Event Sessions

John Quinlivan - Camp Stella Maris

John is the Executive Director and CEO of Camp Stella Maris in Livonia, NY. He is a member of the Volunteer Engagement Committee (VEC), ACA’s Religiously Affiliated Camp Council (RAC), ACA Upstate NY Professional Development Committee, and the past Chairperson of the ACA Upstate NY, LCOL and has been a presenter at national, state, and regional camp conferences. Prior to CSM, John was Managing Director of Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY. John is a graduate of Purchase College and the Nonprofit Leadership Program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. John earned his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in 2014. 

Nancy Grimes - Cradle Beach

Nancy is the Administrative Director of Programs and Operations at Cradle Beach Camp in Angola, NY.  She is a member of the ACA Upstate NY Professional Development Committee, ACA Upstate NY Local Organization of Camp Leadership and Chair of the Girl Scouts of Western New York Outdoor Committee.  Nancy’s work at Cradle Beach Camp which unites individuals and families, with a focus on empowering children with special needs and the underserved to become their best selves. It create opportunities for life-changing experiences in a safe and inclusive environment.  Nancy has unique background in program development and business from previous work experiences and her work and dedication as a volunteer to the Girl Scouts of Western New York.

Allison Klee - Camp Stomping Ground

Allison Klee is the camp director at Camp Stomping Ground, an overnight camp in Saratoga Springs, NY with a mission to inspire the next generation of radically empathetic decision-makers. Passionate about making an impact Allison Klee graduated in three years from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Human Services. At the start of the pandemic, searching for how to serve the SG community, Klee launched Hometown Stomping Ground, an interactive, relationship-focused virtual camp program that served over 200 campers, at times running for 8 eight hours a day, for the last 7 months. In the off-season, Klee continues to manage staff recruitment and parent communication.

Emily Dobmeier - Lake Luzern Music Center

Combining her love for music and the outdoors, Emily Dobmeier is the Camp and Festival Director at Luzerne Music Center, an international summer music camp located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. She also serves as an EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping) Co-Chair for the ACA Upstate New York’s Local Council of Leaders. Having earned her doctorate in music, Emily has been teaching, coaching, and mentoring in the music and camp industries for ten years and invests her time in creating spaces that foster empathetic and cooperative learning.

Peter Swift - Camp Susque

Many leaders of today were raised by television rather than Pennsylvania black bears. Peter Swift is an exception, having been adopted by an Ursus Americanus at a young age. They taught him all he knows about the outdoors and Machiavellian office politics during his formative years living in the Alleghany Mountains. Despite routinely missing out on hibernation, he still manages to find time to serve as executive director of Camp Susque.  When he isn't helping to lead Susque's ministries, he can be found scrounging for grubs and berries or watching college basketball with his wife Lindsey, twin daughters Audrey and Nora, son Isaac, and dog Sawyer.

Ape Beattie - Girl Scouts Camp Mosey Wood

Ape is the Director of Camp and Older Girl Initiatives at Girl Scouts of Eastern PA.  The summer of 2021 will be Ape’s 29th year at a Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania summer camp. She grew up going to Camp Tweedale in Oxford, PA. She spent nine summers at Tweedale as a camper and twelve on staff. After Camp Tweedale closed its doors in 2013, Ape made the tough decision about where to go next. She chose Camp Mosey Wood, where she became the assistant director in 2014 and has been the camp director since 2015. Ape loves the Girl Scout movement and is a lifetime member.  Ape graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Physical Education and holds a teaching certificate. Ape has used her passion for teaching throughout her Girl Scout career, continuing to teach camp staff.

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Kelly Peneston - Camp Talooli

Kelly is the Camp Director of Camp Talooli, located outside of Syracuse, NY. Kelly grew up at Camp as a staff kid, has a BA in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. Kelly is an ACA Standards Visitor and has been a volunteer member of the Upstate NY LCOL for nearly 10 years. Camp Talooli is a traditional day and overnight summer camp. During the summer of 2020, Talooli operated a modified in-person day camp program. Kelly has also developed new school-year programs for 2020-21 including remote learning at Camp, weekly clubs, and monthly family days at Camp.

Michael Garcia - JCC Camp Centerland

Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree in Humans Services from Springfield College (MA). Michael has been working in Youth Development for 30 years mostly in camping after school, teens, and aquatics based programming. He has run small city camps up to large outdoor day camps. He volunteers with the American Camp Association (ACA) as a visitor and instructor. He serves the ACA Local Council of Leaders as the Upstate NY Standards Leader. Michael also volunteers as a board member of the New York State Camp Director’s Association (NYSCDA). Michael also is a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor through the National Council on Behavioral Health.

Pat Foster - YMCA Camp Cory

Pat has been the Camp Director at Camp Cory since 2010, however he has been going to Cory since he was 10. He has an extensive background working with kids, holding a variety of different roles during his time at camp and being a former Special Education Teacher. He has presented at various camping conferences on topics including program improvement, fiscal management, and inclusion. Pat holds a Master's Degree in Special Education from Lesley University, in addition to his Bachelor's from Nazareth College. He and his wife, Nicole, live in Fairport with their children Brooklyn and Teddy.

Steven Bernstein - Camp North Star of Maine

Steven is the owner/director of Camp North Star in Poland Spring, ME.  He has served on the LCOL in the Keystone Region since 2007 and currently serves as the regions Vice-President.  Steven has been a year-round camp professional since 2001.

Jud Millar - Stone Mountain Adventures

Jud Millar is owner and camp director of Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA).  His parents founded SMA in 1983 when he was 10 years old.  His early experiences growing up in rural Central Pennsylvania and as a camper at SMA had a profound effect on him and helped instill in him his love for wild places, nature and adventures.  As an experienced educator both in and out of the classroom, he believes that an overnight summer camp experience has the potential to have a profound positive effect on the development of young people.  

Jud graduated from Elon University, worked as a high school teacher, for the North Carolina Outward Bound School and as a mountaineering guide in California and the Himalayas of Nepal.  Jud has been the Camp Director at SMA since 2001.

Mike McElhinney - YMCA Camp Kresge

Mike McElhinney is a YMCA Career Camping Professional with over 25 years of experience in the field. His first camp experience was at YMCA Camp Mason in Hardwick, NJ. He was a camper there for two years, and a seasonal staff member for 6 seasons (Summer Camp and Outdoor Education). Mike has worked at YMCA Camp Y-Noah, YMCA Camp Campbell Guard, YMCA Camp Sky-Y, and Chauncey Ranch. During his career, Mike has completed his Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management, obtained his Team Leader Certification from the YMCA of the USA, currently serves as an American Camp Association Visitor, Co-Standards Chair of the LCOL, Standards Instructor, and is on the training faculty for the YMCA of the USA. As the Executive Director of Camp Kresge for the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, Mike manages a staff team of 8 year-round staff and 50 seasonal staff. During the summer, YMCA Kresge operates a mid-sized day camp program and an overnight camp program, as well as rental groups. Mike resides with his family at YMCA Camp Kresge year-round and looks forward to continuing to provide outstanding, outcome-driven programs for today’s youth.

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