A man with a beard and long hair, wearing a blue helmet and gray shirt, stands next to a light brown horse with a purple halter, drinking water from a metal trough. The man rests his hand on a wooden post outdoors with green trees in the background.

Jeremiah Riehl aka Uznea - Camp and Nature School Director

Uznea has been working at the Ranch for 15 years. He arrived in 2011 and began a big permaculture garden. He currently runs the Nature School at Circle R and he loves to wood carve, practice bushcraft skills like foraging, fire starting and shelter building, and play music.

A young girl sitting on a black horse, wearing a grey riding helmet and purple shirt, receiving assistance from an older woman wearing a tie-dye shirt and a colorful hat, outdoors with trees in the background.

Joan Russell aka Spindle - Riding Director

Joan has been involved in Circle R Ranch since her parents Milly and JR bought the Ranch in 1966. Away from camp, Joan loves everything about working with natural fibres, dyeing, spinning, felting, weaving, and knitting. In addition, Joan loves being in nature, experiencing the outdoors in every season, camping under the stars and continuing to deepen her mindfulness practice.

A man standing outdoors on a grassy field, wearing a blue t-shirt with the words 'Circle Ranch' and an illustration, a cap with sunglasses on top, a pink wristwatch, and a medallion necklace with the name 'Taiga'. There is a yellow school bus and trees in the background.

Nigel Tracy aka Taiga - Business Manager

Having been part of the camp team since 2005, Nigel understands the significance of bonds among campers and staff and creating an environment where everyone can appreciate and learn from the wonders of the natural world. Away from the hustle and bustle of camp life, Nigel is a tinkerer, a woodworker and an explorer of Northern Ontario’s backcountry, alongside his partner and three dogs.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length red hair, wearing a blue T-shirt with a wildlife illustration, standing outdoors in a wooded area.

Leah Riehl aka Aqua - Camp Registrar

Leah has grown up with the Ranch starting overnight camp at 7 years old and returning every summer. She took the overnight leadership programs and then held positions as Counsellor, Lifeguard, Leadership Director, Program Director, and Camp Director. Leah is passionate about crafting, reading (especially in a hammock!), hiking with her cat Japhy, and having adventures with her kids and family.

An older woman and two young boys with winter hats and jackets are preparing food outdoors at a wooden picnic table in a wooded area during autumn.

Susan Hill aka Linden - Riding Staff and Nature School Mentor

Susan has spent her life connecting with the land and its inhabitants (human, plant and creature) at Circle R. She loves working with people, especially in the outdoors. Susan has spent many years as an educator with TVDSB, working with students of all ages. She can often be found outdoors in all weather, looking deeply into nature.

Person with short hair dyed in rainbow colors with green, blue, and red shades, wearing glasses, standing in front of a rainbow Pride flag with various designs, inside a room with bookshelves on the sides.

Jordyn Synott aka Sunny - Program Support

Sunny first attended Circle R as a camper when they were 8 years old. They returned in 2006 when they were taking Hotel Management at Fanshawe College. Over the last 19 years they have worked in the kitchen, the corral, counselling, as a programmer and now as Program Support, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make string game strings and help camp run smoothly. In their spare time they enjoy riding their bike, watching sports and reality TV shows and knitting.

People with horses outdoors on a sunny day, surrounded by green trees, in a rural setting.

Tom Genovy aka Timber - Riding Staff

Tom came to camp as a kid, attended leadership and returned to work and share his love for the horses and the land in 2016.

Young woman with red curly hair and septum piercing, wearing a black beanie and gray zip-up jacket, standing outdoors with a playful expression including sticking out her tongue. In the background, there is a woman in a helmet sitting on a chair and a person riding a horse with white fur and saddle.

Liz Rubin aka Tamarack - Riding Staff

Liz is a Circle R Ranch lifer, having been a camper since she was 5 years old. She adores nature as it gives her a chance to slow down and enjoy the serenity that it provides. She is also a lover of the arts, specifically music and body art. When not working you will usually find her out back with the herd, trying to get a horse to lay down and cuddle with her (so far Maurice the mule and Taz the miniature horse have been the only ones to go for it).

A woman sitting at a picnic table outdoors in a forest, engaged in an art activity with various watercolor supplies, paper, and nature leaves on the table.

Rachel Regier aka Owl - Nature School Mentor

Rachel is a early childhood educator with a passion for nature and outdoor play. She loves swimming, animals and art. Rachel spends a lot of her time in nature and being creative. She is currently enrolled in the early childhood education leadership degree program to expand on her knowledge and passion in the early years field.

A woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling and petting a brown horse outdoors in a natural setting with trees.

Sherry-Lynne Kirschner aka Marmot - Mindfulness Facilitator

B.A., B.Ed, RYT, Mindfulness Educator, Children’s Book Author, Animal Facilitated Mindfulness Teacher

Sherry-Lynne taught in the elementary school system for 30 years working with children from JK to grade 12 to help them develop emotional self-regulation skills. She is the founder of MindfulMe, which is an organization that focuses on sharing the benefits of mindfulness practices with children, teenagers, parents and teachers internationally.

She is inspired by the unique connections and present moment awareness that integrating mindfulness practices with animals create. She is thrilled and deeply honoured to be part of the team at Circle R.

A group of young children sitting on a flatbed trailer being pulled by a blue tractor through a wooded area, supervised by an adult wearing a hat.

Ian Besch aka Maestro - Tractor Man Supreme

Maestro has been a full time camp staff for 20+ years. During his time he did almost every role except Camp Director and Riding Staff. Now retired, he still is around to help fill in the gaps and lend a hand where needed, especially when it comes to driving tractor rides. When not in camp mode he chills, reads, and lives his life with all the ups and downs.

An elderly woman wearing glasses, a navy beanie, and a black winter coat with a fur-lined hood holding a smiling young child dressed in a red winter jacket, red hat with bear ears, and blue gloves outdoors in a snowy landscape.

Cathy Tandy aka Loon - Office Support

Cathy has been involved with the ranch since her parents John and Milly Russell co-founded the ranch in 1966. Now she has two grandchildren who both love growing up at the ranch. Cathy enjoys all types of outdoor recreation, sewing, and reading a good book.