2025 Songadeewin Staff

This summer will be Abby’s seventeenth working at Songadeewin. She has worked in every grove at camp and is thrilled to be the second month Director of Mattagami (with campers ages 11 & 12), where she has spent the most of her summers at Songa. Abby is a 6th grade ELA teacher and lives in Sudbury, Massachusetts with her family. She and her husband, Matt, have three daughters — Deirdre who is five years old and the twins, Phoebe and Josie, who are three. They also have two dogs and a cat and love their very busy household! Abby grew up in Vermont and is always so happy to return for summers on Lake Dunmore — canoeing, hiking, Saturday Spectaculars, campfires and more!

Ada was a camper for three summers before going on Wilderness, and this is her first summer on staff. Ada is from Huntington, Vermont, and attends Bates College where she studies Environmental Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies. She loves to knit and hike, and plays on her school’s ultimate frisbee team. Ada loves tripping and is so excited to be back at camp!

Addison was a camper for ten years and she is so excited for her first summer on staff. Addison is from Middlebury, Vermont and will be attending Colorado College in the fall. In her free time, Addison loves to read, spend time outdoors, and cook for her family. She loves canoe tripping at Songa and can’t wait for this summer!

This is Ainsley’s third summer on staff at Songadeewin. She is from Glastonbury, Connecticut and attends UTICA University in upstate New York, where she is studying psych child life. In her free time, she likes to swim, hang out with friends, and go for bike rides. Ainsley loves working at Songadeewin because she loves being outdoors, teaching activities in the lake, and camping. Ainsley loves working with the kids and can not wait to spend another summer at camp.

Alex is returning to camp for her eighth summer. She lives in London, England where she works as a primary school teacher. In her free time, Alex loves to explore new places and spend time with friends and family. She can’t wait to be back at camp surrounded by the trees, the lake, and all the chipmunks.

Alyssa was a camper at Songa for eight years and is thrilled to be returning for her first summer on staff! She recently graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in elementary education and a minor in musical theatre. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys acting and dancing, and was a member of a ballet company at UVM for four years. She loves visiting national parks, camping, and hiking, and can’t wait to share her love of the outdoors with the Songa community this summer!

Angie is 27 years old and originally from Pasto-Nariño, Colombia. This is her first year on Songadeewin staff and she will work in the camp kitchen. Angie is currently studying for a degree in Spanish and English at the University of Nariño. She has been a dancer since she was young, and in her free time she enjoys dancing traditional Colombian dances. Angie also loves cooking, eating, and preparing delicious dishes. Angie is excited to learn and have an opportunity to grow at Songa this summer, and she looks forward to meeting new people and making friends.

Annette works for the Keewaydin Foundation year round as Office Manager, and will support the Songa Office this summer. In her free time, Annette is a musician at heart and can be heard all over Vermont, she is also an amazing cook and mother of six. Annette lives in Middlebury, Vermont with her family.

Annika was a camper for eight summers and has completed eight summers on staff at Songa. She has lived in many different cities over the past eight years, but currently resides in Burlington, Vermont, where she works as an EMT and spa receptionist. In her free time, Annika is trying to learn how to crochet. Annika’s favorite things about camp are canoeing in whitewater and cooking over a fire.

This is Audrey’s first summer on staff at Songa. She is from Bryn Mawr, Pennslyvania where she lives with her two children. Audrey worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for 12 years before joining Villanova University’s Student Health Center, where she has worked for the past two years. She enjoys being silly with her kids, exploring outdoors, embroidering pretty things, and pretending she understands Mahjongg when playing with friends. Audrey loves the energy, curiosity, and creativity of children and is excited to be a part of the staff this summer.

Beth goes by ‘Nurse’ or ‘Nurse Beth’. She has worked as a school nurse at an elementary school in Virginia for eight years and previously she was an emergency room nurse for fifteen years. This is her third summer at camp. She loves the outdoors and having fun in the summer while enjoying friends and nature!

