Summer Camp Staff

YEAR-ROUND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Richard Herman: Founder/ Executive Director
Richard founded Windsor Mountain in 1961 as a project in international living, and together with a dedicated team of adults and student alumni, developed Windsor Mountain into a worldwide experiential educational organization. Richard has his B.A. in History, University of Massachusetts; Scandinavian Seminar for Cultural Studies, the International School, Elsinore, Denmark; M.A. in Counseling and Education, Northeastern University; eight years teacher and guidance counselor, Sherborn-Dover, Newton, and Malden Schools (MA); ten years as Chairman of Windsor (NH) School Board; Board Member, Simon's Rock College, American Camping Association - New England Section, and the New Hampshire Children’s Alliance. Richard has personally directed the International Summer Camp, Job Training Programs and various Windsor Mountain Student Travel expeditions, as well as Friendship Camps in China and Israel. He served one term in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and was recently chosen to be a member of leadership New Hampshire. Richard's many other interests include, playing old-time 5 string banjo, singing, tennis, piloting small planes, building and constructing projects, along with dreaming up new Windsor Mountain programs for the next year.

Sarah Herman: Director
Sarah is a lifetime alumni of Windsor Mountain beginning as a camper, then as an LIT, Windsor Mountain Student Travel participant and leader, and ISC staff member. She received a degree in Spanish from the University of New Hampshire, spent semesters studying at Universities in Puerto Rico and in Chile, and then traveled extensively in Cuba, Bolivia and Peru. After completing her Masters degree in Elementary Education at Bank Street College, while teaching Bi-lingual Elementary and Spanish in New York City public schools, Sarah is back at Windsor Mountain full time. With support from a stellar team, she directs Windsor Mountain Student Travel and the International Summer Camp based in New Hampshire. (International Summer Camp '91-'97 Cuba Exchange '02-'03, Travel Program Manager '04, '05, Organizational Director '06, '07.)

Danny English, Summer Camp Co- Director
2008 will be Danny’s third summer as Assistant Summer Camp Director. A veteran Windsor Mountain staff member, Danny came to us from England in 2001. Previous to being Assistant Director Danny has taken on the roles of Cabin Counselor, Sports Department Head, and Cabin Coordinator. Danny has always had an interest in sports and health and maintains a small personal training business in England. A lover of the outdoors and challenges, you can often find Danny out long distance running, hiking, biking or kicking a soccer ball around the sports field. Danny has enjoyed travelling across North America, Asia, Australia and Europe; yet Windsor Mountain remains the one place he regards as his home away from home.

Deidre Tobey: Summer Camp Assistant Director
B.A. Psychology, Keene State College, Specialization in Personality and Social Psychology, Minor in Management.
Although her name is Deidre, some people call her Dreidee, Didere or even Dre. She answers to anything close to her name, and if you want to keep it simple you can just call her D. After coming through another long winter up here at Windsor Mountain. she is ecstatic at the arrival of other life forms so call her what you like she's just happy to see you! She is a country girl at heart; she grew up in South China...............Maine! She enjoys swimming, running, country music, watching trash TV, anything sweet, chocolate and peanut butter. She recently adopted a stray dog who is very energetic and keeps her on her toes. If you can't find Deidre in the office this summer she's probably swimming the triangle to prepare for her second relay triathlon in the fall. This summer Deidre is mostly looking forward to the second leg of capture the flag! Here's to a fun summer!

Neesa Young, Camp Administrator
Neesa (who during the rest of the year goes by Sarah) recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. She has moved to New York and is loving the northeast! She is taking some time off to work and travel before entering Law School in Fall 2010. This is her first year working full time for Windsor Mountain, but her fourth summer  working at camp. Windsor Mountain office work, her new kitten Baker, and learning to ski are all keeping her busy. She can’t wait for another summer of camp fun and swimming in Black Pond!

Renee Blinn, Marketing Director
Renee first came to Windsor Mountain in 1975, and worked in various capacities year round as gopher, camp counselor, dance teacher, office staff and head chef.  She then spent several years traveling with her husband and two children with the State Department, working in Mali, Turkey and Toronto, before returning to New Hampshire, where she worked as Administrative Director at Andy’s Summer Playhouse, a youth-based summer theatre, and at the Moving Company Dance Center, as dance instructor, choreographer and production manager.  Renee learned graphic design while serving as Artistic Director of Northern Lights Dance Theatre, and, now retired from dance, she has brought her graphic design and office management skills back to Windsor Mountain.

