Meet the Staff

Ken has been Kabeyun’s director since 2010, following his years as a camper in the 1980s, a rock-climbing counselor in 2001, and six years as Assistant Director beginning in 2002. He has worked in various capacities as an experiential educator and facilitator over the past 30 years, including time as the Challenge Course Director for Sacramento State University, California, and as Director of Adventure Programs for The Clark Foundation in Cooperstown, New York. Ken holds a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Colgate University and serves as past-president of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association. He resides through the off-season in Durham, NH, with his wife, Roanne, and daughters, Nora and Quinn.

Eliot is entering his fourth summer as Assistant Director, and his third working for camp in a year-round capacity. It’s the next step in a Kabeyun journey that includes time as a Family Camper, camper, counseling intern, and counselor, in addition to being a second-generation member of our community. Before becoming Assistant Director, Eliot served as the Drama Intern (2007), a member and then Head of the Swimming department (2008-15), and Head of the Waterfront (2016-20). Holding a Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) certification allows him to stay connected to the waterfront by helping certify camp’s lifeguards before each summer. Eliot also is an Accreditation Visitor for the American Camp Association. Prior to working at camp full-time, Eliot spent five years teaching 9–12 year-olds at a Montessori school on the New Hampshire seacoast. He earned a BA and MA in History from American University.

Laura joined Kabeyun’s year-round staff in late 2018, following her sons’ first two years as campers. Camping is her second career – she draws on her 15+ years as a journalist and TV producer to create nearly all of Kabeyun’s communications, manage complex projects including fundraising and marketing, and support parents, campers, and staff throughout the summer. Laura plays competitive tennis and loves to mountain bike, paddle, hike, and cross-country ski. She first visited Kabeyun in 1999 with her future husband Jay, who was a camper, intern, and staff member. Laura graduated magna cum laude from Brown University.

Maria and her dog, Kieva, are back for their ninth summer at Kabeyun. She has stepped out of the pottery shack and into the role of resource counselor, where she’ll be supporting lower camp and the creative arts activities. A Missouri native, Maria enjoyed summer camp in Colorado growing up. Now, she lives in Vermont and teaches ceramics and design at a middle school in New Hampshire. She’s also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), as part of the NH Reprisal Chapter. Maria and Kieva are looking forward to supporting creative endeavors and playing fetch with tennis balls.

Chuck is a second-generation Kabeyun camper and veteran staff member, returning for his 20th summer. He first came to Kabeyun as a camper in the 1990s and returned in 2012, quickly finding his way back into the rhythm of camp life. Chuck has run the ropes course, taught sailing, and spent six memorable summers driving the ski boat, helping campers learn to wakeboard, wakesurf, and waterski. This summer, as head of the Waterfront, he brings his steady hand to the dock, ensuring campers feel safe, supported, and ready for adventure. Chuck recently relocated to New Hampshire, where he teaches social studies. Known as a skilled instructor with a gift for working with kids, Chuck is always ready with encouragement, patience, and the right mix of challenge and support to help campers grow. With decades of Kabeyun experience, Chuck is a trusted presence and a steady, supportive part of the community.

Sam loves the White Mountains: he leads rock-climbing trips for Kabeyun all summer and works as a Senior Guide at Northeast Mountaineering based in Glen, NH, the rest of the year. Born into a family of avid skiers and outdoors athletes in Harvard, MA, Sam has climbed, skied, and whitewater kayaked all over the United States, but he always looks forward coming home to the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont. After high school, he headed west to study Snow Science at Montana State University, which led him to pursue skiing and guiding as a profession. Sam spent the next several years in Utah and has taken on many guide training courses and certifications. This will be Sam’s 19th summer at Kabeyun and he cannot wait to add to the long list of memories made at this special place.

Jason will lead our counseling intern program and support staff across camp again in 2026. He first came to Kabeyun as a college student in 1992 and has returned periodically ever since. At Kabeyun, Jason has taught archery, nature, and woodshop, as well as led hiking and rock climbing trips. He directed the counseling intern program in 2006 and from 2022 to the present; in 2021, he served as a resource counselor supporting young staff members and helping camp run smoothly. In the off-season, Jason lives in Burlington, VT with his wife Kirsten, and teaches middle school kids about science.

