Icelandic Camp
Profiles of this year’s leaders

For more than five decades, Icelandic Camp has been uniting young people of Icelandic descent, fostering a deep connection to their shared heritage. Throughout six enriching days, campers dive headfirst into Icelandic culture, engaging in language lessons, Viking crafts, and sagas. Through these immersive experiences, campers begin to cultivate a deeper appreciation for their Icelandic roots while forging lifelong friendships and reverence for the land and Lake Winnipeg. In the beginning, the idea of holding an annual camp for young people of Icelandic descent was a way to bring kids together from the local area. With help from Lorna Tergesen, Gunnvör Daníelsdóttir Asmundson, and several other women in the Gimli area, the Icelandic Language and Cultural Camp was born.

Camp CEO – Brad Hirst
Born in Hamiota, MB, Brad became very interested in his Icelandic roots at a young age after seeing pictures of his amma and afi’s trips to Iceland. At the age of 20, he began to casually learn the language online and then joined the Selkirk Brúin Chapter.

Encouraged by Laurence Johnson and many other influential Icelanders, he participated in the 2002 Snorri Program. This was the launching pad that sparked a lifetime decision to be involved in all things Icelandic. In 2003, Brad became involved in the Icelandic Cultural Children’s Camp and from there eventually took over management in 2008. In his 21st year with Icelandic Camp, Brad can say without a doubt that the camp and Snorri Program have changed his life and helped him become the person he is today.

Camp Director – Lucas Hamlin
I first attended Icelandic Camp when I was 13 with my good friend, Xander Bjornsson. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere of the camp and the joy of discovering and celebrating one’s heritage. From there, I became a junior counsellor, full counsellor, and now a camp organizer/head counsellor with the guidance of Brad Hirst. I briefly lived in Iceland as a child and my family, particularly my grandmother and late great-grandmother, always encouraged me to ask questions about our family’s past and understand what they went through in Manitoba’s “New Iceland.”

I was born in Winnipeg and live there still. My time is taken up by my job as an insurance broker for JEM Insurance, as well as a fencing coach for Lightning Fencing Club. When I’m not working or coaching, you can find me at my local gym, at home with my cats and lovely partner Deidre, or looking for the hot fishing bite on ice or in the boat. My other interests include basketball, cooking, and spending time at my cottage in Ontario.

Camp Director – Natalie Stefanson
Natalie Stefanson is a born and raised Winnipegger, currently getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre, specializing in acting, at York University. She is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Icelandic Camp team. Natalie grew up spending her summers at her cabin in Gimli every summer, being sure to always attend Íslendingadagurinn with her family.

As her afi (Dennis Stefanson) always used to say, “family is bedrock,” and the tightly woven ties she continues to have with her family prove that to be undoubtedly true. Culture has always been a strong value for Natalie; she loves increasing her knowledge about her Icelandic heritage and ancestors. Natalie has taught at Manitoba Theatre for Young People for just over two years, and her passion for working with youth continues to grow with each experience. She is very excited to be involved in Icelandic Camp 2025.

This year’s camp will be held at Camp Veselka, north of Gimli, from July 27 to August 1. More information and registration on icelandiccamp.com