn. I am looking forward seeing God move and be at work in the hearts of the campers, guests and staff this summer.
Adrian Stelpstra - Program Director
Hi, I have been involved with Camp Shalom for 7 years now. I spent 4 years on summer staff and now have been privileged to be on full-time staff for 3 years. A couple years ago I graduate Lakehead University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation specializing in Leadership. Most of my hobbies involve the outdoors, I enjoy things like mountain biking, disc sports (ultimate and disc golf), volleyball, golf, camping and canoeing. I also enjoy building stuff. I am married to my wonderful wife Lea and we just had a beautiful baby girl named Jadeyn. I am excited to see how lives will be affected this summer by experiencing the transforming power of God’s love as he works through the campers, special support guests, staff and volunteers.