The family camp chef since 2016, Mark returns for his fourth full Kabeyun summer since 2011 to run the kitchen! Having spent his childhood attending camp many decades ago with his older brother, Mark then assumed various counselor roles, by turns heading up drama, ropes course, rock climbing, and the intern program. Mark spends his winters in Crested Butte, Colorado, where he is the head freeride coach for a team serving local middle and high school aged kids. Mark will be found in the kitchen listening to the Grateful Dead, on the wakesurf boat as time allows, and exploring the White Mountains on his mountain bike. It’s always fun to get away from camp, even for an hour!

Katie has been at Kabeyun since 1996, serving first as a swimming counselor and head of swimming before taking the reins in what was then the infirmary as camp’s nurse. As a career healthcare professional, Katie was instrumental in transitioning Kabeyun’s entire approach to healthcare, and played a significant role in establishing the new Health Center in 2017. Beyond keeping campers and staff healthy during the summer months, she has worked in numerous hospitals as a cardiac ICU nurse, a labor and delivery nurse, a nurse manager, a Nurse Informationist, and an interventional radiology nurse. Her unique blend of professional training and experience and decades spent working at camp is an extraordinary asset to Kabeyun.

Kevin’s spent time in nearly as many roles as there are at Kabeyun – though he was never a camper, he’s been a swimming, hiking, and canoeing counselor, he led a session of the Bears, he’s been the head of the trips department, he’s the parent of a camper, and for the past several summers he’s been our head nurse, ably keeping camp healthy and happy. Beyond camp, he’s been a teacher, but these days continues his work as a nurse during the fall, winter, and spring months.

Andrew has seen Kabeyun from all sides: first as a camper for five years back in the 1980’s, then as a paddling counselor, later as the father of two campers, and again as a staff member when he returned to pilot our ski boat a few years ago, helping guys get up on water skis, wake boards, and wake surfers. After several summers guiding the trips program, Andrew will focus his energies on the camp facility, maintaining and improving the physical plant throughout the year. He lives in Lancaster, MA, with his wife and two sons, who are all long-time Family Campers.

David is very excited to work in the woodshop this year at camp! When he’s not building projects up at camp he builds sets for musicals, plays, and sketch comedy, and performs in improv shows. David also designs lighting for theater, and is currently combining his love of board games and graphic design by designing and building his own board game.

Zach is a soon to be Freshman at Emory University majoring in biology. When he’s not working on an art project or reading, you can find him working at a nearby afterschool program. Zach also enjoys playing board games and role playing games like honey heist or dungeons and dragons. He is very excited to be working in the pottery shack this summer and hopes you stop by!

Brennan is thrilled to return to the swimming dock. As a camper, he struggled with swim lessons and now loves connecting with and supporting reluctant swimmers as a counselor. He enjoys playing baseball, cycling, and spending time with friends. As a camper, he experienced the transformative power of Kabeyun firsthand and can’t wait to share it with more campers this summer.

Liam is excited for his fourth year on staff after many years as a camper. Liam teaches sailing, to which he dedicated himself as a camper, along with rock climbing. His joy for sailing runs deep. When winter arrives, Liam trades the waves for the slopes, where he enjoys the thrill of ski racing.

Noah is a rising senior from Beverly, Massachusetts. With 8 years as a camper and 1 year as an intern under his belt (handmade in the leather shack!) Noah is exited to spend his time in the leather shack. Back at home, he loves to cook, skate, and spend his time outdoors as much as possible. He is super exited to be returning for another year at camp and get to know all the campers again!

Chris recently graduated from Assumption University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and is going to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in the fall. He has lived in Alton Bay for the past 15 years, with the past 11 summers being spent at camp. This summer Chris looks forward to reprising his role a fishing counselor; helping campers catch their first fish, learning how to be better anglers, and going on trips up to Lake Umbagog and Striper fishing along the Seacoast. After spending nearly half of his life in the Lakes Region, Chris is confident every camper who comes down to Fishing with him will catch at least one fish, if not more this summer.

