Kurt Podeszwa-Camp For All, Kevin Spaeth-Mustang Island Conference Center, Dorcas Tomasek-Consultant, Carla Weiland-Camp Summit, Shane Woods-Girl Scouts of North East Texas
Kurt Podeszwa is a camping professional, husband, and father. He has a bachelor’s degree in Education and has spent much of his adult life working in outdoor and adventure education, with over 20 years of professional youth development and nonprofit management experience. As the Camp Director for Camp For All in Burton Texas, a camp for children and adults with special needs and challenging illnesses, Kurt has had the opportunity to work with a variety of special populations. Kurt is an accomplished presenter and author and the founder of Journey Consulting. He is a faculty member of Expert Online Training and has presented at national and regional conferences as well as for companies and schools on topics ranging from staff training and development to adaptive programming and processing. Kurt has held various positions within the American Camp Association, including the National Board. Kurt currently serves on the National Standards Commission. Kurt has 3 children, Salem 22, Indigo 19, and Kerryck 18.
Kevin Spaeth has been working in camping for 26 years, the past 10 years as the Operations Director at Mustang Island Episcopal Conference Center near Port Aransas, Texas. The conference center runs family camps during the summer, and hosts day and overnight retreats the remainder of the year. Prior to coming to Mustang Island, Kevin worked with the YMCA of Dallas at its two camps – YMCA Camp Grady Spruce in various roles and Collin County Adventure Camp.
Dorcas Tomasek has been involved in Medical Needs Camping since 1992. She worked summers as the Woodshop Specialist at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp before moving to Florida to work year-round, as the Camp Director for 17 years at Camp Boggy Creek, a member of SeriousFun Children’s Network. She then moved into a Risk Consultant position with The Redwoods Group working with camps and Jewish Organizations across the country helping them be stronger, safer, and witnessing their mission come to life. She is now the primary caregiver for her mother and remains active in camping as an independent consultant and ACA, presenting at local, regional, and national conferences on numerous topics. She became a standards visitor in 2002 and instructor in 2007. She is a welder and yes, she does have a collection of 23 feather boas which she proudly wears to every camp and camping event.
Carla R. Weiland, Chief Executive Officer of Camp Summit in Paradise, TX. Carla has a varied background in Non-Profit and Camp management, including work with several Girl Scout Councils across the U.S. and the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. She has worked with numerous camps throughout the country and currently serves as the Texoma Section Chair of the Local Council of Leaders, and serves on the National Council of Leaders, for the America Camp Association (ACA). She also serves on the Nonprofit CEO Council as the Treasurer.
Shane Woods, MS ED, Senior Director of The STEM Center of Excellence, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas--Hailing from Houston, Texas, Shane graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a degree in Biology. She also holds a Master’s degree in Middle Grades Science Education. She worked in Fort Worth ISD for over 17 years in a variety of positions including serving as the K-12 Science Director. She also served as a co-lead contributor for the design of new STEM courses, STEM dual credit pathways and STEM summer experiences including job shadowing.