The Leaders of the Kaléo Program

The leaders of the Kaléo program are a gifted and experienced team who have a deep love for God, serving in ministry, academics, adventure and developing young people into solid Christian leaders. They are part of the larger year-round Qwanoes staff team which combines a variety of gifts and years of ministry experience plus a common desire to help people discover, live, and share life like no other. The students in the Kaléo program will be challenged, encouraged, and blessed in many ways by this team.

Andrew MacDonald, Kaléo Leader. For the past several years Andrew has been serving as Youth Minister at South Delta Baptist Church in Tsawwassen, BC. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Briercrest College and Seminary. He brings to this role much experience with youth and young adults including leading many missions trips, developing leaders, coaching, speaking, teaching, and curriculum development. Andrew also leads our CIT program at Qwanoes during our summer months (note: "CIT" stands for "Counselor-In-Training"). He has also served as a Resident Advisor at Briercrest. Andrew and his wife Jenn are expecting their first child in September.

Andrew's wife, Jenn, also has extensive experience at Qwanoes including serving as a counselor and as CIT Counselor. Jenn has a Bachelor of Education from UBC and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. Jenn is currently a Science teacher at South Delta Secondary, as well as a volunteer youth leader at South Delta Baptist.

Erin Karklins, Assistant Kaléo Leader. Erin brings to her role much experience with youth and young adults including her time as a Resident Assistant (RA) at Briercrest, her past role of Executive Director of Student Activities, and most recently her role of being a Student Representative on the Student Government Board and Children’s Church Coordinating Assistant. Erin graduated this year with her Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Major in English and Minor in Psychology from Briercrest College and Seminary.

Bec Rodda, Female Intern. Bec has served on the Camp Qwanoes team as our Staffing Assistant and Senior Counselor in the past. She has completed her certificate in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Ministry at Tabor Adelaide in Australia. Bec brings much ministry and non-ministry experience involving listening, discerning, leading and mentoring others.

Viktor Karklins, Male Intern. Viktor was one of our students in the 2006-2007 Kaleo program where he received his Kaléo certificate and our leadership award. This past year he was the Chairman of the Board for the Student Board of Representatives at Briercrest and finished his Bachelors degree in Humanities, with a Major in English. Viktor served as Senior Counselor on our Qwanoes summer team, and this summer Viktor will serve as our Male Head Counselor.

Jay Kennedy, Camp Qwanoes Assistant Director. Jay has a Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation Leadership from Columbia Bible College, and extensive experience in senior leadership and adventure programming. Jay first served at Qwanoes on summer staff in 1998, and returned to this new role after completing almost 10 years in senior leadership at a Christian camp in Oregon. Jay and his wife Gretta have three children aged five and under.