Pam Butler, Financial Manager
A graduate of the Thomas Secretarial School, Pam came to Windsor Mountain in 1978. The mother of three daughters and the grandmother of Ayden, Pam does an excellent job balancing family life and the Windsor Mountain budget. She oversees the student enrollment process among many other things

Bob Cleland, Maintenance Director
Bob keeps camp in one piece.  If something is broken he is your go-to person.  Over the years he has left his mark on camp.  Most recently he built the beautiful post and beam camp store (built in 2007) from wood he harvested and milled straight from the Windsor Mountain campus.  When he’s not at camp he enjoys hiking – we can’t count the number of peaks he summitted this past winter!

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Below is a sampling of our 2008 summer camp staff:

ART DEPARTMENT

Ciara Spankie ~ Prestwick, Scotland
Ciara is a bubbly 21 year old from a small town called Prestwick, on the West coast of bonnie Scotland. She currently studies Business and Marketing at Glasgow Caledonian University and has just finished her third year. She hopes to start up her own advertising business when she graduates. Her passions include art and design, playing her violin, trampolines, and of course shopping!

Scott "Stick" Martin ~ South Africa
After recently returning from a rafting expedition (as team photographer) on the source of the Amazon in Peru, Scott has decided it is time to touch base with home, Windsor Mountain. His fourth year at Windsor Mountain he'll be returning to teach photography and videography while capturing images for Windsor Mountain. Scott has an addiction for travel, meeting new people and places, his camera, white water kayaking and pizza! He works as a photographer/videographer as well as a raft guide for one of the country's most respected companies, Gravity Adventures. He makes the outdoors his office while he's not editing. His other major passion in life is white water kayaking. Scott is sad to leave his border collie, "Stitch" at home but is very excited about the summer ahead, swims in the lakes, the rope swing, KP, ice cream, Jackie's cooking and capture the flag.

Sheenia Thaxter Hanson ~ Jamaica
Sheenia has been coming to camp for many summers and is excited to join the community for the full summer.  She’ll be busy teaching art classes such as Batik as well as Jamaican dance classes.  When she’s not teaching classes you’ll find her spending time with her son Amri.

ROPES COURSE DEPARTMENT

Pranesh Manchaiah ~ India
Pranesh a.k.a “Prani” is from India. He has majored in History, Economics & Geography in college. He is an expert Rock Climber and has climbed faces of 7c French grade. He is also an expert lead climber in Artificial Sport Climbing, has represented India in Asian Championships and currently ranks as the third best climber in the country. He is also a qualified mountaineer. He is Trip leader certified from NOLS India, WFR certified and qualified in water sports specializing in windsurfing and sailing. He has been working in experiential education camps for kids from the past 7 years.. Prani’s other interests also include mountain biking,, running marathons and setting up Rope Courses. If you have fear of heights you are talking to the right person to manage the fear.

Hannah Kast ~ Medway, MA
Hannah is a senior at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., majoring in international studies and psychology. Over the past year, she has lived in South Africa, Maine, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts and Tanzania, and is excited to call New Hampshire home this summer! Born and raised in the Boston area she is a HUGE Red Sox and Patriots fan, and has happily recruited many new Boston fans from all over the world. Among her other loves are figure skating, country music, organic food stores, the ocean, coffee, cheesy quotes, pigs, and the movie Rudy. Hannah is happy to leave her summers of waitressing behind and join the Windsor Mountain community- embarking on a summer job that includes her favorite things; meeting new people, playing outside and having a great time!

Sagar Haria ~ India
Sagar is an ardent sports lover who is also very involved in outdoor activities. He worked at Windsor Mountain last summer as part of the sports dept. After finishing his 12th grade, Sagar chose to continue his education through correspondence, so he could even work as a Customer Care Representative in a BPO and gain experience. Then he joined his brother at Wild Escapes, an adventure travel company in Mumbai. He has been working as an outdoor leader for 3 yrs now in his brother's company and has also recently completed a Basic Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. He also works as a supervisor on part time basis for an event management company, Different Strokes, which offers a lot of creative and educational workshops for children. Sagar loves soccer and plays for a club in Mumbai which was recently crowned the champions of the 4th Division League in Mumbai. Having an apparent knack for any form of sport, Sagar excels and is involved in a lot of sporting activities. He even has a Junior black belt degree in Karate. An extrovert by nature, Sagar likes meeting new people and has a very cheerful attitude towards life’s progress.

