Staff Profiles

A native Mainer, Brian grew up in York, earned a Sociology degree at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, and finished his Master’s in School Counseling from the University of Southern Maine in 2015. An outdoor enthusiast, he spent many summers at his family’s camp on Long Lake, is big into hiking with his dog, Rozzie. After five years of leading trips and MWA, and two years as CIT Director, Brian will be taking on his third year of Program Director!

Sara Lavertu is currently a 4th grade teacher at Oxford Elementary school here in the Oxford Hills. She also has past classroom experience at 2nd and fifth grade during her 17 year career. Sara holds an undergraduate degree in Finance/Economics and prior to becoming a teacher, she worked in banking for four years in the Bethel area. In addition, Sara earned her Master’s in Education in 2008. Sara lives with her husband, John, at their home in Norway and is looking forward to another great summer at Birch Rock.

More information coming soon!

Emme is excited to be at Birch Rock for her third summer as our camp nurse! She started her nursing career at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, in 1976 after graduating from the University of Virginia. She has worked in Pediatrics and OB- working mostly with moms and babies. Emme has three grown children and seven grandchildren who are her treasures. She has been a camp nurse since 2013- escaping hot summers in Mexico, where she has lived since 2012. She loves music, babies, and swimming in the ocean. Emme is here at camp with her husband, Jorge, who is one of the chefs.

Pete was born and raised in New Hampshire and graduated from the University of Vermont in 2021 - majoring in studio art and applied design. He spent this past winter working at Big Sky Ski Resort in Montana. When he’s not at camp Pete enjoys fishing, golfing, skiing, painting and playing basketball. He first came to camp in 2009 and has looked forward to every summer at camp ever since. As a camper he could often be found at activities such as basketball, baseball, tennis and art. He is super pumped to return for his 13th summer at Birch Rock and work with the CITs as well as teach art!

Sebastian Tringale’s first summer was 2011, when he was a ten-year-old in Tourmaline. He’s from Medford, MA and recently graduated Tufts University studying International Relations and Political Science. Sebastian is so excited to be the waterfront director this year, and cannot wait to develop every camper into becoming strong swimmers and encouraging safety for all boating activities.

When he’s not on the water, Sebastian enjoys playing music, especially the violin, guitar, and singing, with some musical guest appearances at campfire. In his leisure time he loves to talk books and do crossword puzzles.

Bob Dow aka “Dancing Owl” is our long time nature instructor and is thrilled to be back for another summer! Bob lives in Waterford, and is a 7th grade Life Science teacher and middle school coach. He loves teaching nature and seeing young campers discover new things about their natural surroundings. He’s certified in CPR and First Aid.

More information coming soon!

Janice is Birch Rock’s matriarch and Queen Mother, and what she says goes around here! Her green thumb and Walker riding mower keep camp trimmed and beautiful all summer long. If you want something done correctly, you go to Janice.

Charlie is a true Maine-uh and is the mechanical genius around these parts. He is the hardest working gent on campus and cannot be stopped. He loves to keep us laughing and is usually busy at work before anyone on camp wakes up.

Jorge was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. When he was young, he raced cars; they called him “El Loco del Norte." He attended university in El Paso, Texas and earned a BA in Marketing and Business Administration.For 25 years, Jorge did import and export work between El Paso, TX, and Cd. Juárez, Mexico. He became Port Director of Juarez Customs in 2000, and initiated cooperation with US Customs that year. Jorge’s claim to fame is that he is married to Emme, the beautiful nurse. Jorge and Emme moved to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2012 and for the last 8 years they have been working in summer camps.

Lacey’s first season as part of the Birch Rock kitchen staff was in 2018. She was born and raised in South Paris, where she still lives today. She works year-round at the New Balance Factory in Norway making sneakers. She enjoys living in Maine, and getting to experience all four seasons, but her favorite is by far summer because she gets to spend time at Birch Rock! She is looking forward to another unforgettable summer at camp.

Eli started camp 8 years ago as a Hiltonite in 2014, and will join the staff for the first time this summer. He’s from Takoma Park Maryland, but right now he is living in Claremont, California where he attends Pomona College. This will be his first time back at camp after a couple summers off. He is excited to spend his summer in the nature hatchery and out on the lake with the campers. Eli hopes to go stargazing on the field at night, and throw a frisbee with anyone interested. He has eleven toes.

Seth Brewster grew up in Cambridge Massachusetts where he graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin school with a focus in carpentry in 2019. Seth is currently a carpenter's apprentice in New Hampshire. Seth started at camp in Bee’s Hive in 2010 and is excited to return for his 11th summer. He looks forward to creating all sorts of projects with campers in the woodshop, and rekindling old friendships and creating new ones.

Jeff started at camp at the age of 7 in Hilton B in 2010. Growing up he enjoyed trips and nature and eventually earned his advanced nature. He teaches bushcraft and has the most fun at camp playing games up on the field and doing fun things with his cabin. If he were an animal he would be a small monkey because it would be really fun to jump through trees. His favorite dessert is chocolate milk. He is currently aspiring to make music and get into screenplay writing/directing. He loves sudokus, snowboarding and the occasional video game with friends. The thing he is most excited for is another great summer away from everything in the world and living his best life at camp.

