History
Aaron Shaughnessy, the owner of Capital Camps, has been involved with summer camps since 1995. He began coaching and operating children’s camps at the Ottawa Athletic Club and has since taught tennis throughout the Ottawa area.
In 2001, after several successful summers running camps for other larger companies Aaron decided to start the Queenswood-Fallingbrook Tennis Academy. Over the next six years the camp flourished and gained an excellent reputation within the Ottawa area. In 2004 Aaron decided that he wanted to give back to the community and began a free in school tennis program which was (and currently is) available to all schools in the Orleans area.
In 2008 the company grew to include a football camp. This growth has continued into 2009 with the addition of a multi-sports camp. Because of the success and interest in tenniscamp.ca and footballcamp.ca, as well as Aaron’s drive to teach children a variety of different skills, the organization has changed to Capital Camps to properly encompass all the camps and activities offered.
Capital Camps Philosophy - Safety, Inclusion, Fun
All of our camp activities are built with the underlying theme of safety, inclusion and fun, integrated in each area of the camp.
Safety
Because safety is our number one concern we keep our proportion of instructors to campers low. Our ratio of one instructor to every eight campers ensures that we know what each camper is doing and where they are at all times. Our commitment to safety is further demonstrated by the fact that all Capital Camp instructors must be certified in First Aid and CPR along with having a current police check.
Inclusion
At Capital Camps inclusion not only means making sure that everyone participates but that every camper has the chance to excel. Not all campers are equal. Knowing this, our instructors work hard to ensure that everyone has a chance to excel in at least one activity during the week. Through various spirit activities like crazy hair day, water fights and intramural tournaments all campers regardless of their skill are given a chance to participate and shine.
Fun
Fun is a very important aspect at Capital Camps and is fostered through many different activities and events that kids of all ages and skill sets can enjoy including:
- Theme days
- Water fights
- Award certificates
- Amazing councilors
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Comfortable learning environment
- Positive surroundings
- Free t-shirts
- All you can eat lunches
Staff
Aaron Shaughnessy, the owner of Capital Camps, has been involved with summer camps in the Ottawa area since 1995. He grew up playing competitive tennis in Ottawa and finished his junior career ranked top 20 in Ontario. He wanted to share his knowledge and passion for the game through teaching tennis to individuals of all ages and ability. In 2000 Aaron opened his first tennis camp. Since then, he has continued to grow and foster his love for teaching and sports by creating the Capital Camps organization which now offers not only tennis but football and multi sport camps.
Aaron completed his undergrad degree at the University of Guelph in 2005. He completed a Masters in Education at the University of Potsdam in New York and is currently an elementary supply teacher for both the public and catholic school boards. He now lives in Centertown and when not teaching, he enjoys playing competitive tennis and participating on several recreational sports teams.
Tennis Camp Staff
This is Alex’s 9th year with tennis camp. His love of tennis and passion for teaching are very evident when you see his energetic and exciting lessons on a daily basis at camp. Alex’s main focus is to remain positive while creating a fun environment for everyone. He actively participates in tournaments with the QFTA (Queenswood Fallingbrook Tennis Academy) and last year was responsible for tournament organization and tennis court maintenance. Alex is relaxed and easy going and provides a comfortable learning style where children will feel free to try new things and improve their tennis game. Currently Alex is attending the University of Plattsburg on a baseball scholarship and hopes to one day become a gym teacher.
Aaron has been playing tennis since the age of 3 and has been coaching at various clubs in and around the Gold Coast, Australia for the past 11 years. He brings with him a very strong background in off-court conditioning and strength training. Aaron is excited for the coming summer as he found our winter a little cold and long compared to what he is used to.