Anagha ~ Bangalore, India
Anagha (tough name to remember, call her Ana) is an Environmental Engineer who worked for Singapore Airlines for 5 years as Cabin Crew and left it all for the pleasures of working in the outdoors.  Skydiving has been the most adventurous thing she has done till now, but she can’t bring herself to bungee jump!  You most certainly can find her gardening, singing, strumming on the guitar or reading a book in her spare time. 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Ryan Murfield ~ Brookings, SD
Ryan returns for his second summer at camp to take on the role of Music Department head.   He likes to play music and you’re likely to see him picking his banjo throughout the summer.  He also enjoys scrambled eggs and Christmas. 

De’John Scott ~ New Orleans, LA
Both campers and staff renamed De’John as “D.J” last summer. This change in name has caused him to make a break for the tent unit this year in hopes of finding his original name. Last year he was an assistant to Ms. Jackie and Andre in the kitchen and hopes he can still smell the coconut rice cooking from afar. Don’t worry though because he’ll be right upstairs most of the time as a teacher in the music department this summer. When D.J isn’t making music or food he’s probably skateboarding, doing stand up (sit down) mixed with freestyle hip hop. He can’t wait to see what happens this summer and afterwards since he’ll be becoming a New England resident to attend culinary school in Nashua and Switzerland!

Maroghini ~ Kingston, Jamaica
Maroghini has been a member of the Windsor Mountain family for a number of years.  Each summer he looks forward to sharing her love for music with the campers and graces the community with his amazing drumming talents.  His drum circles are much anticipated activities throughout the summer.  Maroghini looks forward to joining us for another summer along with his wife Sheenia and son Amri.

Max Mor ~ Seekonk, MA
Max’s first summer on staff had him fulfilling one of the most difficult duties at camp – KP King.  He was on KP breakfast, lunch and dinner, and didn’t let it phase him.  This summer he will lend advice to the new KP King, but will spend the majority of his time in the cabins and music department.  He couldn’t be more excited to be back at camp!

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

Cindy Hartigan ~ Chicago, IL
Cindy Hartigan is an actor from Chicago, IL with a degree in Musical Theatre from North Central College.  She has been performing since the ripe old age of three and has been teaching in her field for almost 12 yrs.  During the school year Cindy teaches at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville, IL and choreographs for locals theatre groups.  She is a member of the Epic Theatre Company that is based in Naperville, and has been invited to join them again in the Fall! 

Ben Goldsmith ~ Oberlin, Ohio                 
Ben has been going to Windsor Mountain since he was pretty much zero years old. If he could have any superpower, he would have the ability to make thunder ominously crackle in the distance whenever he wanted, so people would take things he said extremely seriously. One of his goals in life is to learn every instrument under the sun, and his next one to tackle is the Theremin. Sometimes he acts and sings, but doesn't dance. You can ask him any question there is to ask about pop culture, but he won't know the answer. Ben is looking forward to an awesome summer! (The thunder would probably go in right here.)

Ben Okin ~ Briarcliff Manor, NY
Ben Okin has been involved with Windsor Mountain for a number of years. He attended as a camper for four years before becoming an LIT in his fifth year. He remembers how awesome all of his counselors were when he was a camper and is so psyched to be a part of the process this year. Ben has had extensive experience in caring for children while working for a child psychologist for five years and loves to be around children. Ben attended a circus camp when he was younger and looks forward to teaching kids how to juggle, use a diabolo, and be a clown.

SPORTS DEPARTMENT

Katari Key ~ St. Louis, Missouri
Katari is returning for her third year on staff.  She spent her first summer in the office and transferred outside to the sports department in ’07.  She is excited to lead the sports department this summer and don’t be surprised if she leads the campers again in the Camper-Counselor 4th of July softball game!

Dan Fleming ~ Cheshire, UK
Dan is a tall, talkative, enthusiastic, energetic, easy-going, half Australian, half British, 3rd year Graphic & Communications Design student (from the University of Leeds) who loves talking, joking, laughing, juggling, connect-4, crab soccer, airports, summertime, sport, creativity, wacky ideas, random acts of kindness, staring contests, magic eye books, memories, souvenirs, the color yellow, ultimate frisbee, walking instead of driving, running instead of walking, blogging, inventing new words, teamwork, live music, meeting new people, making new friends, BBQs, fancy dress, crazy cool handshakes, high 5’s and water fights.

Tom Johnston ~ Leeds/York, UK
Tom has just graduated with a sports degree from Leeds Metropolitan University and can't wait to get back for his second year at Windsor Mountain! Back home, he can either be found hitting a few balls on one of his Uni's 18 Tennis Courts or practicing his 'David Beckham free kicks' on the Football pitches! He has just left a busy sporting life behind him, where he was a professional at the racket sport centre and player/coach for the University soccer team where Tom and his team were crowned British University Champions.

Wiebe Lammertink ~ Holland
This will be Wiebe’s second year at Windsor Mountain. He came back because HE LOVES IT SOOO MUCH!! In Holland, his home country, he received an exciting offer to play basketball in the first league which he accepted and is pursuing after camp. He is also starting his studies in Holland which he is equally excited about.

Kristin White ~ Palmyra, ME
Kristin spent her first full summer at camp as an interpreter for the ASL program.  She returns this summer to be a Dorm counselor and a member of the sports department first session.  When the ASL program returns in August she will shift back to her former role as an interpreter. 

WATERFRONT DEPARTMENT

Ashley Eldredge-Martin ~ Haverford, PA
Ashley is a 2007 graduate of Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry and minors in chemistry and religious studies. She spent the past year working as a research associate at Haverford College. When not hovering over a microscope or making potions, she is likely out in the woods with her sheepdog, Wicket, riding horses, swimming in any possible body of water (sometimes with her horse!), or lounging by the lake reading a good book. She's been a competitive swimmer for as long as she can remember, LOVES to teach and coach swimming to students of all ages and grew up spending every summer at a small lake in a county of rural Pennsylvania that has more dairy cows than people living in it.

Travis Rubury ~ Connecticut
Travis can't wait for the summer because he hopes to answer the many questions that have been running through his head throughout the year.  He wants to figure out a way to jump over the moon and complete other quests that he has found in nursery rhymes. Is there a way for Humpty Dumpty to not break or can one grow a beanstalk that reaches the clouds? Besides reading nursery rhymes, Travis has completed his junior year at Bard College where he is majoring in photography. He has been working as a BBQ chef and can't wait to learn different BBQ styles from the international staff. He spent his winter traveling around the United States snowboarding and can't wait for kayak and climbing season to begin. Travis has been on a strict training for gatorball and has hung a rope in his room to practice new rope swing tricks.

Laura Martin ~ Warrenton, VA
Laura is a lover and advocate of Washington D.C. but attends school in upstate New York at Hobart and William Smith Colleges studying International Relations, French and African Studies.  When she is not intensely studying about other cultures, she enjoys living, traveling and eating her way through numerous continents with a travel bug that is simply incurable.  Certain addictions she has picked up, from New York Cheesecake to Japanese Sushi, are life long loves.  She enjoys being chatty and friendly, characteristics that come from her mid-western roots. 

Yorick Teeuwen ~ The Netherlands
Yorick will split his time at camp between the waterfront and in the office.  When in the office he will be solving tech related issues, so if the printer isn’t working in the Yurt or you can’t get online, he’s your man!

GREEN TEAM DEPARTMENT

Megan Browning ~ New York, NY
Megan is an environmental studies major at Colby College in Maine. Although she loves the snow, she escaped the cold for the month of January this year with some fellow Colby kids to teach at a primary school in Kalimpong, India. Megan loves snowboarding, swimming, baking, learning ASL and playing guitar, and is skilled at wiggling her ears.

Charlotte Rafaluk ~ United Kingdom
Charlotte is from Leicestershire which is right in the middle of England. She is just finishing her first year at the University of Sheffield studying animal behavior (essentially zoology). She is animal mad and has lots of pets at home including rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens. Last year she went to South Africa for a month to work at a wildlife rehab centre which was an absolutely amazing experience. Charlotte loves sunny days, fan heaters and chocolate.

