Dianne Young
Executive Director

Dianne Young has been involved in Camp Ak-O-Mak for over 36 years!

It was love at first sight for this perennial Ak-O-Makker when she caught her initial glimpse of camp back in 1971. After dropping her big brother off at Camp Chikopi, an indignant Dianne firmly announced to her parents that SHE would be attending the girls' camp the next year!..And she DID!!... again and again in fact, attending 7 week camp for five years as a camper before moving up the ranks as a CIT, Counsellor and senior staffer.

The late Rosemary Dawson intuitively recognized Dianne's devotion to camp, her love for kids, and her strong work ethic. She took "the Youngster" (as Dianne is known by her camp buddies) under her wing and trained her first hand in "all things camp". She even sent her across the lake to Chikopi (our brother camp) for a season where she gained valuable experience by working closely with Bob Duenkel, owner/director.

Even the "Youngster", however, had to take a short hiatus from her beloved Ak-O-Mak to pursue her post-secondary studies. She ventured off to sunny Santa Monica, California where she graduated as a Gemmologist from the renowned Gemmology Institute of America.

Upon her return to her home town of Brantford, Ontario, Dianne balanced coaching for the Brantford Aquatic Club for a number of years and working in her family’ jewellery store, J.H. Young and Sons, Limited.

Today, she continues as part of the fourth generation involved in the family business which was established in 1900. Dianne's career spans 30 years and she has been actively involved in all aspects of the retail business, currently handling the company finances and overseeing a jewellery manufacturing division.

Dianne's first- hand knowledge of camp and her expertise in business have made her a natural for the job of Ak-O-Mak’s Executive Director going forward into the 21st Century. This is a time when more children's camps are closing than opening; developers lurk on every lake, and children NEED more than ever, a safe, wilderness, recreational experience.

Keeping Ak-O-Mak vital takes monumental human effort and our own Dianne Young leads by example, volunteering countless hours to camp! As a loyal friend to Buck and Rosemary and committed member of the Board of Directors since its inception, Dianne is well-acquainted with the vicissitudes of the camp business. She has literally grown up at Ak-O-Mak and is a firm believer in the values, traditions and experiences that the camp's founders, Matt Mann and Rosemary and Buck Dawson established many years ago. These values are a gift, a legacy if you will, passed down from our predecessors.

It has taken enormous personal sacrifice to give the Ak-O-Mak experience to young girls. When asked, "Why do you do it, Dianne?" she'll tell you that "the challenges at camp prove to girls that no matter the circumstances in life, you learn you CAN prevail. You learn you CAN go beyond your limits. Camp gives us the opportunity to show OURSELVES that we can do it.... and what a beautiful place to learn such important life lessons!"

So "Paddles Up" to our fearless leader, Dianne Young! (aka "The Youngster")

Hayley Steward
Program Director

Hayley Steward began her camp experiences as a day camp attendee initially and eventually evolving to her becoming a Counsellor at a variety of camps since she was 16.

Her love of the outdoors began at the age of 4 with family vacations to Algonquin Park as well as through her involvement with Brownies and Girl Guides and the YWCA where she attended their respective camps. Always one for seeking adventure, Hayley received her Scuba Diving Certification at the age of 12 completing her Open Water Dive portion of her certification in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Costa Rica.

Throughout high school, Hayley worked as a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor for the town of Oakville as well as the YMCA, where she worked most evenings and every weekend. Hayley taught a variety of swim classes from Tiny Tots to Adult one-one one lessons, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross classes, aquatic aerobics, to teaching swimming lessons to children with special needs though Reach for the Rainbow. After less than a year Hayley was promoted to the position of Head Lifeguard and became an Aquatic Trainer for an Oakville U16 Elite Girls soccer team.

Hayley's leadership skills were recognized by her high school and in 2000 she was sent to Michigan for the Civitan Youth Leadership Conference, participating in leadership and team building workshops with students from throughout the United States and Canada.

In Grade 11, through a program offered at Hayley's High School in Oakville she was selected to participate for an entire semester in the Bronte Creek Project (BCP). This program was designed to provide attending students with a variety of opportunities as well as further develop their knowledge, skills and sense of adventure to ultimately become effective environmental leaders.

Additionally, the participating students mastered the skill of community, forging a co-operative, close knit group respecting individuality and character. As a BCP student, Hayley studied leadership theory and developed basic teaching skills. "Cinder," as she was known at BCP, was required to learn basic ecology and study environmental issues while living a "green" lifestyle. She was able to apply this knowledge and these skills through the teaching of the Earthkeepers program to younger children from Grades 4 to 6.

Adventure and challenge are key to Hayley and came in many forms. BCP students tested themselves on a regular basis through the participation and the learning of additional skills such as rock climbing, winter camping, canoeing, leading campfire, and cooking meals for forty people.

