About Us


Welcome to Open Door Development, a company that builds strong teams and healthy communities by providing personal and professional development opportunities. We believe in offering hands-on and experiential education, getting participants interacting with the course material as much as possible. We also believe in making training accessible and affordable by providing on-site services and online training options.

Our Objectives:


  • To see participants deeply connected in life-giving teams and communities
  • To be a company known for authenticity, frankness, and relevance in addressing real-life situations
  • To be a company known for its creative and engaging programming
  • To provide diverse growth opportunities through a variety of programs and workshops
  • To make program options available to people of all educational and financial backgrounds
  • To make program options accessible to populations both urban and rural


Lindsay Walton, Owner and Lead Facilitator


Lindsay is a graduate of Redeemer University College (2003) in Ancaster, Ontario. With a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and having minored in Sociology and Social Work, Lindsay is passionate about finding creative ways to bring people together in healthy community. People are meant to be connected with one another and get sick when they are isolated. Many physical, emotional, and social ills can be addressed when we work together as a larger team to move forward, rather than trying to operate as independent units.

Lindsay has extensive experience working with participants of all ages and backgrounds, ranging from recreational to at-risk to corporate groups, through her work with the Town of Milton, Boyne River Natural Science Center (Toronto Board of Education), and particularly through her positions as a Program Coordinator for Adventureworks, and the Outdoor Education Program Coordinator for Camp IAWAH, one of the largest outdoor education centers in Eastern Ontario.

Lindsay founded Open Door Development in 2008 in response to a need she saw in her local community for programming that would draw people together in teams and communities that could identify people's strengths and encourage them in their areas for growth. The company has continued to grow each year with new programming options and a growing team.


The Rest of Our Team


Open Door Development currently has a team of 15 staff spread from Ottawa to Kitchener in Ontario, Canada, and our team continues to grow! Our facilitators are professionals from a variety of backgrounds including Developmental Services, Adventure Tourism, Camping and Retreating, Paramedic Services, RCMP, and more. Each facilitator brings their own energy and flavor to the classroom, providing a high-quality training experience.


Our Clients


We are proud to serve the following organizations!
  • Algonquin College
  • Bark Lake Leadership Centre
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Carleton Place and District Youth Center
  • Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
  • Christian Horizons
  • City of Brampton
  • Civic Institute of Professional Personnel (CIPP)
  • Fulford Academy
  • Girls Inc.
  • Greenbelt Baptist Church
  • Kanata Community Church
  • Kingston Keys
  • Limestone District School Board
  • Local Union 221 Plumbers, Steamfitters and Welders
  • Ontario Camps Association
  • Ottawa Carleton District School Board
  • Renfew County District School Board
  • St. Lawrence College
  • Tim Hortons Children's Camps
  • University of Guelph
  • Upper Canada District School Board


What Our Clients Have To Say...


The instructor was a wonderful resource, very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher

This was the most informative course I have taken. There was so much attention to detail and a lot more information than other companies offer. I enjoyed learning why things happen, not just how to fix problems.

You made this training more than just a course that I needed to get. You made it a course/training I'm ready to use. Thank you.

[From a secretary who could overhear from the hallway] Who are you? I want to take one of your courses!

Your enthusiasm spilled over in to your audience. You made a very dry topic entertaining and enjoyable. I appreciated your down to earth comments and easily understood references to daily life situations. You were tactful and informative. Thanks!