Who we are
Experience, excellence & engagement define our team.
Steve Hamilton
Client Relations
Stephen is a highly motivated facilitation professional with extensive experience in mentoring and training staff in delivering high quality programs to clients. He has an exceptional ability to build and strengthen positive relationships with clients and was previously CEO, and owner, of Wild, Australia’s Wilderness Adventure Magazine and Rock, Australia’s Climbing Magazine.
He headed up Australian Camps Association Membership & Preferred Supplier procurement division and is also an accomplished climber and outdoor professional. Stephen established over 500 first ascents rock-climbing in Australia. He has also climbed major peaks in Europe, Northern Africa, North America and New Zealand.
🎯 Provider of Dad Jokes and Wisdom
Michelle French
Managing Director
Michelle along with Colin has been an integral part of KFA in the 19 years they have had the camp. Though she is still definitely 'camp mum' to all the crew, her day to day responsibilities mostly revolve around the 'Forest weddings' business.
🎯 Being surrounded by love is pretty much a daily requirement!
Maddy Bennett
Operations and Client Relations
With a qualification in Outdoor Education and life experience as a world traveller, Maddy is our go-to person for creating engaging learning environments. As Experience Manager at JDP, she masters the arts of communication, cross-team collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Alongside this role, Maddy group leads for World Challenge and leads journey programs for leading schools.
🎯 Full of energy and as sharp as a tack!
Colin French
Managing Director
Colin brings with him a wealth of experience in regional and global marketing for Fortune 100 companies. He co-established Journey Development Programs and Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp in 2005 and remarkably rebuilt it after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
🎯 Steering us toward outcome goals every single day
Acacia McLaren
Experience Manager
Acacias love for teaching and outdoor education started in high school which lead her to pursue a career in the field. With extensive experience working on Journey programs through her Bachelors degree in Outdoor leadership and traineeship with OEG she is dedicated to ensuring the promises we make to clients make it all the way through to reality. She actively communicates with the school and gathers all necessary information to ensure the smooth operation of the camp.
🎯 Fundamentally dynamic and incredibly efficient
Jye Tebble
Experience Manager
Jye's diverse background includes working in exercise science, software design, and tourism leading him to discover a passion for experiential education rooted in his love for learning and sharing the wonders of the natural world with others. Following a recent trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, Jye developed a greater appreciation of how important immersing ourselves in nature is for our wellbeing. He brings energy and commitment to all of our programs we facilitate at KFACamp
🎯 Detail-oriented and committed to student progress
