VIC NORRIS
Senior Director/Owner (age 59)
This will be Vic's 45th year in youth camping and will be celebrating his 40th Tamakwa anniversary year this summer (and 60th birthday). 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, particularly the physical plant as well as expanding and diversifying camp's activities and programs. Tamakwa now offers more than twice as many activities since Vic became co-owner. Vic has also spearheaded maintaining Tamakwa's most revered traditions. 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. Vic enjoys a well-deserved stature in the camping community and has complemented his love of camping, kids, sports and the outdoors with a 30-year law career. 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 11 this coming July and will be a Ranger in his fourth summer as a camper, and daughter Jessica turned 9 in March and she will be a third-year Trailblazer.

CRAIG PERLMUTTER
Camp Director/Owner (age 38)
Craig has been camp's fulltime Camp Director for the last 8 summers and this summer, his 22nd at Tamakwa, will be his sixth 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 at camp full-time in the spring of 2006, and their son Nate (born November 2007) will be enjoying his third full summer in the Tamakwa nursery and newborn daughter Molly (born April 2010) will breathe her first fresh Algonquin air this summer.

DAVID STRINGER
Associate Director (age 60)
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: 57 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 son Alex, age 16, has been a Tamakwa camper for 8 years and has also worked in the Tamakwa kitchen for 2 summers. 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 this spring.

KEN ELDER
Chief Engineer (age 61)
Ken has been a fulltime resident of Algonquin Park for 40 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 engineering degree, experience, and training has renovated or re-built every structure in camp and modernized all 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 30 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 and passion. Ken is the envy of every camp owner. 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 48)
Len is also part of the fulltime year-round staff and has been at Tamakwa for 28 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 Tamakwa 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, know 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. Indeed, Len has been responsible for one of the most highly regarded tripping programs in North America. 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 12) and Tommy (age 10), both have been campers at Tamakwa.

LIBBY SADICK VON NEUMANN
Libby (age 48)
Libby has been at Tamakwa for 37 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".

JEFF AVIGIAN
Boys' Camp Director (age 39)
Jeff is returning this summer as the Boys' Camp Director for his fourth summer after having been Landsports Director for two summers, Voyageur Section Head for two summers and CIT Director in 2006. In his 9th 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
Assistant Director (age 35)
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. This will be Margot's 15th full summer at Tamakwa. 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 again expect Margot to be sneaking out of the office to be with hers and Craig's son Nate (born in November 2007) and walking around camp with their newborn daughter Molly (born April 2010). What lucky kids!

JONATHAN FRANCHI
Program Director (age 27)
Jon, or just "Franchi" or "the Franchise", is Tamakwa's Program Director and after two years at the microphone, he is taking a running leap into his third summer on the job. This will be his fifth Tamakwa summer and he can't wait to get back to camp in a few weeks. Jon was a Senior Counselor for 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 spends the off-season working with Craig & Margot in the Toronto office helping in every way possible; especially in staff recruiting and off-season program planning. Before moving to Toronto, Jon studied Political Science at Wayne State University. Jon is very much looking forward to once again adding his own flair and creativity to Tamakwa's programming and continuing camp's long-standing traditions.

JENNA KRAFT
Pioneer Section Head (age 24)
Jenna started as a camper at Tamakwa in 1993 and has yet to skip a beat. This will be Jenna's 18th consecutive summer on the shores of South Tea and we hope she is still in the early years of her camp administrative career. After being one of our premier counselors with the youngest Trailblazer campers in camp for five summers, she joined Head Staff as the Pioneer Section Head two summers ago. Jenna brings energy and excitement to every activity within her section and is a great role model for the campers and staff. Jenna graduated in 2008 from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Elementary Education, majoring in Language Arts. Last year, Jenna completed her required year-long student teaching internship while taking a few classes towards her Masters and this past year she has been teaching in the Walled Lake district. When she's not playing with kids, she enjoys being with her family and her dogs Marley and Azie. 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 camp ownership with Lou for many decades.