This is Britney’s 23rd summer on the Songa staff. When not at Songa, she works at Middlebury College. She graduated from Plymouth State University in 2009 with a Physical Education degree. She loves spending time outside, exploring nature and seeing sunrises and sunsets, playing softball, kayaking, hiking, biking, snowboarding, mowing her lawn, relaxing in her hammock, and being at peace. What she loves about Songa is the very friendly staff and happy campers. It’s a great place to work!

Candelaria, or Cande, is 26 years old and is part of the international staff at Songa, coming from Colombia, a beautiful country full of nature. She is a cheerful, creative person with a lot of energy! She loves outdoor sports and arts activities. Cande was a scout for almost 12 years, so camping is one of her favorite hobbies as is hiking. This is Cande’s third year being part of the Songa team, and she is happy to be part of creating another incredible summer!

Carmen never got to be a camper at Songadeewin but was part of its inaugural staff in the summer of 1999. Originally from New York City, Carmen now lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She attended Rutgers University for her undergraduate degree in Dance and Widener University for her masters in Human Sexuality Education. After teaching many years at many different schools both in New York and in Pennsylvania, she now works independently as a Health Educator. Carmen loves to cook and have dance parties with her family. She is delighted not only to come back to Songa and be on the shores of Dunmore, but also to share the magic of camp with her family.

Cassidy was a camper at Songa for seven years, and this is her first year on staff. She is from Essex, Vermont and is going into her sophomore year at Roger Williams University. During high school, Cassidy worked as a server at an assisted living facility called Mansfield Place. In her free time, she loves to read, listen to music, hike, spend time with family and friends, and be outside! Songa has helped her in so many positive ways to help me become the woman she is today, and she hopes the same for this summer’s campers and into the future!

This is Cecilie’s first time in the U.S. and at summer camp. Cecilie is from a small coastal city in Denmark and recently graduated from college with a degree in graphic design. She currently works at Burger King and at a fitness center. In her free time, Cecilie loves going on adventures, having fun, and spending time with her family. She loves the empowerment and joy of being yourself at Songa!

Chelsea is from Orange County, California and attends Cypress College. After college she hopes to pursue journalism. In her free time, Chelsea loves to go on runs and to hike. She loves how Songa creates a space where children can connect with nature, grow in confidence, and experience the joy of discovery, all while fostering a sense of community and adventure. Chelsea was a camper for five summers and this is her first summer on staff.

Chloe Long was a camper for seven summers and went on to complete the Wilderness program. This is her first summer on staff. Chloe is from New York City and currently attends the University of Vermont. In her free time, she loves to ski, snowboard, read, paint, and draw—and especially enjoys observing animals and plants in the outdoors. Songadeewin has given her a community of strong women who lift each other up, and she’s excited to give back to this incredible environment.

This is her first summer on staff. Damaris is from Yarmouth, Maine, and attended Colby College. Damaris loves teaching art to kids. She has ample experience leading children in creative practices at summer camps, after school enrichment courses and retreats. In her free time, Damaris loves gardening and knitting. Being in nature and collaboratively exploring a variety of materials is what Damaris is excited to lead at Songa this summer.

Dana is 22 years old and this is her first summer on staff. She is from Mexico and studies Law at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. In her free time, Dana loves cooking desserts and hanging out with her friends and family. She loves that Songa has so many different activities for campers to try and she is excited to get to know the whole community this summer.

Daniela is an interdisciplinary food engineer from Colombia. She loves rock climbing, cooking, and reading a good book. She likes to share a cup of coffee with friends and to create unique moments combining her two loves— food and the outdoors. This is her second summer at Songa, and she is looking forward to teaching the art of packing out and trip preparation in the outdoors with Songa girls and the whole community!

Joining us from Mexico, Daniela has been an integral part of the Saplings program the last three summers and is excited to be back again this year. She enjoys outdoor activities, all kinds of arts and crafts, and baking. Daniela loves being around and playing with children, both inside and outside of the classroom. She can’t wait to be back on Lake Dunmore this summer with the Saplings.

