Meet the Staff

Staff Bios

Adrian Stelpstra

Director of Operations

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!

Hugo Lima

Summer Camp Director

Hi! My name is Hugo, and I’m someone who loves staying active and connecting with others. I enjoy swimming, playing disc golf, and spending quality time with my friends whenever I get the chance. I’m gonna be the Adventure camp coordinator and am super excited for everything this summer has in store! Whether it’s leading fun activities or helping create unforgettable memories, I’m all in. Looking forward to a great season ahead!

Sarah Romero

Office Administrator

I’ve been at Camp throughout all walks of life. I came as a camper, have had the pleasure to work on the summer staff team as a counsellor, and in leadership. This summer I’m going to be working in the camp office! I enjoy working with people and being part of a supportive team. In my spare time I like doing crafts, reading, and spending time in nature. If you have questions, need a hand, or just want to say hi, feel free to stop by!

Ryan Flokstra

Director of Facility Development and Maintenance

Hello Campers and everyone else! I’m super excited for you to come and enjoy our property this summer! I’ve been at camp since 2016 in a couple roles, including being the Summer Camp Director since 2020. Now, as Director of Facility Development and Maintenance I have the unique pleasure of cutting walls and painting grass, or something like that. I have been married to my wife Joy-Hannah for over 5 years, and we were blessed with a daughter this last fall! God has some great things in store for 2026, and I am looking forward to seeing this property busy with life again!

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!

Blake Lee

Program Coordinator (Adventure Camp)

Hello and welcome to Summer 2026! I am looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy our incredible camp and the glories of God’s Kingdom on earth. My personal favourite activity this summer will be running our big games, I have a quite a few surprises in store, so keep your eyes peeled! With 5 Summers at Camp Shalom behind me, I’m looking forward to making this the greatest of all time. If you are fortunate enough to be a camper or guest this summer, you may spot me fishing in the waterfront at the break of dawn, or getting a quick run in behind the archery pit, or reading some early morning psalms by our stage. Looking forward to seeing all of you at our best summer yet!

Naomi Stuart

Program Coordinator (Spec)

Hey everyone! I’m Naomi and I’m absolutely delighted to be running the SPEC program this year. Camp has been such a highlight over the past two summers, it’s hard to imagine not working here after all the incredible memories and opportunities! God has used this ministry in amazing ways and I can’t wait to see Him continue to!
I’ve always enjoyed counselling SPEC and special support cabins and being able to plan and put together this program is something I’m really looking forward to— y’all better believe it’ll be the best program this summer. Better get hyped because we’re about to trek, play sports, and get into the fine arts like we’ve never done before.
I absolutely adore meeting new people, spending time with my friends and family (especially my sisters), drawing, walking, reading, playing guitar, and thrifting! I love all things vintage/artsy and have been recently on a quest to find some really interesting second hand items for my closet. I’m always happy to yap about anything— you can ask pretty much anyone who’s ever had a conversation with me— especially if it’s controversial or theological.
I love how playful and all over the place the camp environment is and I’m excited to spend yet another summer surrounded by people coming together to serve the Lord!

Johannah Stuart

Day Camp Coordinator

Tiffany Godwaldt

Munchkins Coordinator

Asha Wilts

Disc Coordinator

Hello! I’m Asha Wilts. This summer, I’m doing an internship in Ottawa, but I love camp so much, having worked here for 4 summers, that I convinced them to let me come back for three weeks to help lead the DISC program. I’m incredibly excited to be the DISC Coordinator again this summer. The program genuinely changed my life when I was a camper, and Philip and I are passionate about creating that same kind of meaningful, life-changing experience for every teen in the program through the life-saving power of the Gospel. I can’t wait to spend these three weeks doing some of my favourite things: swimming, worshipping, playing games, building great friendships, and diving deep into God’s Word together. It’s going to be an unforgettable summer, and I hope y’all are as excited as I am. See you soon!