You may remember Laura from her days in the shack where she is known for such classics as “Check for Ticks” and “Arts and Craaaaaaaafts.” This year she can be found in the woodshop. If you don’t see her there, go get a map and compass..she’ll be doing orienteering also. During the off months, Laura can be found in her wood studio making furniture and outfitting camper vans as Turnip Tree Design, L.L.C.

One of Kabeyun’s longest-tenured staff, Terry got his start as a swimming counselor in 1985. In his 30+ years at camp, he’s taught kayaking and canoeing, headed the trips program and Bears expeditions. He has led Kabeyun adventures all over New England, upstate New York and even Quebec. During the off-season, Terry is an Outdoor Education Specialist for North Carolina State University coordinating the Outdoor Leadership Program. He was a team member of USA Wild Water and has raced internationally at the World Canoe-Kayak Championships in France and the World Cup Wild Water in the Czech Republic. In August, Terry hopes to do a lot of fishing and put Kabeyun boys onto some nice smallmouth bass on the lake and perhaps some stripers on the New Hampshire coast.

Paul is back for a third summer as one of the nurses in the Health Center. Paul is a life-long New Hampshire resident and grew up spending the summer in the Lakes Region. He enjoys hiking and paddling, and he has come to appreciate some of the joys of outboard maintenance. He worked as an EMT for six years, and now works as a travel nurse. Paul has a BA from the Berklee College of Music where he studied jazz composition and electric bass, and he has a BSN from MCPHS University.

Langley is from the New Hampshire seacoast and is looking forward to working as a sailing staff this year. He spent his time as a camper trying out the many different activities camp has to offer but he sailing was the one that resonated and where he spent most of his time. He also enjoys skiing, biking, and various other outdoor activities. He’s a rising senior at Exeter High School and is looking to pursue engineering while maintaining his outdoor interests.

Bugge was raised in the Massachusetts woods by a green witch and a devoted photographer. With their guidance, Bugge found photography to be an act of magic making – finding the light and watching it come to life in the warm, red glow of the darkroom lights. They received their BFA in Photography from the Maine College of Art & Design where they found community in other magic makers with their heads in the trees. They are beyond excited to join the Kabeyun community this year and find the magic waiting to be made in the New Hampshire woods.

Caleb was a camper for five years and will be joining Kabeyun this summer as a first-time counselor. His favorite activities at camp were tennis, archery, and photography. He was raised in Maryland and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2025. Outside of camp, Caleb enjoys outdoor sports, running, skiing, building computers, and working on his car. He is excited to return to Kabeyun in a new role and contribute to the community that played such an important part in his life. As a counselor, he hopes to bring energy, patience, and leadership while helping campers create their own meaningful memories.

Alex will oversee sailing at Kabeyun again this summer, following a long and distinguished tenure running the Photo Shack and our sailing program. He’s a man of many, many talents, and brings his unflagging energy and enthusiasm to all Kabeyun endeavors. He is a middle school technology teacher in Claremont, NH. He says, “I can’t wait to get back on the water and stretch some canvas to the wind!”

Tristan is from Texas and is excited to be joining Kabeyun for his first summer on staff. Before coming to camp, he served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, spending much of his time deployed throughout the Caribbean and other tropical regions. In his free time, he enjoys reading, camping, running, tea, and spending time outdoors. Tristan is also a nationally certified EMT and will be attending Brown University this fall as a pre-medical student. He is super excited for his move to New England and for the opportunity to be part of the Trips Department this summer.

Conger is excited to be joining the Kabeyun team for the first time this summer. He comes from Virginia and has a background in information technology as well as Fire-EMS. He enjoys hands-on and technical projects in both his professional and personal life, and he likes learning practical skills that can be put to use outdoors. Outside of work, Conger can often be found on the Rappahannock River, hiking local trails, or exploring the Appalachian Mountains in and around his home state. This summer, he will be assisting with paddling activities and adventure trips, and he is looking forward to getting to know the Kabeyun community and helping campers build confidence through new experiences.