This is David’s second  summer as a driver for Songadeewin. During the school year, he drives a school bus in southern Vermont. David can’t wait to catch a glimpse of some of the wild places Songa trips get to explore.

Elijah was a camper for nine summers (eight + Wilderness) and this is their first summer on staff. She is from Sarasota, FL, and is pursuing a dual degree at Tufts University and School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Elijah works as an Interfaith Ambassador creating multi-faith programming at Tufts. In their free time, Elijah can be found at outdoor dance practice, or making photographs. Their favorite thing about camp is the crazy, unpredictable weather that keeps everyone living in the moment.

This is Emma’s first summer at Songa. Raised on the east coast, she currently calls Quincy, Massachusetts home with her partner and two dogs, Nina and Nessie. During the school year, Emma teaches seventh and eighth grade science in Cambridge, and coaches Ultimate Frisbee each spring. In her free time, she loves paddleboarding with her dogs and watching the Red Sox at Fenway Park. She is excited to dive into a new community and see what the “Songa Spirit” is all about!

Erin was a camper for three summers and this will be her fourth summer on staff. Erin is from Atherton, California and is currently attending nursing school in Asheville, North Carolina. In her free time, Erin loves to hike, play soccer, go to the gym, volunteer at the animal shelter and do yoga. Her favorite part about camp is sharing her love of tripping and the outdoors with the campers!

Gabby was a Songadeewin staff for three summers from 2011 to 2013; this summer will be her fifth on staff. After graduating from Bucknell University, she worked as a second grade teacher and Wellness teacher. Gabby is now back working at Songadeewin as the Program Director for the second month of camp. Gabby lives in South Hero, Vermont with her husband, Ben and their daughters Quinn, age 5, and Elsie, age 3.  Gabby is a full time mother and especially enjoys spending time with her family outside. Gabby could not be more excited to be a part of the Songadeewin community!

This is Gabby’s fourth summer on the Songa staff. Prior to being on staff, she was a Songa Camper for nine summers including Songa Wilderness. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York and currently lives in Medford, Massachusetts. Gabby just graduated from Tufts University where she studied Classics. What Gabby loves about Songa is that it is a welcoming environment where girls can be themselves.

Gabrielle Jacquet, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine and an Attending Physician in the Emergency Department at University of Vermont Medical Center and some of UVM’s critical access sites in rural Vermont and upstate New York. Her background and expertise are in global health, wilderness medicine, and practicing medicine in resource-limited settings. Dr. Jacquet serves as the faculty director of the UVM LCOM Ski Medicine elective at Sugarbush. As a child, she attended overnight camp in Vermont, became a counselor, and participated in NOLS courses. Having served as the supervising camp physician for Mass Audubon Habitat Camp since 2023, she is excited to join the health care team at Songadeewin & Keewaydin this summer, along with her 11 and 8 yr old daughters who will be campers at Songa as well.

Gedeleine, or G, graduated from high school in June and will support the Saplings program part time for her second summer at Songadeewin. She is a hip hop dancer and loves spending time with children. G will be heading to Brandeis University in the fall.

Grace was a camper for eight summers and she’s very excited to be coming back on staff!  She is from Napa, California and is currently attending the University of Washington in Seattle where she studies Drama, Creative Writing, and French. In her free time, Grace loves to read all kinds of books, tell riddles, and play card games.  Songa has always been a safe and welcoming space for her and she’s so excited to help pass this on to this summer’s campers!

Grecia is from Puebla, Mexico and studies medicine at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. During high school and college, Grecia volunteered in the emergency department and earned certifications in psychological first aid and basic life support. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, swimming, and was a Scout for many years. She loves working with children and is excited to connect with the Songa community through nature, fun, and learning. This is her first summer on staff.

Hannah lives in Proctor, Vermont and is the camp photographer at Songadeewin. This is Hannah’s third summer at Songa. We are grateful for Hannah for capturing moments that help us tell the story of our camp.