Livingstone Bukeka ~ Uganda
Mpagi Livingstone Bukeka is from Uganda - the Pearl of Africa. He is a freelance photojournalist, a plumber, a farmer and currently taking a diploma course in Tourism and Business studies. With his interest in working with children he started his own children's centre which is called Bukeka Children's Centre. The centre has a population of 170 children all from very poor backgrounds and many of whom are orphans.  He is a scout leader and has helped organize and run scout camps many times. He is also a red cross volunteer where he helps with  disaster preparedness and response. He speaks Luganda, Swahili and English, and enjoys African drumming.

TRIPPING DEPARTMENT

Kuttappa.B.C (Kuttss) ~ India
Kuttss was last seen in camp under the Deck looking for his lost shoe and later was completely surprised to see his lost shoe sitting at his doorstep when he went back to India. He was so baffled and intrigued by the mystery of his lost and found shoe that he came back for his second summer in the bubble. His main role at camp this summer will be to head up the wilderness tripping department offering investigation lessons on wilderness and purple lilacs to the campers.  And, of course, in his spare time he will continue to look for answers of the mysterious lost and found shoe!

Leah Boch ~ Providence, RI
Leah is finishing her third year at Harvard by studying abroad in Brazil, where she is exploring the Brazilian Amazon and learning Portuguese, while hoping not to run into any snakes or forget her Spanish.  When she is not traveling around Latin America eating lots of rice and beans and dancing Forro, Bregga and Salsa, she can be found chasing Frisbees, climbing mountains or sewing her latest clothing design. 

ESL/ELL

Vanessa Cooper ~ Houston, TX
Vanessa is a native Texan, currently a Spanish student at the University of Texas at Austin. She loves traveling and has studied abroad in Spain, but has never been to the northeastern U.S.! She is crazy about soccer and loves cheering on her favorite team from England, Chelsea F.C. Vanessa bursts into song randomly, invents food, and takes too many pictures.

PROGRAMMING/OFFICE

Emma Grogan ~  England
Emma is joining Windsor Mountain this year for her first summer. Having spent many years traveling around the world to escape the cold and dreary climate of her homeland England, Emma has lived and worked in Spain as an English teacher, skydived in New Zealand, taken extended trips around Australia where she snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef and made Didgeridoos with the local Aborigines in Alice Springs. She has traveled extensively to Hong Kong, South East Asia, South Africa, and most recently backpacked her way across Canada. Emma has a great sense of humor and due to this she seems to attract the attention of many “nick names”, including ‘Garlic Grogan,” “The Bag Lady,” and “Groggy!” An avid photographer Emma always has her camera with her seeking out the perfect picture. Along with backpacking and traveling Emma is also a huge fan of food, in particular good cheese and bratwurst sausage!

Claire Bulger ~ New York, NY
Claire is a rising sophomore at Harvard University, where she plans to major in history. She was an enthusiastic camper at Windsor Mountain for 4 years, then continued on to become an LIT and LIA. As an LIA, she worked with children in Bequia and learned a lot about leadership and culture. Speaking of culture, Claire is very knowledgeable about all things popular culture and can recite facts at the drop of a hat. She loves reading, roller coasters, and bubble tea.

KITCHEN

Jackie Hibber ~ Jamaica
Jackie, in her 7th year at camp, is the Head Cook this summer and looks forward to cooking her famous Jamaican Jerk Chicken for all of the staff and campers to enjoy.  Jackie loves kids, loves to dance and can’t wait for the Disco!

Nora Kiss ~ Hungary
Nora is returning to the kitchen for the second summer in a row.  She is excited to be back at camp and you’re sure to catch some of her contagious energy as you go through the meal line.

Aydeniz Gursoy ~ Turkey
Aydeniz is a senior at Akdenra University where he is pursuing a degree in Travel Management.  He is excited to return to camp for the second summer.  He likes playing football, reading books, and going to movies in his spare time.

MAINTENANCE

Tom Bryan ~ NH
Tom has filled almost every summer staff role possible at Windsor Mountain.  He began in the kitchen as a dishwasher and worked his way up to cook quickly.  He spent one summer as a tent unit counselor and this is his second summer on the maintenance team.  When Tom isn’t repairing campus you can find him listening to country music or playing cribbage in the meeting house.  He spends his summers at camp in New Hampshire, but as soon as the snow falls you’ll have to travel to Vermont to find him riding the trails.

Attila Galik ~ Hungary
This is Attila’s first summer at Windsor Mountain, but he is no stranger to American summer camps.  He spent last summer working at a camp in New York that enrolled 600 students and hired 150 staff!