About Camp Kodiak

Our story

Camp Kodiak is an integrated summer program for children and teens with and without Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1. We offer an integrated social skills program, an academic program, and over 50 exciting activities. Our staff is comprised of teachers, child & youth care workers, social workers and other professionals, as well as college and university students.

Watch the Camp Kodiak video for more information and to understand why Kodiak becomes a "home away from home" for so many campers each summer!

Our History

Camp Kodiak was established in 1991. It started off on a leased site near Kingston, Ontario, and moved to our permanent site near Parry Sound in 1998. For more than 25 years, we have helped children with and without learning disabilities learn, establish positive social skills and friendships, and have a fun and exciting summer. We hope to continue this tradition for many years, as more and more campers get to experience success at Camp Kodiak.

Our beloved founder and director, Dave Stoch, sadly passed away on January 29th, 2016. The legacy he left behind has shaped the lives of thousands of young people who attended Camp and Club Kodiak. Ilana, Marni and Shari Stoch are committed to continuing their father’s legacy and making Camp Kodiak a “home away from home” for future campers.

1991
It all began with a dream, a rented site,
and fewer than 80 campers
1998
We moved to our permanent home
in McKellar, Ontario
2009
After many requests from parents of
former campers who were now 19+,
Club Kodiak began
2014
Ilana, Marni and Shari
step into the role of Directors
2017
Kodiak Jr. is introduced for 6-8 year old boys
so that they can get a taste of Kodiak

“Many years ago when I was doing my Master’s degree at McGill University in Montreal, I was required to do a practicum. I decided to do my practicum at the Learning Centre – a joint project of Montreal Children’s Hospital and McGill, working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities.

We had an amazing person in charge of the program – Dr. Renee Stevens. One of the things they had us do was take the kids on a 4-day camping trip. At the time I didn’t understand why we were wasting these four teaching days, not teaching math and reading, and all the other things that these kids needed to get caught up on. Once we were out there, I understood what Renee was trying to show us. These kids that are so hopeless and helpless within the four walls of the classroom can have so many talents and abilities when you take them out into another environment that allows them to show their skills and their strengths.

That lesson stuck with me. And that was really what inspired me to get Camp Kodiak started.”

- Dave Stoch, Founder

David Stoch (May 12th, 1945 - January 29th, 2016)

David Stoch, MEd (Dave)

Our Director, David Stoch, held an undergraduate degree from Concordia University and a Master's Degree in Special Education from McGill University. His teaching experience included many years of teaching regular classes and special education classes in Quebec and Ontario. He also worked with difficult to serve students at the Peel District School Board Diagnostic Centre. For the four years prior to moving to the Toronto area from Montreal, David taught in the Special Education Department at McGill University training special education teachers.

David had many years of experience administrating camps for exceptional children and teens in Canada and the USA. He started Camp Kodiak in 1991. David sadly passed away in January 2016. His daughters have taken over as Directors of Camp Kodiak and will continue his legacy.

Our Directors

Ilana Stoch

Director

Ilana has been at Camp Kodiak since the beginning and has only missed one summer. Some of her roles have included counsellor, director of the L.I.T. & Junior Counsellor programs, and program director. She is a certified teacher who worked as an outdoor educator before joining the Peel District School Board where she spent 14 years teaching in elementary and middle schools as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, ESL teacher and guidance counsellor. Her love of Kodiak is shared each summer with her husband, Blake, and son.

Marni Stoch

Director

Marni began working at Camp Kodiak as a counsellor in 1991. As one of the Camp Directors, Marni brings a lifetime of experience as an Educator. She has been an elementary school teacher with the Toronto District and Peel District School Boards since 1995. She has a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology and Education. At camp, Marni works with campers and staff to ensure that camp is the same home away from home for them that it is for her family. Marni has watched each of her three daughters grow up at Kodiak.

Shari Stoch

Director

Shari has been at Camp Kodiak since 1991. She worked as a counsellor, program director and academic director before stepping into the role of camp director with her sisters. She continues to coordinate the Academic program each summer, while also meeting with families through the year. Shari has been teaching special education in the Peel District School Board since 2000 and has a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on special education. She comes to camp every summer with her two daughters.

Blake Pallett

Assistant Director

Blake has worked at Camp Kodiak since 2004 in many different roles, including director of the L.I.T. & Junior Counsellor programs. He is a certified teacher with over 10 years of experience, teaching in both England and Canada. He works as a special education teacher with the Peel District School Board through the school year, but still finds time to build projects for camp and attend camp fairs and conferences. Blake spends his summers sharing his wealth of expertise with staff and providing guidance to campers.

Sam Richards

Staff Co-Ordinator

Sam joined the Kodiak office team in the fall of 2022. He spent almost 10 years working at a variety of camps in various roles. Sam also worked as a support worked in public schools, and as a lifeguard at many pools. He loves music, literature and cooking, and he hopes to share his love for these arts through camp! Throughout the year, he is meeting new staff members and getting them ready for the excitement of working at Camp Kodiak in the summer.

Lisa Brown

Camp Administrator

Lisa joined the Kodiak office team in the Winter of 2023. She has a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Leisure Studies as well as a post- grad in Brain Disorders Management. Lisa has spent many summers working at a variety of camps in many different roles. She also worked as a rock climbing instructor in both elementary and secondary schools, working with students with a variety of physical and developmental needs.

C.J. Smith

Director - Club Kodiak

Interested in our Young Adult (19+) program?

Club Kodiak is for young adults aged 19 and older. It focuses on life skills and social skills while also including fun, recreational camp activities. Click below for more information.

www.ClubKodiak.com

About Camp Kodiak

Our story

Our History

1991

1998

2009

2014

2017

Our Directors

Ilana Stoch

Marni Stoch

Shari Stoch

Blake Pallett

Sam Richards

Lisa Brown

C.J. Smith

Interested in our Young Adult (19+) program?

Campers come to Camp Kodiak from all over the world