Staff

Dianne Young – Executive Director

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!

Dianne Young – Executive Director

Dianne Young has been involved in Camp Ak-O-Mak for over 36 years – first as a camper, then Counsellor in Training (CIT), then a Counsellor, and then part of the senior staff. 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 for five years!

The late Rosemary Mann Dawson, daughter of founder Matt Mann and Camp Ak-O-Mak’s beloved Director for 50 years, 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 Ownder/Director Bob Duenkel.

Upon her return from obtaining a degree in gemology to her hometown of Brantford, Ontario Dianne balanced coaching for the Brantford Aquatic Club for a number of years and worked in her family’s jewellery store, J.H. Young and Sons, Limited. Dianne is part of the fourth generation involved in her family’s business, which was established in 1900. Her career spans 30 years and she has been actively involved in all aspects of the retail business, currently handling the company’s finances and overseeing a jewellery manufacturing division.

The reason Dianne is so successful as Executive Director of Camp Ak-O-Mak is because of her first- hand knowledge of the camp and her expertise in business. This is a time when more children’s camps are closing than opening, developers lurk on every lake, and children need, a safe, wilderness, and recreational experience.

Dianne had dedicated countless volunteer hours making sure Ak-O-Mak continues to thrive. 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 firmly believes in and continues to uphold the founding values of Camp Ak-O-Mak, which motivate her to give so much of her time and care to camp today.

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 short course and long course 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 as camp counsellor.

Jocelyn lives with her husband, Blair Saunders and two children, Brooke and Brett Saunders in Delaware.

Hayley Steward – Program Director

Hayley Steward is a seasoned camp counsellor as well as ropes course and rock climbing instructor. Hayley’s camp experiences began as a day camp attendee initially and eventually evolved to her becoming a counsellor at a variety of camps since the age of 16.

Hayley is a graduate of George Brown College and a lover of outdoor adventure. Hayley has trained in various outdoor sports and activities. She 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. Hayley’s leadership skills were recognized by her high school and in 2000 she was sent to Michigan for the Civilian Youth Leadership Conference, participating in leadership and team building workshops with students from throughout the United States and Canada. Hayley was also 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. At BCP, Hayley developed a passion for rock climbing.

Hayley’s experience includes teaching a variety of swim classes in the Oakville YMCA; becoming Head Lifeguard for the Oakville YMCA and an Aquatic Trainer for an Oakville U16 Elite Girls soccer team; teaching indoor rock-climbing lessons at the Oakville YMCA and for Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. While at Wilfrid Laurier University, Hayley was hired as a Teacher’s Assistant for the Kinesiology Department teaching students of this program the rock-climbing course.

Hayley has had many years of experience working as a camp counsellor. 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 also has experience working with children with special needs. She has worked at Summit Camp, a camp for children with social, emotional and developmental disorders in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Hayley worked with children with 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 had Turret’s Syndrome, O.C.D., and /or mild mood issues. In her first year working at Summit Camp, Hayley was the Adventure Specialist and she taught 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. In her second year there, Hayley was a cabin counsellor. She decided to challenge herself further by taking on more of a leadership role within the staff, mentoring new staff within her unit.

Hayley came to Camp Ak-O-Mak through the Brantford Aquatic Club weekend excursion in the late summer of 2006. Since that time, Hayley has provided instruction for their weekend camp every summer and ran the high-ropes course.

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 Main House 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 every day at Ak-O-Mak.

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, speed skating 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 into 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 Ak-O-Makkers. Lou resides in Windsor with his wife and grown daughters.