A b o u t C a m p C h e s t e r m e r e
Who We Are
Located just a fifteen minute drive east of Calgary, Camp Chestermere has been a vital part of the community for over 80 years. Since 1937, we've been a cherished summer camp and now rental venue, offering recreational, spiritual, and social experiences for all ages.
M e e t t h e T e a m
We welcome your phone calls and emails.
If you’re not sure who to contact just send your message to campoffice@campchestermere.com and we’ll get it to the right person.
All of our staff can be reached at (403)-272-6030
Chris
Walker
Executive Director
Joined the Team: October 2023
Meet Chris Walker, our passionate Camp Director dedicated to creating a space where individuals can belong and experience the transformative love of Jesus. With 15 years of experience in youth-focused Christian ministries, Chris brings a wealth of ministry and operational expertise. From discipling individuals to executing large-scale summer events, Chris is adept at translating ministry vision into actionable plans and is s servant leader known for his humility and integrity. Originally from the UK, Chris, his Calgary-born wife Erin, and their two boys now call Canada home, where they eagerly anticipate new adventures, especially in the mountains.
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Camp Name: Sequoia
Katie + Shaan
Kondra
Joined the Team: April 2024
Introducing Shaan and Katie, our dynamic Camp Coordinators who are passionate about cultivating belonging and leadership among kids and youth at Camp Chestermere. Together, they build relationships, create impactful experiences, and develop programs that inspire young leaders to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Their favorite part of camp ministry is witnessing people discover their identity in Christ and deepening their relationship with him. Born in three different countries, Shaan, Katie, and their toddler son Taavi represent a beautiful fusion of cultures. Outside of camp, they enjoy cooking, spending time with friends, and embarking on new learning adventures.
Camp Coordinator(s)
Camp Name: Acorn + Ignite
Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: October 2023
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Introducing Cathy, our dedicated office manager who keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. From handling bookkeeping to managing camp registrations, she ensures everything is in order. Her favorite part of camp ministry? Witnessing children's joy as they embrace all camp has to offer. Outside of work, Cathy loves spending time with her husband and two adult daughters, enjoys reading, walking her beloved dog Chewie, and volunteering at her home church.
Cathy
Fryer
Office Manager
Camp Name: Kraken
Natalie Shlyakhtovska
Rentals + Hospitality Manager
Joined the Team: March 2024
Meet Natalie, our Rentals and Hospitality Manager, the heart and soul behind ensuring every guest's visit is unforgettable. From managing year-round bookings to orchestrating camp events, she ensures every detail is perfect. But what truly lights up her day is the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our guests, ensuring they feel welcomed and cherished throughout their stay. Originally from Ukraine, Natalie has made Calgary her home for several years now., seamlessly blending Ukrainian heritage with Canadian life. When not at work, she enjoys singing in choir, hiking, and cherishing moments with her grandson.
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Camp Name: Seagull
Joined the Team: April 2024
Meet one of our newest additions to the team, Michael, our Food Services Coordinator. With a passion for connecting guests and ensuring they're nourished with wholesome meals, he brings a fresh perspective to our dining experience. Collaborating with the team, he strives to create memorable moments around the table that foster community and connection. Beyond the kitchen leads a vibrant life filled with acting, reading, traveling to new destinations, and soaking up the beauty of the outdoors.
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Food Services Coordinator
Michael
Bacon
Camp Name: Eggsy
Vic
Niekraszewicz
Site Coordinator
Joined the Team: January 2016
Meet Vic, our beloved Site Coordinator affectionately known as "camp grandpa." Since 2016, Vic has been the backbone of Camp Chestermere, overseeing facility maintenance with unwavering dedication. Children are drawn to his captivating stories from his past adventures as a policeman and his passion to make camp a place to belong. For Vic, the best part of working here is simple: the people. Alongside his late wife, Kathy, he's watched campers grow into remarkable individuals, guided by his positive influence and God's hand. Vic loves anything he can do out on the water be it boating, fishing or taking his team to Tim Horton’s up the lake.
Camp Name: Papa Smurf
Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: 15 summers and counting! Alissa started as a camper, and has grown up through CLTD, Staff, various SLT roles, and now here on the YRT!
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Introducing Alissa, our versatile Office and Camp Support. From creating digital communications to coordinating staff onboarding and preparing camp programming she is a true summer camp pro. To her, Camp Chestermere has always been the root of her deepest sense of community and her greatest passion of working with kids. Outside of work, she is always on the lookout for the next concert, travel destination, artsy project, or the latest tunes to add to her monthly playlist.