Harmony Doyle is a new staff member to Songadeewin this summer! She is from Pensacola, Florida, and is currently attending University of West Florida where she will graduate in August 2025. She currently works in Pediatrics in a children’s hospital. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors hiking and is currently learning pottery on the wheel. She is so excited to see Vermont for the first time and to be out in nature with the campers!

This is Helena’s eighth summer on the Songadeewin Staff. She was a camper for eight summers, including Wilderness. Helena is from Berwyn, Pennsylvania and is currently a theater teacher for elementary and middle school students in Pottstown (at Taylor Swift’s elementary school!). Her favorite part about camp is leading trips and teaching campers how to whitewater canoe.

Originally from New Jersey, Hillary and her husband Chris now reside in New Haven, Vermont. There, Hillary taught at a private school in New Jersey before teaching  fourth grade at a public school. Hillary, Chris, and their two daughters spent many summers at their summer home where they became part of the small town community of Rochester, Vermont and that of a full season summer camp, where Hillary taught ceramics and sports. Hillary enjoys reading, music, sports, and spending as much time as possible outdoors.

Izzy was a camper for four summers and this is her first summer on staff! She is from Irvington, New York and is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. She spent this winter skiing all over Colorado and can’t wait to be back at camp. She loves reading, being outdoors, camping and sailing. She can’t wait to have even more fun tripping adventures this summer! 

Itzel Solano is from Veracruz, Mexico. She is 22 years old and currently studying industrial engineering. Throughout her academic career, she has been a good student and has developed skills in responsibility, discipline, and empathy. Over time, she became interested in music, dance, teaching, and science. That’s why she enjoys dancing, cooking, singing, crafting, and teaching. In Itzel’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching Friends (my favorite series), and exercising.

Izzy is from Brooklyn, New York. She’s currently attending Washington University in St. Louis, and absolutely loves it. She plans to majori in a dual program for Math-Computer Science and minoring in Music! In her free time, she loves spending time with friends, watching movies or shows, playing her guitar, and going for walks. Izzy is so excited to be returning to camp as a counselor for her third year, especially after years of being a camper at Songa.

Jasmine Zhan is from China, and her hometown is Kunming, a city renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes and cultural diversity. She majored in architecture before changing her major to English Literature. Jasmine is deeply passionate about sociology, anthropology, and linguistics. This September, she will continue her studies in Montpellier, France. For outdoor activities, Jasmine particularly enjoys mountain climbing and swimming, often finding spiritual enlightenment through her time in nature. Additionally, she loves spending time with children, as she believes it reminds her of the true authenticity of humanity.

Jecca is thrilled to return to Songa for her third summer. During her childhood, she spent summers at Camp Waukeela in New Hampshire where she experienced the magic and power of camp. Jecca is from Putney, Vermont, attended Bryn Mawr College, and currently works as a math teacher and tutor during the school year. In her free time, she runs around after her two sons, cross-country skis in the woods, and paddles her solo canoe down the Connecticut River. Jecca feels that life is meant to be lived outside and is grateful to the Songa community for welcoming her back this summer.

Jenn was a camper when Songadeewin reopened on Lake Dunmore in 1999 and has been on the Songa staff for 17 summers. During the year, Jenn teaches history and theater in the Philadelphia school district. At camp, Jenn loves sailing, canoeing, the Saturday Spectacular, and ice cream sandwiches.

Jenny is leading the Songa camp office for her fourth summer running. She is from Cincinnati, Ohio and recently completed a graduate program specializing in Literacy at St. Michael’s College. Jenny has taught in Mexico, South Dakota, Colorado, and Vermont. In her free time, she loves to play pickleball, hike, and paddleboard. Jenny loves watching Songa staff and girls empowering each other in the outdoors.

John is from Brandon, Vermont. He received his Masters of Art in Teaching from the Upper Valley Graduate School of Education in 2013 and received a BFA in Painting from Montana State University in 2004. He has been teaching art at Neshobe Elementary School in Brandon, Vermont since 2016. In his free time, John loves to be with his family, go mountain biking, draw comics, and play chess. He is excited about being part of the Songa community for his third summer!

