Alec Amato

Background

About Alec Amato

As the current Assistant Director at Camp Manitou Canada, I bring over 15 years of experience in overnight camp management, youth development, leadership training and program innovation. Throughout the year, I oversee the recruitment, interviewing and hiring of over 200 seasonal staff members, ranging from general counsellors to highly skilled instructors across 35 distinct activity areas. I ensure that our team is equipped to deliver an exceptional experience, while also working directly with campers and their families to provide personalized support and foster positive relationships. During our summer season, I help manage the well-being of over 480 campers and more than 200 staff, focusing on conflict resolution, self-esteem building and creating a cohesive, supportive camp community. I also oversee our large-scale programming and coordinate our leadership training, including a high school credit program offered through a partnership with a local secondary school, and I serve as the evaluator. My responsibilities also extend to media management, where I lead a team that includes our social media manager, photographer, and videographer. I also handle the camp's online presence by managing and maintaining the camp website. With a passion for art and design, I occasionally assist with graphic design projects, leveraging my self-taught skills in Photoshop, which I've honed since 2008 and been able to use in outside projects as a creative director and photography retoucher/restorer. A key aspect of my role is my ability to adapt and innovate, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when I helped spearhead the development of virtual programming to maintain community engagement. This included creating and editing hour long online presentations focused on philanthropic causes and highlighting exclusive guest speakers. I am committed to fostering leadership, inclusivity, and personal growth in both children and the staff I hire. My passion for creating enriching, lasting experiences continues to drive my work year-round, ensuring a dynamic, supportive environment for all involved.