Team

OUR TEAM

On top of being First Aid/CPR, AED and Epipen trained, all of our staff are also trained on every one of our elements by an instructor accredited by Challenges Unlimited Inc. During training, they undergo tests that challenge them cognitively and physically. They are also given lessons on how to create an environment that improves skill development for participants.  Every staff member has over five years experience working at the facility, and has been chosen with your best interest in mind!  Additionally, our large team allows us to facilitate groups of any size.

Sean Hopper and Anita Hopper – Directors and Owners of 5 Star Corporate Challenges

Sean has his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Recreation Management with a minor in Psychology from Acadia University.  He was the Director of Operations and Dean of Students at Venta. Sean has extensive experience working with children and has also run recreational programs for physically disabled children in St. John’s Newfoundland, where he met his wife Anita who worked for the City of St. John’s, Parks and Recreation department. He has his level 1 Ropes Course/Climbing Wall certification along with site specific certification on 5 Star’s own Low Ropes Course, Climbing Wall and Vertical Playground.

While Anita has worked in finance her entire adult life and has been the office manager in the finance department at Venta for 15 years, she has now changed her direction to work in a therapeutic setting as a Tomatis Practicioner.

Sean and his wife Anita currently reside in Carp and absolutely love facilitating team bonding experiences. They have two children, Justin and Angela, who are both 5 Star Corporate Challenges facilitators.

Zachary MacNeill – Facilitator

Zachary was a student at Venta Preparatory School and has known Sean and Anita for over 15 years. He was a boarder at Venta and lived on the property for 5 years where he developed very strong ties to the school community. He was always a fantastic team player and loved the outdoors.  Zachary played a huge role in the building of our incredible fort and continues to be very involved in the shaping of the Venta/5 Star Camps property.

Zachary has a great deal of experience working in the cooking industry.  He has however decided to pursue becoming an electrician full time and help his wife, Sarah, raise a child who is on the way!

He began to work at 5 Star Camps in 2008 running the Low Ropes and Climbing wall program with Mary Reilly (aka MiMi).  Big Mac has the natural gift of risk management and is able to relate to children of all ages, his desire to give the children at camp the positive outdoor experiences he was so lucky to have at Venta makes his job incredibly rewarding.  He is an avid climber and loves the outdoors. He is First Aid/CPR, AED, Epipen, Fall Protection trained.  Big Mac also has Site Specific Certification on our Low Ropes Course and Climbing Wall.

Chrysane Ngo – Facilitator

Chrysane’s experiences facilitating in a variety of settings have enabled her to develop a teaching philosophy that is based on fostering an inclusive environment that supports personal, intellectual, and social development. Her priority is ensuring that participants in her care are learning and having fun in a safe space. Chrysane has worked for Sean and Anita for over five years and has experience running the archery station and leading a variety of age groups. Her passion for education and creating meaningful group experiences make her an excellent facilitator! She is First Aid/CPR, AED, and Epipen trained. Chrysane also has site-specific training on our Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing Wall by CUI.

Chrysane graduated with honours from the University of Ottawa, where she majored in English and minored in Psychology. She then received her Primary/Junior teaching certification upon completion of the Bachelor of Education Program at Queen’s University, where a highlight was completing a three-week placement at an IB International School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. To further develop her professional learning, she completed the Kindergarten Part I Additional Qualification course in 2016. She is an OCT certified teacher with 3+ years of teaching experience teaching a wide range of grades, from JK to Grade 6.

Dana Ciresianu – Facilitator

Dana has worked for Sean and Anita for over seven years. Throughout her time with them, Dana has facilitated all of the activities at Corporate Challenges from archery to low ropes, and vertical playground to climbing wall. Archery in Ottawa

Dana’s passion for facilitation and teaching drove her to get her Bachelors of Education from University of Western Ontario in London, once she finished her Honors of Biology at University of Ottawa. With this new knowledge Dana is able to create a unique environment during activities that fosters team building within participants. It is safe to say that working for Sean and Anita has forever changed her life.

To ensure the safety of her participants, Dana is First Aid/CPR, AED, and Epipen trained. She has site-specific training on our Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing Wall by CUI.

Dana is currently a private tutor; she works hard to find the best way to teach her students. Her passion for teaching is visible to her students and in turn drives them to want to learn more.

Justin Hopper – Facilitator

Full Body Harness Climbing Wall OttawaJustin has worked for Sean and Anita at for over ten years.  He is a graduate of Venta Preparatory School, and a graduate of Honour Psychology and Bishop’s University.  He is very familiar with the grounds and challenge facilities, having worked with kids on the ropes course, climbing wall, vertical playground, outdoor leadership, archery, leadership, and a variety of sport programs.