Jon is a retired forester and maple sugar maker. He graduated from UMass with a degree in Forest Management. This is Jon’s fourth year driving for Songa.

This is JT’s first year as a Songadeewin driver. He is a Special Education Teacher at Middlebury Union Middle School in nearby Middlebury, Vermont. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and running. He has been working with children and students for many years, beginning as a camp counselor in training when he was 14 at a camp dedicated to camping with nature.

Julia was a camper for seven summers and this will be her third on the staff. She is from Cambridge, Massachusetts, but currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she studies computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Outside of camp, Julia works as a ski instructor in the winter and loves to get outside as much as she can. What Julia loves most about Songa is the incredible sense of community and all the lifelong friends she has made. She can’t wait to be back for another summer!!

This year will be Karen’s seventh summer on staff at Songa. Her first summer camp experience was right here on Lake Dunmore many years ago, when her father was on staff at Keewaydin and she was two years old. She grew up in Western Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and has lived in Seattle for many years. She is now retired from working as an instructional consultant for the University of Washington for over 30 years. She loves spending time with her five granddaughters and hiking and skiing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. What Karen loves about Songa is watching the campers develop friendships and self-confidence over the course of the summer while participating in enriching and fun activities that they so clearly love. She also enjoys listening to the owls from her tent at night!

This is Karl’s third summer on Staff at Songa. He is originally from New Jersey but currently lives in Manassas, Virginia. Karl has been a high school teacher for 26 years and drives the athletics teams to their events. He enjoys hiking and fishing with his family in his free time and is looking forward to helping the campers connect with the great outdoors.

This is Kempley’s 18th summer on the Songa staff. She currently lives in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. When not working at Songa, she teaches kindergarten at a PreK-12 school outside of Philadelphia. What she loves about Songa is the opportunity to work with girls and young women, supporting and cheering them along as they discover their passions and their unique gifts. She also loves sharing her love of sailing, sewing, and singing all while living together in the beauty of the Vermont woods.

Laney was a camper for seven summers and has been on staff for five years. She currently lives in Manhattan, where she works as a special education middle school teacher. In her free time, Laney loves to cook dinner with friends, cycle, walk in Central Park, and do ceramics. Laney’s favorite part of Songa is the confidence, independence, and sense of responsibility that our campers leave with.

Originally from the Middlebury, Vermont area, Larkin was a camper at Keewaydin Temagami for three years, and this is her second summer on staff at Songa. Outside of camp, Larkin is a ski instructor, works in people’s gardens, and enjoys swimming in rivers, knitting, sewing and spending time with her loved ones. She loves being out in a canoe in the woods connecting with the place and the people around her. Larkin looks forward to having thoughtful conversations and giving in to whimsy while doing hard things this summer!

This is Lauren’s fourth summer at Songadeewin. She hails from Worcester, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. Before coming to Songa, Lauren lived and worked in Putney, Vermont for 21 years where she led, created, and directed summer programs for middle and high schoolers focused on service and culture in the Spanish-speaking world. She and her husband Drew and their three boys live in Middlebury, Vermont. Lauren enjoys hiking with her dog Lewis, soaking up Vermont’s seasonal extremes, speaking Spanish, playing ultimate frisbee, being a mom to her kids, and traveling.

This is Lelia’s 21st summer on the Songadeewin staff. When she’s not working at Songa, Lelia teaches elementary school in Seattle, where she grew up and now lives with her partner and three daughters. What Lelia loves about Songa is the trips – opportunities to spend time with small groups of amazing and supportive people in the beautiful outdoors!