Wilson is a former Kabeyun camper who is excited to be back for his first year on staff! Originally from Massachusetts, he moved to Sunapee, New Hampshire back in 2020. He’s a big fan of spending time on the lake, and when he’s back at school he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, playing guitar, and skiing. His favorite camp activities were woodshop, hiking trips, and waterskiing and wake surfing. He’s entering his sophomore year at CU Boulder studying electrical engineering and is looking forward to bringing his Colorado hiking experience to Kabeyun this summer!

Jeff’s feeling truly fortunate for this to be his 39th summer at Kabeyun over a period of 65 years, beginning when John Porter was director. Jeff has loved living in Charleston, South Carolina for the past two years where he worked as the Assistant General Manager at Planet Fitness. After Camp, Jeff plans on returning to Charleston and writing for his Youtube channel. Really excited about being at Kabeyun again while spending time with everybody having a great summer amid lots of fun and laughs.

After a decade-long hiatus, Christian is excited to be back at Kabeyun for his 16th summer! This year, he’s back at photography after a year running the music program. “I’m ust as excited to work with campers in the darkroom as I was to help them develop as songwriters and musicians,” Christian says. In the offseason, he teaches high school Physics and Earth Science in a Boston suburb between playing Magic and spinning fire.

Jesse was first introduced to whitewater on New England rivers as a wee Kabeyun camper. In the years since, kayaking and instructing have taken him on adventures across the American West and beyond – though Kabeyun still remains his favorite. The rest of the year, Jesse works as a writer, public radio reporter, and ski lift operator in Crested Butte, CO. He is looking forward to culinary collaborations with the Canoe Department and contributing rigorous investigative journalism to The Log of the West Wind, Kabeyun’s #1 weekly publication.

Kat is from Los Angeles and is excited to be returning for her third summer at camp, bringing her love for matcha and California girl spirit straight to New England. She’s ready to swap the beach for the forest and couldn’t be more excited to reconnect with campers and nature. As the Nature Counselor, she will lead outdoor adventures and fun hands-on activities that help campers explore the world around them. She’s passionate about creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, inspired, and empowered to try something new. With her big heart, sunny attitude, and adventurous spirit, Kat is ready to make this summer full of unforgettable memories.

Pete is a long-time Kabeyun camper, Family Camper, and former intern who loves the mountains and lakes of northern New England. As a camper, Pete hiked hundreds of miles on Kabeyun trips, and is delighted to lead hikes in 2026 following two summers teaching windsurfing. Pete is a talented action sports photographer and a nationally ranked freeskier who also enjoys mountain biking. He grew up in Massachusetts, graduated from the Holderness School, and will head to Bates College in the fall.

Olivia grew up in the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, and spent her summers at sleepaway and tennis camps in that area. She is thrilled to be back in the camp atmosphere this summer. Olivia is entering her senior year at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she studies Political Science and Psychology. She plans on pursuing a career in Elementary Education. She loves painting, yoga, hiking, running, and travelling. Trading in one lakes region for another, she is so excited to bring her knack for arts and crafts to Kabeyun!

After several summers on the waterfront teaching sailing and one summer leading hiking trips Katie is thrilled to be back! Katie is from Massachusetts, but spent the last four years at Middlebury College in Vermont. She recently graduated with degrees in English, Environmental Studies, and German. In her free time, she loves skiing, sailing and hiking. She is so excited to be back this summer and to explore some new White Mountain peaks and swimming holes.

Levi is from Massachusetts and is a rising senior at Proctor Academy. He first came to Kabeyun in 2019 and, after 6 years as a camper and one as an intern, is returning to teach campers the skills they need to get out paddling on river trips. As a camper, Levi gained a love for whitewater kayaking that he’s carried with him; during the school year, he hones his paddling skills on many of the same rivers where he learned to kayak at camp, on Proctor’s slalom kayaking team. When he’s not kayaking, you can probably find him working on the pottery wheel, hiking, or skiing. He’s super excited to work at camp again and teach the next generation how to paddle!

