VIC NORRIS
Senior Director/Owner
Age 57
This will be Vic's 43rd year in youth camping, 38 of which have been with Camp Tamakwa. Under the tutelage of Tamakwa's founding owner Lou Handler, Vic rose up the ranks quickly from counselor, to CIT Director, Section Head, Assistant Director and Camp Director. As the saying goes, he loved camp so much; he bought it. Vic took on co-ownership of Tamakwa in 1980 as a labor of love with a fresh vision and commitment to rebuild every aspect of Tamakwa, including expanding and diversifying camp's activities and programs. Tamakwa now offers twice as many activities since Vic became co-owner. Alongside achieving that goal, Vic has complemented his love of camping, kids, sports and the outdoors with a 30-year law career. Vic has served as an accreditation visitor for the Ontario Camping Association, is an affiliate member of the American Camping Association, and provides a host of consulting services to other summer camps. Since 1980 he has been with the Michigan firm of Hertz Schram PC, most of those years as managing partner. His wife Ronda spends as much time at camp as permitted by her medical practice as a board certified pediatric & adult allergist. Their son Max will turn 9 this coming July and will be a Forester for his second summer as a camper, and daughter Jessica turned 7 in March and she will be a first-time camper as a Trailblazer.

CRAIG PERLMUTTER
Camp Director/Owner
Age 35
Craig has been camp's fulltime Camp Director for the last 6 summers and this summer, his 20th at Tamakwa, will be his fourth as co-owner along with Vic. Craig returned to Tamakwa in April of 2002, after an 8-year hiatus. Between 1981 and 1993, Craig was a camper, CIT, counselor, Landsports Director, Assistant Boys Camp Director, and Program Director. Even during his hiatus, he was part of the Tamakwa landscape, whether helping out during routine visits, being a valuable resource in our off-season preparations, or reviving and spearheading our alumni Post Camp in the fall. He is a true member of the Tamakwa family in more ways than one: his parents, Howard and Carol Perlmutter, have been part of the year-round management team. Craig graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and, before his return to Tamakwa, worked in sports marketing as well as in other marketing endeavours in Chicago, Michigan and then back in Toronto, closer to his family. Craig has spent many hockey seasons teaching and coaching youth hockey in Michigan and in Toronto. Craig's wife is Margot Perlmutter, who started back at camp full-time in the spring of 2006, and their son Nate, born in November 2007, will be enjoying his first summer in the Tamakwa nursery.

DAVID STRINGER
Associate Director
Age 58
David grew up at Tamakwa, literally. His parents were possibly the first Tamakwa couple. His father Omer Stringer, a legendary canoeist and outdoorsman, co-founded Tamakwa and built the first buildings in camp in 1936. His mom is Edie (Brooks) Stringer, who worked in the camp office in the 1940's. They met at camp, got married, and brought David to camp for the first time in 1952. He has been at Tamakwa ever since: 55 summers in all. He actively contributes to every aspect of Tamakwa's operation, but he is best known as creator of all camp movies, videos, and DVDs and as operator of C.A.M.P. Radio and CAMP T.V., master of all Tamakwa program “breaks” and special effects, master of all computer & hi-tech operations, pianist, repairman of anything in camp, and a unique program resource person when it comes to entertaining campers. He is the ultimate camp musician and magic man. When current Tamakwans and alumni try to describe how different and special Tamakwa is from all other places, in part, they unknowingly are referring to the myriad special tangibles and intangibles David Stringer brings to our Tamakwa community. Stringer loves telling the stories Unca Lou told, taking kids on the lake to show them the stars and constellations, playing clarinet in his golf cart during twilight and so much more. Outside of camp, David is a computer programmer and independent filmmaker who has produced and hosted hundreds of educational television programs aired on TV-Ontario, PBS in the U.S., and in many other countries. Best of all, David is fantastic working and having fun with kids. David's wife Glynis is a registered nurse and a consultant to camp on health issues. Their son Alex, age 16, has been a Tamakwa camper for 8 years and will be returning on our kitchen staff for his second summer. Alex is a talented musician in his own right, and has truly taken to the culinary world and plans to continue doing so after he graduates High School next year.

