Meet Silver Lake’s Admin and Director Team!
Alissa Bender
Executive Director
After many years of visiting SLMC as a volunteer, retreat participant, and camp pastor, I joined the team in 2024 in this role that lets me enjoy and support the full year of camp seasons. I deeply believe in the power of camp experiences to nurture community and strengthen growing gifts. I divide my time between camp in the summer (and other times) and our Kitchener office during much of the school year. I love singing at campfires, watching young leaders develop, having conversations on the dock, and hearing what other people love about camp!
Karen Buschert
Program Director
I am a Silver Lake alumni (summer 86) and have many fond memories of camp and of being outdoors in general. My experience at Silver Lake inspired me to pursue a career teaching people about nature through outdoor education, a long stint working for the Grand River Conservation Authority and several years on the west coast. Now I come full circle, back to the place where it all began for me! I am looking forward to running day camps and bringing the mission of Silver Lake to a wider audience, teaching kids and adults the importance of being in and experiencing our natural world.
Tim Shantz
Assistant Director Overnight Camps
Hello everybody! I’m Tim Shantz, and I’ll be an Assistant Director of Overnight Camps at Silver Lake for the summer of 2026! Silver Lake is and has always been a special place for me, so I’m thrilled to have been granted yet another opportunity to serve this wonderful community after so many years as a camper, CILT, and staff member. I’m looking forward to another great summer at camp in 2026!
Maya Kaekiza
Assistant Director Overnight Camps
Hello everyone! My name is Maya Kaekiza, and I am excited to be working as one of the Assistant Directors of Overnight Camps for the summer of 2026. I am so grateful to have been welcomed into the camp community both as a CILT and a staff member over the years. I look forward to stepping into this new leadership role to help create a positive and meaningful summer for everybody.
