Meet the President of our Board of Directors, Jason Huffman!
Camp Kawartha – Tell us a bit about yourself – give us a three sentence bio of Jason Huffman.
Jason – I was born and raised in Peterborough and have been a resident for most of my life. As the oldest of four boys, I did not attend Camp Kawartha as a child, but was able to do so as a young adult and lead the way for my other siblings to attend and work at the Camp in various roles. Through my time at the Camp, I have become a strong proponent for environmental education and champion this through my role as a Vice-Principal with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
You are finishing third year as President of the Board of Directors. Why did you take on this role?
As I reflect upon my previous two and half years as President of the Board of Directors at Camp Kawartha, I am reminded of why I initially agreed to become a board member in the first place —which was to help further the Camp’s mission and vision and to have an impact on a larger scale. At this juncture in our society, the Camp’s role as a leader in promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship is critical. I am thrilled to be member of this influential organization and it has been a privilege to assist in providing guidance and direction throughout my tenure as President.
The Camp is growing. What excites you most about the future of the Camp?
The capital campaign we have embarked upon represents a significant milestone in the camp’s 97 year history. It represents the hard work and determination of a collective group of individuals who brought our organization to where it is today. Our Executive Director, Jacob Rodenburg, has been instrumental in conveying the Camp’s ability to become a leader in not only sustainable education, but building practices as well. We have world class staff and programming and it is extremely exciting to work towards our goal of constructing cutting edge buildings as well. This will enable us to reach a larger population and ensure comfort and accessibility for all.
What has your experience at the Camp meant to you personally? Professionally?
As cliched as it may my sound, working at the Camp has truly made me who I am today. My role as the summer camp’s Waterfront Director and as an Outdoor Educator both taught me important skills in leadership, collaboration, problem solving and communication. As a Vice-Principal and educator, the ability to facilitate team building tasks and other camp activities have also been invaluable, as I have been able to implement these skills to improve my instructional practices and classroom management techniques. I know that I am a more confident and skilled leader as a result of my time at Camp Kawartha, and I am thankful that I have been able to be involved in the organization for 15 years and counting!
Anything you would like to add?
Camp Kawartha is a truly unique place that pushes children and young adults to see the best in themselves and realize their full potential. I encourage educators, parents and members of the community to learn more about our organization to discover all of the excellent opportunities it has to offer.
