About

Our Mission

To develop and operate an accessible, innovative, and inclusive facility for children and young adults with medical conditions, who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend camp.

Our Vision

Provide memorable experiences that empower campers of all abilities to participate, develop life-long skills, create lasting friendships, build independence, and have fun.

Our Vision

Provide memorable experiences that empower campers of all abilities to participate, develop life-long skills, create lasting friendships, build independence, and have fun.

Values

In fulfilling our Mission and Vision, Zajac Ranch for Children is guided by the following Values:

RESPECT and appreciation for the value and diversity we each represent

INCLUSIVE opportunities that welcome all participants regardless of ability

EMPOWER through opportunities

COMPASSION empathy and concern for the well-being of others

INTEGRITY and consideration for one another

EMBRACE the possibilities

EXPERIENCE the thrill of participating

Leadership & Staff

Ranch & Foundation Staff

Mel Zajac, Chairman

Mel’s present project, The Zajac Ranch for Children, is his most ambitious project yet. Mel’s drive, determination and devotion to his dream of creating a camp for children who otherwise would never have the opportunity to go to camp has become a reality. View a complete biography of Mel Zajac.

Graham George, CPA, CGA, Controller

Graham earned his accounting designation in 2008. Upon completing his academic goals, Graham volunteered for many events and finance-related positions in the non-profit sector in his spare time. He jumped at the opportunity to gain employment in a charity in 2015 and has enjoyed working in the sector ever since. Graham enjoys working with the Zajac Ranch because of the positive and inspirational experiences that children have at the Ranch. Aside from accounting, Graham enjoys the outdoors and regularly competes in running races (10km to full marathons).

Justin Mercier, Sales & Registration Coordinator

Justin grew up on a Ranch in Kamloops B.C. and moved to Vancouver in 2016. He has a background in Hospitality and has many years of experience coaching horseback riding for children. He spent his childhood volunteering at a therapeutic riding club and has always dreamed of working in the non-profit sector.

Carmen Zajac, President

Carmen Zajac began her career in the hospitality industry at the Pacific Palisades Hotel. She went on to the realm of commercial real estate and property management and moved to Arizona, where she attained her Real Estate License as well as her Commercial Pilot’s License.

In 1986 and 1987, Carmen’s two brothers, Mel Jr. and Marty, tragically passed away in separate sporting accidents. To honour their memories and create a family legacy of caring in our province her father, Mel Zajac Sr., founded the Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation. The Zajac Foundation is committed to supporting seniors, children, and persons with special needs through innovative community projects focused on developing life long skills and independence.

For over 20 years, Carmen has served as the President of the Zajac Foundation. She works closely with her father in the management of their various community initiatives, such as the Zajac Norgate House and the Zajac Ranch for Children. Part of Carmen’s role as President is to meet with government officials, voluntary health organizations, corporations and service groups to ensure the development of the Zajac Ranch, which provides a unique camping opportunity for children with life threatening and chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Carmen lives in North Vancouver with her husband and two sons.

Alicia Harder, Development Coordinator

Alicia grew up in Saskatchewan, and began her administration career working in property management, and then moving to work with the Government of Saskatchewan in various fields. She moved to Vancouver in 2019 and worked in a church setting, before moving to Zajac. Alicia has always wanted to work in a position where what she does makes a difference, and with Zajac, she has found that. Outside of work, Alicia enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and cat, and hiking.

Mark Wilkins, Camp Director

Mark went to College for Child and Youth Work. Mark began working with kids in the pools teaching swimming lessons and being a lifeguard and began to work at a summer camp in Ontario every summer during his college career. Mark fell in love with camp and what camp represented, that he took his skills doing a summer camp exchange in Cuba, where he taught how summer camp is ran in Canada. He has as well worked in China, and worked on Cruise Ships working for camps on board. Mark has been working for the School Board in Ontario working with many students with medical and developmental diagnosis, and with schools being closed during the summer, Mark would be working for many different summer camps all over Ontario in leadership positions. Mark is very excited to be part of Zajac Ranch for Children, and to help show what summer camp is all about.

Zajac Ranch Society Board of Directors

Matt Carver, Student

Tom Wong (Chairman, Treasurer), TCW Associates Ltd. (Director since June 2018)

Sheila Smith, Retired Administrator

The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation Board of Directors

Mel Zajac (Chairman) – Founder, The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation (Director since June 1997)

Corinne Zajac – Corinne Zajac & Associates

Jeffrey Uppal – President & Founder, Velox Partnerships (Director since 2014)

Howard A. Blank – President & CEO, Point Blank Entertainment (Director since 2018)

Tom Wong – TCW Associates Ltd. (Director since 2012)

Rick Bourne – President, Langara Fishing Adventures (Director since 2019)

Bradley Scharfe – President, Co-Chairman & CEO, Scharfe Group of Companies (Director since 2019)

Wendy Hartley – Principal, Hartley PR (Director since 2019)

Gino Crudo – Owner & Operator, Paramount Projects General Contractors

Stephen Jagger – Co-Founder, addy Technology Corp.

Alexandria Lee – General Manager, Cactus Club Cafe

Lisa Williamson – Marketing & Communications Manager, Canadian Association of Public Schools – International

The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation Advisory Board

David Aisenstat – President & CEO, Keg Restaurants Ltd.

John Devita – President, CT Control Temp

Honourable John Reynolds, P.C. – Senior Strategic Advisor, McMillan LLP

Careers

At Zajac Ranch for Children we work hard to ensuring hundreds of children with long term medical conditions and disabilities can come to camp each summer. We share a passion for helping children and take pride in our work inspiring others within our community.

Current Positions:

Camp Director

Nursing Director

Development Officer (Position Filled)

Additional Resources:

Find more information about Volunteering at the Ranch
Learn more about our Summer Staff opportunities