Philip Phiri

Disc Coordinator

Hey guys, this is my fourth summer (first time as male DISC coordinator woop woop) working at camp and I’m so stoked to see work that God will do this summer, He always does above and beyond what I can imagine! Some things I love are Jesus, worship, working with adults and children with disabilities, and I’m an acoustic guitar nerd, visual arts practitioner, and I’m a future Bible College student. I’m a pretty active member at my church and serve on 4 different teams, including our Youth program as a Youth Leader, and I’m passionate about equipping the younger generations to follow the great commission, as mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20, and to encourage the Church to live lives of worship! I’m so excited to get to know all the DISCers and campers, and to grow more into the image of Christ with everyone. See you soon!!!

Yurilee Padua

Sr. Healthcare Coordinator

Hi, I’m Yuri! I’m a Registered Nurse, and this is my first time working at Camp Shalom! I’m excited to meet everyone and create new memories at camp. I look forward to bringing my healthcare experience to a place where I can connect with youth and foster well-being and positivity!
I enjoy exercising, organizing social events, and spending time with my family and friends! I am a true extrovert at heart! I can’t wait for an amazing summer and camp season!

Jessica Boonstra

Jr. Healthcare Coordinator

Hey everyone! This is my first summer at Camp Shalom, and I’m super excited as a nursing student to be serving as the Junior Health Coordinator this summer! I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone, being involved in camp activities, and spending lots of time outside. In my free time I love swimming, volunteering at church, and hanging out with friends. I can’t wait for an amazing summer together at camp!

Anna Orfanidis

Sr. Kitchen Assistant

Gretchen Versteeg

Kitchen Assistant

Hello! This is my third summer at camp as kitchen staff, and I’m so excited for another great summer! I love cooking and baking, as well as reading and painting. See you this summer!

Madalyn Dykstra

Kitchen Assistant

I am a smart, ambitious, independent, creative, orderly person. I can have a competitive streak sometimes. During my free time, you will probably see me with a book. I am a quiet person, until I get to know you. I can quickly absorb and process information & think quickly on my feet. I like exploring the unknown & helping my friends. I have a strong and vivid imagination.

Ben Cawthra

Kitchen Assistant

Hi, my name is Ben Cawthra, and this will be my first summer working at Camp Shalom. I’ll be working in the kitchen and I’m excited to be part of the camp community this summer. I enjoy being outside, spending time with friends, and playing sports like basketball and soccer. I also love thrills and adventures, like riding roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland and cliff jumping. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of new people and making great memories this summer!

Grace Stuart

Media/Tuck Staff

Hello! My name is Grace and this is my second year working at Shalom! I’m so excited to come to camp and work as media this year 🙂 A few things I like are baking, photography and going for long walks and watching the sunset. I can’t wait to meet new people and see what God has in store for this summer!!

Nathan Taylor

Head Lifeguard

Hello Everyone, this is my first year working at Camp Shalom, although I have worked at other campgrounds in the past. I will be taking the role as head lifeguard this year, I look forward to ensuring safe and positive environments in the pool and lake. At camp I love to canoe, make s’mores, and play sports. I look forward to meeting everyone and having an awesome summer.

Samuel Zere

Lifeguard

Kirstyn Deweerd

Lifeguard

Hi everyone! This is my first summer at camp, and I’m excited to meet everyone. I love swimming, and after swimming competitively for many years, I’m excited to put my passion for swimming and Jesus into my job this summer! In my spare time, I like to read and to play the piano and lead my youth group in worship. I also love to help with the girls’ program (GEMS) at my church as a Junior Counselor. I look forward to mentoring the kids in their walk with Jesus. See you at the pool!

Zach Albrecht

Lifeguard

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be spending my first summer working at Camp Shalom! I can’t wait to help make everyone’s time at the waterfront both fun and safe while creating lots of great memories with the campers. One of my favourite hobbies is playing basketball for my high school team. I’m really looking forward to growing in my faith, spending time with God, and enjoying an amazing summer at camp!

