A Board of Directors oversees and supports the operation of Canoe Island French Camp to help insure program and facility quality and safety.
Creighton Hofeditz, President
Creighton Hofeditz is a teacher and designer from Denver, Colorado. He first came to Canoe Island in the summer of 1998 as a 12-year old camper, and returned for three more years after that. He was then a counselor for four years, including one as Program Director. While he obtained a degree in theater from Northwestern University and his travels took him to Japan to teach English, he regards Canoe as the single most impactful experience and relationship of his life–tracing friends, music, a passion for teaching, and an abiding connection with the San Juan Islands to his time there.
After two years apprenticing on a permaculture homestead on Orcas Island, Creighton spent 6 years teaching public middle school in Denver. He currently focuses on adult education, design, and advocacy in the field of sustainable design and practice in urban areas. Most recently he started a job as the Director of Permaculture and Perennials with Denver Urban Gardens, and is in charge of a new initiative to plant food forests throughout the Denver area. He is excited to work on the Canoe Board to help strengthen and enrich the place that has given him so much.
Kat Hill, Vice-President
Kat Hill and her wife, Mary, have four sons (potential campers!), ranging from seven months to ten years old. She grew up in Montana and now calls Lake Forest Park, Washington her home. Her professional background is in traditional and digital marketing. After 20 years in various marketing roles, Kat decided to step away from the corporate world to take on the most challenging role of her career, staying home to raise her young children. During this time, she followed her longtime passion for yoga and breathwork and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2022. She currently is teaching in the community and working toward opening her own studio.
Kat and her family love being in the great outdoors. In 2020, the family of five and their dog went on a 66-day camping adventure across Washington, Idaho, and Montana in their 20-foot travel trailer. They set out again in the summer of 2022, and spent six weeks camping throughout Montana, including a highly coveted 5-day river float down the Smith River in Western Montana. Kat and Mary place a high value on teaching their kids the benefits of being in nature, taking care of the environment, and cohabitating with many wild animals! For these reasons, the family also enjoys attending Family Camp on Canoe Island.
Kat was introduced to Canoe Island in June of 2022 during the Yoga Benefit weekend and joined the Board of Directors shortly after in January 2023. She is excited to share her professional experience and personal passions to continue to make Canoe Island a destination for kids and families to enjoy for many years to come.
Gretchen Galuska, Secretary
Gretchen Galuska first discovered the magic of Canoe Island during a 2019 family camp weekend. Growing up around the Salish Sea, her love for the outdoors, traveling to new places, and experiencing new cultures and communities deepened into a life-long love of learning. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in History of Science, and a minor in Medical History and Ethics, Gretchen embarked on a career in post-secondary educational compliance and accreditation for allied health programs. This led to her current role as an audit and compliance analyst for a local public utility. Gretchen is excited to help fulfill CIFC’s mission through connecting kids and adults with the beauty and wonder of French culture, community, and the great outdoors.
Shannon Tracy, Treasurer
Shannon Tracy is a CFO for Yalla 
Mediterranean, a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant chain. She grew up going to Canoe Island French Camp as a camper from age 10 to 16 years old and then returned for three summers as a counselor and Program Director. Shannon has been heavily involved with Canoe Island alumni since her graduation from UC San Diego, where she earned her degree in Economics and a minor in French Literature. Canoe Island was a major influence on why she pursued French in her college studies. She looks forward to the day her daughters, Amelie and Juliette, are old enough to attend French Camp.
Dianne Riter
Dianne was raised in the Puget Sound region with a deep connection to nature, community and cultures. While she spent a lot of time in the San Juan Islands over the years, she was first introduced to Canoe Island in 2018 by attending Yoga Camp. She has been impressed with how Canoe Island fosters a sense of community and cultural awareness and compassion with campers while exposing them to the unparalleled beauty and lessons of the Salish Sea. Dianne’s career and experience have stretched from health philanthropy to advocacy, community engagement and board service. As a senior leader at Arcora Foundation, she focuses on the organization’s strategy, communications and data/learning.
Anne Misner
Anne first heard of Canoe Island French Camp at Seattle’s French Fest, where friendly staffers painted a picture of a classic camp experience where kids could learn the French language and culture in the beautiful San Juans. We were hooked! Her two kids have enjoyed many summers as campers and have also worked for the camp. Anne is proud to serve on the board and continue her family’s involvement with Canoe.
Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham is a former camper, kitchen assistant, and counselor at Canoe Island. He loved every bit of seven summers at camp, from exploring the island to making fondue and performing skits at Jacques Martin. Sam is happy to support Canoe as a board member and help the camp to welcome new generations of campers.
Sam works as a software engineer at Google and lives in Seattle with his wife and their two kids, who he looks forward to sending to Canoe soon. Outside of work, he continues to hone his French culinary skills by cooking with his family.