Staff Profiles
- Mike MattsonCamp DirectorMike MattsonCamp Director
Mike has been a member of the Birch Rock community since he was 12 in 1983. As a camper, his highest honor was getting the 15th Archery badge, an accomplishment that has only been achieved around ten times in the history of Birch Rock. Once on staff, Mike taught many seasons on the field before moving to the waterfront and teaching swimming for many more. He moved up the ranks to Waterfront Director and then Head Counselor, joined Rich Deering as Associate Director for 6 years, and finally became Camp Director in 2002. Mike attended Towson State University in Maryland but feels his primary education in camping comes from a lifetime of leadership in a place he loves and calls home.
Mike lives in Windham, Maine with his wife Becca, his toddler sons Simon and Reid! He is a long-time member of the American Camping Association and his dogs, Perseus, Oliver and Linus, are camp staples.
- Rich DeeringAlumni & Community DirectorRich DeeringAlumni & Community Director
Rich started attending Birch Rock at the age of 9. His mother was sure that he would come running home; instead, he signed up for more, and was a camper for 6 summers before matriculating into the staff ranks. He worked his way up from teaching Swimming to Waterfront Director to Head Counselor, and then, after a few summers off, he returned as the Assistant Director for Brad Smith before taking over as the camp’s Director in 1995. He held this position until 2001, during which time he used his business acumen to reorganize BRC’s structure, and, thanks to him, the camp has never been stronger. A Maine native, he is a graduate of Colby College and the University of Southern Maine, where he earned a Masters in Adult Education and Counseling. In his current role Rich is responsible for marketing, alumni development, and external affairs, and helps facilitate the Birch Rock community. A long-time member of the American Camping Association and past President of Maine Youth Camping, he is currently a realtor with the Buckspan Deering Group at ReMax Shoreline in Portland.
- Erik JoelssonTrip Leader & MWA LeaderErik JoelssonTrip Leader & MWA Leader
Celebrating 24 seasons at Birch Rock, Erik has it all: a love for our traditions and values, a keen sense of fun, and a quiet charisma that gets kids psyched! After several years of teaching sailing Erik became the Waterfront Director in 2007, thus earning the radio handle “Captain Nemo,” as he is affectionately called. A native of Sweden, Erik grew up in Philadelphia and attended Penn State. In 2013, Erik transitioned onto land to become our full-time Program Director for 7 summers, orchestrating staff and camper programs and specialty events of the day – while continuing to lead our American Red Cross Lifeguard program and First Aid Certification. This summer Erik will take on the challenge of heading up the BRC Trip Program and MWA trip. An active member of the American Camp Association, Erik is a Standards Visitor for Accreditation of other camps. He champions Birch Rock’s Outing Club (visit the Club page on our website!). When not skiing or conquering crossword puzzles, Erik serves as part of the camp management team during the off-season.
- Brian FarleyProgram DirectorBrian FarleyProgram Director
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!
- Nick MuscianoHead CounselorNick MuscianoHead Counselor
Nicholas “The Italian Stallion” Musciano, aka Musc, originally hails from Falmouth, Maine. Nick received his Master’s in Teaching from the University of South Carolina in 2016 and currently lives in Columbia, SC where he teaches 4th grade math and science. He has been a diehard Birch Rocker since he arrived at camp at 9 years old in 1998, and loved basketball, tennis, and campcraft. Musc has truly done it all at camp; he spent many summers on the hill as the Field Director, teaching basketball and baseball, he has been an enthusiastic instructor down at Nature, and Nick has even been a trip leader on our 3-week Maine Wilderness Adventure program. Nick has been Head Counselor since 2018 and is very excited for our 96th summer!
- Logan LandryOffice ManagerLogan LandryOffice Manager
We are so glad that Logan will be returning this summer as our office manager! Logan lives in Poland, Maine where he is a 7th grade Social Studies teacher at Bruce M. Whittier Middle School. He graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2010 for Elementary Education, and graduated with his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Maine in 2019. Logan looks forward to another great summer at camp!