Liana was a camper at Songa for one summer, and this is her first summer as a Saplings staff. She is from Manassas, Virginia, and just finished her junior year at Woodbridge High School. After high school, she plans to attend college, although she is unsure where she wants to go. Last summer, she worked as a lifeguard at Lake Ridge Pools in her hometown. In her free time, Liana loves to paint and run. She enjoys being outside, whether hiking, running, biking, or just sitting outside and enjoying the sunlight.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Lilia moved to New York City in 2021 and earned her Master’s in Applied Theater from CUNY. She has worked in college admissions and most recently as a teaching artist and educator with young people from around New York. Lilia is a theater artist, educator, and outdoor enthusiast whose work is rooted in the belief that theater can be used as both a medium for expression and a tool for generating dialogue and social change. She can be found hiking with her dog named Doug, running, and cooking. Lilia is thrilled to be moving to Vermont and to join the Songadeewin & Keewaydin communities.

Lilly was a camper for eight summers including Wilderness and this is her first summer on staff. She’s from Boulder, Colorado and studies Business and Finance at Northeastern University, where she recently spent a semester abroad in Berlin, Germany. In high school, Lilly was a varsity skier and soccer player, and she worked as a ski coach. In her free time, she loves skiing, attending concerts, traveling, and hiking with her dog, Mogul. Lilly’s favorite parts of camp are the lifelong friendships and the whitewater canoeing; she can’t wait for another summer on Lake Dunmore!

Liv was a camper for seven summers and this is her second summer on staff. She is from Lebanon, New Hampshire and attends UVM where she is studying Biology and Education. During the school year, Liv works at a middle school after school program and has also worked at multiple science museums. In her free time, Liv enjoys whitewater kayaking and spending time with her friends and Corgi, Phife. She can’t wait to return to the place where she discovered her love for the outdoors! Her favorite part of Songa is the supportive community. .

This is Liz’s seventh summer on the Songa staff. She has three daughters who also call camp home for the summer. Liz primarily leads Nature activities at camp and this year she will also be assisting in the Songa office. She has a background in science and outdoor education and lives in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, where she teaches at an Intermediate School. Songa continues to call Liz back as she cherishes the time spent around campfires, happy faces, and joyful singing and music.

This summer is Lolo’s 14th on the Songa staff. They live in Waltham, Massachusetts. When not working at Songa, Lolo teaches 6th grade science in Newton, Massachusetts. Their favorite things to do at Songa are to play campfire games and to go on whitewater canoe trips!

Lou was a camper for six summers and is super excited to return to Songa for her fourth year as a staff! Lou is from Middlebury, Vermont and currently attends UNC Asheville where she is studying Psychology. During the school year, she works as a nanny. In her free time, Lou loves to make art, play piano or guitar, and hang out outside! Her favorite part of Songa is being part of such a special community of staff and campers.

Louise is a long time camp girl and this is her second summer at Songa. Her parents met as camp counselors in Maine in the 1950s! This summer Louise will be an integral part of the waterfront as she spends time on the docks leading the lifeguards. She started competitive swimming at age 8 at camp and swam through college. Louise is a mom of two Songa girls, ages 11 and 13. She lives during the school year in southern Vermont where she and her family built the house they live in on 100 acres. Louise is a teacher during the school year and is WAY excited for summer.

Lucy was a camper at Songa for six years, and this is her first summer back on staff! Lucy is from New York City and attends Middlebury College (she never wants to leave Vermont!), where she is studying sociology, anthropology, and French. During high school Lucy played soccer, swam, and ran track, all of which led her to now playing rugby in college. She also adores music of all kinds, and spends her free time playing guitar, writing songs, and singing in an acapella group. Lucy’s summers on Dunmore were some of the most formative, freeing years of her life, and she is so excited to help create this experience for future campers!

Maddie was a camper for six summers and this is her third summer on staff. Maddie is from Baltimore, Maryland and just graduated from University of Vermont with a degree in Psychology! In her free time, Maddie likes to spend time outdoors and with friends, and has recently picked up embroidery. Her favorite part of Songa is being able to disconnect from the world and enjoy the outdoors!