Although initially apprehensive about rock-climbing offered through the BCP, Hayley's passion for climbing was sparked and weekly climbing trips with her friends "Rivers" and "Nimbus" became a frequent excursion. This passion would evolve into teaching indoor lessons for 2 years at the Oakville YMCA. While attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Hayley was an Indoor Climbing Instructor for 3 years. During the winter semester of 2006, Hayley was hired as a Teacher's Assistant for the Kinesiology Dept. teaching students of this program the rock-climbing course; "showing them the ropes!" Hayley has enjoyed climbing indoors and outdoors, continuing to participate in many climbing excursions to the Niagara Escarpment and local gyms.

The following two summers, Hayley found herself traveling to Honesdale, Pennsylvania USA to work at Summit Camp; a camp for children with social, emotional and developmental disorders. These included Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and/or ADHD), Aspergers Syndrome, verbal or non-verbal learning disabilities, and/or mild social or emotional concerns; some campers also having Turret's Syndrome, O.C.D., and /or mild mood issues.

In her first year at this camp of 300, Hayley's position was that of Adventure Specialist responsible for the teaching of High Ropes, Low Ropes and trust/team building games as well as leading half day canoe trips down the Delaware River, hikes and mountain biking adventures.

Hayley returned to Summit the following summer, once again as a cabin counsellor in the same unit, her campers ranging in age from 12 to 19. This time however, Hayley decided to challenge herself further by taking on more of a leadership role within the staff, mentoring new staff within her unit. "Hayley was a dedicated staff member at camp. She ensured her campers were looked after socially, emotionally and physically. She is able to have fun with campers whilst also setting clear boundaries and structures. Hayley ensured she knew every camper, enabling her to promote healthy and safe risk taking, whilst promoting their strengths and working on their weaknesses to see success and achievement." (Rebecca Hoad, Summit Camp Super Teen Girls Unit Leader)

The next summer Hayley chose to stay in Brantford to continue her studies part-time but having camp surging through her bloodstream Hayley couldn't go a summer without. She worked as a counsellor at Wilfrid Laurier's Educational Day Camp "Summer FUN 101". Hayley worked with a small team of five and was responsible for teaching educational lessons, instructing sports, and supervising groups of campers on trips to various attractions through the GTA.

Hayley's first taste of Camp Ak-O-Mak came with the Brantford Aquatic Club weekend excursion in the late summer of 2006. She has provided instruction for their week-end camp every summer since to run the high-ropes course.

It is Hayley's belief that in the beautiful surroundings of Camp Ak-O-Mak, camp will become a place of accomplishment through the encouragement of your child's counsellors and fellow campers alike. It will become a place of discovery; a place to find themselves and what they are truly made of. They can expect to be amazed on a daily basis. Hayley has expressed she is truly looking forward to being an active participant in creating a summer memory for your child filled with awe and wonder and friendships that will last a lifetime.

The appearance of things change according to the emotions,
and thus we see magic and beauty in them,
while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves.

-Kahlil Gibran

Vicky Webster (nee Faulkner)
General Manager

Camp Ak-O-Mak is pleased to introduce an old friend to a new position at camp.

It was 1979 when Vicky’s parents dropped their 9 year old daughter off at Ak-O-Mak for her first of many seven week camp sessions. No sooner had this youngster unpacked her trunk when she was squarely placed in a war canoe....and it was a perfect fit!

Vicky’s persistence and power served her well in the open water and on the baseball field, but it was most evident in a war canoe! This long time Ak-O-Mak Canoe Club member paddled her way to Gold AND Silver medals at the 1988 Canadian Nationals. As if that were not enough, as the Cox for the Bantam Ladies war canoe, Vicky coached her crew to first place finishes five years in a row at the Western Ontario Divisional Championships! She was also a recipient of the coveted Cloverleaf Gold medal at the Bantam Canadian Nationals.

It has been said that “paddling war canoe is harder than child birth!”...Well, maybe that explains why Vicky had twin boys! (Josh and Tyler) Vicky and her Ak-O-Mak-loving husband, Dave, are among the most dedicated and hard working volunteers at camp. Josh and Tyler (now 8 years old) have basically “grown up” at camp and are now honorary “Ak-O-Makkers” themselves!

Vicky graduated from Canadore College in 1987 with a diploma in Recreation Leadership and then returned to school to obtain her diploma in Pharmacy Technician from Humber College in 1990. Vicky was recently awarded her Certificate for the Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems by the Province of Ontario, licensing her to oversee the important job of running Camp Ak-O-Mak’s water Manager.

Vicky and Dave Webster reside in Lindsay, Ontario, living a serene life with their twin boys, Josh and Tyler, and twin dogs, Cody and Blondie!!

