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Thrillseekers
Adventure Camp Counselor
Counselor
Hockey Camp Assistant + Tuck Shop
Hockey Counselor
Volunteer
Skating Counselor
Dance + Adventure Camp Counselor
Lifeguard & Counselor
Adventure
Hockey
Figure Skating
Leadership
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Riding
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Dance
Water Sports
Camp Directors
Kim & Adam Grin are the founders, owners and directors of the Winning Techniques Camp. Kim was a competitive skater in singles, ice dance and pairs and has over 30 years of coaching experience. She pursued a bachelor of arts from York University. Kim has a passion for cooking and enjoys educating our campers in healthy lifestyle and eating choices. She’s also a former (and current, says Adam) beauty queen 🙂
Adam is the eldest of 6 siblings. He left home at 12 years of age to pursue competitive skating. In his ice dancing career, Adam competed at 6 national championships and worked his way up to becoming a member of the national team. He studied psychology and philosophy in his post-secondary education. Adam is an avid course slalom skier and also enjoys motorcycle racing, scuba diving and skydiving.
Kim and Adam are adventurers and world travellers. They recently completed a circumnavigation of the globe on their sailboat, SV Grin, along with their children Elly and Carl. The CBC recently did a story on Elly and her adventures, click here to view.
Kim and Adam feel fortunate, thankful and humbled that parents have been trusting them for over 25 years to help their children grow and learn. In 2018 they implemented the camps “Top 8 Skills for the Game of Life” character development program.
Day Camp Program Coordinator
Tara is our girl for all things day camp! She loves our day campers and is amazing at keeping them safe while still having tons of fun! She has spent her whole life on the lake, beginning her waterskiing lessons at age 2. Her favourite part about our camp is being able to help her campers try new things and see them grow in the process. She also loves making new friends each week here at camp!
When she isn’t with our day campers, she loves to run, be outdoors and ride horses. Tara has her own horses and is even a competitive horseback rider!
Alumni
Emily loves camp so much she can never seem to leave… Although she is persuing a degree in English Language and Literature at Carleton University in Ottawa, she is back each summer to run around, swim and have fun with the day campers.
Emily has hopes of a career in publishing and writing stories one day, but her favourite ones to tell are those from her many years at camp. Tallying in at 10 years at Winning Techniques, Emily started off as a camper in the Hockey and Intense Watersports programs, progressed into the Leadership program and spent over five years working with us.
Outside of camp you can find her reading, writing, or practicing with her competitive cheerleading team!
Leadership & Waterfront Program Coordinator
Meaghan began here at Winning Techniques eight years ago, as a camper in our skating program. While her role is in our leadership program, she is also part of our skating program staff. Meaghan has achieved quadruple gold status in free skate, skills, dance and interpretive. She also won a national championship with Meraki’s Intermediate Synchronized skating team. As well, she has her coaching certification.
Meaghan enjoys being in the water or on the boats at camp, and loves meeting all different campers from all walks of life. Beyond camp, Meaghan enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
She is going into her second year at Western University studying Media, Information and Technoculture.
Hockey Camp Counselor
Tanner was a long time camper in our hockey program and we are so excited to have him as part of our staff this summer. Tanner plays AAA hockey for the Waterloo Wolves. With this team Tanner qualified for the OHL cup and received most valuable player awards at multiple tournaments. He was even offered the chance to play hockey in Japan after winning the Toyota challenge.
At camp, Tanner loves to play archery dodgeball with his friends. His other hobbies include weight lifting, cross country running, golfing, skate boarding and snowboarding! Wow! After graduating high school, Tanner looks forward to pursuing a degree in biochemical engineering.
Hockey Camp Counselor
Aedan has been apart of our hockey program as a camper for four years and now returns as part of our staff. Aedan has previously played hockey at the AA level and now has offers to pursue a position on a AAA or Junior C team.
At camp, Aedan loves to learn new tricks on the trampoline and enjoy bettering his hockey skills with our professional staff. Aedan’s hobbies outside of camp include volleyball, track and field, running and working out, skiing and skateboarding! Academically, Aedan has interests in business, sports medicine, kinesiology and design for a potential post secondary path.
