Directors & Staff
We'll show them
all the ropes
Staff are Essential
The Camp Can-Aqua staff team consists of a diverse group of people ages 17-70. All staff undergo regular criminal background checks, verification of certifications and reference checks. Building our team each summer, we look first inside our community. The majority of our team have grown up at Can-Aqua and are excited to return and recreate the exceptional experiences they received as kids.
In addition to internal hires, Can-Aqua seeks to bring in a small group of new staff both nationally and from abroad. We do this because we feel it is critical to add diversity of experience and new energy to camp each summer. In seeking specific skills for the camp, we are supported by Camps Canada, an agency which works with many OCA accredited camps in acquiring screened, highly skilled and professional staff members.
We know how critical staff are to the success of your kids and place great effort in putting together a passionate team, ready to support their needs.
Andrew Martin, Camp Director
Andrew brings over 20 years of camp management and a creative passion to his role at Can-Aqua. A life long supporter of the camping movement, he believes strongly in the experiences and outcomes of summer camping in Ontario and is driven to ensure that no camper is ever overlooked.
In his time at camp, he has has established a healthy blend of creative play paired with skilled instruction. Andrew is a hands on manager who is often found in the centre of excitement of any camp program. An advocate for sustainability, he believes in teaching kids the importance of their footprint on the world. As a parent, you can be confident that each year Camp Can-Aqua will continue to develop and evolve new, dynamic and sustainable programs and initiatives for our campers, setting a bar of excellence that is both innovative and exceptional .
Andrew can be contacted through his email at andrewmartin@canaqua.ca
Anne Whitehead, Administration Director
Originally from the UK, Anne has been overseeing administration for Can-Aqua for over 10 years. She is a popular icon at the camp as in addition to bookkeeping and accounts, she also heads up our tuck shop. A food scientist by education, Anne possesses a wide range of skills and can be found helping out in any and all aspects of our camp operation year round.
A resident of Cardiff, Anne lives a stone throw away from the camp with her husband Dan.
Anne can be contacted via email at accounts@canaqua.ca
Mike Somerville, Associate Director – Summer Camp
A graduate of Laurier University, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at Can-Aqua…and of course a lot of humour! His passive demeanour and positive attitude make him a leader campers are drawn to. An advocate for the summer camp experience, Mike began attending summer camp in Ontario at the age of 6 and has never looked back since. His love of camp is partnered with a love of reading and specifically of comics and graphic novels. At camp, his comic book club and conspiracy theories are a popular draw for kids during their free time period.
When summer camp is not in session, Mike has many pastimes. One notable to many of our campers is his love of gaming. While during the summer he advocates for a live outdoors, in the offseason, he competes as a professional gamer.
Mike can be contacted via email at info@canaqua.ca
Derek Lukosius, Associate Director – NOFA
Derek is an Award-winning Canadian filmmaker, and camping professional who’s been working in the film industry for nearly five years. In 2016, Derek proudly won the prestigious Hamilton Arts Award for Emerging Media Artist.
As a senior staff member in camping for over 10 years, Derek began to specialize in the instruction of Film, Photography and New Media. His own films have screened at festivals all around the world and in 2017, Derek completed his feature film directorial debut which premiered across North America. His passion for the craft of filmmaking is only rivaled by his dedication to the camping industry and passing along his knowledge and skills to other emerging artists.
Derek can be contacted via email at derek@canaqua.ca or through the camp office.
Staff Bios
Assistant Grand Pooh-Bahs
My Skills
Heads
13th Year At Can-Aqua
After spending the last 13 years on the shores of Beaver Lake, I have experienced all that camp has to offer, or so I think. From the land and water activities to the behind the scenes work, I enjoy spending most of my time driving the ski boats around the lake. However, every year I am amused by the surprises that camp has to offer, the new campers, the staff and the new activities. Camp Can-Aqua is my home away from home.
9th Year At Can-Aqua
Summer camp has been the highlight of my years for the last 9 years of my life. When I was a camper at Camp Can-Aqua I remember how excited I was to come back every year for new adventures with the great friends I have made over the years. I waited through a whole long school year to spend a couple weeks at my favorite place on Earth. Camp has taught me so many incredible life lessons and has shaped me into the person I am today. At camp I learned that small actions can have a big impact and it was here that I grew comfortable in my own skin. My favorite activities at camp include spreading butter waterskiing on beaver lake, getting gnarly on a board surf, and all things SPORTS!! A little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about!! Looking forward to seeing everyone for another amazing summer at Can-Aqua.
5th Year At Can-Aqua
Georgia is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is going on her fifth year working at Camp Can-Aqua, and grew up attending overnight camps in British Columbia. With her history at summer camp and passion for caring for others, Georgia came to Can-Aqua with a drive to provide campers and staff with positive camping experiences that promote healthy childhood development through experiential learning, supporting creative ambitions, and ultimately building the next generation of leaders. Georgia supports Can-Aqua’s mission by facilitating the operation of our healthcare team and promoting health and wellbeing at Camp Can-Aqua.
15 Years At Can-Aqua
My name is Simon, this is my 15th summer on the shores of Beaver lake, and my tenth summer on staff. I love being a part of the Can-Aqua community, seeing familiar faces and watching the positive effects camp instills in all of us. My greatest passion at camp is instilling the value of that community in our campers and staff past and present. I cannot wait to see everyone on the shores of Beaver lake again this summer.
