Linda Richards, Director ~ Linda’s experiences as a public school teacher, Education and Music Director at Clearwater, camp director at Manitoga in Garrison and the Ashokan Summer Camp in Olivebridge, and wandering troubadour have given her the skills, humor and sensitivity to enjoy children in just about any setting. Raised by a family of teachers, and the oldest sibling (by a LOT), dinner table discussions were lively and instructional! Early childhood summers, and then later summers with her own family, were spent traveling across this beautiful country – camping, learning and experiencing the great outdoors. Linda wove her education and outdoor experiences together into a lifetime fabric of musical environmental education adventures. She is currently a voice, guitar & ukulele teacher, and directs a children’s choir at the Manitou School. She also performs throughout the Hudson Valley extensively through “S.L.Y.M.I. (Sing Like You Mean It!)”. Linda cherishes the camp experience and knows that summer camp can inspire the next generation of thoughtful leaders!
Kyra Cimino, Assistant Director/Activities Specialist ~ Kyra is no stranger to Camp @ The Camp! She has been with us as a counselor since the camp opened in 2017, and before that, had been seen lurking in the Manitoga camp as a camper way back when Linda and Wyatt were running that summer program. A recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz, she is presently working full time with the Recreation Department and can be found afternoons bringing fun and laughter to our Rec Center after-school program. Kyra’s favorite camp activities are hiking with the kids and playing field games (NO ONE can run like Kyra…), and if you’re lucky, you’ll hear her lend her voice to “All Earth’s Critters”. We are happy to have the opportunity to work with her in her new camp capacity this summer!
Rhiannon Parsaca, Assistant Director/Activities Specialist ~ Rhiannon Parsaca began working with Linda Richards at 13 years old, starting as a C.I.T. for the summer camp held at the Manitoga: the Russel Wright Design Center. After joining Linda again as a counselor at Camp @ the Camp, Rhiannon truly found her passion for education and all things outdoors. She was most recently involved as the Art Coordinator for the past two Camp @ the Camp seasons, and she is incredibly excited to start her first year as Assistant Director and Activities Coordinator, alongside her long time friend Kyra Cimino. During the year, Rhiannon teaches as a substitute teacher for the Manitou School in Cold Spring, and works in Visitor Services at Manitoga: the Russel Wright Design Center.
Nate Smith, Assistant Recreation Director , Aquatics Director ( aka The Pool Guy) ~ Nate has been working in camps and aquatics for nearly 30 years since becoming a swim instructor, lifeguard trainer and Waterfront Director through the Boy Scouts of America in the early 1990s. Since then, he has taught aquatic activities up and down the east coast as well as Mexico and the Bahamas with the Boy Scouts of America, Outward Bound and Club Med. He’s also been part of the team at several camps across the country. Some highlights include Adventure D
irector at Interlochen Arts Camp (Interlochen Arts Academy, MI), Camp Director for Camp Central Park (Central Park, NY) and locally as the Recreation Director Highlands Country Club (Garrison, NY). He is currently certified as a WSI (Water Safety Instructor) and First Aid/CPR trainer through the American Red Cross. Nate brings his recreation philosophy of insuring safety, fun and learning to Camp @ the Camp’s pool time. When he’s not at the pool, Nate is a full time, year round member of the City of Beacon Recreation team who manages the After School program.
Counselors & Staff ~ Our summer staff is a team of experienced and knowledgeable leaders, who we work closely with each summer to develop our session’s themes and to provide the best possible experience for campers and CITs.
Collaborations: Camp @ the Camp is a program of the City of Beacon Recreation Department, directed by Mark Price. We have strong relationships with other programs and organizations who support our camp with resources, special presentations, and guest educators.
“My years are divided into two seasons – camp and not camp.”