Directors & Staff

Emily Schoelzel, Temagami Associate Director, began her relationship with Keewaydin in 1999 when she was hired to lead the girls program.  Emily has been a source of wisdom and inspiration to the thriving girls' program, as well as a tactful and resilient supporter of its growth since its inception.
Emily's love of canoe tripping began at an early age. In 1991 she attended Camp Wabun, where after 3 summers, she completed her Bay Trip in 1995.  Emily's connection with Keewaydin is nothing new, as she often stayed at Ojibway to see her older brothers, Dana Shonk (K'85) and Whit Shonk (K'86), paddle in.  Keewaydin was where she met her future husband Dylan Schoelzel (K'88), a 12-year veteran of the trip staff.  When Emily is not engaged in Keewaydin business, she and Dylan operate Salmon Falls Canoe, a shop which focuses on building and restoring wooden boats and canoes.
 
Emily brings intelligence, wit, trip experience and proven leadership skills to the job as well as a breadth of experience as a successful business owner and a parent of two young children.  Emily will be joined on Devil's Island by Dylan, along with her son Bronson, and daughter Evelyn.

Bruce Ingersoll, Temagami’s Director began his relationship with Keewaydin as a camper in 1976, and went on the Hudson Bay trip in 1979. He returned as a member of trip staff from 1980-1986, eventually working as a guide for Section A, the longest trip up to Hudson’s Bay.

Bruce spent the next twenty years teaching English and coaching track and field, most recently completing an eleven-year stint at the Fountain Valley School of Colorado where he also served as an administrator beginning in 1999. A career educator, Bruce has devoted his adult life to teaching and mentoring both students and faculty and has a history of creating successful and safe educational environments.

A committed outdoorsman and canoeist, Bruce brings vision, significant experience as an educator and a wealth of experience in Keewaydin traditions. Bruce is joined on the island by his wife Sarah, a veteran camp counselor and teacher herself, and their two daughters, Nathalie and Amelia.

Our Staff
Keewaydin's greatest asset has always been its experienced and dedicated staff. Nearly all of our trip staff members are former campers who have "graduated" following many successive seasons at Keewaydin. They join the staff as assistant staff, and work their way up through the ranks as they return each summer.  Typically our staff members have about ten years of experience canoe tripping with Keewaydin. Together with the headquarters staff at base camp, the trip staff provide leadership and guidance while acting as mentors to their campers.

Each section is lead by the staffwoman who is the senior member of the trip staff. They are responsible for the overall safety and well being of every member of the group, and make all decisions regarding the group's welfare. These staff are assisted by the guide, who is the second in charge and oversees all trip preparations. In addition the guide plans the route, sets the pace, and is responsible for establishing camp, cooking and taking care of the trip equipment. The trip staff involve campers with any or all of these activities as their age and interest permit. In younger groups the staff and guide are supported by up to three assistant staff to help with chores and provide additional supervision.

Staff Training focuses on the tools trip leaders need to be successful.  95% of our staff are Keewaydin program graduates.  All trip leaders complete the 80 hour Wilderness First Responder medical course, the eight hour Wilderness Water Safety course as well as training in leadership and canoe and equipment repair.  The leadership training is specifically focused on building skills and self-esteem in the campers.  The staff arrive at camp 2 weeks before campers to complete these courses. 

In addition, our staff spend time learning about the social/emotional lives of children with renowned psychologist and author, Michael Thompson (Raising Cain and the soon to be released Homesick and Happy about the positive impact of summer camps on boys and girls).