Matt Cromey started as a camper in Lower Camp in 1990. After his first summer, he knew that Camp Nominingue was going to be a major part of his life. Matt was at camp every summer from 1990 to 2014. In that time he was involved in everything at camp, from waterfront – teaching sailing, swimming and diving; to canoe tripping; in the craftshop; as director of junior counsellors and LITs; as driver; in property maintenance; and as director of program and personnel from 2010-2014.
Over his 25 years at camp, Matt has been involved in the implementation of a number of improvements to systems and programs around camp, including work on the instruction program, session structure, property management and Western Night.
In the summer of 2021, Matt returned to camp during the second session and family camp as craftshop director. He jumped at the chance to be back home again. He is now thrilled to return in a full-time capacity as assistant director.
Matt lives in Ottawa with his wife Julia, whom he met at camp, and their four wonderful children: Maddy, Aiden, Tiernan & Tommy. All three boys have attended or are currently attending Camp Nominingue in the summer. They are third-generation campers with their father, uncles, grandfather, and great-uncles all having attended Camp Nominingue over the years.
In his years away from Nominingue, Matt has developed a variety of skills and lived experiences that are invaluable for camp. He has formal education in hospitality, heritage carpentry, and psychology. His certifications include Emergency First Responder, First Aid Instructor, and Firefighter Seals. He has worked in residential construction, social services, the retail/service industry, facilities and operations management, and emergency response. For Matt, Camp Nominingue is a place where youth can learn, grow and make mistakes in a supportive and encouraging environment. It is a place where every individual can: “Rise free from care and seek adventure!”