Having been a part of 5 Star Camps for so long, Justin has experienced and helped to shape many of the different staff positions that 5 Star has to offer. He has instructed Archery, Multi-Sport, Ropes Course, and most recently Junior Staff Leadership programs. He has also been the camp DJ for several years, providing music for the outdoor activities in the mornings and evenings. Justin has site-specific training on the Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing Wall, and is trained in First-Aid/CPR/AED/Epipen use.

The name being a poor disguise, Justin is the son of the Directors of 5 Star Corporate Challenges, and he is excited to have the opportunity to work with you and your team!

Angela Hopper – Facilitator
Angela believes that a comfortable and encouraging environment is the best place for participants to learn and grow as individuals and this is maintained when facilitating groups out at the Ropes Course, Climbing Wall and Vertical Playground!

Angela has been working for Sean and Anita at 5 Star Camps for 9 years, and has watched the program develop into what it is today. Angela has been heavily involved in all forms of art since she was quite young including Music and Fine Arts. Angela has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Music and Minor in Fine Arts from St. Francis Xavier University. She is currently finishing her first year at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in Halifax.

Angela is certified in First Aid/CPR, AED, Epipen training, she also received site-specefic training on the Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing wall.

 

Andrew Kwai – Facilitator

Andrew has been working for Sean and Anita at 5 Star Camps since the first summer back in 2007. His love for summer camps began while working the evening program at Camp Venta at the age of 15. He has a special connection to our wonderful property, where he has been a student, staff, and has even helped to refurbish our famous fort.

Since starting with 5 Star, he has worked with campers from almost every age group, and leads the development of our leadership program, helping to grow the skills of our young, up-and-coming staff.  He is First Aid/CPR, AED, and Epipen trained.  Andrew also has site-specific training on our Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing Wall by CUI.

Andrew graduated from Venta in 2006, later moving on to Carleton University for a Bachelor’s of Science, and then the University of Ottawa, where he completed his Bachelor’s  and Master’s of Education. He currently teaches high school math and science at Holy Trinity Catholic High School.

Alex Budd – Facilitator

Alex has worked with Sean and Anita for 6 incredible years. Each year, he has learned Climbing Wall Harness and Helmetsomething new from the owners which has helped improve his facilitation skills and abilities. Being an avid climber and believer in challenging yourself, Alex makes a great facilitator on all of our elements.

Last year, Alex took on the role of being the vertical playground and climbing wall supervisor and instructor for 5 Star Camps. With his keen eye for safety and excellent risk management, Alex made sure all participants had fun while staying safe.

Alex is certified in First Aid/CPR, AED, Epipen use as well as having site-specific training on our Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground and Climbing Wall by CUI. Alex also has in-depth experience running the archery station.

 

Mary Reilly – Facilitator

Mary Reilly Corporate Challenges

Mary found her calling in life in September 1989 when she started teaching Music for Young Children, Frances Balodis Limited (MYC). This program is a Canadian, keyboard-based music course that teaches children between the ages of 3-10 music theory and how to play the piano. For the past 8 years, Mary has been a classroom music teacher for both the OCCSB (grade 7 & 8) and a private school. In the middle of that 8 year period she had the unique experience of teaching music to students from Grade 1 to 10 at Venta Preparatory School. There she taught voice, theory and concert band instruments.

Mary is blessed with a special gift that allows her to relate well with children and youth of all ages. She relays one experience that happened recently in one of her grade 8 classes. The guest speaker asked the students who their role model was and one young lady said, “Ms Reilly!” When asked why, she responded by saying, “Because we always laugh in class. We have fun and I hope to have the sense of humour when I’m a teacher!” Then, a 14 year old boy said, “I feel safe in Ms Reilly’s classroom. She makes me and everyone else feel comfortable.” When Mary heard him say this, she realized that “hanging with kids is the job for me!”

Outside of teaching, Mary enjoys running long distances and cycling. She has recently learned to swim and has started training for a triathlon. One of her favourite things to do is to play guitar and compose songs. Mary has a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education.  She is First Aid/CPR, AED, Epipen trained.   Mary also has Site Specific Certification on our Low Ropes Course and Climbing Wall.

Brittany Rich – FacilitatorBrittany Rich

Brittany has been connected to the Venta/5 Star community for over ten years. She began her journey here as a student, and has remained a part of the family as a long time leader with our summer programs. Brittany has channeled her love for leadership and education into her work with our programs, as well as her post secondary education. Brittany has completed a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University, and is currently there working on her Bachelor of Education.

Brittany is passionate about education and physical activity. She is excited to continue to share these passions and to create a welcoming and encouraging learning environment as a facilitator at 5 Star Corporate Challenges.

Brittany has First Aid/CPR, AED, and Epipen training, and is site-specific trained on our Low Ropes Course, Vertical Playground, and Climbing Wall.

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