Joanne Kates, Director

Joanne is the third generation Kates to run Camp Arowhon. Her grandmother, Lillian Kates, started Arowhon in 1934, and Joanne grew up at Arowhon while her dad Eugene Kates was Director.

Joanne has been Director of camp since 1989. As a mother, Joanne wanted the same thing for every child at Arowhon that she wanted for her own children – to be safe on the outside and on the inside. To create a place where every single child is respected and nurtured enough to take on challenges, grow and learn, Joanne developed Camp Arowhon’s Social Safety Tool Kit – tools that she trains all Arowhon staff to use…. Conflict mediation, anti-bullying interventions, girls circles and much more.

The Social Safety Tool Kit works so well at Arowhon that Joanne has become a leader outside camp as well, sharing the tools with schools and parent organizations, and teaching them to other camp directors at Ontario Camping Association conferences.

Joanne is also the restaurant critic for Canada's national Newspaper, The Globe and Mail. So Camp Arowhon eats well!

Feel free to contact Joanne at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Leon Muszynski, Director

Leon is Joanne's husband and partner. He's been involved with Arowhon since 1989 but has been working full-time for camp since 1996. Leon loves supporting young people in their growth - particularly when it comes to teaching skills that can be enjoyed the rest of their lives. He is always touched by the joy a camper experiences in receiving an award and the appreciation given campers for their achievement by the whole camp when the announcements are made in the Main Lodge.

Leon is dedicated to our skill-based learning approach to activities because he learned to sail at camp and this learning has spawned a love of sailing that takes him to cruising grounds around the world.

As the "camp dad" Leon's mission is to teach boys that they can be fully human, permitted to express the full range of human emotions, not only the "I have to be tough" mentality that society expects of men. He teaches male staff how to run Boy's Circles and works with all staff making sure that camp is a safe place to be whoever you are. Leon manages camp's tripping program. He believes that canoe tripping is a wonderful opportunity to learn about yourself, bond with friends and appreciate nature. His goal is to make sure that trips are safe and satisfying for all campers. Leon is also responsible for the Camp Arowhon physical site, a job that keeps him at camp from May till October. Everyone appreciates the improvements Leon is always making to our beautiful Algonquin haven. Leon is also the official camp photograper and his pictures are used on this site and for our brochures and slide shows.

Feel free to contact Leon at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Elijah Geller, Assistant Director

In his 14 summers at Arowhon, Elijah has seldom been seen without a smile on his face. His way of loving camp involves unlimited energy, a quick mind, ridiculously good people skills, and a deep sense of responsibility – for the well-being of every single camper and the positive functioning of every staff.

Elijah started Arowhon as a junior boy in cabin 19, in 1996. He went through the CIT (Counsellor-in-Training) program, was a counsellor in the inter boys section, and went on to be head sailing instructor. For the next two years, Elijah was our stellar program director, making sure kids both had fun and learned at activities.

Elijah completed a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in psychology at McGill University. Camp has never been just a summer job to Elijah; he is a leader whose passion for camp is matched only by his energy and drive.

Feel free to contact Elijah at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Jennifer Jupp, Outdoor Centre Director

Affectionately known as JJ, Jennifer has been directing at Arowhon for 12 years and is now solely directing the Camp Arowhon Outdoor Centre.

JJ has a specialized teaching degree in Outdoor and Experiential Education and worked as a high school teacher prior to coming to Arowhon. She has a deep passion for, and commitment to, educating in the out of doors.

With Camp Arowhon as her outdoor classroom, JJ ensures that students learn new skills under the leadership of competent, caring instructors. Because she finds the best in every person she meets, JJ inspires those around her to be their best selves.

Her goal in life is to create an emotionally and physically safe place for children and adults to become and to belong. Staff members and participants at the Camp Arowhon Outdoor Centre would agree that she has done just that!

Feel free to contact Jennifer at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it