Meet the Staff

Staff Bios

Adrian Stelpstra

Program Director

Hi Everyone, This will be my 19th summer at Camp Shalom. I have had the privilege of being the Program Director for the last 15 years. I love teaching and helping to guide young people into being who God made them to be. I have been married to my wonderful wife for 15 years and together we have been foster and adoptive parents for many years. I like fishing, disc golf, running, mountain biking, and hamburgers. I am looking forward to another great summer!

Ryan Flokstra

Summer Camp Director

Hi Everyone! I’ve been around Camp Shalom at least a summer or two. When I’m not doing my day-job, I like to play disc golf, mow grass, and fish, which lucky for me, is most of what my day-job consists of. We’ve got a great staff lined up, some awesome programing coming your way, and we’re counting down the days for your arrival!

Crystal Speelman

Food Service Director

Hey everyone! This will be my 11th summer involved with camp and 3rd summer running the show – as we all know camp doesn’t happen without the food! I have always loved baking and enjoyed cooking, and am so glad I get to teach the summer staff and share my passion with them. When I’m not in the kitchen, you can find me swimming, reading, hiking, or travelling to new places. I’m looking forward to this summer and all that God will bring with it!

Laura Lima

Program Coordinator (Adventure Camp and Special Support)

Hi everyone! This is my third year working at camp, and I have been blessed to have been a camper from munchies to the discipleship program. I love to spend my time swimming, reading, and singing. I can’t wait for the marvelous summer that God has planned for all of us and I can’t wait to see you all!

Sarah Romero

Program Coordinator (Spec)

Hi, I’m Sarah and I am the Spec Coordinator! I am so excited to be back at camp, and to have the opportunity to have another great summer. In my spare time, I like to read, embroider, and listen to music. I can’t wait to work with Spec again this summer, and am so excited for the summer to begin.

Megan Meridew

Program Coordinator (Munchkins Day Camp)

Hi! I’m Meg. I am SO excited to be back at camp for my third summer on staff! I’m currently studying to be a primary school teacher at Queen’s University. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing trivia, and baking. One of my favourite things about being a coordinator is getting to plan tons of fun games, activities, and crafts for campers! I pray that you will experience the love of God at Camp Shalom this summer. See you soon!

Gloria Vellenga

Munchkins Coordinator

Hello everyone, my name is Gloria Vellenga and this is my third year on staff. This year I will be the Muchkins Coordinator! I love playing games, singing, playing piano, being with kids, Camp Shalom, and most importantly, God. I am so excited to meet everyone and see what God has in store for all of us this summer!

Asha Wilts

Disc Coordinator/Counselor

Hey y’all! This is my third year working at camp, but I was a camper for ten years prior to working on staff (I love camp). I’m so excited to work here again and meet all of you guys, if I haven’t met you already! Some of my favorite things about this camp are the amazing people that I’ve been able to meet throughout the years, getting closer to Christ and being able to do silly things just because it’s camp! This year, I have the absolute blessing of being the female DISC coordinator at the start of the summer and a counselor at the end of the summer! I can’t wait to see how God works in me and others throughout this summer. See you there!

Jonathan Germain

Disc Coordinator

This is my first summer at Camp Shalom. I have the role of Discipleship Program Coordinator where I am excited to have the opportunity to teach and mentor younger campers! I like to go on hikes in the woods as well as read and write. Since this is my first summer at Camp Shalom, I pray that God will bless this experience for me and those I help.

Sarah Dirkse

Sr. Healthcare Coordinator

Hey everyone:) My name is Sarah and this will be my second summer as the healthcare coordinator! I am so excited to come back to camp and work with all the staff and campers. I love running, reading, hanging with my friends, coffee, and the colour pink. God has so many plans to work through all of us this summer and I can’t wait. See you all there!

Ryan DeGroot

Jr. Healthcare Coordinator

Hey everyone, my name is Ryan DeGroot. This will only be my second summer on Camp Staff, but fear not, I’ve been coming to Camp since I was a Munchie. I’m currently studying Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. When I’m not ‘studying’ you can catch me golfing, reading or hanging out with friends. I absolutely adore Camp and can’t wait to see what God has in store for this summer.

Tim Jackson

Resource Counselor

Greetings. My name is TJ (Tim Jackson). I will be working as a resource counsellor at Camp Shalom this summer. I have prepared a number of activities for the children to do involving Science, Geography, Math and alternative summer camp activities for this summer. I have had many good experiences at summer camps and I wish to share them with the children and staff this summer.

Anna Orfandis

Sr. Kitchen Assistant

Gretchen Versteeg

Kitchen Assistant

Hello! I’m Gretchen, and this is my first summer at Camp Shalom. A couple of my favourite things to do are painting and baking, and I get to help out in the kitchen this summer. I’m excited to learn how everything works, and to help make great meals for campers! I’m looking forward to spending the summer at camp, and I’m excited to meet everyone!

Kitchen Assistant

Emily Hood

Kitchen Assistant

Hey everyone. This is my first year working at Camp Shalom. I was a previous camper for many summers. I’m so excited for this summer and all the fun we’re going to have. My favourite activities are swimming crafts, and canoeing. I’m excited to work in the kitchen helping make all the wonderful meals for our campers and staff. May God bless us with a fun summer getting to know him and each other.

Adira Pennings

Media/Tuck Coordinator

Hi! This is my first summer working here at Camp Shalom. I’m looking forward to using my gifts in videography and photography for God’s glory as well as being one of the faces you see at the Tuck Shop. I enjoy drawing, writing, attending youth events, and spending time with my family and friends (especially my 3 crazy sisters and energetic little brother). I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at a new place to thrive, new people to meet, and new opportunities to try! See you later!