Isaiah Wight

Sr. Maintenance Assistant

Hello, everyone, this will be my third year working at camp. I am very excited to return to camp and meet all of you! I am practically Ryan Flokstra, but smaller. Some fun things about me are that I am going into grade 12 in September, I love spending time outside especially if it involves anything with camp and lawnmowing, and I have a car named Issachar (pronounced “Is-a-car”) — “Izzy” for short. I look forward to growing closer to God over the summer, and making many new friendships along the way.

Hunter Sharpe

Maintenance Assistant

Hey guys! This is my second summer and I’m so excited to see everyone this summer! I enjoy working out & comedy.

Nigel Douma

Maintenance Assistant

Lucas Van Ryn

Counselor

Hi everyone, I have spent my life going to Camp Shalom throughout the years and can’t wait to be on this years Camp Staff. This year I am happy to be one of your guys counselors. I love archery and chilling in the hammocks. Can’t wait to see you this summer!

Gryffin Downes

Counselor

Hi, my name is Gryffin Downes and this is my first summer working at camp. I have been coming to Camp Shalom since I was seven years old as a Munchie. I also participated in Adventure Camp. Last summer I completed the DISC program and spent a few
weeks volunteering with SPEC and day camp. The things that I am excited for this summer as a counselor is meeting new faces and teaching the campers about the Lord. Some of my hobbies are playing sports, like hockey and baseball, but also playing video games, like Rocket League, and spending time with the Lord through prayer and worship. When I came to Camp Shalom as a camper, I enjoyed playing 9 square, playing disc golf, jumping on the trampoline, and chilling in the hammocks. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone this summer and sharing the love of Jesus.

Ezra Weekhout

Counselor

Hey everyone, this is my first year working at Camp Shalom, and I’m really excited to spend the summer with you or your children. I am also excited to meet a lot of new counsellors or campers. Some of my favourite things at camp that I will do over the summer are Gaga-Ball, 9 square, and cabin games. I’ll be seeing you in a couple of weeks!!

Caleb Otten

Counselor

Charlie Otten

Counselor

Hello, this is my first summer working at camp shalom. I’m excited for the warm days ahead, and the pool. Some things I like to do include volleyball, and riding around on my rip stick. I have only been to camp shalom to visit my brother for an afternoon. I’m excited to meet you all!

Damir Voleac

Counselor

Adam Zach

Counselor

Hello my name is Adam, I am from Kitchener I attend St.Mary’s high school. After high school I want to pursue a career in the trades, most likely plumbing although I enjoy mechanics. I run my own woodworking business where I make all kinds of wooden furniture. I am an avid hunter and fisherman and love being outside. I play football and attend the Waterloo Boxing Academy where I have been boxing for over 2 years. Moreover I played football for the Jr. Waterloo Warriors and for my high school where I played for the senior team as a linebacker and was named a district 8 all star and my schools defensive MVP.I have a pet cat named Cookie and he is 4 years old. I am very excited to return to camp and have the best summer possible with all of you and have tons of fun playing games and learning about God.

Daniel Sanchez

Counselor

Leah Pluim

Counselor

Hiii everyone!! This is my third summer at Camp Shalom and I am so excited to come back as a counselor again this year! I can’t wait to see familiar faces and to meet new people! 🙂 It’s amazing to see God at work at camp every summer and I am so excited to see what He has planned this year! Camp has been a huge highlight in my life for so many reasons, and I hope your time at camp this summer will be a highlight for you 😀

Some of my favourite hobbies are singing and playing guitar, listening to music (I love Christian music :D), hanging out with friends, being outside in God’s creation, going for hikes, playing sports, and videography. Anyway, I can’t wait to see you all this summer!!

Hope Vanvoorst

Counselor

Hi everyone! The most important thing to know about me is that I love Jesus and am always seeking to grow in my walk with Him. I’m really excited to see how He moves in the lives of the people I’ll get to meet in just a few weeks! This will be my third summer working at a camp, but my first at Camp Shalom—which makes it extra special since I was a camper here about 10 years ago. Some of my favourite memories are from Arts and Crafts, especially making patterned string bracelets. I’m now studying Art in university, and I hope to become a teacher one day. In my free time, I enjoy painting, singing, swimming, and getting to meet new people. I’m so excited for a summer full of laughter and new memories, with Christ at the centre of it all!

