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
Year Round Ministry Team
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.
Program and Ministry Coordinators
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
Bill
Cozens
Joined the Team: Bill served as a cabin leader in the 1990’s, then a Board Member in the early 2000s, as a boat driver for many years, and officially joined the Year Round team in August 2022.
Introducing Bill, our Maintenance Coordinator who oversees anything broken, engineers all new projects, and ensures our camp is always looked after. He enjoys the problem-solving aspect of his job and the opportunity to create solutions. Bill also assists with hosting and running activities. His favorite aspect of camp ministry? Its effectiveness in reaching and influencing young people, fostering relationships, learning, and fun, all while listening to God's leading. Bill has been married to Lynn for 35 years, and their daughters, Brianna and Larissa, have been involved in camp as campers and leaders. Outside of work, Bill enjoys a variety of hobbies, from camping and cycling to singing and woodworking, and occasionally indulges in flying with his commercial pilot's license.
Maintenance Coordinator
Camp Name: MacGyver
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
M e e t t h e
Seasonal Leadership Team
Neon
Daycamp Team Lead
Knight
Overnight Male Team Lead
Zazu
Overnight Female Team Lead
Skip
Worship Discipleship Pastor
Jasper
Programs Lead
Tesfa
Team Support
Ilona
CLTD Leader
Jimmy
CLTD Leader
Honeybee
CLTD Leader
Bandit
Summer Volunteer Coordinator
Peggy
Office Assistant
Fuzzy
Summer Programs Lead
Cinnamon
Lifeguard
Lazzy
Medic
Sway
Lifeguard
Tropical
Medic
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M e e t t h e
Board
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
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.
Lisa Fox
Board Secretary
Camp Name: Dutchie
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
Georges LeBlanc, has been married to Susan for 35 years, has two daughters: Jordyn & Jenna, both in their 30s, and two small dogs. He is the GM at Prairie Mobile Communications, and is heavily involved with fundraising initiatives like Make a Wish - organizing a motorcycle fundraiser; Dreams Take Flight as a team captain; and Kids Cancer Care organizing a motorcycle fundraiser. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking and you guessed it - motorcycling.
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He worships at Canyon Creek, where he is a drummer on worship and looks forward to being a part of the board again as we rebuild into spiritual and financial health. He brings financial, fundraising and business experience. Having been a former board chair and board member, he brings perspective,experience and history. In this season, God is teaching him to be patient.
Georges Leblanc
Board Member
Camp Name: Coming Soon!
In his previous career as a bank manager (22 years), Todd was reliant on people to meet financial goals and expectations, but God has shown him another way. There is man’s economy, and then there is God’s economy. He is our provider and sustainer. Now, Todd and his wife Krystal are missionaries with the Baptist General Conference of Canada, seconded to Intertribal Life Ministries. Their ministry is to work alongside Indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States, working towards restoring hope, healing, and honour within Indigenous communities; through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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At their home church, Langdon Community Church, Todd has served as Men’s Leader, on the Elder’s board, and on the worship team, playing guitar and singing. Todd and Krystal live in Langdon with their two adult children, two dogs, and two cats. Their children attended Camp Chestermere as children, eventually graduating the CLTD program to become part of the summer staff team. Todd feels invited by the Lord to serve on the board, and looks forward to the opportunity to impact the lives of children through Camp Chestermere, a pillar in the community.
Todd Wawryzniak
Vice Chair
Camp Name: Coming Soon!
Joined the Team: April 2024
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Joined the Team: April 2024
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Lisa Xia Shen immigrated to Canada from China, where she was a tax inspector, in 2001. Since coming to Canada, she has worked as an accountant, and a volunteer at Red Deer Care for Newcomers. She has been married for 36 years and has two sons. In 2020, she moved to Calgary to join Calgary True Light Gospel Church where she is currently serving in the Sunday school and leading a Fellowship Study; she was elected as a deacon in 2024.
In 2017, she began pastoral studies at Seminary on the Air (SOTA) organized by Trans World Radio. She graduated in 2020, and now serves as the Calgary Ministry Representative for SOTA.
Her church has just become a member church of Camp Chestermere and she wants to use the abilities and skills God has given her to serve the Camp. Her prayer is that God would accept her ministry as an offering, that the Camp would be used and blessed by God, to become a place of glory to God and benefit to all those who come to Camp.
Lisa Shen
Board Treasurer
Camp Name: Coming Soon!
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 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
Patrick Conway
With over 20 years experience working in technology, Patrick Conway has had the opportunity to work in organizations within the Christian non-profit sector, the banking and financial services sector, and the roofing sector, among others. Having held positions including Business Analyst, Systems Architect, and Chief Technology Officer, Patrick has developed strong problem solving skills and brings a level headed logic to any challenge he faces. Patrick's home church is Lake Ridge Community Church, where he previously served four years on the board and currently contributes to the media team, count team, and finance committee. Among friends and family, Patrick is known for his love of running very long distances, his deep commitment to always being on time, and his ability to solve any type of puzzle. He has an extensive collection of 'dad jokes' which he regularly tests on his wife Andrea and teenage daughters, Gibson and Elliott.
Having been personally impacted by healthy adult mentors when he was young, Patrick understands the life long impact Camp Chestermere can have on youth and children. As a Chestermere resident, he is excited to see the Camp's impact grow within this city.
Board Member
Camp Name: Coming Soon!