Alissa
Tremblay
Office + Camp Support
Camp Name: Star
Erik
Maxwell-Mezerecky
Joined the Team: Erik has been around Camp C for 12 years, starting as a camper and growing through CLTD, Staff, SLT, and now Year Round!
Introducing Erik, our Volunteer Coordinator. From overseeing volunteers to fixing anything and everything to driving the boat for power tubing, he does it all with enthusiasm. His favorite part of camp ministry? Witnessing the profound impact we have on everyone who walks through our doors, experiencing the love of Christ firsthand. Beyond camp, Erik enjoys a leisurely drive with good company, sipping coffee (or tea), and diving into a good book like "To Know Christ."
Volunteer Coordinator
Camp Name: Moose
Joined the Team: Scott has been at Camp since Summer 2019, joining SLT in 2023 and YRT in in 2024
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Introducing Scott, our Kitchen Operations Support who adds flavor to every meal and keeps our kitchen running smoothly. Whether crafting menus, cooking for groups, or assisting with various camp tasks, he ensures everyone is well-fed and satisfied. His favorite part of camp ministry? Seeing the delight on campers' faces and hearing their compliments about the delicious meals. Outside of camp, Scott enjoys hobbies like playing D&D with friends, Magic the Gathering (it’s a card game), video games, and exploring his passion for music.
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Scott
Holden
Kitchen Operations Support
Camp Name: Yeti
M e e t t h e B o a r d
Kara Wilfley
Joined the Team: 2017
Meet Kara, who at the end of the day is responsible for it all. Her duties are to pray for camp, provide vision, lead the board, represent camp to the churches, facilitate communication, and then pray some more. Her favourite thing about camp is seeing students and young adults sense the power, presence, and peace of Jesus in new ways! Kara is blessed with a loving husband, Mike and two talented adult daughters, also alumni of Camp C, and their furry companion ‘Valentine’. Her love for cooking, kayaking, gardening, and sushi also add flavor to her life outside of camp.
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Board Chair
Camp Name: Snow
John Mabey
Joined the Team: 1999
Meet John, a beloved member of our Camp Chestermere family since 1999, when his eldest daughter first attended. Inspired by the camp's impact on children from all backgrounds, John joined our board of directors to be more involved. Despite witnessing the highs and lows, the love from our community and the joy on children's faces keeps him motivated. Outside camp, John, an accountant, enjoys time with his wife of 32 years, their six grandchildren, and one grand puppy. A diehard Leafs fan, John also enjoys sports and volunteering. His hope is that camp remains a beacon of light and a "Place to Belong" in a broken world.
Vice Chair and Treasurer
Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: May 2020
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Meet Charman, one of our dedicated Board members whose passion for camp ministry runs deep. While focusing on governance, she's also hands-on with operations like rentals and hospitality. Charman's camp journey (though not our camp) began in her teens, profoundly impacting her faith and instilling a love for spiritual formation and discipleship. Outside camp, she loves hosting loved ones for memorable meals and enriching conversations (hint: that’s where her camp name came from!) Charman and her husband Raymond are transitioning from a busy household to the empty nest stage.
Charman Cross
Board Member
Camp Name: Contessa
Joined the Team: Alex joined us in 2010 as a cabin leader and has held various roles since, including Team Lead, CLTD Leader, Waterfront Coordinator, and has been a board member on and off since 2014.
Introducing Alex, a long standing member of the community who wears many hats at Camp Chestermere. From participating in board meetings to lending a hand in renovations around the camp, he is always ready to pitch in wherever needed. Alex’s favorite thing about camp ministry is witnessing the interactions between staff members and kids, nurturing their growth and development. Over the years, he has had the joy of seeing campers grow up to become staff, a testament to the lasting impact of our camp community. In 2018, Alex met his soon-to-be wife, Laryssa (camp name "Giraffe") here at camp and he now devotes most of his free time to their two beloved cats, Charcoal and Effie.
Alex Wright
Board Member
Camp Name: Crumpet
Lisa Fox
Joined the Team: Lisa has been part of camp since she was in CLTD in 2009. She has been on Staff, SLT and then became a board member in 2019
Meet Lisa, a dedicated member of our Board, who ensures Camp Chestermere runs smoothly behind the scenes. From financial check-ins to organizing meetings, her contributions are invaluable. Lisa's passion for camp stems from her own transformative experience with faith here. She believes it's a place where people encounter Jesus and discover the power of faith. Based in Calgary with her husband Andrew, Lisa is an elementary school teacher who enjoys spending time with nieces and nephews, baking, gardening, reading, and cycling in her free time.
Board Secretary
Camp Name: Dutchie