MEET THE TEAM
Instructors/Counsellors
Erica
Pronouns: She/Her
Favourite trail in the Don: River’s Edge
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do? Studying, painting, or hanging out with my dog.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
It would be to control the weather, so that it could always be sunny.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookie dough
Which cartoon character do you wish was real? Spongebob.
What is a ‘Grom’?
The word ‘Grom’ was initially used to describe a young surfer, but has also extended out to other spots like skateboarding and mountainbiking.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
To spend time outdoors, to do fun activities, and to share my love of biking.
Henry
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Party Atmosphere
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I like to ski and play baseball.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
To fly.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Patrick from Spongebob.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A young rider who is very passionate and loves to ride.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
I’m super excited to meet everyone and have fun out on the trails.
Jayden
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: The Ridge
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I enjoy making pizza. I have been trying to perfect the process over the pandemic.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
It would be Super Stamina, so I could mountain bike forever without having to take a break!
Favourite ice cream flavour: Oreo or Cookies and Cream
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
I wish the genie from Alladin was real because I think it would be super cool for him to grant three of my wishes.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A little shredder who loves biking!
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
I’m super excited to teach mountain biking to the new generation!
Sophia
Pronouns: She/Her
Favourite trail in the Don: Trail Apples
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I like to swim, cook and bake, and play with my dog!
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Time travel.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookie Dough!
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Olaf from Frozen.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A super cool kid who rides in the Don!
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
Getting the chance to meet so many awesome kids and spend the day outdoors having fun together!
Zach
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: The Serena Gundy area!
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I enjoy working out, photography, cooking, and recently I have started playing ultimate frisbee.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
It would definitely be to have infinite energy.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookies and Cream
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Phineas from Phineas & Ferb.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A young kid that’s super stoked on riding and is looking to improve their skills!
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
Being able to work with younger kids and pass down what I’ve learned over the past couple of years.
Ben
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Climbax
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
Working on bikes, snowboarding, and travelling.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Super Speed would be pretty awesome.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookies Dough
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Snoopy from Charlie Brown would be an awesome pet.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A young shredder who’s always learning and progressing on the bike.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
Teaching the next generation of the sport to be more skilled, more knowledgeable, and more stoked on riding.
Jr. Instructors/Counsellors
Jameson
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Roller Flowster because it has a little bit of everything.
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I love to ski, especially in the terrain park. Another is trampolining as I am pretty good at it.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation definitely!
Favourite ice cream flavour: Rainbow Sherbert
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Captain Rex as he was my favourite character from Star Wars the Clone Wars.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A little shredder who loves to get out and do some action sports.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
I can’t wait to get out on my bike and share my passion for the best sport in the world with all the campers.
Kaleb
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Party Atmosphere
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
Playing hockey and hanging out with friends.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookie Dough
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Phineas from Phineas and Ferb.
What is a ‘Grom’?
A young athlete in this case a mountain biker who is experienced and passionate about the sport.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
I am very excited to spread the sport of mountain biking to the next generation. When I was younger and just getting into mountain biking and I would have loved to have a camp like this.
MTB Program Lead & Sponsor
Robert Bateman, PMBI Mountain Bike Instructor, Bateman’s Bicycle Company CEO
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Donaconda
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
Hanging out with my kids, fishing bass, building trails, playing hockey.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Turn invisible.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Lightning McQueen
What is a ‘Grom’?
A mini shredder of all the things.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
The Don is a very special place and I’m excited to share it with motivated kids!
Camp Director/Founder
Dana Nielsen, MSW/RSW
Pronouns: She/Her
Favourite trail in the Don: Road Apples
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
Outdoor activities with my family.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To freeze time.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Moose Tracks
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Moana. She is strong, fiercely brave, independent, and cares about the greater good!
What is a ‘Grom’?
An enthusiastic and confident kid who loves to ride their mountain bike and support their peers.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
Getting more kids and families outside and enjoying mountain biking in the Don.
Program Support Staff
Mike
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Road Apples
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I love following sports of all kinds, from hockey to pro football to pro cycling.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Making great scrambled eggs!
Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Batman.
What is a ‘Grom’?
An enthusiastic, next generation, newbie mountain biker!
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
I’m excited for the next generation of Don riders to come along – the golden age of the Don is ahead of us!!
Austin
Pronouns: He/Him
Favourite trail in the Don: Roller Flowster
When you aren’t riding your bike, what do you like to do?
I love to explore different cities, especially Toronto.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Riding Trash Panda without a dropper post.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Moose Tracks
Which cartoon character do you wish was real?
Bugs Bunny.
What is a ‘Grom’?
An eager young mountain biker.
What excites you most about working at Camp Don Grom?
Sharing my passion for mountain biking with the next generation.