Matt Kelly began playing tennis at age 6 and attended many different elite training centers during his junior career. Matt is a certified level 2 instructor and has been coaching at the camp for the last 5 summers. Matt is currently attending McGill University where he is very active on many different intramural sports teams. Matt played tennis and basketball for Asbury High School. Matt worked with the Ottawa Senators Children’s foundation and was an advertising manager at Clearford Corp before coming to TennisCamp.ca
Both Kim and Rachel are very athletic and have been playing tennis for more than ten years. They attended the camp for 9 years before beginning to LIT and now are going into their 3rd year as counselors. They both play competitive soccer and ski for their respective schools. They have their coaching certification for coaching tennis and for teaching skiing. They both enjoy coaching tennis because it combines two of their favorite things to do: working with kids and playing tennis. Kim and Rachel are currently attending Sir Wilfred Laurier High School and are excited for the summer tennis season to start.
Bobby has been playing tennis for over ten years now. He is a member of Ashbury College's competitive senior tennis team that placed first in East Ottawa during this year's regular season. He does community service with the United Way. This year he also competed in the World Public Speaking Championship in Germany with thirteen others on behalf of Canada. He placed ninth in the Persuasive Speaking category. This is Bobby’s third summer at tennis camp as a counselor and priror to being hired Bobby LITed at the camp for 2 years.
Football Camp Staff - The Coaches
Mike is an ten year football veteran who has played various levels of football with a number of organizations including; the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA), the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic District School Board (OCCDSB) and the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). Mike is a three time NCAFA Eastern All-Star and a two time OCCDSB Eastern All-Star.
His passion for the sport has earned him various athletic and leadership awards, most notably the Orleans Online Outstanding Youth Award, for his significant contribution to the football community as a player and coach. He has also been given multiple defensive player and coaching awards, based for his performance with the Cumberland Panther Football Club. Mike’s dedication for football and pleasure of teaching has motivated him to continue coaching football and sharing his remarkable skills within the Capital Camps organization.
Shawn received a full athletic scholarship to a four-year division 1 AA university, Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina. Following his university career, Shawn played professional football in the Canadian Football League for 8 seasons finishing his career with the Toronto Argos. In addition to being a strength coach Shawn also spends much of this time volunteer coaching many different football teams and sports throughout the Ottawa region. Shawn is a certified teacher and currently is supply teaching in New York State.
Brian has played competitive football both tackle and touch for over 25 years. He led 3 Pembroke area Ottawa valley teams to championships as quarterback. Currently Brian teaches grade 6 with the Ottawa Valley School board. Brain lives in Pembroke where he coaches his two son’s football and hockey teams.
Scott played four seasons with Queens University after a highly successful high school football career at Bayridge Secondary School. In 2007 Scott rushed for a total of 428 yards in 8 games. As one of the top players from the CIAU Scott attended the East-West Bowl at Laval University. In the 2009 season he led the CIAU in rushing yards and was a key factor in Queens winning the 2009 Vanier Cup. Scott has been drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats and is looking forward to the 2010 season.
Multi Sports Staff
Phil has passionately participated in wide variety of recreational and competitive sports from a very young age. Over the years he has belonged to a number of athletic organizations, including: Frank Ryan baseball, Nepean Hotspurs soccer club, Queen’s University Intarmural rugby, Barrhaven Barbarians rugby club, and the Ottawa Sport and Social Club (playing ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, and softball). In addition, Phil has over 5 years of camp counselor experience with Camp Opemikon, Bell’s Corners Youth Initiative Program, and The Children’s Village of Ottawa-Carleton. Phil is a certified elementary teacher working in his third year as a supply teacher with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Tennis Camp L.I.T. Program - Leader In Training
Over the years Capital Camps has had thousands of campers take part in its programs and unfortunately many campers were not able to return because they had become too old. Fortunately Capital Camps has introduced a Leader In Training (LIT) program where 15 or 16 year olds can come back to camp and assists the instructors with the day to day operations. Many members of the LIT program use this as their community service for high school, or use it as a way to develop a good reference for that elusive first job.
The LIT program will run every week of the summer. To be eligible participants must have attended Capital Camps for a minimum of two weeks. If you or your child is interested in the program or would like more information please contact camp Director Aaron Shaughnessy at 613-276-4307