Camp Staff
Many of our staff started out as campers, while many bring a great range of skills to our program. All staff at Hidden Bay hold current Standard First Aid and CPR Certificates and have been subject to a Vulnerable Sector Check.
All waterfront staff hold Lifesaving Society NLS or Bronze Cross awards, as well as Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certifications. The camp director is a Trained Person in Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems.
CEO - Shirley 'Braveheart' Black
As the CEO of York Professional Care & Education, Shirley oversees the full child care operations, with a special focus on our camps and outdoor education. Originally from Scotland, Shirley believes strongly in the importance and value of outdoor experiences for all children. Shirley is a Registered Early Childhood Educator from Seneca College and a NNEB from Motherwell College in Scotland.
Camp Director - Keegan'Buffalo' Kesteloot
Keegan is the year-round Camp Director who makes sure that everything is running smoothly with the camp program, facilities, staff and camp families throughout the year. Keegan holds a Honours Bachelor’s in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Keegan grew up in the outdoors spending time at both traditional and sports summer camps through out his childhood, as well as through family camping vacations. After spending time working in Thunder Bay as a Child Youth Worker, Keegan moved down back to Southern Ontario.
He took the position of Hidden Bay Leadership Camp director in the fall of 2025 and is eager to move the program into it’s next steps.
With a diverse background in Outdoor Education, Programming, and Mental Health, Keegan’s approaches camp with dedication, a willingness to learn, and fostering community for everyone. He is a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and enabling young people to actualize their potential. Keegan is always looking at the programs and seeing how we can improve them for the campers, community and staff alike.
Keegan was an NLS lifeguard for 9 years, has his High-Five certification, is a certificate holder for the Wake The Giant Program in Thunder Bay and has presented at the Council of Outdoor Educators Conference on programming for individuals and groups with complex needs.