KEN ELDER
Chief Engineer
Age 59
Ken has been a fulltime resident of Algonquin Park for 38 years. He worked for the Ministry of Natural Resources as an information and enforcement officer from 1969 to 1979. He started working part-time for Tamakwa in 1978, but came on board fulltime in 1980 and has been with us ever since. Ken's tenure with the Ministry and his experience and training has helped to modernize many of Tamakwa's physical plant systems. Most recently, he designed and implemented what is probably the most sophisticated, effective, and efficient water purification plant at any summer camp. He is also instrumental in the design and implementation of many of Tamakwa's safety and emergency procedures. Tamakwa is proud of its campaign over the past 28 years to rebuild, restore, and upgrade every physical aspect of camp. Ken is the chief architect of that campaign, and as the person responsible for the entire physical plant and maintenance program, he engineers and supervises every construction project. While preserving the traditional Tamakwa look, Ken designs new camp cabins and buildings with his own unique style. He and his wife June live at Tamakwa's landing across South Tea Lake during the camp season and in Huntsville during the winter.

LEN GIBLIN
Canoe Tripping Director
Age 46
Len is also part of the fulltime year-round staff and has been at Tamakwa for 26 years. While doing his B.A. at University of Western Ontario, Len first came to Tamakwa as a counselor in 1982, before working several summers as a canoe tripper. For most of his 26 years, Len has been the director of Tamakwa's canoe tripping program, a position he has held longer than anyone in camp history. Tripping has always been the quintessential Tamakwa activity. We dare say few camps, if any, have a more veteran and seasoned Head Tripper and likewise, very few, if anyone, knows Algonquin Park, its waterways, and routes better than Len. Today we send out over 100 trips each summer, all scheduled, routed, outfitted, and planned under his watchful eye. The caliber, personnel, popularity, and reputation of Tamakwa's tripping program have never been stronger than under Len's leadership. With a growing staff that's now over twenty, Len is sure to have another very successful tripping season this summer. During the off-season, Len works with Ken Elder completing all of our building projects in our renovation program of camp's facilities. Len lives in nearby Huntsville, where his wife Dr. Laura Lewis has a family medical practice. They have two children: Matthew (age 11) and Tommy (age 9). Tommy will be a first-time Forester camper this coming summer.

LIBBY SADICK VON NEUMANN
Libby
Age 46
Libby has been at Tamakwa for 35 summers starting in 1973. If there is such thing as a “Jill of all trades” in the camping world, then Libby is it. She has been a camper, CIT, counselor, driver, canoe tripper, Canoe Tripping Director, Section Head, Girls' Camp Director, and CIT Director, and has been our official camp photographer for years. She even works on our pre and post-season construction crew. In addition to her summer duties, Libby is a key resource person in our post-season as a liaison for schools and other groups that use Tamakwa as a venue each fall. Libby used to live in San Diego, California, where she worked in a pre-school and in photo studios. Her formal training is in photography, and for proof, look at the photos on our website (as well as Bunk1.com) and our other print literature. In 1998, she and her husband Ric made the permanent move to Algonquin Park. They now live across the lake from camp and both are part of our fulltime team that maintains the physical plant. Libby's biggest claim to fame is as the longest tenured Girls' Camp Director (and Section Head) in camp history. Given that credential, Libby continues to be an all-purpose resource for Section Heads and the rest of Head Staff. But when you have a multitude of talents, you're called upon for a multitude of tasks. So, this summer, once again, Libby will be assuming a variety of staff, camper and behind the scenes administrative responsibilities and special excursions. Whatever her title, the most universally understood job description for her is the word that's worth a thousand pictures: “Libby”.

CANDI SHERMAN
Junior Tamakwan (JT) Director - Foresters & Trailblazers
Age 54
Candi has been affiliated with Tamakwa for 36 years, but this will be her 10th summer with our Junior Tamakwans. She spent her earlier years as a camper and CIT at Michigan's Camp Petosega before arriving at Tamakwa first as a counselor in 1974. She married another Tamakwan, Dr. Ron Sherman, and joined him during his stints as camp doctor from 1991 to 1998. Then in 1999, with two children, Candi decided to put her parental instinct to use on an official basis as the leader of our J.T. program, supervising our youngest campers. Ron spends significant time at camp lending his vast camp experience in a number of ways, but most notably as Tamakwa's year-round consulting physician on all medical issues. Candi has a B.A. from Michigan State University (1976), a law degree at University of Detroit College of Law (1980), and from 1980 to 1989 was engaged in the private practice of law. Now she devotes her off-season time to her family and to Camp Tamakwa, being an invaluable year-round resource for staff recruitment as well as a variety of other aspects of administrating our camp program. Their sons – Alex, 17 & Ben, 15 – have been campers since they've been of age. That gives Candi first-hand insight into the expectations of camp parents, together with her seasoned expertise in camping. Those combined credentials make Candi a tremendous source of confidence for parents of first-time campers and Tamakwa's youngest kids in general.

JEFF AVIGIAN
Boys' Camp Director
Age 37
Jeff is returning this summer as the Boys' Camp Director for his second summer after having been Landsports Director for two summers, Voyageur Section Head for two summers and CIT Director in 2006. In his 8th summer at Tamakwa, Jeff is a true camp personality and certainly keeps everyone on their toes. Jeff adds not only a great element of charisma and humour as one of camp's most colourful characters, but even more so, a great amount of professionalism and experience in the field of education and youth recreation. He was born and raised in Boston, where he teaches grade 11-12 math at Danvers High School. He also coaches the school's teams in golf, basketball, and baseball. Jeff's own education includes a Bachelor of Science in accounting from University of South Florida in 1992 and an MBA from University of Mississippi in 1994. And as a true-blue Bostonian, he is an avid Red Sox fan. He loves them so much he spends his spare time as a groundkeeper at Fenway Park so he won't miss a game. As a seasoned teacher and coach, who is also steeped in the ideals of camping, Jeff will once again be an important leader for Boys' Camp, not to mention an incredible asset to the administration of camp.

MARGOT PERLMUTTER
Business Director
Age 33
Margot and Craig re-kindled their “dormant” camp romance getting married in 2003. After many years in advertising, Margot assumed a role she never dreamed of taking on, the business administration of camp. She tends to anything and everything… all the behind the scenes workings of camp and, particularly, camper registration, transportation, accounting, as well as coordinating and documenting all matters for staff once hired. But, as we say, Tamakwa is a “people” camp. And that saying couldn't be more fitting for Margot. She is the warm, nurturing, energetic, friendly, bubbly persona, setting just the right tone in the office at camp and year round in Toronto's office. She is now the voice of Tamakwa to parents and the entire camp carrying on the tradition of her predecessors Esta Kraft and Marilyn Mendelson. Indeed, this will be Margot's milestone 13th summer at Tamakwa and her camp Bat Mitzvah. Because of Margot's many years as a camper and staff member, and her love of camp, she spends as much time as possible involving herself with campers and staff at many activities… and with that camper who now and then needs that special attention and friend at camp. This summer, we can expect Margot to be sneaking out of the office to be with hers and Craig's new baby Nate (born in November 2007). What a lucky kid!

JONATHAN FRANCHI
Program Director
Age 25
Jon, or just “Franchi” or “the Franchise”, is Tamakwa's new Program Director this summer. This will be his third Tamakwa summer and he can't wait to get started in his new role. Jon has been a Senior Counselor for the last two summers and was an energetic and responsible counselor for the senior boys, not to mention a great role model. Jon realized the Canadian wilderness was calling and arrived on the scene at Tamakwa in 2006 after a number of summers at Camp Willoway, a day camp in Michigan. Jon currently studies Political Science at Wayne State University and is trying to prolong his degree as much as he can so he's able to spend his summers at Tamakwa for a long, long time. He lives in downtown Detroit, actually just a block or two from Comerica Park, and is single-handedly trying to revive the downtown core. Jon is very much looking forward to adding his own flair and creativity to Tamakwa's programming and continuing camp's long-standing traditions.

JENNA KRAFT
Pioneer Section Head
Age 22
Jenna started as a camper at Tamakwa in 1993 and has yet to skip a beat. This will be Jenna's 16th consecutive summer on the shores of South Tea and we hope this is just the beginning of her camp administrative career. After being our premier counselor with the youngest Trailblazer campers in camp for the last five summers, she is joining Head Staff as the Pioneer Section Head for the first time. Jenna is ready, willing and definitely able to supervise and enjoy the 10-12 year olds in girls' camp this summer. She will bring a ton of energy and excitement to every activity within her section and be a great role model for the campers and staff. Jenna just graduated this spring from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Elementary Education, majoring in Language Arts. In the fall, Jenna will begin interning and teaching while beginning her Masters. Jenna continuously volunteers her time and assistance in elementary classrooms during and after her school year and when she's not playing with kids, she enjoys being with her family and her dog Marley. Speaking of her family, Jenna's father Charlie is a long-time Tamakwan himself and continues to be an important member of the Tamakwa team helping with our transportation plans from Michigan. Charlie grew up at camp as his parents, Mike and Esta Kraft (Unca Lou's sister), shared in the ownership of camp with Lou for many decades.