Advisory Board Member
Jane’s career in camping spans four and a half decades – from camper to staff to co-owner – all at Camp Tawingo, on the shores of Lake Vernon in Huntsville, ON. Jane is a graduate of Western University (B.Sc) and The Ivey School of Business (M.B.A.). An accomplished camping professional, Jane developed and co-authored ten books on camping and outdoor recreation. She provided leadership to conferences on camping and outdoor education on five continents, including as Chair of KUMBAYAH 1994, the third International Camping Congress. An Honorary Life Member of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA), Jane is the recipient of multiple awards including the Dorothy Walter Award of Excellence from the OCA, the New Brunswick Camping Association Award of Service, the OCA International Development Award, and the Canadian Camping Association’s Ron Johnstone Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also honoured by Ernst & Young as the Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. She has been the president of the Ontario and Canadian Camping Associations.
Advisory Board Member
Jeff is the Founder, Owner and currently Executive Director of Camp Wenonah in Muskoka. He spent 33 years as a Summer Camp Director working at various points with each of OCA’s kindred groups including the YMCA (agency); Camp Couchiching (religiously affiliated); Burlington Parks and Recreation (day); Ontario Cystic Fibrosis Camp (special needs) and Wenonah (private).
Jeff has over 35 years of experience as a volunteer with the Ontario Camps Association, Canadian Camping Association, and International Camping Fellowship. Jeff is the current Co-Chair of the OCA’s Equity & Diversity Committee.
Jeff is a two-time Past President of the Canadian Camping Association, current President of the Ontario Camping Association and has served on the Board of the International Camping Fellowship for 21 years (currently as the Program Chair for the 2017-2020 term). He has also been a member of the Society of Camp Directors for 25 years.
Advisory Board Member
Stephane was elected to assume the role of Canadian Camping Association (CCA) President in January 2017.
He served as the Director of Camps and Youth Programs for the Canadian Diabetes Association. He is the Past President of the New Brunswick Camping Association and for several years has worked on the CCA Board. Currently serving on the CCA Board as the Chair of the Database Task Force, Stephane has been working with the International Camping Fellowship to develop a much needed national database program for Canadian camps.
Advisory Board Member
Pat has been involved in camping since 1982 and has been a Counsellor, Section Director, Program Director and Outdoor Centre Director at Camp Tawingo since 1991.
Assuming ownership of Camp Arrowhead in 2003, Pat is working with past and current staff, parents and campers to ensure that all of the amazing and fun activities continue to be a part of the Arrowhead Experience.
Assistant Camp Director
Adventurous and ready to try anything new, Carl thrives in the position of teaching one of our most exciting sports at camp – the Intense Watersports Program. As the director of Watersports, Carl is certified through Waterski and Wakeboard Canada and teaches their progressive skills advancement program called “Rip ‘n’ Ride.”
But that’s not all – When he isn’t on the water, Carl is the one you can find flipping and twisting on the trampolines by the beach, and as a certified Trampoline instructor he is always willing to help campers improve and work towards new skills.
Carl is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Business at University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Managment. Outside of camp Carl enjoys snowboarding, downhill skiing, cross country ski racing, surfing, kite surfing, and scuba diving.
Driver & Trained Water Tech
Liz is our lady of all trades – From helping with transportation to water testing, Liz does it all! Being a trained Water Technician, Archery Coach and Photographer there isn’t much she can’t do. Additionally, she is always willing to lend a hand with building, cleaning, gardening, cooking and overall maintance.
Her relationship with Winning Techniques Summer Camp started as a camper’s mom back in 2007, and we have seen her every summer since!
Skating Program Coordinator
Julia has been a part of the Winning Techniques family for close to a decade. Having been with us so long, she knows our skating program inside and out. Julia is very accomplished in her own skating career, achieving triple gold status in dance, interpretive and skills as well as attaining her coaching certification. Her favourite part about our camp is the opportunities she receives to create long-lasting friendships with campers and staff from all around the world.
Julia helps our camp all-year round as she has done work for our production company and makes (so) many of our Top 8 Skills pins!
Julia will attend her first year of post-secondary schooling in the fall, enrolled at Trent University’s Nursing Program.
On-Ice Specialist
Some hockey players are known for their blistering slap shots while others are famous for flying down the ice at warp speed. NHL legend Dennis Maruk played in the National Hockey League for 14 years; his strength was in his ability to stick handle like a magician and put the puck in the net. In the 1981-82 season Dennis joined NHL’s 60 goal club, scoring 60 goals. This is a feat that only 19 people have accomplished thus far. He is a two-time NHL all-star, with a career total of 356 goals and 878 points in 888 games.
One of Maruk’s team records stood for over two decades, finally being broken in 2007-08 by Washington Capitals captain, Alexander Ovechkin; Maruk was there to cheer Ovechkin on. “Records are made to be broken,” says Maruk generously. “I was really happy for him; we still communicate and I go to watch him play to this day.”
