Staff: Staff Bios

Jordan Hazell, Senior Coordinator
My enjoyment of animals starts from small to big not the other way around! My fascination with bug and other invertebrates was fueled by a twig, a leaf and a jar from my childhood. But that’s all you need! I hope to this year introduce campers to the amazing world of exotic animals but to also open their eyes to the things that crawl, fly, slide, jump, and dig in our own back yard! I am currently entering my 3rd year at the University of Guelph where I am major in Zoology. This prepares me to answer any question our campers want to know or to at least lead them to a source where they can find a proper answer. I have a huge love for the outdoors and much rather educate on the fly while going for a hike than the conventional classroom setting. Through the last three years of camp I have got to see each camper learn about the importance of animals in their ecosystems and the impacts that we play on their lives. Every year educating the next generation and giving them an opportunity to learm has personally become very important to me. I believe the best way for this type education to take place is in a hands-on atmosphere, which we have been able to establish. I have had ridiculous amounts of fun these past year just hanging out with the campers and making sure that the close encounters with all the fascinating creatures are an enjoyable and life changing experience. Hope to see you this summer!

Nicole Ossachuk, Program Leader
Hi my name is Nicole! I first started with the Reptile Store Summer Camp in the Senior/LIT program and it was amazing! This camp definitely has it all! Creepy crawlers, slithering snakes, fun and outgoing staff and so much more. I can’t wait for the summer to start so the camp sessions can begin!! I remember back in the day when I use to be afraid of spiders… Now, since being at this camp I absolutely love spiders!! Currently I am involved in a dance organization which allowed me to travel to Cuba last Christmas to dance the nutcracker. In the future I hope to pursue a career in the field of forensic pathology, so the kids can definitely look forward to some educational and fun animal dissections!! How many kids can say they have held a cow brain in their hands?!? I can’t wait to pass on my knowledge to all the campers and even learn new information along the way. I hope I can be very helpful in teaching all the campers fun and interesting facts about the animals! See you in the summer!!

Colin Newbiggin, Program Leader
Hey everybody! This will be my second year as a program leader for the the camp and third year involved in the camp. I was an LIT before I worked here which really taught me a lot and prepared me for working here with all the animals and kids :). I have always had an interest in animals, starting from catching frogs in ponds and garter snakes on hikes to scorpions and cane toads in Costa Rica. Doing the LIT program and working for the camp I have gotten to do things I would never have thought I would be doing at this stage of my life. Because of the camp, I am swimming with alligators and handling green anacondas! If you love animals and want to have the best, most exciting animal filled summer of your life, then the Reptile Store Summer Camp is the place for you!

Torie Evans, Program Leader
Hey! My name is Torie, and this will be my first year here as a program leader and I’m so excited to start working. This will be my third year at the camp in total since I did the LIT program for two years, and I can honestly say it is the best camp I have ever been part of! Since I was a LIT before I have already gotten a taste of what it’s like working here. I’ve always loved animals and visiting the reptile store for birthday parties, so when I heard about the camp I knew right away it was going to be amazing. After the first week I knew I was right I remember everyone being so outgoing and friendly. I also remember all the fun things we did like having a chance to be in a tiger cage to see what it was like to be a zoo keeper, holding all these different animals and the different trips we went on. I feel like this year is going to be the best year by far, because I get to do so much more and teach all the new kids what I have learned over the last 2 years. I can’t wait to see everyone that is coming out this year!

Kaelyn Kassners, Program Leader
Hey there, I’m Kaelyn! This is my fifth year at this camp and first year as a program leader; I was a camper for two years and an LIT for two years. I love this camp, it is such an awesome way to spend your summer. Animals have always been my favourite thing, especially the creepy crawly ones. I’ve learned so much at this camp and I learn new things every time I’m there. The experiences I’ve had with this camp are unforgettable and I never known what sort of wild thing I’ll be doing next. I recently got an alligator out of his tank on my own! Weo! The kids are great too, I love seeing new faces and teaching them lots throughout the summer. I definitely hope to see you there!

Taylor Myers, Program Leader
Hi I’m Taylor Myers and I am a Program Leader for the Reptile Store Summer Camp. I am one of the many individuals who will make sure your child has the best stay at our camp! I’ve been a part of the L.I.T program for a couple of years now and too be asked to come back as Staff was awesome. I love working with kids and joking around with them, I also love teaching kids about the animals we have at the store and the animals at zoo’s and other animal educational centres. I love all animals my favourite species of animal are the cats in the Panthera family, I like being asked random facts. When I first became involved with the Reptile Store Summer Camp the places we went too were alright, but now that the Camp has grown it is now freaking awesome! Going to Jungle Cat World in Orono and going to the Bird Kingdom. I am currently entering my 4th year of Highschool after school I plan to go to Guelph and Major in Zoology and join their Rowing program which is said to be amazing! I hope that when you come too this camp that you can get over your fears of some of the reptiles or arachnids they have, so if you like learning about and getting too hold different types of animals then the Reptile Summer Camp is the place for you!