After several years as Kabeyun’s in-camp ropes course counselor, Nate will lead rock climbing trips this summer as part of our trips staff. He recently graduated from Plymouth State University with a bachelor’s in Adventure Education. Nate has taught skiing at Loon Mountain and worked as in-town staff for NOLS Northeast in the Adirondacks. He’s a Manhattan native.

Jake is excited to return to Kabeyun for his 11th summer! After 3 years at swimming, he is helming the Wake & Ski boat, teaching waterskiing, wakeboarding, and his personal favorite, wakesurfing. After the summer, he’ll be a junior at Tufts University studying Psychology and Child Study & Human Development. When he’s not at camp or school, he’s probably watching the New York Yankees or playing competitive Spikeball (current national rank: 592).

Matt was a Kabeyun camper from age eight through his early teens and returned for many summers on staff as the Trips Department’s talented jack-of-all-trades, instructing canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, and the Bears Program. After “cheffing up” many a gourmet meal on Kabeyun camping trips, it’s no surprise to see Matt migrate to the kitchen this year, where he’ll draw on his years of experience as a cook at lodges and fancy restaurants in the Rocky Mountains. These days, Matt lives in Orford, NH, where he’s spent the past couple years beginning a career as a middle school science teacher. In his free time, Matt enjoys playing D&D, stockpiling sardines, learning advanced math for fun, and eating frozen mango straight from the bag.

After one summer in the Leather Shack, Henry is very excited to help campers create projects in the Woodshop this summer. He’s from New York and currently majoring in Architecture at Dutchess Community College. He loves hiking, woodshop, exploring national parks, and making things with his hands. He has experience in construction and made many projects as a camper. He can’t wait to return to camp and work with the campers again!

Jack is a rising high school senior from Philadelphia. He is excited for his first full summer on staff after an amazing intern year, and can’t wait to get out on the water! When he’s not at camp, Jack loves being outside and tinkering, his latest fascination being the restoration of an 8mm film projector he found at Goodwill. Excited to see his old campers again and make new connections, Jack cannot wait to be back at camp for another great summer!

This is Bridget’s fourth year on staff at camp. She spent her first summer working in the kitchen and taught swim lessons last year. She’s excited to return to the waterfront again this summer as part of the swim department. Originally local to the Lakes Region, Bridget currently studies Sustainability at the University of Vermont. She loves skiing in the winter, swimming in the summer and she’s looking forward to another great summer at Kabeyun.

Armistead is from New York and is a rising senior at Stuyvesant High School. His favorite subjects in school are math and science, but he loves reading all kinds of books in his free time. When he’s not at camp or in school, he spends his time climbing at local gyms or practicing on his schools gymnastics team. As a camper he loved sailing, and is excited to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. He can’t wait to see you out there!

Van is a New York City raised cat lover who spends the academic year traveling around the world with Minerva University, and summers teaching archery in New Hampshire. With aspirations to become a computer science teacher, Van has taught archery and also certified archers to be archery instructors themselves through the USA archery instructor trainer program. He has advanced his academic teaching skills by volunteering at an elementary school Hyderabad, India this past spring, and hopes to further integrate his data science knowledge from his undergraduate degree into teaching. Van loves hiking, traveling, and thrifting wherever he travels. He is looking forward to joining the Kabeyun family this summer!

This is Lucian’s 9th year at camp. Hailing from Denver Colorado, Lucian is a vegan who loves fantasy and the outdoors, with a wild imagination and a love for Dungeons and Dragons. He’s really excited to spend another year at camp doing the things he loves with all these amazing people and hopes that everyone shares a similar attitude.

After six years as a camper, this is Oliver’s fourth year on staff, and he’s moving out of the Leather Shack and off the lake and out onto the rivers, teaching kayaking. Oliver, who grew up in Philadelphia and central Massachusetts, plays juniors-level hockey out of Springfield, MA, as well as varsity lacrosse. He recently graduated from Wilbraham & Monson Academy. As a camper, Oliver liked to hike, rock climb, and kayak, in addition to creating projects in the leather shack.