David Colasin started at Birch Rock in 2014 when he was 12 years old. David lives in San Diego, California and attends San Diego State University studying Environmental Science. When he’s not busy with schoolwork, David works at a small restaurant close to his home. In his free time, David enjoys being outside especially when surfing, skating, or hiking. David also enjoys playing guitar and he can’t wait to bring it to camp again.

Sam Rotman started going to Birch Rock as a 10-year-old in Bee’s Hive in 2010. Sam lives in Westborough, Massachusetts and currently attends Saint Joseph’s College of Standish, Maine. Sam taught Windsurfing and Sailing last summer and can’t wait to get back on the water. Outside of camp Sam enjoys playing soccer and basketball and likes to hang out with his friends. Sam looks forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Abe Tolkoff started at camp as an 11-year-old in 2014. He’s from Brookline, MA and is a first-year at Yale. He has spent the off-season volunteering at a 911 ambulance service and is excited to return to Birch Rock as the Camp EMT. Beyond assisting our nurse Emme, he looks forward to teaching Wilderness First Aid and Lifeguarding and generally helping out around camp, especially on the waterfront.

Eric Traub first came to Birch Rock in 2014 as an 11 year old in Walker. He is so excited to be returning now for his 8th summer at camp. Eric lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with his parents and 3 brothers and will be attending Bowdoin College this coming fall. Eric is so excited to get back to teaching mountain biking on the hill, being part of some unforgettable campfires, and spending time with all the amazing campers that make Birch Rock the place that it is.

Nathan Shatz spent his first summer at Birch Rock in 2014 as an 11-year-old in Hornet's Nest. Nathan is from Northampton, Massachusetts, and will study history and forensic science at the University of Michigan next fall. He is looking forward to spending time in all corners of camp: on the soccer field, in the woodshop, and down at the lake. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing ultimate frisbee and singing. After a year away from camp due to COVID, Nathan is thrilled to jump right back into the spirit of Birch Rock and can't wait to play quorum.

Joe is from Hanover, Massachusetts and came to camp for the first time when he was 11 years old. During the offseason, Joe enjoys skiing and playing guitar. His favorite camp activities are campcraft and swimming. Joe’s favorite camp memories are MWA and swimming his whale. He is very excited to be back at camp on staff.

This is Sam's sixth summer at Birch Rock. He is from Medford, MA. He will be a sophomore at The George Washington University in Washington, DC in the fall, where he is studying Political Science and Economics. Sam is excited to return to work in the kitchen for a second year and help out around camp as needed. His favorite activities are swimming and archery.

Josh Cervantes is currently a senior at All Hallows’ high school, he’s committed to going to Medaille college up in Buffalo. Josh is returning back to Birch Rock camp this will be his fifth year coming back. He will be looking forward to making new memories with new people.

Theo hails from Medford, Massachusetts. This summer will be his 10th at BRC. In his free time he likes to think about camp. He is excited for music, drama, and evening activity. He will attend Tufts University in the fall

Jonah Keates first attended Birch Rock in 2013 when he was 9. He is from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and will be attending Colby College next fall. Jonah is excited to spend his first year on staff down on the waterfront and in the wilderness program. In the off-season, he enjoys swimming, biking, and playing frisbee golf, which he is hoping he can bring back to Birch Rock.

Hugh Jacks is from Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Birch Rock Camp for 8 years as a camper. Hugh is a Junior Maine Guide and completed the Appalachian Trail after graduating high school and before attending University of Michigan. Hugh is currently a rising sophomore pursuing a dual degree in ‘Art & Design’ and ‘information studies (UI/UX). Hugh is very excited to come back to camp on staff to teach campcraft and be involved in the community.

Aaron Olapade is from Medford MA, and is approaching his final year at Boston College studying Political Science.  He enjoys all things sports, but especially Rowing, Basketball, and Football. He is an avid napper, always electing to nap as needed believing it can improve the overall enjoyment of any activity if you have a good snooze beforehand. He is looking forward to getting to know everyone and aid in the development of each campers interests

Jake Zucker first came to camp as an 11-year-old in Tourmaline. He’s from Brookline, Massachusetts and studies Statistics and Public Policy at the University of Chicago. He can’t wait to get back to camp and spend time walking up and down the hill, and then up again for a round of Quorum. Jake is excited to get back to Lake McWain and help campers enjoy Birch Rock as much as he has.

Javier Campos-Fuentes first attended Birch Rock Camp when  he was 13, in 2018. He is from the Bronx, New York and is currently finishing up his senior year at All Hallows High School and is excited to attend university. Javier is delighted to work in the kitchen and finally reconnect with his old friends.

What’s up guys! I’m Alex Prasens and I’m so excited to be on staff this year for second session. My first summer was in 2016, and I was a 13 year old in Tourmaline. I was born in New York, lived in London for 3 years, and now go to the United Nations International School in New York City. I’m going to be a freshman at Boston College next year. I love swimming, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. I can’t wait to meet new friends and reconnect with the old!