Meet Our Leadership Team

Vicky Spence

Office Manager

Vicky has played a key role in Camp Scugog and Scugog Nature School’s leadership team for 10 years. As Office Manager, she is responsible for supporting families and agencies to successfully enroll in camp and SNS, and plays a key role in connecting with donors to ensure they understand the impact of their gifts. When she’s not busy keeping everyone on track, Vicky loves to sew with campers, helping bring their imaginations to life with new PJ’s, shirts, stuffed animals and bags. She also brings her creative flair to Scugog’s special days ensuring we have the best costumes around! Outside of camp, Vicky loves sewing, reading and leading her Beaver Scout troupe.

Emily Clark

Development Officer

Emily first arrived at camp when she was just one month old and has been hooked ever since! She spent her summers between Camp Scugog and Camp Oconto where she fostered her passion for leadership and the outdoors. Emily completed the Leadership Program at Camp Scugog then worked on staff as a counsellor, Kayak Director, and finally Leadership Director for a total of 8 summers. She now manages the fundraising program at Camp Scugog while working full time at Mejuri, managing their Learning and Development programs. Emily holds her BA from the University of Guelph, and a certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from Humber College.

Jesse Murphy

Leadership Director

2022 marks Jesse’s 12th summer at Camp Scugog, and his 3rd summer as Leadership Director. While Camp Scugog is his “second home”, his passion for camping extends beyond the shores of Lake Scugog. He has worked overseas at an Australian camp, and at YLCC in Orillia for their spring and fall programming. Jesse firmly believes in the importance of camp, and its ability to give children and teens the opportunity to have great role models that teach them skills to help them in their future. Outside of camp, Jesse completed his diploma in Film and Television from Humber College, and helps with our Year Round Leadership Program.

Gavin Keachie

Waterfront Director

Gavin grew up going to Cub and Scout camps but didn’t find his way to Scugog until 2013 where he was immediately hooked, and has been coming back ever since. It has been a great privilege for him to befriend campers and watch them mature into caring counsellors. He loves getting to know the kids, the sense of community and purpose among the staff, and – of course – the awesome fun of daily life at camp. Swimming, special days, and all types of boating are particular favourites of Gavin’s. Outside of camp, Gavin is working on a PhD studying the 8th century theologian John of Damascus.

Elizbar Khajishvili

Waterfront Director

Elizbar has been at camp for the past eleven years, and on the staff team for the past two. He’s done a lot of growing up at camp, gaining many skills and abilities he wouldn’t have obtained anywhere else. Elizbar enjoys helping campers have the same fun and fulfilling experience, while having a ton of fun of his own. His favourite activity is campfire, where you can really see the community Camp Scugog fosters, and sing your heart out. Outside of camp, he works as a swim instructor, and loves making music in his spare time.

Katie Pita

Head Cook

Summer 2022 will be Katie’s 12th summer on staff at Camp Scugog, but her first summer at the head of the kitchen! She is super excited for this new opportunity, especially as she has spent several years in a support role in the camp kitchen. In the past, Katie has also run swimming, arts and crafts, drama, and out-tripping at Scugog, as well as counselling. Katie loves Scugog because of the community it creates, and how it fosters connections to the great outdoors in everyone who sets foot on site. Outside of Scugog, Katie has embarked on another new adventure – pursuing a PhD at the University of Waterloo! She also holds a Master’s of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto.