Mike McDonell

President/Biggest Kid

As a kid Mike spent endless hours riding his big wheel, honing his kickball skills and perfecting the perfect mud pie for his sisters’ enjoyment. At age 11 he roller skated nine hours straight becoming the first kid to circumnavigate his block 930 times. In the summer of 1978 he was known as the Disco Kid. At age 12 he began a project to tunnel to China but stopped short because the Brady Bunch came on TV. And in 1994 he realized kids were missing out on a lot of cool stuff, so he created Kidventure.

Peggy McDonell

Owner/Consultant

Peggy is a Graduate of the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Education with Certification in Elementary and Special Education. As the Camp King’s favorite wife Peggy is involved in the KV Curriculum, Site Management, and Planning of Special Events. Peggy stays busy with her three kids (four including Mike). Her favorite thing to do is hang out with her family and friends.

Katie Novosad

Business Director

Katie is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a BBA in Information & Operations Management. Katie manages the business operations for Kidventure including Customer Service, Logistics, and Financial Management. She loves traveling and golfing with her husband, Heath, who just happens to be a longhorn, and she loves spending time with her cats Bevo & Cleo.

“Our #1 goal is to provide a safe, rewarding environment for your child.”

Michael Valka

Camps Coordinator

Michael graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Houston with a BA in General Studies, concentrations in Education and Theology. Michael comes to Kidventure after serving as Youth Minister and working with teens for 8 years. He married the love of his life and high school friend, Rachael in 2004. They now spend most of their time laughing and playing with their sons, John Michael and Matthew. Michael is also an avid musician, singer and songwriter.

“Kidventure is more than just a company, it’s about kids, it’s about family.”

Patrick Biron

Camps Coordinator

Patrick is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with a BA in Theology. He has been involved with Kidventure in some capacity since its inception in 1994, and is now serves as Captain of both the Dallas and Safari Overnight Camp Programs. He married his inspiration and the love of his life, Katy, in the summer of 2010, and their passion for Notre Dame football is both unwavering and heartbreaking. An avid outdoorist, Patrick enjoys rock climbing with Mike whenever he gets the chance. In his spare time he enjoys art, music, Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and Youth Ministry.

“The opportunity to positively influence a child is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities one can have. At Kidventure, this knowledge serves as the heart of everything that we do.”

Sarah Blasdell

Houston Office Manager

Sarah graduated from Franciscan University in 2007 with a BA in Religious Education. She soon after married her best friend, Michael Blasdell, who introduced her to Texas and Kidventure – two things she loves a lot! After working at summer camp for four summers, Sarah was ecstatic to “finally” join the year-round team in the Fall of 2010. She does a little bit of everything here at the office, from Customer Service to serving on our elite brainstorming team to getting people to laugh during a long day. Sarah loves weiner dogs (well really all dogs),swimming, and cooking, as well as laughing until she can hardly breathe.

“KV for life.”

Ryan Isbrecht

Ryan was born in Houston and raised in a small rural town in the southwest corner of Michigan (the lower left palm to be precise, because people from Michigan actually really enjoy using their hand as a map when applicable). Ryan has always had an artful eye and his creativity led him to obtain a degree in graphic design from South West Michigan College, before heading to the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a bachelor’s degree in photography with a minor in art history. With time Ryan found that participating in art is enjoyable whereas teaching art is fulfilling. When he isn’t directing the after school program at Kidventure, he is spending his time with his fiancée traveling and attending as many Astros games a reasonable human being can endure. On top of that he greatly enjoys the outdoors, is an avid movie trivia buff as well as a board games fanatic. He could easily be the biggest kid at Kidventure, seriously he is six foot seven.