Jan Moldenhauer
Sailing Coach – Songleader
"Jan-of-all-Trades"

Jan Moldenhauer has been at Ak-O-Mak for nearly thirty years. She arrived at Ak-O-Mak while she was a swim coach at Ohio University. She later went on to coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she quickly became a legend.

There's not a dull day that goes by at camp – and Jan sees to it, personally. Be it with an enthusiastic singing tirade in the mainhouse after the morning meals, or an interestingly informative sailing or diving class, Jan is sure to brighten the day with her enthusiasm and smile.

Jan is a legend at Ak-O-Mak. Her voice carries such wisdom and her presence blesses us with grace. We are so honoured to have her as a wise guide to our every day at Ak-O-Mak.

Jocelyn Saunders
Swimming and Triathlon Coach

Jocelyn was the 1982 World Champion in Marathon Swimming. In 1981 she became the youngest swimmer to swim the 32 miles across Lake Ontario. In 1987 Jocelyn swam the 521 nautical miles around Lake Ontario in support of Multiple Sclerosis. Swimming 7 hours a day, Jocelyn accomplished this feat in 60 days raising more than $250,000 for Multiple Sclerosis.

In addition to setting Swimming World Records, Jocelyn had raised the largest charitable contribution in a long distance solo swim. Jocelyn also swam for Indian River Junior College for 2 years, serving the team as team captain in her second year. Both years the team won NCJAA’s. Then Jocelyn swam 3 years for the University of Toronto. In 2001 Jocelyn was inducted into the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame for her distinguished contribution in the sport of swimming.

After retiring from swimming, Jocelyn pursued the sport of Triathlons. She was a member of the Canadian National Team and competed in shortcourse and longcourse World Championships 7 times. Jocelyn was the USA Amateur Sprint National Champion and the 2000 Great Floridian Ironman winner. Then in 2001 she was struck by a car while training. Fortunately Jocelyn survived the crash and after 3 surgeries and 2 years of therapy she returned to racing.

Jocelyn has coached swimming for many years. She currently coaches for the Delaware Swim Team and she is Head Coach for the Three Little Bakers Swim club in the summer. She graduated from Indian River Junior College with an Honours Associate in Arts and a Bachelor of Science from University of Toronto. Her athletic success all began with her 10 years as an Ak-O-Mak camper and later counsellor. Jocelyn lives with her husband, Blair Saunders and two children, Brooke and Brett Saunders in Delaware.

Blair Saunders
Cycling and Triathlon Coach

Blair Saunders has been competing in cycling races for over 25 years. The highlights of his cycling career include 3 Canadian National titles and being a member of the 1992 Canadian Olympic Team. Blair was an alternate in the Road Race and the Team Time Trial race.

Through the years Blair has won hundreds of races in road biking, mountain biking, cycle-cross and track cycling. Most recently he competed in three different eight day mountain bike races in Costa Rica, the Trans Rockies and South Africa, finishing as one of the top North Americans in all three races. In addition to Blair's cycling accomplishments, he has competed in Ironman Triathlons, speedskating and cross country skiing.

Blair graduated from University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree and currently works as a Vice President of Information Technology at Blackrock Financial. He resides in Delaware with his wife, Jocelyn Saunders and two children , Brooke and Brett.

Joni Maerten-Sanders
Swim Coach

Joni-Maerten-Sanders joined Ak-O-Mak’s coaching staff in August 1996 as one of Canada’s premiere age-group coaches. Over the years, Ak-O-Mak has been able to tap that expertise each summer for at least two weeks.

Joni’s education is in Recreation Leadership and Business Administration. She is currently studying an advanced degree in Psychology. She is a Level III certified swim coach.

Maerten-Sanders began her coaching career with the Tillsonburg Aquatic team, where she coached for six years. She then went on to serve as the Head Coach of the Piranhas of Woodstock for seven years. After her family moved to Windsor, where Joni coached for one year, they moved back closer to home. Joni is now head coach of the New Hamburg Aces, where she is in her third year. She also serves as the Assistant Coach of the Ingersoll Speed Sharks.

Joni resides in Otterville with her husband, Mike, and their two children.

Lou Pocock
Associate Swim Coach

For over 20 years, Lou Pocock served as the Head Swim Coach of Windsor’s Massey School, a private preparatory school. There, Lou coached numerous national and Olympic Trial qualifiers, while serving as a running coach and teacher. Upon his retirement, Lou downsized his coaching duties, becoming the Assistant Coach of the Windsor Essex Swim Team, where he has been for the past four years.

Lou has been coming to Ak-O-Mak since 1996. We are pleased that he is able to share his wisdom as a teacher and coach to the girls of Ak-O-Mak. Lou resides in Windsor with his wife and grown daughters.