Meet our Staff: Summer 2019!
Samantha & Dan Richards
Executive Directors
contact: danrichards@kenesserie.com
Dan and Samantha began going to Kenesserie when they were 5, they met at age 14 when they were CIT's at camp. They began working together as staff, Dan directing and Samantha running program. Soon after they got married and have been involved with camp ever since. Dan directed at Lambton United Church Centre in Forest for 10 years, while Samantha was a teacher. They have had many adventures together, most notably when they moved with their two children to New Zealand for 2 years. While in New Zealand Dan directed Camp Columba. Since moving back to Canada, they have found their way back to their roots, and have taken on the role of Executive Directors at Kenesserie. Between the two of them, their camp experience exceeds 50 years!
Executive Directors
contact: danrichards@kenesserie.com
Dan and Samantha began going to Kenesserie when they were 5, they met at age 14 when they were CIT's at camp. They began working together as staff, Dan directing and Samantha running program. Soon after they got married and have been involved with camp ever since. Dan directed at Lambton United Church Centre in Forest for 10 years, while Samantha was a teacher. They have had many adventures together, most notably when they moved with their two children to New Zealand for 2 years. While in New Zealand Dan directed Camp Columba. Since moving back to Canada, they have found their way back to their roots, and have taken on the role of Executive Directors at Kenesserie. Between the two of them, their camp experience exceeds 50 years!
Brittany
Program Team Leader & Co-Rec Camp Coordinator contact: brittanylesy@kenesserie.com Hi my name is Brittany! Some of my favourite things include puppies, warm weather, and my sleeping bag. My favourite food is honey, but a Big Mac is a close second. This will be my eighth year on staff, and I have enjoyed every second of being here. I believe that camp is a place that allows everyone to be themselves without being judged, and is a place that creates amazing friendships and memories. Working at camp has truly changed my life and helped to guide me down my future career path. I am so thankful to be a part of the Kenesserie Family and can’t wait to see what this summer brings! 
Vivian
Health Care Coordinator & Aquatics Coordinator Hi, my name is Vivian and this is my fifth year working at camp and I’m super excited for this summer to start! Two things about me is that I absolutely love ice cream and all of my pets. My favourite part about working at camp is getting to have fun and make memories with all of the campers. Camp is one of those places where anybody can come and be themselves. It is welcoming and gives so much happiness to everyone who comes down the road. |
Abby
Camp Administrator & Social Media Coordinator and Co-Rec Camp Coordinator contact: abbyrichards@kenesserie.com Hi! My name is Abby, this is my fourth year working at camp! My favourite memories of camp have always been watching campers make lasting bonds with their fellow campers! My favourite camp foods are anything cooked over the fire; dessert pie irons and perogies are the best! I am working at camp this summer because there is no other way I could picture myself spending the summer. Camp holds a very special place in my heart and there are no words to truly describe what being apart of the Kenesserie Family means to me. I am so excited for this summer! See you at camp! 
Emily
Christian Educator & Camper, Counsellor Care Coordinator and CIT Coordinator Hi! My name is Emily and I am so excited for summer 2019! What I love most about camp is that it is a universal language. Everyone who I have worked with has come from a different place, but everyone almost immediately knows that camp is a community where there is constant encouragement, no judgment, and no worries of the outside world. My main goal is to have everyone who joins us this summer find that Kenneserie is a place where they feel comfortable and happy! I want to keep smiles on faces for as long as possible! |
Emma
Craft Program Assistant Hi! My name is Emma, and this is my second year at Kenesserie Camp. I'm returning to camp this year because during the summer there is nothing better than getting the chance to give kids new opportunities, and watching them grow and discover. Camp has always been a place where you can be yourself and try new things without being scared of judgement, and there is no other place with the same welcoming family feel. My favorite part of being at camp is making connections with the campers and helping them grow, as well as teaching them that it's okay to be yourself and be goofy. 
Lilla
Nature Program Assistant Hello! My name is Lilla and this my third year on staff, but my eleventh year attending camp! I am working at camp this summer as a way to stay connected to the outdoors and to have fun in the sun with as many campers and staff as possible. To me, camp is all about getting dirty just because you can! Making new connections and experiencing life as you truly are. My favourite part of camp is getting to make crafts and being able to participate in a nightly campfire. I am very excited about working at camp this summer. Camp is something I think about all year round! That’s how I know camp is the place where I should be this summer. 