Maddy spent seven summers as a camper before going on Wilderness, and this is her first summer on staff. Originally from New York City, she now studies Economics and Data Analytics at Bucknell University. In high school, she was on the Varsity Squash team and worked as a sailing coach during the summers. Maddy loves spending time outdoors, hanging out with friends and traveling. Her favorite part of camp are the close friends she’s met. She’s thrilled to be returning for another summer in Vermont!

This is Maja’s second summer on the Songadewinn Staff. Maja is from Slovenia and last year she graduated from University of Ljubljana with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She works as an administrator in Municipality Administration. Maja spends her free time hiking, traveling, and hanging out with friends. She can not wait to spend another summer at camp.

Manca is from Slovenia and attends Faculty of Pharmacy. During high school and college, Manca worked as staff at her hometown camp called Oratorij. In her free time, Manca loves to go out in nature and to dance. She thinks Songa is a great experience to learn something new for children, while enjoying the sun and the outdoors. This is Manca’s first summer on staff.

Mandy first came to Songa in 2012 as the Director of Dramatics. She immediately fell in love with Vermont, Lake Dunmore, and camp life. Mandy is thrilled to return to Songa for her ninth summer to head the Dramatics program first month. She is most excited about supporting campers to explore and achieve in areas of their choosing, outside of the typical academic framework. During the school year, Mandy is a learning specialist with a passion for teaching structured literacy. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her young children, being outdoors, doing yoga, and listening to podcasts. Mandy lives in Tarrytown, New York with her husband, Peter (a long-time Keewaydin staff member and former camper), and their two children, Ellis and Amelia.

Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Mariel currently attends Virginia Tech, where she is studying history and Mandarin. She loves to cook for friends and spend time outdoors. Mariel’s favorite things about Songa are the genuine friendships she’s made and the opportunity to teach the next generation about the beauty of our world.

Marissa is from Virginia and is thrilled to join Songaweedin this summer as a camp nurse! Last winter Marissa took up skiing and this summer it is a goal to start rock climbing. Marisa also enjoys drawing, painting, and hiking and looks forward to exploring the outdoors in Vermont.

Mimi is a transplant from New York City and adores living in Vermont now! She is back for her second summer at Songa. Mimi received a BFA from Parsons School of Design and an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has worn many different hats during her career but has always enjoyed doing all types of fiber arts. Mimi can hardly wait to share and make fun fiber arts projects with the campers.

Miriam was a Songa camper for seven summers and this is her second summer on staff. Miriam is from Newton, Massachusetts and has also spent a lot of time in Warren, Vermont. She took a gap year this year where she spent ten weeks in Guatemala learning from and spending time with indigenous families and nine weeks in Normandy, France enrolled in a painting arts program. This coming fall, Miriam will attend Colorado College. Throughout high school, Miriam worked as a ski instructor and volunteered at a local outdoor education preschool. In her free time, Miriam loves to spend time outdoors and create art. She loved her time at Songadeewin as both a camper and a staff and is excited to be a part of the community again this summer!

Mollie was a camper for eight summers and this is her second summer on staff. Mollie is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and currently attends McGill University. In her free time, Mollie loves to hike with her dog and play guitar. She has loved coming to Songa all her life and can’t wait to get back to this amazing community!

This summer will be Nancy’s third as a camp nurse at Songa. She was a girl scout for 12 years and loves camping and the outdoors. Nancy worked for 33 years as a floor nurse in cardiology. Currently, Nancy is retired and looking forward to another summer in Vermont and at Songadeewin.

This is Naomi’s first summer at camp. She is from Surrey, England and is currently studying Politics at King’s College London. Throughout high school and university, Naomi has volunteered in her local community. In her free time, Naomi enjoys ice-skating, hiking, and exploring new places with her friends. She is excited to join Songa this summer, learn new things (especially from the campers!) and spend time in the outdoors.

Niki is from Armenia, Colombia. This is her third summer on the Songa staff. She finished a bachelor’s degree in Biology in Universidad del Quindío. Nicole was a girl Scout for more than ten years, and she grew up loving being outdoors. In her free time, Niki enjoys traveling, long hiking trips, camping, taking photos with an analog camera, swimming and learning curious facts about nature!. She can’t wait to come back to Lake Dunmore and spend her days laughing and playing with the girls!.

