Mitch is celebrating his 36th year as Director; as current families and alumni will tell you, Towanda is Mitch’s year-round passion.
Mitch started sleep-away camp at the age of seven. Graduated from Syracuse University (Newhouse); has been a DJ (still spins the classic rock over the camp PA!), was a writer, reporter and producer for WPIX-TV News and INN News in New York before switching gears and returning to camping.
Mitch is the former President of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education), National Trustee for The Foundation Fighting Blindness, Board Emeritus of L.O.V.E. (Leave Out Violence) and former Board Member of the American Camp Association (ACA), ACA Camp Ambassador, a committee chairman of Wayne County Camp Association, Chairman of SCOPE Benefit Dinner and involved with Project: Morry’s Camp Swim-A-Thon.
“Mendy” grew up in camping, as a camper, then counselor to year-round administration, programming, staff recruitment and behind-the-scenes operations. During the summer Mendy runs the day-to-day operations, oversees all activities and staff, and can be seen reffing a basketball game or even performing on stage.
Alana, along with her sisters and cousins, grew up at Towanda as a camper and counselor. Alana, who has a master’s in speech-language pathology, was a former president of Camp Towanda (as were her sisters!).
Mendy and Alana work side by side with Mitch ensuring all of the Senior Staff, Counselors, Campers, Parents, and Alumni are supported.
It starts at the top and trickles down to everyone else. We have a lot of Senior adult Staff. They make up the supervisory level that manages and oversees the college aged bunk staff, those living with your children. The important attribute is that these leaders effectively connect and build trust with their campers and staff.
Below is a brief look at some of our key staff members. Not everyone is listed, as this list can go on for quite a bit, as we have many terrific staff members that we are very proud of.
Over 50 years at Camp Towanda, Bob started as a young camper, met his wife here, his sons were raised at camp and his mother-in-law was the former girls’ head counselor! Everyone looks up to Bob for leadership and some good sports trivia. Tradition runs through his blood! Bob is a teacher in the New York City school system.
Amy is part of a 4th generation Towanda family spanning over 40 years. Amy started off as one of the youngest campers and has gone through all the ranks. Amy knows Towanda. Amy knows Girls’ Camp. Amy knows a lot about spirit, leadership and empowerment, too! And all the girls love her! She is highly respected by the campers and the staff, while her enthusiasm and zest are contagious. She lives in Florida; her 2 daughters have grown up at camp and are now counselors.
Fun, connected and loved. Lisa and Michael met at Towanda and are raising their 4 kids at camp; combined, they have over 40 Towanda years of leadership and friendship experience! Lisa is a middle school science teacher. Michael is a high school Health Science teacher, certified athletic trainer and EMT.
“Charney” leads and supervises many areas of campus, helping boys camp thrive and become independent, happy campers! There’s no challenge that Charney isn’t ready for. Jason is a high school science teacher and soccer coach. He is also the father of 1 camper and 3 counselors!
Lauren grew up at Camp Towanda (camper, counselor, general) and is now a passionate alumni and camp parent. Lauren works for camp year-round as our Chief of Staff and Parent Liaison, keeping us all on our toes and the best in our field while communicating and appropriately getting the word of Towanda out there. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids, who are also campers and staff!
With the insight of a concerned parent and the experience of being on our Senior Staff, Shari’s spirit, knowledge of camp, approachability and stamina make her a great New Family Liaison. Kids, staff and parents love her. Those who plan to visit our camp in action will speak with “Tour Shari”, who will help with directions, lodging, and all the coordination. You don’t have to worry about anything! She adds comforting Camp Towanda perspective and wisdom.
Originally a counselor and group leader, Christy has returned to camp with her daughters as our amazing Camp Office Administrator. Christy brings love and calmness as well as very positive energy to our team year-round.
Also a former Towanda camper and counselor, Jen coordinates and manages our Nurses, EMT and Physicians at our Health Center. A mom of a camper and counselor herself, Jen comforts, communicates and exceeds parents’ expectations. She is also the mom of a camper and counselor and provides TLC to all who visit the infirmary.
As a parent herself and a former Group Leader to the youngest girls, Melissa’s natural motherly love provides comfort to her campers and confident leadership skills to her counselors. She sets the bar for fun, participation and friendships! She is also the mom of the “Pommy brothers”, who are campers and counselors.
As a terrific mom of two campers, Camp Mom Kari is also our go-to “Food Mom”, helping campers with food allergies (and overseeing our special dietary kitchen galley), sensitivities and concerns, navigating their choices at camp, while keeping them safe.
