Staff

Alex Robertson, Director of Programs

Alex has been in the camping community since he was a camper himself. Alex got his start at Camp Mazinaw, and later Camp Ponacka in Bancroft, Ontario where he spent twelve summers including four summers on staff. Before Oochigeas, Alex was with Paul Newman’s “Hole In The Wall Gang” Camp in Ashford, Connecticut. Similar to Ooch, The Hole In The Wall serves children and families affected by cancer and other serious blood diseases. As the Assistant Camp Director, he helped to build camp programs geared to the special needs of the campers. In 2001 and 2002, he worked with the Association of Hole In The Wall Camps in Botswana. As a program director, he helped develop and facilitate a first-of-its-kind camping program for children affected by AIDS and other life-threatening circumstances. Alex holds a current certification in Behavioural Therapeutic Crisis Intervention from Cornell University, Department of Human Ecology. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a BFA in theatre. Alex likes swimming and playing piano, his favourite colour is green and he loves the Hula Hop song!

Rob Drynan, Executive Director

Before coming to Camp Ooch, Rob spent three years at Cossette Communication Group as an account manager. Prior to Cossette, Rob and his wife Melissa lived in Whistler, B.C. for six years, where he owned and operated his own marketing consulting business. One summer at Camp Ooch in 2003 was all it took to become immediately hooked. He returned to Toronto to get involved as a volunteer in many of the year round events. Rob has a rich camping history, having spent the majority of his youth in the Muskoka region. He was a camper and staff member for six years at Camp Pine Crest, as well as attending a few other summer camps over the years.
Rob majored in Psychology at Carleton University, and has recently completed his CAAP accreditation through the Institute of Canadian Advertising.

Dr. David Malkin, Camp Medical Director

When David first came to Camp Oochigeas as a one-week camp doctor in 1987, little did he realize he’d one day become Medical Director for the camp. David assumed that role four years ago, and today also serves as a member of the Camp Ooch Board of Directors. David is a Professor of Pediatrics and a staff oncologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, where he is also Associate Chief of Research. He combines his care for children with cancer with his research that focuses on understanding the genetics of childhood soft-tissue tumors, bone tumors, and cancer predisposition. His dedication to the study of childhood cancer is limitless; he has published more than 100 scientific papers, book chapters and reviews on the subject.