This is Pat’s fourth summer driving trips for Songa. She’s originally from Brandon, Vermont and grew up on the vegetable farm that supplied corn for the Songa corn roasts! Pat retired in 2022 from a career as an engineer, moved back home to Vermont, and now lives on Lake Dunmore. She works several part time jobs doing things that allow her to give back to the wonderful community where she grew up. Pat’s first camp experience was the Vermont State Conservation Camp on Lake Bomoseen. She loves that Songa is a place where kids who might otherwise never get to experience the outdoors can do so.

This is Riley’s first summer on staff at Songa. She is from Trenton, Michigan, and is currently a senior at Michigan State University studying Early Elementary Education with an endorsement in TESOL. During college, Riley has worked as a lead teacher at a learning center and completed several classroom placements, supporting young learners through hands-on and creative lessons. In her free time, she loves reading, crafting, and spending time with friends and family. Riley is excited to join the Songa team and looks forward to building meaningful connections with campers and sharing the joy of the outdoors.

Sabrina was a camper for eight summers and this is her first summer on staff. Sabrina is from Washington, DC, and attends The University of St Andrews in Scotland. At university, Sabrina studies International Relations and Business. In her free time, Sabrina loves to hike and swim in the North Sea. Her favorite thing about Songa is the friendships that she has carried from the time she was in Cedar cabin to now. 

This is Sarah’s 25th summer on the Songa staff. She’s originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and has a BS in Forestry from Colorado State University. Sarah and her husband lived in Kansas for five years and then moved to Middlebury, where they raised three daughters. After teaching elementary school for 28 years, Sarah retired in 2019. She now helps care for her four grandchildren as needed and stays active with racket sports. Sarah’s first summer camp experience was at age nine and she has been a camper at heart ever since.

Sina was a camper for eight summers and this is her first summer on staff. Sina is from Greenfield, Massachusetts and in the fall she will attend Wesleyan University and study Environmental Science and French. During high school, Sina played tennis and volleyball; she spent last summer studying abroad in France. In her free time, Sina loves to spend time with friends and be outdoors. What Sina loves most about Songa is the loving community and unique experiences of Songa tripping. She can’t wait to return to Songa this summer!

Sophie is excited to join the Arts Village for her first summer at Songadeewin!  Sophie is from Hallowell, Maine, originally, but she has been living in Brooklyn, New York for over ten years.  Now, her family is about to make an epic move this summer back to Maine.  Sophie studied visual art at Brown University and has been working as a pastry chef and baker for over a decade.  She loves baking, painting, drawing and ceramics.  She also enjoys making elaborate meals while camping and traveling with her amazing family.  

2025 will be Steph’s 23rd summer on staff at Songa. She was a camper for the very first summer of Songadeewin on Lake Dunmore in 1999. Steph is from Asheville, North Carolina. When she is not at Songa, Steph teaches elementary school outside of Asheville. Her favorite thing about camp is the sound of girls singing their hearts out and feeling free to be themselves.

Stuart is the father of three Songa campers, and will be living on campus with his wife Liz and helping out with activities in the first month of camp. He is from Barnardsville, North Carolina and works remotely for Jupiter Ed, an EdTech platform. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and exploring back roads. He loves how Songa inspires confidence and a love of outdoors in girls.

Taryn was a camper for seven summers and this is her first summer on staff. Taryn is from Los Angeles, California, and attends Cornell University. In her free time, Taryn loves to spend time with friends and enjoy the outdoors. What she loves about Songa is the supportive community that promotes meaningful friendships and appreciation of nature!

Tjaša is returning for her second summer on the Songa staff. She lives in Slovenia and is currently finishing her master’s degree in Physical Education at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport. In addition to her studies, she works as a swim instructor and teaches various sports classes. Tjaša is also a competitive handball player. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, running, and traveling. She is very excited to return to Songa and spend another summer full of activities and fun!