13 Years At Can-Aqua
Camp Can-Aqua is my favourite place in the world! After coming to camp for the past 13 years, I would never want to spend my summers anywhere else. Camp has taught me so much from doing a wet exit in kayaking, to how to make sure I’m living life to the fullest. At camp, I love hanging out by the water, swimming and kayaking! When I’m not at camp (which is rare) I like to bicycle and hang out with my friends! I hope to see you all at camp this summer and don’t forget to check out the waterfront!
ACs
12 Years At Can-Aqua
This small person lives, breathes, and eats camp. Ok maybe not eats camp. You can find me at my two favourite places in the world, campcraft and waterskiing!! My love for the Tritus team has no bounds.
14 Years At Can-Aqua
I am one of two who speak french at camp, and I’ve learned all my English there. I have so many good memories from my time at Can-Aqua, and I hope to change some lives this summer!
3rd Year At Can-Aqua
Hey y’all ! I’m from Alberta, where I grew up going to summer camp. This will be my third year at Can-Aqua and I couldn’t be more ecstatic! Jamming at campfire, getting creative at arts and crafts, belaying some amazing tree climbers and making new friends from around the world; are just a few of my favorite parts of camp. Get ready for an inTENTS summer ! See yah soon !
Counsellor / Instructors
11 Years At Can-Aqua
This is going to be my 11th year at camp! Camp has been a very special place for me to spend summers at and I have met so many great people there! My favourite activities are nature and waterskiing. I look forward to hopefully seeing you there this year!
11 Years At Can-Aqua
Hey everyone, my name’s Morgan! This summer is going to be a wild ride and I could not be more excited!! Some of my favourite things to do at camp include, wakeboarding, making bracelets and canoeing. I can’t wait to see all of you returning campers and I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you who are coming to camp for the first time. See you all soon for another unforgettable summer!
7th Year At Can-Aqua
I’ve been coming to Can-Aqua for a while now and I am still yet to experience a more loving and fun environment! Solaris will always dominate the games!
2nd Year At Can-Aqua
I’m a board game loving, Dungeons and Dragons playing Australian who has been spending heaps of time in the great outdoors through my 12 years of Scouts. Last summer was the time of my life and I can’t wait to get back there again. Let the games begin!
10 Years At Can-Aqua
I am beyond excited to be spending another year at Can-Aqua, and even more excited to meet you all! You’ll most likely find me chilling at Gletch or A+C because creativity never goes out of style. Camp is like a second home to me and I hope it can be yours too!
2nd Year At Can-Aqua
The adventure continues..I love singing, art and spending time outside. I’m amped (pun intended) to pass my guitar skills on again this year and to embrace another beautiful summer con Beaver Lake.
4 Years At Can-Aqua
Here we go again! Returning from Australia for my second year on staff, I can’t wait to see those new and familiar faces. I love to waterski, so hopefully this year I’ll be out on Beaver lake overseeing some excellent waterski technique!
8th Year At Can-Aqua
I’m absolutely stoked to be spending another year at Can-Aqua. You’ll most likely find me in the waterfront swimming or kayaking around Beaver Lake. My favourite thing about camp is the multitude of life lessons you learn just by having fun! I can’t wait to meet all of you and see your bright and shining faces this summer!
7 Years At Can-Aqua
Camp has been one the highlights of the year for me since my very first summer here, and I’m so pumped to be on the staff team this year! My favourite activities include nature, campcraft, and kayak, but I’m always down to try new things. See you this summer!
2nd Year At Can-Aqua
The first year was one sweet ride. Coming from Scotland, I had no clue what camp would really be like. Little did I know it would become the cornerstone of my summer life for years to come. I stepped foot in one of the most amazing communities I’ve ever experienced and I can’t wait to do it all over again.
8 Years At Can-Aqua
I’m beyond exciting to be returning to Can-Aqua! Over the years I’ve really gotten into kayaking and snorkelling, and you can definitely catch me at the waterfront enjoying all that beaver lake has to offer! Camp has and will always be an amazing place to try new things, and I can’t wait to help make this summer an unforgettable one!!!
2nd Year At Can-Aqua
I’m so excited to return to camp this summer. More dancing, more adventure and more running around! It’s the most exciting time of the year for me and there’s nothing better than returning to the greatest place in the world!
2nd Year At Can-Aqua
I’m really excited for new adventures in 2019. I want to do my best and learn new things. Last year was an incredible experience and I’ve been waiting all year to do it all over again. I can’t wait to meet new people to make more incredible memories.
4th Year At Can-Aqua
I’m baaaaaack! There’s something so magical about Can-Aqua. I have never experienced another place on earth that is so welcoming and accepting. Maybe it’s the countless smiles on the faces of those that pass, or laughter in the air… Maybe it’s that feeling you get when you learn a new skill, or make a new friend. I’m thinking it could be the support of the staff, who are always there encouraging you to be the best version of yourself. Whatever it is, it has me start the Camp Countdown the minute I leave! I can’t wait to be back out on a paddle board (trying to avoid the ski boat waves) but I have to say gletch and mosaics has my heart! Can’t beat relaxing on the porch designing up a storm. I love being a part of the Can-Aqua family and can’t wait to watch it grow.
3rd Year At Can-Aqua
During my past summers at camp I have learned so many things about myself. I have discovered strengths, weaknesses and lived experiences that have made me a better person. Camp has helped me value so many things in my daily life I never could have thought. I’m so excited to return this summer!
3 Years At Can-Aqua
I’ve spent 2 years at camp already but my family history at camp started in 87. I love skiing, kayaking and instructing basically anything. Camp-wide games are also a favourite of mine. I like music, sports and I’m from Australia. Go Tritus!