Talia
Female Counsellor Hi there, I’m Talia! This summer I am very excited to be working as a counsellor at Kenesserie Camp. I started going to Kenesserie when I was 7 years old, and since then I have wanted to be a counsellor. I think of camp as my second home, it’s such a fun and welcoming place to be and has always given me a heart-warming feeling. My favourite memories of my years at camp are looking back at all the fun I had with new friends. Camp really helped me come out of my shell and talk to new people, some of whom I still talk to today. I am so excited to be a part of the 2019 staff, and I look forward to seeing lots of happy faces! 
Rachael
Female Counsellor Hi! My name is Rachael and this is my second year working at camp. I am beyond excited to be back; camp is the highlight of my summer and my home away from home. Being at camp really helped me come out of my shell when I was younger and I love that I will be able to help the campers this year do the same. I love learning to play new instruments and singing. I can't wait for summer to come around and all that it brings! 
Kate
Female Counsellor My name is Kate and I recently graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University and Nipissing University with a Concurrent Education Degree. I love young people and that is why I wanted to be a counsellor at camp this summer. As a former Kenesserie camper, I know what a great place it is to learn, play and meet new friends. I can't wait to meet you! 
Alexis
Female Counsellor Hi! I’m Alexis and I am a counsellor at Kenesserie! I am working at camp this year to get more experience with children as it could be something I would like to do in the future! To me camp means children being themselves without having the fear of being judged. My favourite aspects of camp are being able to spend time with children with no video games or electronics. Another this is that while at camp, children can make friends that they could be friends with for a long time! As a child I went to Kenesserie camp and loved it! I loved every part of it! As a child I was scared to meet new people and make new friends but when I went to camp all my worries went away and I made friends super quick! |
Cody
Theme Program Assistant Hi My name is Cody, this is my fourth year here at Kenesserie and I couldn't be any more excited. Camp is a wonderful place and and it is my home away from home. I am working at camp this summer because it is an amazing environment and the staff are amazing and hard working. We all really put our all into making camp the best that we can and to always improve camp to create the best experience possible. When I am out at camp I connect and get to be with nature more then win the off season, it really is a privilege to work at such an amazing place. Camp to me means being closer to nature, getting to be myself and grow as a person. My favourite aspect of camp is making new friends, meeting new people and making bonds with them that I wouldn't with any other people. My favourite memory from camp was the first time I started working here and met amazing people who have now become my lifelong friends and we get to continue to make more and more memories as we grow stronger all the time. 
Joslyn
Female Counsellor What's up?! My name is Joslyn and I can't tell you how stoked I am to work at camp this summer. I've got a wacky personality and and my perspective for this summer is brighter than the sun! I love to sing, dance, and play instruments and I really want to teach campers some musical talents this year too! I'm super responsible for a teenager. That's me and I can't wait for summer to start! 
Ryli
Female Counsellor I love camp! I look forward to it all year! I was a CIT two years ago, and am so excited to work at camp this summer! I love camp because of all the activities we do and the friends that we make. I love the forest games, campfires, songs, and how we always had time to bond with our cabin. My favourite memory of camp was when I was a camper and the theme of the week was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For the last day, we chased the Grinch until we had him cornered then threw him into the pool! I laughed so hard I cried and my face hurt from smiling so much. Camp completes my summer and I want every kid that goes to Kenesserie to feel that way too. My goal for this summer is to have every camper leave with new friendships, wonderful memories, and a giant smile. 
Emily
Female Counsellor My name is Emily and I am a camp counselor at Kenesserie camp! My favourite part of camp is getting to know the kids and especially having fun! I like Kenesserie because it has a very positive environment and no matter who you are you always feel safe and welcomed there. 
Natalya
Kitchen Staff Hi my name is Natalya. I will be in the kitchen this summer whipping up delicious meals for the children. I love to cook and try new recipes. I enjoy being outside and my favourite memories of camp are the bonfires, and sitting around them, the smells and songs and stories. This will be my first year at Kenesserie Camp and I can’t wait to spend the summer with everyone! 
Lauren
Female Counsellor Hi, my name is Lauren! I enjoy reading, painting and spending my free time with my friends and family. I used to be a camper at Kenesserie and my favourite memories were morning dips, themed activities and being around the campfire with my counsellors and new found friends. I decided to take the opportunity to become a camp counsellor at Kenesserie because as a camper I was very inspired by my counsellors and leaders during my time there. To me, camp means to build leadership, long lasting friendships and to have fun. I am beyond excited to be working with new people in a familiar environment and to encourage campers to be their best and authentic self while making new memories and friends along the way. |
Kenesserie Camp, 18669 Kenesserie Road, RR 1, Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada, N0P 2C0 519-674-2497