Staff

Half of our counselors come from France specifically to bring French culture and a native accent to campers. We personally interview every candidate, receive at least two positive professional references, and do background checks on all staff including our support staff. French applicants come with the highest recommendations from respected international counselor agencies that interview them, check references, do background checks and guarantee their respectability. Together with the American counselors, they form an energetic, enthusiastic and fun team to provide a memorable summer experience for your child.

Co-Executive Director

Margaret Schafer has filled many roles on Canoe Island (including animatrice!) and now serves as the Camp Director. She hails from Illinois and has a background in French and English literature, as well as a graduate degree in Information Science. She has studied, traveled, and worked in France. Margaret lives year-round on Canoe Island with Ben and their dogs and their daughters, Odette and Delphine, and enjoys metalworking, woodworking, and hiking in her free time.

Assistant Director

Ali Morrow is a Washington native and serves as CIFC’s Assistant Director. Inspired by the wealth of biodiversity on Canoe and around the San Juan Islands, she loves to share her knowledge of the islands’ flora and fauna with campers. Ali’s background is in Earth Systems and Applied Ethics and is a certified EMT, Wilderness First Responder, and Salish Sea Marine Naturalist. In her free time, Ali enjoys ceramics, kayaking, hiking, and traveling.

Island Caretaker & Archivist

Dusty Caldwell, originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is part of CIFC’s facilities team. He’s also an expert in Canoe Island’s history and archives. Prior to moving to the San Juan Islands, Dusty worked at a YMCA camp in Alabama. There he was part of the facilities team and he also led the camp’s dirt bike program. Dusty’s hobbies include woodworking, metal detecting, hiking, camping, and thrifting.

Program Coordinator

Julian Tiffay has occupied a variety of roles on Canoe Island, and currently serves as the Program Coordinator. Julian grew up in Thailand and France, holds a Masters degree in Education, and has lived and worked across four continents. During the off-season, they live in Portland, OR, and enjoy reading, practicing yoga, hiking, traveling, and singing along to musicals.

 

Camp Dogs – Eloise and Adelaide

Eloise and Adelaide (Margaret and Ben’s dogs) live year-round on Canoe Island. They are sweet and well-behaved Australian Shepherds who love playing catch and learning new tricks. The dogs spend most of their time outdoors and do not enter the dining hall or tents or go on the pool deck.

 

2024 SUMMER STAFF

Andrés Bolivar – Counselor

Salut, salut! My name’s Andrés and I’m really excited to be back on Canoe this summer! I’m originally from Venezuela, but I’ve been living in Europe since 2021, mostly in France and the Czech Republic where I currently study politics. I’ve had the chance to be part of the counselor team for the last two years and I can’t wait to meet/see you all this year! With me, you can expect to have lots, lots of French; make delicious treats in the Ritz; fun projects in the Atelier; waterfront activities and also some music and dancing. Très, très hâte de vous rencontrer! À bientôt!

Ania Tureczek – Session 4 Counselor

Salut à tous! My name is Ania (pronounced On-ya) and I am super excited to be a camp counselor for the third summer on Canoe Island! I am originally from New Jersey and now live in Seattle. Currently, I am in the Honors Program at the University of Washington where I am studying Public Health and French. I co-founded the French Language Association at UW to create a space for French enthusiasts to practice the language and meet one another! My dad’s side of the family is from the Normandie region of France, so I visit France every year or so to see my relatives. In my free time I love cooking, doing yoga, and hiking the beautiful trails of the PNW. I can’t wait to meet you all this summer, à bientôt!

Axelle Salvador – Counselor

Salut! My name is Axelle and I’m so excited to come back to Canoe and to get to know all of you this summer! I’m currently a History student in Paris. I’m working on conspiracy theories so don’t be alarmed if I know a little too much about the Illuminati. I’ve also lived in Lyon, The Hague and Zurich. I love languages, playing soccer, biking, reading, rock music, playing the flute and just goofing around! À très vite, j’ai trop hâte de vous rencontrer! I’m so thankful that I get to spend another summer in one the world’s most beautiful places with all of you! On va passer un super bel été!

Connor Seymour – Counselor

Salut les gars! I’m Connor and this is my second year here on Canoe. I grew up in Houston, TX, studied in Portland, OR, and am currently living in Paris where I’m studying to become a middle/high school English teacher. Some of my favorite artists: Björk, Modest Mouse, Charli XCX, SOPHIE, and Alex G. Talk to me about: retro video games, DJing, RPGs, ceramics, digital art, card games, Yu-Gi-Oh and spicy food. À bientôt!

 

Cypria Colleau – Counselor

Coucou! I am so excited about being a counselor this summer! It’s going to be the first time for me in this part of the US, and I can’t wait to create magical memories and explore together. I am French and I am more than happy to share my beautiful language with you all! I am currently doing a Masters degree in Criminology, so obviously I am into mystery and hunts. I am passionate about community and how to create a better society including social justice, more arts, more empathy and more respect for the nature around us. I love travelling and I recently backpacked for two months alone in Colombia. I also love every type of art and try to develop new skills in ceramics, mosaic, theater, singing, poetry and agility in different sports (climbing, table tennis, circus, water sports, etc). À tout vite!