Hannah Burggraaf

Counselor

Hi! My name is Hannah Burggraaf. This is my first time at Camp Shalom, and I am really looking forward to spending time with the kids and encouraging them to grow in their relationship with God.

A little about me: I live on a small hobby farm, just graduated from high school this year, and am currently working toward my piano degree. I teach piano and music theory part-time, and in my free time, I enjoy crafts like embroidery and cross-stitch, mountain biking and going for walks.

I can’t wait to meet everyone and have a great summer together!

Iva Davy

Counselor

Hi, my name is Iva, and I’m so excited to start working at Camp Shalom this year! My hope this year is to encourage and be encouraged by people around me in the walk with Christ. I enjoy reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends. In my spare time at camp you can find me swimming in the pool or hanging out by the hammocks. I hope to see y’all at camp this summer!

Sylvia Dennis

Counselor

My name is Sylvia Dennis, and I am very excited to be a camp counselor at Camp Shalom this summer! I am going into grade 11, and my hobbies include fishing, horseback riding, swimming, dance, and singing. I am very passionate about growing in my faith and can’t wait to join the Camp Shalom team!

Willa Versteeg

Counselor

Adira Pennings

Counselor

Hi there! I am so excited to experience my third summer at camp; playing nine square, doing crafts, and obviously getting to meet you;) I have recently graduated from Grade 12, and am looking forward to seeing where God will guide me in the year to come. When I am not at camp I enjoy drawing, writing, iced coffee, hockey, and spending time with family and friends<3 Looking forward to seeing you here at Camp Shalom, bye for now!

Kaydenz Smith

Counselor

Josslyn Cowan

Counselor

Hi! My name is Josslyn Cowan, and I’m super excited to come back for my second summer at Camp Shalom as a counselor. I just finished my first year of university at Laurier, where I am studying French, with the intention of becoming a French teacher. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, playing basketball with my brother, playing guitar or piano, reading, hanging out with my friends, or just spending time outdoors. I can’t wait to see you all this summer!

Allyson Otten

Counselor

Tyla Thiessen

Counselor

Hello Hello!! My name is Tyla, and I am new to Camp Shalom! I am excited to have fun, celebrate Christ’s love, and get to know all these amazing campers this summer as a counselor! I attended a few Christian camps growing up, and I know how memorable and fun they can be. My favourite parts of camp are making connections, telling stories, and singing along to worship music! When I’m not working, I love to create. My closest friends could tell you I’m always working on a new arts and crafts project. I’ll be looking forward to seeing all the new faces!

Anna Kabbes

Counselor

Hello Everyone! My name is Anna and I am so excited to hang out with you guys this summer. I’ve been to Camp Shalom as a camper for four years and this will be my first summer working there and I can’t wait! Some of my favourite things to do are going on nice walks, hanging out with friends, and basically doing anything in the kitchen. I believe that God works through Camp every summer because I have experienced it time and time again. I can’t wait to see what He is going to do this summer!

Timi Salu

Counselor

Hello everyone. This is my first time working at camp and I’m hoping to make it an amazing one. I am most excited this summer to learn and grow with campers. I enjoy playing basketball, soccer, video games and reading. I’m thrilled to learn and share about God. I am excited to see what this summer has in store and I look forward to making lots of new friends. I hope to meet you all soon. Get ready to have fun!

Sarah Janssens

Counselor

Hi everyone! This is my first summer working at Camp Shalom and I am so excited to meet all of you guys! This summer I will be a counsellor and I can’t wait to get to know all of the campers. Some of my favourite things are playing volleyball and baseball, working out, and anything to do with farm animals. I’m looking forward to seeing how God grows and works through all of us this summer! Can’t wait to see all of you soon!