TAMARA GRUNDLAND
CIT (Counselor-In-Training) Director
Age 22
After a two year hiatus, Tamara is back for her 11th summer at Tamakwa. Tamara was a camper for five summers, a CIT for one summer and a counselor for three summers. She is highly motivated to be an incredible CIT Director as she looks back and remembers her CIT summer in 2002 as her most enjoyable and rewarding summer. Tamara credits her own CIT experience as when she learned the skills to be a stand out counselor. We are thrilled to have Tamara back at camp in her new role and the 2008 CITs are lucky to have such a warm, friendly and humourous director this summer. Tamara just graduated this spring from McGill University where her major was History, with a minor in Political Science. Tamara plans on taking the next year off teaching English in Japan, before starting her Masters in Social Work the following year.

DYLAN OPTICAN
49er Section Head
Age 21
Dylan is returning for her 14th summer at Tamakwa following a one year hiatus after 13 consecutive summers. After spending her last 3 years as a counselor, Dylan is excited to be back in her new role as 49er Section Head. Dylan will be a high energy, loving and caring leader for our 49er section this summer. She has had each of the three groups of campers over the course of her 3 years on staff and she can't wait to see them all again and lead them through their best summer yet. Dylan is ready and eager to take on this new position and to be a wonderful role model for her campers, leading them to participate in activities and be role models themselves as the older campers in girls' camp. Dylan has one more year at the University of Wisconsin, where she is majoring in Social Work. She has recently returned from Spain where she spent a semester studying abroad. Dylan has already been accepted into a Masters in Social Work program after she graduates next year. During university, Dylan plans activities for homeless children of all ages for the Salvation Army Children's Center and also volunteers at an after-school program with special-needs Kindergarteners on a weekly basis.

GUY TETREAULT
West Park Catering
The summer of 2008 will be Guy's 12th summer at Tamakwa. After two summers working for a different catering company in the 1980's, Guy then started his own catering business and rejoined Tamakwa ten summers ago. Guy hires his own hard-working staff each summer and, together, they put in almost 16 hours a day in the Tamakwa kitchen. Guy's claim to fame is an article written by a Toronto Star food columnist, and she wasn't wrong, his camp food is outstanding. Guy plans a menu with nutritional balance, variety, and children's tastes. Other than providing camp with a great menu, Guy's high energy provides campers and staff alike with a lot of laughter. He has an infectious personality and sense of humour that no one can match. Just ask him to say “Shore Lunch” for you, you'll completely agree. Guy also spends time before and after each summer helping our work crew with building projects and repairs. Guy lives in the off-season in Huntsville and has two children, Rebecca, age 16, and Olivia, age 13.

RIC VON NEUMANN
Woodshop Director
This will be Ric's 11th summer at Tamakwa, and 11th full year as well. After being a visitor in previous summers, he followed his wife Libby to Tamakwa and moved to camp in 1998 and they have resided in Algonquin Park on a year-round basis ever since. Ric is an artistic genius, finished carpenter and jewelry maker by trade. Not only is he an integral member of the year-round work crew at camp, but he is the director of our Woodshop Program. When Ric decided to move to Tamakwa, camp built a fantastic Woodshop for him to impart his knowledge and love for woodworking to our campers and staff. His Woodshop activity is filled each and every week during individual choice periods and he adds another 6-8 campers each period to work on making and/or refinishing their own canoe paddles.

SUE BINDER
Administrative Assistant
Sue's history at Tamakwa spans 5 decades dating back to 1969. She was a camper for several years then a CIT, counselor, JT Director and Camp Coordinator. This will be Sue's 13th summer at Tamakwa, another milestone Bat Mitzvah in 2008! Sue moved to Los Angeles in 1990 and began a 15 year career in film and television working for Renaissance Pictures (for distinguished Tamakwa film director Sam Raimi) on such films and TV shows as Army of Darkness (Evil Dead 3), Darkman II and III, The Legendary Journeys of Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess, starting out as a production assistant and moving through the ranks to Production Associate and then Office Manager. Sue now works year round for Tamakwa assisting Vic in the Detroit office during the off season and in the office at camp during the summer assisting Margot & helping campers and staff day in and day out and making everyone feel “special”.