TAMARA GRUNDLAND
49er Section Head (age 24)
After a two year hiatus, Tamara came back to camp in 2008 as the CIT (counselor-in-training) Director and did a fantastic job. This summer, she will be celebrating her 13th summer at Tamakwa in her second summer as the 49er Section Head, in charge of the 13-15 year old girls. Tamara was a camper for six summers, a CIT for one summer and a counselor for three summers. Tamara can't wait to once again be with the 49ers this summer, working hard to make sure every one of them has the best camp experience as they become role models for the younger campers. We are thrilled to have Tamara back at camp once again in an administrative capacity and the 49ers are lucky to have such a warm, friendly and humourous leader this summer. Tamara graduated in 2008 from McGill University where her major was History, with a minor in Political Science. Then Tamara took a year off and taught English in South Korea, and traveled Hong Kong, China & Japan. Tamara began her Masters in Social Work this past year and has been working with young adults with mental health concerns since January.

DONNA FARBER
Junior Tamakwan (JT) Director - Foresters & Trailblazers (age 52)
Tamakwa has been a part of Donna's family for a very long time. Her father and uncle were campers in the 1930's and she arrived as a camper in 1969. Donna was a camper for 6 summers and a counselor for one summer. She has spent a number of years as an adventure guide leading multi-day tours in the Grand Canyon, hiking and teambuilding events in Scottsdale, Arizona, and mountain bike racing. After a fantastic first summer in this role in 2009, Donna is extremely excited to once again lead our 7-9 year old campers this summer. Her love for Tamakwa and her love for kids is a perfect match for this position and she is eager to impart her experience on her campers and staff this summer. Donna's son Owen will be a third-year camper this summer. Donna is also proud to be a part of the "Tamakwa marriage club" having re-met her husband Stuart at Post Camp over 15 years ago. Stuart is also a long time Tamakwan, along with their two daughters.

PETER VOOYS
Assistant Program Director (age 26)
Peter made his first appearance at Tamakwa in 2008 and was a tremendous addition to Tamakwa with his fresh perspective and unique experience in camping. He was a fantastic Ropes Director that summer and worked incredibly well with his staff and campers who continuously came back to Ropes every week. As the CIT Director in 2009, his strong personality and love for teaching ensured that his CITs had their best Tamakwa summer. Drawing from all of his strengths, Pete will now be the Assistant Program Director and we're sure he'll find every opportunity possible to dress-up and act out any role required while helping plan a multitude of creative programs and special excursions and events as well as working closely with the Activity Leaders. Pete originally came to us after working at another camp for 8 summers. He worked his way from being a counselor to Assistant Director and we are lucky to have him as part of Tamakwa's administrative team. Pete graduated from Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario) as a Physical Education and History major and is planning on attending teacher's college in the near future.

MATTHEW RAN
Camp Coordinator (age 24)
Matthew grew up at Tamakwa and this will be his 14th summer. He was a camper for 9 years, a counselor, Landsports Director, and then Assistant Program Director last summer. Matthew worked for two summers very closely with our Program Director bringing an upbeat and organized energy to the program team and the Activity Leader group and helping promote a strong presence of athleticism at camp. This summer he will continue most of his duties from last summer and, given his vast experience and multiple skills, he will be carrying out a variety of administrative roles including helping to manage staff and supervise activities. After spending 3 years at the University of Southern California, Matt completed his college courses back home in Michigan. This past year, Matthew worked full-time with his father in financial management.

DANIEL BERMAN
CIT (Counselor-In-Training) Director (age 23)
Daniel is known at camp as a man of many voices, languages, characters and impersonations.  He can often be seen front and center for special programs or stage shows at camp dressed as his latest character, making campers and counselors laugh.  Daniel was a long-time camper and then a counselor before taking on his new role for 2010 as the CIT Director.  This will be his 12th summer at camp and he is embracing this new challenge to run an engaging and action-packed CIT program. Daniel Graduated from University of Michigan in 2009 with a degree in Spanish and Communication Studies. He spent this past year after camp doing a media relations internship with the Detroit Lions football team before shipping off for a long backpacking tour of much of South America.  Daniel remembers his own CIT summer as his favorite and he hopes that the CITs of 2010 will love their CIT experience as much as he did. He can't wait to spend the summer with each and every CIT.

GUY TETREAULT
West Park Catering
The summer of 2010 will be Guy's 14th summer at Tamakwa. After two summers working for a different catering company in the 1980's, Guy then started his own catering business (West Park Catering) and rejoined Tamakwa twelve 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, featuring his catering service and menu items as setting the standard for all camps. We couldn't agree more. 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 19, and Olivia, age 16.

RIC VON NEUMANN
Woodshop Director
This will be Ric's 13th summer at Tamakwa, and 13th full year as well working on continuing to rebuild every corner of Tamakwa's infrastructure. 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 and paddle-making 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 15th summer at Tamakwa. 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".