The Kidventure Team

Counselors and Directors

At the end of the day, we can have the best facilities, curriculum, and sports equipment in the world, but it all means nothing without a meaningful staff. Children don’t grow up remembering how many colors of crayons we had, how clean the restrooms were, or any other superficial part of camp. What they do remember is their counselors, and how they made them feel. So we surround every camper with positive role models that set them up for success. We create a positive environment where children can grow, learn, and have fun… we simply do this through summer camp. Our team is more than a group of individuals. They are teachers, students, coaches, friends, leaders, mentors, and role models. The greatest lessons taught at Kidventure Camps are the ones that last a lifetime.

Staff Qualification, Certifications and Trainings

All staff will meet or exceed the following requirements prior to the start of camp:

CPR / First Aid Certification for Infant, Child, and Adult
Must be an Adult, over the age of 18
Satisfactory Completion of State Approved Sexual Abuse Prevention Course
Must submit to and pass Full Criminal Background Check
Must submit to and pass Full Sex Offender Registry Check
Completion of Kidventure All-Staff Training
Completion of Kidventure On-Site Training
Completion of in Kidventure Special-Needs Training

Want to learn more about becoming a team member?

Founders and Management Staff

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.

Rachel Plympton

Director Special Programs

Rachel is a graduate of Texas State University with a BS in Sociology. She is continuing her education at the University of Houston to receive her Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis on leadership, administration and advocacy. Rachel heads up Kidventure’s Afterschool Camp called Finale and the various special events Kidventure does throughout the year. She brings tons of enthusiasm and experience to our year-round programs. When she is not at the schools or planning events she enjoys spending time with her friends, family and husband Chase.

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.”

Laura Hampton

Austin Office Manager

Laura graduated from the University of Texas in 2011, with a BA in Economics and minors in Business and Spanish. As the only unmarried KV-er, she spends an inordinate amount of time with her cat Lil Bit and is soulcrushingly good at cooking for one. When she can tear herself away from KV for long enough, she enjoys painting, crafting, emoting, growing many varieties of iris, altering thrift-store finds, going to places with people, and napping.