Camp Mom Ro (CMRo) keeps boys camp clean, organized and feeling loved, providing a mom’s touch and guidance wherever needed. From making sure the boys have their gear at activities to trimming their nails, Rochelle’s on mom duty for sure and also the mom to three awesome campers.
Deb is a school psychologist who coaches and consults our staff with guidance and tools to help properly care for our campers.
Assisting the Girls Head Counselors with a focus on Lower Camp, Abbie, who was a counselor at Towanda during her college years, returned as a mom herself!
The Batt Girl started at Towanda when she was a young Inter Girl and has worked her way up through the ranks over the years from camper, counselor, Olympic General to Group Leader. Jess jumps in wherever needed, be it with programming, special events, evening activities, our leadership program or even culinary classes! Her 2 kids enjoy the camper experience as well!
A 2nd generation Towanda-er, Ariel is our most highly spirited and athletic Group Leader! On the fields, in the bunk, or on stage, her infectious smile brings out the best “camp” from everyone! Ariel’s 2 children enjoy being 3rd generation, too!
In addition to managing the logistics of our operations behind the scenes, ASAP is our resident college advisor, tutoring our high school campers for ACT, SAT, mentoring for college essays, school and interview preparation and coordinating our staff-level bona fide paid internship program.
The day-to-day, evening activities, team practices and special events are coordinated through the “spreadsheet whiz” himself; not an easy task, but Bear, who met his wife, “Waterfront Aly” when they were both young college counselors here at Towanda, programs camp with clarity and ease. Both Aly & Bear enjoy Towanda with their 3 girls.
It takes someone only like Howie to coordinate and support the logistics behind the curtain while maintaining an active presence and involvement with everyone all around camp.
Yet another great family team; with over 40 years of combined sleep-away camp experience, Coach Lee is our Tournament Director; but it doesn’t stop there; with incredible and strong influences in all departments, especially soccer! Lee’s wife, Charlene, is our Drama Director, bringing expertise and entertainment to this popular department at Camp Towanda! The shows always go on! Both, are proud parents and wonderful examples of the quality, care and love of our Senior Staff.
A confident and organized manager, a qualified instructor, a safety guru and on top of her game all around. “Waterfront Aly” is the dictionary definition of who we would want running our waterfront program. The kids love her and the staff respects her. You will find her with a megaphone and a whistle at all times! WFA lives in Upstate New York with her husband Bear, who is our Program Director ( they met here at Towanda when they were both college-aged counselors) and three girls who are also campers.
Passion, stamina, integrity, accountability, experience, and professionalism are a few of the ingredients our Senior Staff brings to our program. Similar to all of our Department Heads, Tennis John, brings a fresh and energetic approach to our exciting USTA Tennis Program. John supervises and manages his tennis coaches and is “right there” on the courts with the campers helping develop and improve their individual skills. During the off-season, back in India, John coaches tennis year-round.
Everyone loves Mary, aka “MAC”, aka Mary Arts & Crafts! Mary and her talented crew foster creativity in the gigantic Art Barn from wooden working, ceramics, pottery, and glass fusion to an endless amount of projects for all ages.
Denver oversees and manages our coaches, inter and intra camp teams; Working closely with our programming, transportation and field maintenance departments. Denver takes his sports seriously with fun, encouragement and hands-on leadership.
Office Deb is the first voice you hear when you call camp. Deb’s warmth, wit, and can-do attitude make her an integral part of our office operation. In the winter, Deb lives in Honesdale with her pets.
As a camp of 2nd, 3rd and now 4th generations; tradition, legacy, spirit and on-going involvement is important to the Camp Towanda family. Our alums return each year for reunions, special events, guest judging and incredibly embellished recollections of the past! Our current campers enjoy hearing about Towanda lore. Spiz epitomizes the fact that everyone takes a little bit of Towanda with them, wherever they go.
MTP lives and loves every blade of grass on camp. It is his home year-round and he takes great pride in the maintenance, care and new projects and works closely with the W.O.C. team and Mitch.
“Z” is an experienced camp professional with over 40 years of handling every possible position (truly from bottle washer to chef). “Z” has been an ACA Camp Standards Accreditation Visitor for 35 years and has served the ACA as a Board member and Committee chair. In addition, “Z” leads the PA Camp Association as a government affairs liaison with the camping industry in PA. In regards to logistics, we have no problems at camp, we have “Z”.
