Our Summer Camp Team
Summer Camp Staff 2026
Gemma Romano “Tego”
Summer Camp Director
Andrew “Graumis”
Assistant Summer Camp Director
Sarah
Summer Camp Registrar
Andrea “Kitty”
Healthcare Coordinator
Bio
I am honoured to return to my home away from home as Camp Kawartha’s Summer Camp Director. My journey here began in 1997, when I arrived with my mom, Cathy Romano (Fleet), and stayed in the Health Centre because I was still too young for a cabin.
Since then, I’ve grown up in this community as a camper and in many staff roles, including counsellor, canoe tripper, Trip Director, Outdoor Educator, and Environment Centre staff member. Camp has shaped who I am, and it feels incredibly meaningful to step into this new role.
I bring over 18 years of experiential education experience, along with a Master of Education in Sustainable Happiness and Ontario Teacher Certification. I’m focused on building a camp where kids grow confidence and resilience through challenge-by-choice, where environmental stewardship is part of everyday life, and where we hold onto the traditions that make camp feel like home while making space for new ones too.
Outside of camp, you’ll usually find me spending time in nature, learning my surroundings and noticing the interconnectedness of all living things. That time outdoors often becomes the inspiration for my watercolour art, and I love pairing it with reading (both fiction and non-fiction) to keep expanding how I understand the world.
Bio
Andrew/Graumis started out as a camper at Camp Kawartha in 2014 and has called CK home every summer since. Starting out on staff in the complicated summers of 2020-21, Graumis ran our leadership programs (CSD, LIT, WLIT) for multiple years before stepping into the role of Assistant Director. In his second year in the role, Graumis continues to see and believe in the transformative powers of camp for young people, letting them safely step outside their comfort zones, explore new activities, and connect with each other and the natural world.
Bio
Sarah is an inspiring go-getter who delivers exceptional administrative support and customer service to our staff team and community. She is an exceptional photographer, having taken our new website and staff photos. You can reach out to Sarah with any questions or concerns you may have when it comes to registration, payments, or policies.
Bio
With a background in paediatric nursing, Andrea stepped into the role of the Healthcare Coordinator in the Summer of 2023, and oversees the Summer Healthcare Program. Andrea started out her Camp Kawartha journey as a camper in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s! She was a camper, counsellor and the Leader in Training Director at Camp Kawartha before she became a Registered Nurse in 2009. Andrea spent much of her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at SickKids, and she now works part time in the PRHC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her favourite parts about working with the camp are being surrounded by nature, her friendly down-to-earth colleagues, using her nursing skills in a creative and unique way, and witnessing the spirit of camp through all the children who attend, including her own!
Why Camp Names?
A camp name is a reputation, and a right of passage to becoming Camp Kawartha staff. More than a title, it becomes a definition of a staff’s character. It also protects the privacy of that staff member. The camp is happy to share the real names of our staff at a parent’s request.
Senior Staff
Our Senior Staff team members are responsible for overseeing and managing the major areas, programs, and operations of Camp Kawartha throughout the summer season. Our most experienced members of staff, the Senior Staff team is well-versed in managing camper safety and wellbeing, and supporting the rest of our staff team throughout the day to day operations. Members of our senior staff team include:
- Assistant Summer Camp Directors
- Leadership Directors (CSD, LIT, and Wilderness Directors)
- Environmental Director
- Area Directors (Waterfront Director, Canoe Tripping Director, Program Director, Ropes Director)
- Head Counsellors (Responsible for camper support)
- Managing Director
- Day And Kinder Camp Director
Specialists
Our specialist positions include activity specialists, leadership specialists, counselling specialists, trippers, and more. Depending on the role, specialist staff may be responsible for overseeing an activity area or working closely with a senior staff member to deliver a program for a group of campers. Specialists are responsible for the operations of our areas, and help to create incredible programming for campers all day!
Trippers
Our canoe trippers facilitate and lead our wilderness excursions at Camp Kawartha! As Wilderness Advanced First Aid certified staff members, our Canoe trippers are equipped to lead canoe trips in a safe, fun, and memorable way!
Day Camp
Our fantastic Day Camp team runs the Twilights, Day, and Kinder Camp programs at Camp Kawartha! They work with our youngest campers to provide awesome experiences that give day campers the opportunity to enjoy what Camp Kawartha has to offer! Our Day Camp team includes our Twilights, Day Camp and Kinder Camp directors, specialists, and counsellors!
Counsellors
For many staff members, working as a counsellor is their first experience as a part of the Camp Kawartha staff team, and something they have been looking forward to for years as a camper! Our counselling team includes cabin counsellors, tripping counsellors, and day camp or kinder camp counsellors. Our counsellors are the foundation of what we do at camp, as they are directly responsible for the experience of their campers! Our counsellors shape the day-to-day experience of our campers, and create countless magical moments throughout the summer.
Nurses
Our fantastic nurses help to manage the health and wellbeing of everyone at Camp Kawartha! Situated in our beautiful Health Centre, they take care of the bumps, scrapes, and bruises that happen from time to time! You can read more about our fabulous healthcare team here.
Kitchen
Our fantastic kitchen staff work round the clock to keep our campers fed, healthy, and nourished! All together, our Kitchen Staff prepare over 1200 individual meals and snacks a day when Summer Camp is in operation! Our Kitchen staff works to incorporate environmentalism into our Camp meal service, as they plan meals that are as local and sustainably sourced as possible!
Maintenance and Housekeeping
Our amazing maintenance and housekeeping teams are made up of both year-round and seasonal staff members. These teams work hard throughout the year to keep our site clean, safe and inviting!