Elodie Texier – Counselor

Salut tout le monde! Je m’appelle Elodie, je suis Française and I always find a reason to smile! As a tattoo artist and illustrator, I practice art in all its forms. I’m so excited about joining this camp and sharing my knowledge avec amour et bienveillance. I dream of opening my own artistic space in the heart of the mountains, for a beautiful retreat in nature. Après cet été, I’ll be living in Canada for two lovely years. I’m passionate about yoga, dance, magic, nature and cinnamon. J’aime communiquer mon univers et j’ai très à cœur de le faire durant cet été.

Frank Carmichael – Counselor

Joey Henderson – Counselor

Coucou tout le monde! I am so excited to spend the summer on Canoe Island as a second-year counselor. My name is Joey, and I am originally from Portland, OR, but have been living on Orcas Island as of late. Before coming to Canoe, I lived in Martinique, an overseas French département in the Caribbean, and the previous year, I WWOOFed at a 17th century water mill in the Loire Valley of France. I also worked as an English teaching assistant in the central region of France. I love any sports that get me out on the water – surfing, swimming, waterskiing, paddleboarding, kayaking – you name it! À bientȏt!

Justin Saint-Loubert-Bié – Head Counselor

Salut tout le monde! My name is Justin and I’ve previously been a camper, assistant, and counselor here on Canoe, and I’m thrilled to be back this summer as head counselor. I’m French American and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I’ve also lived in Chicago, Lyon, Paris, and Washington, DC. I love swing dancing, cooking, playing piano, reading, biking, hiking, and singing… among other things! This past year I’ve been working at the EPA, and next year I’m planning to start law school, so I’m looking forward to soaking in some sunlight and having a wonderful summer with all of you wonderful people before locking myself in a library for three years. À bientôt!

Kelly Webster – Counselor

Salut à toutes et à tous! My name is Kelly, I’m a French and Spanish university student and will be beginning a Masters in Education later this year at Maynooth University! This will be my first year at camp and I can’t wait. I’ve spent a lot of time travelling, I suppose you could call it a hobby! Alongside my studies, I work as a swimming teacher, lifeguard and in a local bookshop! For two years, I worked in France as a language assistant in the Loire Valley and I worked in the Vendée at a summer camp for a couple of months. I’ve also been both a member and a leader at 2 different youth camps and youth groups here in Ireland, so hopefully I’ll have plenty of Irish games and experiences to share with you all. When I’m not studying for university or working, you’ll find me goofing around with old cameras, listening to a wide variety of music, planning my next trip or studying random languages on Duolingo! I’m very much so excited to meet everybody this summer at camp, à très bientôt!

Maylie Gardner – Nounou

Salut tout le monde! My name is Maylie (she/her) and I will be working as the nounou to Odette and Delphine this summer. I have been a camper on Canoe for 5 years and I am so excited to come back on the staff! I grew up in Seattle, WA, and I’ve just graduated from high school at an outdoor boarding school in Arizona. Next year I will be going to Ireland for culinary school then coming back to Washington for college! I love to backpack, make pottery, play music, cook, and play soccer in my free time. I am so excited to spend this summer with you all! À bientôt!

Nia Price – Session 4 Counselor

Salut! My name is Nia and I’m so excited to be returning to Canoe Island this summer as a counselor for session 4. I’ve been spending my summers on Canoe since 2017 and I cannot wait to get back to the beautiful San Juan Islands. I grew up in Seattle, WA but I now live in Eugene, OR where I attend the University of Oregon. When I’m not doing homework I love to play the piano, go thrifting, spend time by the water, decorate my room, find new places, and crochet. I’m looking forward to making great memories with everybody this summer, and I can’t wait to meet you all. À bientôt!

Rim Chebbaki – Counselor

Salut à tous! I’m Rim (feel free to roll the R), and I’m thrilled for my first summer at Canoe! Originally from Morocco, I’m currently a rising sophomore at Minerva University. I am passionate about Biology and History (especially that of my people: the Amazigh – the indigenous North Africans). In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, hobbies, and having eye-opening conversations, especially with wise grandmas. While I’ve never lived in France, I’ve visited several times, and Grenoble has my heart. Excited to meet you all, gros bisous!

Sully Misner – Counselor

Coucou tout le monde! Je m’appelle Sully and I am vraiment excited to be spending the summer with all of you! I am from Bellevue, WA, but I currently live in Santa Clara, CA, where I study French at university. In the fall, I will be studying abroad at the Sorbonne! I have been a camper, an assistant, and this is my second year as a counselor at Canoe Island. I love this place very much and I can’t wait to make another batch of beautiful memories with everyone. À bientôt!

 

 

“My daughter is excited and gearing up for her second summer as a counselor! At college, she’s teaching French to kids in a local grade school, and her French professor asked her to be a writing tutor for a 300-level French literature class. (I figure I can brag about this to you, since you got her started–she never had a lick of French before her first session at Canoe Island, less than 6 years ago!) Thank you for helping her find her passion!” ~Lori, Portland, OR