Introducing your 2026 Staff

Administration and Leadership Team

Kristen, Owner & Director

Kristen started MKDC in 2009 after many years working in other camp settings. She is a teacher with the UCDSB and has taught almost every grade and subject from kinder to grade 8 – but her specialty is music. Kristen is the magic behind the wonderful space that is camp and is very excited – as always – for the upcoming summer!

Ron, Program Director, Facilities Manager & Programmer

Ron is an essential part of the MKDC team who is ready to take on his 11th summer at camp! Known for his EPIC programs, Ron takes creativity to a whole new level. From exciting games to new twists to camp classics, there’s a strong chance Ron was involved in making it happen. As our Program Director, Ron is responsible for the quality control of all programming (including special events) and in the off-season works as a Montessori educator.

Emma, Assistant Director & Programmer

Emma is back for her 12th summer at MKDC! Emma is responsible for many things that make camp run smoothly, including our FIREFLY program, campfire bead tradition, and so much more. Emma is known for her creative programming, and knowledge of all things camp. Emma holds a BA in Child & Youth Care, an MA in Child Study and Education, and as a teacher in the off-season she brings a wealth of knowledge on working with children to our team!

Summer 2026 Returning Staff

Allie, Sprouts Cabin Leader

Allie is another former camper, Firefly & Jr Staff graduate who is excited to be working with the Sprouts this summer. Allie is competitive basketball player and helps coach younger players in the off-season. At camp, she is known for her creative program ideas and her organized cabin approach. Welcome back Allie!

Neeve, Sprouts Cabin Leader

Neeve is excited to be returning to our Sprouts team again this summer! She is an Early Childhood Education student and is well known at camp for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for campers as well as staff. Outside of camp, she enjoys camping, hiking, boating and swimming, and works as supply staff for local schools. Welcome back, Neeve!

Brooke, Jr Staff

Brooke has been waiting for this moment since she was 5 years old! A long-time camper, she is thrilled to finally be joining the staff team. Outside of camp she is an accomplished synchronized swimmer and coach. Welcome to the team, Brooke!

Duncan, Jr Staff

Duncan is a relatively recent addition to our camp family but he fit in perfectly with the rest of our energetic bunch. An accomplished performer, he spends most of his non-school time acting and playing music with various groups. At camp, he is known for his enthusiasm and elaborate costumes for camp events. Welcome back Duncan!

Alivia, Saplings Cabin Leader

Alivia loves to travel and bake, and is going into her second year of behavioural psychology at St Lawrence College. She is an accomplished gymnast and coach, and is looking forward to all the new people and activities that MKDC has to offer.

Katryna, Heartwood Cabin Leader

Katryna is looking forward to staying active, connecting with nature, and ensuring the kids have a great/fun time at camp. She is passionate about working with kids, and is dedicated to creating a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Katryna currently attends Queens University and plans on becoming a teacher.

Colin, Programmer

Colin can’t wait to play with MKDC campers in the outdoors and show them that there’s more to the world than the internet! Colin has spent multiple summers at the Blackdown Cadet Training Center instructing thousands of youth on a wide variety of sports, survival and leadership activities. He has a bachelor of arts in history from University of Windsor and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Education.

Maeve, Programmer

Maeve is so excited to meet all of the campers and to make sure that everyone has a super creative and fun summer! Although this is her first camp experience, she has lots of experience with children from babysitting and working/volunteering at local elementary schools. Maeve is interested in becoming a children’s therapist and is currently studying at Carleton University.

Charlotte, Cabin Leader

Charlotte is thrilled to be joining the MKDC staff team and build new skills, friends and memories at camp. She loves crocheting, reading, baking, and the outdoors. Charlotte is an experienced canoe tripper and also enjoys welcoming others as an International Student Ambassador at her highschool.


Harriet, Programmer

Harriet has lived around the world, including Turks and Caicos Islands, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. As a child, she attended summer camps in Canada and it always felt like a home away from home. Now she looks forward to helping campers at Maple Key see camp as their home away from home too. Harriet is currently studying commerce at Guelph University and hopes to become a teacher.


Summer 2026 New Staff

0 comments

2025 Camp Calendar

Camp Wide Events

Camp Auction: An annual favourite! Campers complete games and tasks to earn tickets – and then use those tickets to bid on a variety of special activities.
Carnival: Carnival has been our last-day tradition for many years. Campers play carnival games to win prizes and treats.

Themed Tuesdays

Tuesdays are dress-up days!


Fire & Bead Ceremony Friday

The bead program is an important part of the Friday Campfire tradition at MKDC. Every Friday we hold a closing campfire, the bead ceremony is used to recognize campers for all kinds of different positive behaviours, actions, and skills (among other things). Staff determine ahead of time the campers/beads they wish to give out and then write a “bead card” explaining why the camper earned the bead.

Heartwood Weekly Majors

Our Heartwood Program (Age 9 and up) is full of imaginative programming that sparks creativity and provides lots of opportunities for choice, which means campers go home with more confidence in themselves and their abilities. Read more about individual Majors here.

Younger campers will get a taste of the majors, too – Sprouts & Shoots have the themes included into their regularly scheduled activity periods, while Saplings will experience a specialty period in each theme.

0 comments

Comic Effect

Create your own comic book or graphic novel.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Just for Laughs

Explore a variety of different types of performance comedy. Improv, standup, and how to tell a good joke.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Battle Bots

Campers will create and decorate their very own working battle robot, including controller, and put them through a series of trials.

  • Due to the cost of the robot kits (which each camper will get to take home) there is a surcharge of $35 for this special major.

Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Mine Your Own Craft Code

Minecraft and coding inspired activities.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Artisan Market

An artisan market is all about small batch, handmade treasures. Learn to make traditional artisan projects like candles, soap, bread and more.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Through the Looking Glass

Inspired by various storybooks, this forest fantasy role play combines story, nature, and art into a unique fairytale all your own.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Art Attack: Camp Edition

Add your own lasting mark on camp by creating permanent art installations. Use a wide variety of different techniques to create weather-proof artwork for camp spaces.


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments

Heartwood Major: Robin Hood

Build archery skills and role play an exciting adventure!


Click here to return to the Heartwood program.

0 comments