Guest Hockey Specialist
Mike played 14 years in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings Los Angeles Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had his greatest success playing left wing with Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri on the Edmonton Oilers, where he won three Stanley Cups. He went on to win two more cups as the assistant coach of the Detroit Red Wings. His experience and coaching skills are a great asset to our hockey program.
Figure Skating
This little ball of energy was introduced to me during a kindergarten skating class I was teaching. It was apparent Gabby liked skating fast and screaming excitedly, so I did what any good coach would do and grabbed her hand and we skated faster and faster and faster…. Until we fell to the ice giggling ;) Little did I know her dad, Michael was watching and laughing too. I knew right then that skating was it for this feisty, talented, powerful, gutsy, little tornado. I invited her to join our morning skating family, Winning Techniques. She added so much fun to our mornings, storming in, fighting with her mother, Rhonda lol. She was always on time ready to train at 6am! Competing was such a thrill for her and she enjoyed the challenges. Gabby and our son, Carl, became a dance and a pair team. They were the cutest, littlest team with a truly competitive spirit. Gabby’s family and ours became close. They were an instrumental part in starting our summer camp. Gabby and her brother, Zack, spent many summers with us at camp skating everyday and cross training with lots of fun outdoors activities.
We congratulate Gabby and her family for their power to believe, staying focused and having the grit to achieve the goal, an Olympic Gold Medal!
We hope Gabby celebrates her achievements, stays true to herself and enjoys the ride in this game we call life!
Cheers,
Kim Beemer-Grin
Alumni
From a young age Patrick has invested all of his energy into the sport he loves – hockey! With countless years of experience and many distinctions under his belt Patrick makes a great addition to our Hockey Program.
As a highschool student Patrick moved from Spain to Aurora, Ontario to pursue hockey at St. Andrews College, a school known for their amazing athletics department. Here Patrick played on their Hockey team for 2 years, and found a love for Canada that brings him back each year!
Currently, Patrick plays centre for CHH Txuri Urdin, winners of the Spanish League Championship in the 2016/17 season. Additionally, alongside his club play, Patrick is also is the Assistant Captain on the Spanish Men’s National Hockey Team, and a former member of their junior teams. Together Patrick and Dennis Maruk make a highly experienced team that curated the best program to develop the skills of all of our hockey campers – whether they are beginners or high-level athletes!
Alumni
Idoia first joined the Winning Techniques family at 11 years old when she flew across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain to Canada for her first summer as a skating camper!
Since then, Idoia persued competitive skating and even spent some time on the Spanish Youth Olympic Team.
Although skating is one passion of Idoia’s, which she gets to share as she leads the higher athletes on the ice, she also just loves the atmosphere and community that exists here at Winning Techniques.
Alumni
Mackenzie can’t seem to remember his first year at camp, it was too long ago. However, Kim and Adam can remember him running around camp as a young boy excited to try everything, and now at 21 years old Mackenzie is always ready to take on any job at camp!
After many years as a camper, and then a counselor, Mackenzie persued a certification to drive for watersports. He spent his days on the lake with our Watersports Program coaching, playing tunes and creating a fun environment.
Additionally, Mackenzie has just graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Laurentian University, but he will never forget the experience he has gained as a member of the Winning Techniques team when he puts his degree into action next year.
Alumni
Moritz is our resident fish here at camp – if you can’t find him at the beach lifeguarding, then he is probably on an accompanied swim around the lake!
During his leadership and Bronze Cross training Moritz excelled in the water, and knew that his best fit at camp would be at the waterfront. He then went on to recieve his National Lifeguard certification from the Lifesaving Society, and proved himself a great leader for our waterfront staff in keeping the beach safe!
Moritz’s favourite part about camp is getting to be outdoors, or by the lake, and as our Head Lifeguard he gets to enjoy our Northern Ontario landscape all day. Aside from the beach, Moritz loves the camp community and familial atmosphere at Winning Techniques where everyone helps each other out and has a great time together.
Alumni
Joan may have been apprehensive when he first came to camp from Spain with his sisters Nina and Pati, but he quickly found a second home here at Winning Techniques. Now he returns every summer to volunteer for us!
As an experienced slalom skiier and wakeboarder Joan loves to help out the Intense Watersports campers in the boat, and his favourite part of camp is that anyone gets to try out this awesome sport if they choose – no matter what program they are in!
Back home in Barcelona, Spain, Joan competes in sailing and loves to be by the beach.
