Directors and staff
Directors & Staff
Meet Dave, Patrick and Aldrin
Our directors
Camp Directors
David Spindler
Executive Director
Dave first walked through the gates of Kilcoo Camp in 2001 as a camper in Kremlin A.
After many formative summers as a camper and Leader-in-Training, he joined the staff in 2008, working as both a counsellor and canoe tripper. Over 13 summers, he built lifelong friendships and developed a deep appreciation for the values that define Kilcoo today, empathy, integrity, inclusiveness, and the importance of positive role models in shaping young lives.
Dave holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Development from the University of St. Andrews and has remained closely connected to the outdoors through wilderness expeditions. He went on to spend over a decade in corporate consulting, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship. In 2026, Dave founded KCA Ownership Corp., an alumni-led organization that acquired Kilcoo Camp with a clear mission: to preserve its heritage and traditions while safeguarding its future for generations to come.
As Executive Director, Dave is committed to strengthening Kilcoo for the long term, ensuring every camper benefits from the same transformative experience that shaped his own.
Patrick "Tingles" Tingley
Camp Director
Camp Director Patrick Tingley, aka "Tingles", is a life-long Kilcoo guy. The summer of 2026 will be Patrick's 38th on the shores of Gull Lake.
Patrick was a first-time Kilcoo camper in cabin 6, in 1987, when his counsellor, Tim Wilson, tweaked the name "Tingles". He became Staff in 1995, and was a counsellor, Section Director, LIT Director, Land Staff Director and Program Director. Patrick started working for Kilcoo full-time in March 2004, as Program Director and Spring/Fall Program Coordinator, what we call Advance Camp and Post Camp. Patrick worked and led the spring and fall programs for over a decade before returning to the office for the non-summer months. Patrick started as Assistant Director in 2007, through the 2021 camp season, ensuring a safe and successful summer during the second year of Covid-19. Patrick then left camp on his own terms to enjoy other pursuits.
He comes from a close-knit family, and returned to Kilcoo as Camp Director in September 2023 with support from his parents, sister & brother-in-law and their two kids.
Patrick was a key cog in maintaining Kilcoo until the transition of ownership in 2026. He is proud to support the leadership of Dave and KCA Ownership Corp. and remains very excited for the future of Kilcoo Camp.
Aldrin "Buzz" Primaylon
Assistant Director
Aldrin "Buzz" Primaylon came into the camping world in 1990 when he joined the staff of Camp Gay Venture. At the camp, Buzz began as the property manager and then brought the Rock Climbing and High Ropes programs to GV.
Buzz joined Kilcoo in 2017 and has served as a Rock Climbing and High Ropes course instructor, learning from Chissy, before starting the LIT Skills program in 2018.
Buzz, his wife Tanya, aka "Brador", and their family have been integral parts of the Kilcoo community for the past 10 summers. During the off season, Buzz and Brador educate Grade 8 students in Scarborough.
Senior leadership
Meet the Senior Leadership Team
Kim Bouchard
Director of Operations
Kim Bouchard is Kilcoo's Director of Operations. In this role, she works year-round at the Toronto office overseeing the entire business operation and keeping everything running smoothly. Kim was hired in 1990 by John and Peggy Latimer after working at Lanier Canada and Bank of Nova Scotia. Kim has two sons who attended Kilcoo.
Tobias Partridge
Assistant Director, Staff & Logistics
Tobias began his Kilcoo career in 2006 as a camper and has been with Kilcoo ever since. Over the years, Tobias has been an LIT, Ceramics Instructor, and Program Director (for 6 years). He stepped into this new role in 2025.
Tanya "Brador" Primaylon
Summer Administrative Director
Brador runs our Tuck Shop in the summer. She has been coming to Kilcoo with her husband Buzz and their family since 2017. Brador's love for summer camp began when she attended Camp Gay Venture on Kashagawigamog Lake, where she worked with Buzz until the camp closed in 2001. In the off-season, Brador is a teacher in Toronto and visits Kilcoo often.
Stu Armstrong
Outdoor Education Director
Stu Armstrong is Kilcoo's Outdoor Education Director, overseeing and arranging the Advance Camp and Post Camp groups and staff. He started as a camper at Kilcoo in 2007 and has since been a LIT, canoeing instructor, handicraft instructor, and Landstaff Director. Stu also works at Kilcoo in the summer, currently as a LIT Director.
Kent Taylor
Property Manager
Kent Taylor is Kilcoo's Property Manager, working year-round at camp to keep the facilities, property, and equipment well-maintained. With his team, he also manages the Camp capital improvement projects and site repairs throughout the year. Kent joined the Kilcoo maintenance team in 2008 and trained under Brian Hamilton, his predecessor, until 2018.
Our staff
Our Staff
The Kilcoo Staff consists of over 70 dedicated men and women, almost all of whom started at Kilcoo as campers. The year a camper turns 16, they are eligible to apply to the two-year Leader in Training (LIT) program, where they will learn all the skills necessary to lead canoe trips, instruct activities, and provide care for campers. The strongest LITs are then selected to be members of the Kilcoo Staff.
Every Staff member at Kilcoo is uniquely qualified to provide support for your son at camp. Growing up as campers themselves, our Staff members are intimately familiar with all aspects of Kilcoo's traditions, programs, and procedures. Having experienced the value and impact of a summer at Kilcoo themselves, the staff is committed to sharing those traditions with current campers and giving back to the Kilcoo community.
Each of Kilcoo's 29 cabins has a dedicated counsellor and LIT for their group of campers. Many activities have instructors who lead campers through projects and teach skills required for levels, including Archery, Arts & Crafts, Biking, Canoeing, Ceramics, Handicraft, High and Low Ropes Courses, Music, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Sailing, Tennis, and Windsurfing. In addition to the counsellors and instructors, Kilcoo's team of Senior Staff includes our camp's Leadership Team, five Section Directors, Waterfront and Land Activities Directors, a Canoe Tripping Director, and LIT Directors. At a minimum, all Staff at Kilcoo are trained to industry standards in both First Aid and lifeguarding, though many of our staff exceed these standards with additional certification.
We maintain a strong rate of returning Staff and new Staff from our LIT program. This allows the camp program consistency while providing new challenges and opportunities for returning campers, LITs, and Staff as they move up through the ranks in their Kilcoo careers.
If you are interested in joining our team for next summer, please send us a message with some information about yourself and we will be in touch!
Join Our Team!