Year Round Staff
Diana Smith-Jones - Camp Registrar & Office Manager
There are few people who know more about Tawingo than Diana. Diana first came to Tawingo as a 16 year old staff member and since then she has led and supervised our kitchen and now she leads and supervises our office and all things administrative. Diana is dedicated to making sure the registration process is easy and straightforward for our campers and guests. She is regularly the knowledgeable and friendly voice on the phone and you can be guaranteed she has the answer and is ready to help.
In addition to managing our very busy office, she is a full-time mom of 2 Tawingo campers.
Laura Spiers - Outdoor Centre Administrator
Laura has been taking care of all things administrative at our Outdoor Centre since 2013. She happily and skillfully assists guests and groups with anything they need to prepare for their stay and enjoy their time with us. Laura can talk expertly about all things Tawingo, as all three of her sons were students at Tawingo College and campers at Camp Tawingo. Even the briefest interaction with Laura will leave you feeling informed and comfortable.
Andrew MacDonald - Business Manager
Andrew started as a camper at Camp Tawingo at the age of 7 and since has called Tawingo home. During his many years on staff he has done just about every job at camp - from Counsellor to Waterfront Director, from canoe-trip leader to TLC Director.
Andrew graduated from the University of Western Ontario as a CPA and lovingly and wisely manages the business side of Tawingo. Not a suit and tie kind of guy, Andrew is happy to step away from his desk to help with with property projects.
Andrew and his family live at Tawingo.
Gloria Lovo - Food Service Director & Baker
Gloria started at Camp Tawingo as the Head Baker in 2010. Since then, she has taken on other roles such as Special Diets cook, Trip Food Coordinator, and most recently, Food Service Director. Gloria studied Early Childhood Education and Health Sciences at college, but ultimately, fell in love with baking! Gloria is dedicated to building a top-notch kitchen team at Tawingo that will ensure the campers and staff love coming to the dining hall for meals! Gloria and her family call Camp Tawingo and Huntsville home, and she is actively involved in the community.
Gloria is the proud mother of 2 future campers.
Ian Hunwicks - Executive Chef & Property Maintenance
Ian has been the Executive Chef at Camp Tawingo since 2010. He attended Camp Tawingo as a camper in the summer, and enjoyed Family Weekends during the winter months with his family.
Ian graduated from the Culinary program at Niagara College in 2009 and became certified as a Red Seal Chef in 2016. Ian loves good food and has mastered the art of feeding up to 600 people, three delicious and nutritious meals each day!
During the off-season, Ian joins our Property and Maintenance team here at Tawingo. Ian is not only a cherished member of the Tawingo community but the local Huntsville community as well. He and Gloria have two children and the whole family is actively involved in the community. Ian has been a dedicated member of the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department since 2019 and also serves as a full-time firefighter with the Ajax Fire Department.
Sarah Vanasse - Outdoor Centre Coordinator
Sarah came to Tawingo in 2001 as a young camper and stayed for many years. She has held a number of staff positions at Camp Tawingo, Tawingo College, and the Tawingo Outdoor Centre. From Counsellor to Area Coordinator, and teacher of multiple subjects, she is an experienced educator and leader of youth.
Sarah is not only an outdoor enthusiast but a skilled artist, musician, and performer. She has a combined Honours B.A in Theatre (Acting) and English, and she received her B.Ed through Queen’s University’s Artist in Community Education (ACE) Program. When she is not inspiring young people at Tawingo, Sarah works as a professional photographer. She is actively involved in the Arts community in Huntsville and the greater Muskoka area.
Chris Pearse - Outdoor Centre Staff & Property Maintenance
Chris grew up at Tawingo and has experienced its programs and philosophies as a camper and student, as well as a staff member. Chris has held many positions at Camp Tawingo - from Counsellor to Leadership Coordinator. Chris studied Contemporary Studies and Political Science at the University of King's College in Halifax. He also acted as the Senior School After-school Supervisor for Armbrae Academy for five years, and served as the Chair of the King's Students' Union for two years. Outside of work, Chris is an avid musician and sports fan!