Alumni
As a camper Meaghan got to know almost all of our specialized sports programs; she was a figure skater, a watersports enthusiast and a dancer. Additionally, as a camp counsellor she was so versatile and fit in as a skating coach, and a Watersports instructor!
As one of our long-time campers, and then a veteran counsellor and boat driver we were sad to see Meaghan leave Winning Techniques to pursue her post-secondary education. Meaghan is now going into her fourth year at Guelph University where she is studying for a Bachelor of Science, Honours Human Kinetics with a minor in Psychology: Brain and Cognition.
Even though she no longer spends all 8 weeks of summer here on the lake, Meaghan still likes to pop in to see her mother Liz, who is now our trained Water Technician. Maybe you will still see Meaghan around!
Alumni – Camp Counsellor
Thalia first came to Winning Techniques for skating at age 11, and loved it so much she couldn’t stop coming back! Thalia worked with us as a Figure Skating coach and camp counsellor for 3 years, and has now graduated from McMaster University studying Kinesiology (BSc).
Thalia’s favourite part of camp was working at the rink where she loved to run lively workouts, choreograph dances, and prepare skating test days. A close second was spending time on the boats trying out wakeboarding and wakesurfing!
Skating Camp Counselor
Ashley has been coming to camp for the past 7 summers now and from camper to staff member, she has always been a bubbly and exciting personality in our program. Ashley has been a competitive skater for most of her life and has achieved gold status in multiple disciplines.
Ashley is currently pursuing a bachelor of music at Wilfrid Laurier University and studies french there as well. After Ashley completes her degree, she hopes to begin a career in music performance or education. She continues her athleticism in university as part of the women's varsity lacrosse team as well. At camp, Ashley's favourite activity is being behind the boat doing watersports.
Alumni
Melanie McCreary calls her experience at Winning Techniques Camp “a life changing experience.” The bright, personable and articulate seventeen year-old gives much of the credit for her outgoing manner to the time she’s spent with Adam and Kim at camp. She calls the inspiring couple her “second parents.”
She laughs, “I’d been babied my whole life, so I was really nervous when my parents suggested a week at camp in a figure skating program when I was twelve.” She explains, “I was pretty attached to my Mom and at that delicate age of learning to be social and moving toward independence.” She ruefully adds, “I shed more than a few tears when they dropped me off.” When Melanie’s parents returned to pick her up from camp she cried again because she didn’t want to leave.
The second year Melanie did a traditional camp program, returning after the first week for two more. She helped out a bit that year with the younger campers but had to wait until she was fifteen to take the four week Leadership Course, which qualifies candidates to be camp counselors. Winning Techniques fast became part of Melanie’s regular summer schedule and something she eagerly anticipated all year long.
“Adam and Kim create an amazing atmosphere at Winning Techniques,” Melanie recounts. “It just feels so good and positive there and I’ve grown so much.” She says, “I’ve learned to appreciate and understand different types of personalities and I’ve become more independent. I’ve taken those skills and been able to use them at school, with my family and at my winter job back home.”
In her last year of high school, Melanie sadly adds, “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to return to camp once I’m away at university.” Whatever the future holds, her time at WT will never be forgotten. Without hesitation she calls her camping and working experience at Winning Techniques, “the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Alumni
Alyssa first joined Winning Techniques Camp as a figure skater when she was just 10 years old! Although we missed her for a few summers while she was training with the Nexxice Synchro team, Alyssa was more than excited to come back to camp and use her skating experience to good use as a skating counsellor. While working here at camp she loved to help on the ice, but loved that there was also the opportunity to participate in all our other camp activities – especially Watersports!
We miss you, Alyssa! We wish you all the best in your endeavours, and hope that your time at Winning Techniques will not be forgotten. 🙂
Some words from Alyssa:
“Winning Techniques Camp has been my home away from home every summer since I was 10, and working here gave me the opportunity to give that experience to other campers. This place is truly a fun, beautiful, friendly, goal-oriented and safe environment!”
Volunteer
Zoe is our creative mind at camp, you can find her leading crafts like painting, bracelet making, and weaving in the craft room.
Zoe first joined our camp family three years ago when she drove all the way to camp from Boston with her brother’s and sisters for seven weeks of camp! Since then Zoe knew she just had to work here, and now she fits right in as an assistant volunteer with our traditional program.
Skating Camp Counselor
Delaney has been coming to camp for 6 years now, and began in our skating camp. She has achieved gold status in dance, interpretive and skills and is also an avid softball player! Along with these hobbies, Delaney enjoys reading and sewing. At camp, Delaney’s favourite activities are heading out on the water for boat rides and watersports!