Samantha Gonzalez

Media Coordinator

Blake Lee

Head Lifeguard

Ethan Vandekuyt

Maintenance Assistant

Caleb Otten

Lifeguard

Jasmine Schilling

Lifeguard

Hey everyone!! This will be my second year as a staff member at Camp Shalom! I was a counselor last summer and absolutely fell in love with it! My hobbies include acting, dancing, baking, and reading! I’m also a huge animal lover! I’m so so excited to see all the incredible things God is going to do this summer and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you! 🙂

Ethan Vandekuyt

Maintenance Assistant

Isaiah Wight

Maintenance Assistant

This is my very first year at summer camp. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, and making lots of fun memories. I love cutting grass, and playing games. Can’t wait for the summer!

Caleb Scholman

Counselor

hiya folks my name is Caleb and this is my 3rd summer back at camp! I love sports, the outdoors, camp, and most of all, Jesus!! I’m looking forward to meeting you, and can’t wait to see what God has in store!!!

Josiah Pluim

Worship Counselor

Hey guys!!! This will be my second year on staff, and I’m sooo pumped for another great summer!!! I have the privilege to work as the worship counsellor and I am really looking forward to leading the campers in worship to our awesome God. I love music, (specifically singing and playing the guitar). I also love playing basketball, being with friends, and when you put those together, it’s absolutely awesome!!! I am really looking forward to seeing what God has in-store for me and all of you guys, and I can’t wait to be a witness to the campers. I’m looking forward to meeting you all, and having a blast at Camp Shalom!!!

Tyler Heidinga

Counselor

This year is my first year at Camp Shalom and I am pumped! I am looking forward to being outdoors, mentoring young people, and having a great time. I have many hobbies including music (I play piano and I’m learning guitar), theatre/acting, video games, and hanging out with my friends. I have never been a camper at Camp Shalom but I have high hopes for an amazing summer! You should know that I love comedy, so bring your best jokes to add to my collection 🙂

Counselor

I have worked at Camp Shalom once before as a Kitchen Assistant but this will be my first time working as a Camp Counselor. I am so excited to meet the campers this summer and get to know them through a week of fun activities and worship. I enjoy reading and biking and I have had fun kayaking and canoeing during my time as a camper at Shalom. So excited to see you this summer!

Trent Magreehan

Counselor

Hello there! It looks as if you have been fortunate enough to stumble on to my bio. Some intriguing things about me are that I quite enjoy a good piece of literature, but more importantly I play the drums. As I wait to meet you all in my third year at camp, I look forward to what God will do this summer. Until then, I bid you farewell!

Alana Godwaldt

Counselor

Hi everyone! I am super excited for this summer! It will be my third summer on staff. The past two years I have been part of the kitchen staff, and this year I am a counselor! Some things about me, I enjoy reading, art, hiking, being with friends, and my youth group. I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

Tiffany Godwaldt

Counselor

Hi, I’m Tiffany, and this is my second summer at camp. I worked as a counselor last year and loved it, so I’m coming back for what is going to be an amazing summer. Some of my hobbies are dancing, reading, camping, and spending time with friends. I can’t wait to meet everyone soon!

Ivy Keunen

Counselor

Hey Everybody! This is my first summer working at Camp Shalom, and I’m really looking forward to meeting all the campers and other staff! I’m super excited to learn more about God through His Word, and be able to worship Him together this summer! I love playing sports and spending lots of time outside. Can’t wait to meet you all! 🙂

Yola Wilts

Counselor

Hello everyone, this will be my second year on staff, but I was a camper for a decade before that. I am super excited to meet you all, and I can’t wait for the amazing summer that we are going to have at Camp Shalom!

Jaeda King

Counselor

Hello, Hello! This will now be my second year working at camp, and I’m very excited to see everyone this summer! I went to camp as a camper when I was younger and now I have the blessing of working here! I loved playing instruments at camp, and I enjoy the campfire songs! I’m super excited for this summer, I’m looking forward to having a blast with everyone!

Leah Pluim

Counselor

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to meet you all at Camp Shalom this summer! This is my first year working at camp and being a counsellor, and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store. Some of my favourite hobbies are music and sports which I know there will be lots of this summer! See you all soon!

Naomi Stuart

Counselor

Hello! This is my first summer at Camp Shalom, and I’m so excited to have been given the opportunity to be here! I can’t wait to build friendships, witness to kids, and grow in my faith this summer. I went to camps growing up, worked at camps for the past few summers, and have always loved it. I look forward to it every year and this year is no different! I love music, art, being outside, goofing off, and meeting new people. I’m looking forward to seeing how God will work this summer!!

Marygrace Nanninga

Counselor

Hello! I’m Marygrace! This is my first year working at Camp Shalom. I’m so excited to meet everybody and get the chance to invest in the lives of the kids, teaching them about the most important thing, Jesus!! I love the sunshine, and I am looking forward to exploring everything in the camp.

Hillary Roorda

Counselor

Hello all! This is my first summer at Camp Shalom. I am working as a counselor this summer and I am thrilled to be there. In my free time I play multiple instruments and sing. I am super excited to spend my summer at Camp Shalom and grow in my faith.

Layla Magreehan

Counselor

Hi everyone! My name is Layla and I’m so excited to be back for my third summer working at camp! I love reading, playing guitar and piano, drinking coffee, and driving my green car named Mildred. I can’t wait to see you all this summer!

Grace Everett

Counselor

I am a music student at Wilfrid Laurier University, and this summer I will be a counselor at Camp Shalom! I love playing the flute and the piano, and I also enjoy reading and walking outside.