- Sara LavertuLibrarian/TutorSara LavertuLibrarian/Tutor
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.
- Emily WoodworthLibrarian & TutorEmily WoodworthLibrarian & Tutor
More information coming soon!
- Emme ScottHealth DirectorEmme ScottHealth Director
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.
- Jon AllberryHead CookJon AllberryHead Cook
Jon hails from Sarasota, FL where he has been cooking and baking for years. With family in Poland, ME, Jon decided to come to Birch Rock 11 summers ago and help us out by cooking many of our dinner meals. After two summers in the kitchen, he is now the Head Cook, and the community is looking forward to whipping up some new food and old favorites this summer.
- Peter BrewsterCIT DirectorPeter BrewsterCIT Director
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 TringaleWaterfront DirectorSebastian TringaleWaterfront Director
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.
- Nick FerrainaField DirectorNick FerrainaField Director
Nick is super excited to return to Birch Rock Camp for his second summer! Born and raised in Waterford, CT, Nick moved to Portage, MI halfway through high school and has remained in the state throughout his academic career. He just graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Film & Television Media. Nick loves pretty much every sport played on the field, and he is looking forward to spending time up there as Field Director, as well as spending more time with the great BRC family once again!
- Bob DowNature SpecialistBob DowNature Specialist
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.
- Kye ChristensenTrip LeaderKye ChristensenTrip Leader
More information coming soon!
- Janice WalkerMaintenanceJanice WalkerMaintenance
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 MacDonaldMaintenanceCharlie MacDonaldMaintenance
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 StevensonKitchenJorge StevensonKitchen
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 OliverKitchenLacey OliverKitchen
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 ProtasCounselorEli ProtasCounselor
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 BrewsterCounselorSeth BrewsterCounselor
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.
- Jeffrey Naipier-KaneCounselorJeffrey Naipier-KaneCounselor
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 ColasinCounselorDavid ColasinCounselor
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 RotmanMWA LeaderSam RotmanMWA Leader
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.
- Gus TringaleCounselorGus TringaleCounselor
Gus was eight years old when he first came to camp in 2011. He hails from Medford, MA and will attend his third year at Tufts University in the fall. He is majoring in Film and Media Studies and Spanish. Gus loves activities all around camp, including mountain biking, nature, and lacrosse. In the off season he enjoys watching movies and a variety of outdoor activities. He is looking forward to celebrating 96 seasons of BRC!
- Abe TolkoffCamp EMTAbe TolkoffCamp EMT
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 TraubCounselorEric TraubCounselor
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 ShatzCounselorNathan ShatzCounselor
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.
- Lleyton PowellCounselorLleyton PowellCounselor
Lleyton Powell started at Birch Rock in 2017 when he was 13 years old. Lleyton is currently finishing up his senior year of high school in Brookfield, Connecticut and will be attending Temple University this fall. During his free time, he loves listening to and writing music with his friends. Lleyton plays bass and helps write lyrics in his band Go Machine. When at camp, Lleyton enjoys activities such as lacrosse, music, and swimming. He is so excited to return for his second year on staff this summer.
- Joe BisonKitchenJoe BisonKitchen
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.
- Sam CluggishKitchenSam CluggishKitchen
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 CervantesKitchenJosh CervantesKitchen
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 TringaleCounselorTheo TringaleCounselor
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 KeatesCounselorJonah KeatesCounselor
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 JacksCounselorHugh JacksCounselor
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 OlapadeWaterfront DirectorAaron OlapadeWaterfront Director
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 ZuckerCounselorJake ZuckerCounselor
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 CamposKitchenJavier CamposKitchen
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.
- Alex PrasensCounselorAlex PrasensCounselor
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!
- Kenny DuranCounselorKenny DuranCounselor