Delaney is currently in her final year of high school and hopes to pursue a Bachelor of Kinesiology, beginning this fall.
Assistant Watersports Program Coordinator
Evan Has over 10 years of experience under his belt at Winning Techniques as both a camper and staff member. He has participated in our hockey and watersports programs as a camper and various positions in our crew, making him a very well-versed member. Evan’s favourite place to be at camp is in the boats, driving them or behind the boats, skiing.
In his free time, Evan enjoys flying. Currently, he is working on attaining his private pilot’s license! Evan is going into his second year at Carleton University for their Electrical Engineering program.
Assistant Horseback Riding & Dance Instructor
Kimmy has been a part of Winning Techniques her whole life! Having spent so much time on our property and in our programs, it is safe to say Kimmy knows how we work around here! Kimmy is our counselor for Horseback Riding and Dance as she has plenty of experience in the two sports. Kimmy loves how camp brings her closer to nature and closer to the many friends she’s made here.
Outside of camp, Kimmy likes to play basketball, listen to music, do some horseback riding of her own and spend time with her friends.
Boat Driver & Waterfront Program Instructor
Sydney started her journey with Winning Techniques Camp as a young girl learning to skate from Kim and Adam. After a long time as a Skating camper Sydney joined our staff team as a Skating counsellor, and has now pursued certifications to teach for our Leadership program.
Sydney loves to share her passion for music, singing and dancing with all of the campers at Winning Techniques Camp – she is always the one to jump up and lead the dances for our weekly theme nights!
Here at camp, Sydney loves that she does not have to worry about her severe peanut allergy as we are a nut-free facility!
Waterfront Training
“The Recipe for Life Is Simple – Take One Great Camp…. Add a Safe & Fun Waterfront; Sprinkle in Lots of Summer Sunshine; Mix a heaping amount of Amazing Campers & Staff; Stir Things Up & Enjoy. :)”
Karen Craig brings her 20+ years of experience and returns once again to Winning Techniques Camp, as our Waterfront Training Director. As our camp’s Lifesaving Society Instructor-Examiner, Coach, and Instructor-Trainer, Karen trains up our Leadership candidates in the various Waterfront Aquatic programs.
Karen also holds the Lifesaving Society SEE Auditor designation which helps ensure that effective lifeguarding and supervision of the Winning Techniques Camp Beach and Waterfront meets and/or excess provincial legislated requirements during the camp season.
When not at camp, Karen operates Rescue Training Camps of Canada – assisting companies & municipalities in the GTA with their Advanced Aquatics, Lifeguarding, Lifesaving Sport programming, First Aid, CPR & AED training requirements.
Assistant Hockey Instructor
Michael is a longtime camper of ours, who we first met in our hockey program. He is excited for this summer to be one of our instructors within the program. This past season, Michael played for the Lorne Park Clarkson Wild and qualified for the Ontario Hockey Final. He also made an appearance in the Mississauga Hockey League vs. Greater Toronto Hockey League All Star Game.
When Michael isn’t on the ice you can catch him on our boats or at the archery range! Outside of camp, Michael also enjoys hiking, weight lifting, biking, photography and digital art!
Next year. Michael will begin his studies at York University for his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.
Volunteer
We first met Alberto five years ago, when he came to us from Madrid, Spain. He joined our skating program and showed great skill and determination on the ice. Alberto studies Economics and International Studies back home, and enjoys his side hobby of debating. At camp, Alberto enjoys ending off the week with variety night where we often celebrate with fresh cookies!
Skating Camp Counselor
Teagan began her stay at Winning Techniques in our skating program and has been an integral part of it ever since. She is very accomplished in her sport, over a 14 year journey she has achieved gold status in all four disciplines, competed at the provincial level and has now acquired her regional level coaching qualifications.
Off the ice, Teagan is also an accomplished basketball player, holding a provincial title in that sport as well. At camp, Teagan loves spending time behind the boat doing watersports. Teagan is in her Grade 12 year and hoping to pursue a career somewhere in sport to continue her leadership for young athletes.
Leadership Mentor
Len is our resident rock star here at camp, where he shares his wisdom with our leadership program candidates. As well as being a husband and father, Len teaches special education during the school year when he’s not shredding his guitar!
Len enjoys the opportunity to teach our leadership campers important life lessons and skills at camp. Another activity he enjoys are our Friday night variety shows where he often joins us to jam out with another musical friend of the camp, Neil Braithwaite. To top it off, all of the fun Len has at camp is just a hop, step and a jump away from his home which is located on the same lake as our waterfront!
