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Summer Trails Leadership Team   
    

Scott Berman

Head Counselor

Scott is originally from The Bronx where he taught Physical Education and he currently lives in Yorktown Heights. He has a Masters in Health Education and Physical Education from Lehman College. Scott has the distinguished honor of being the longest Summer Trails employee—He’s been working in a leadership capacity for over 34 years! When he’s not at camp you can catch him on the golf course (he’s got a mean swing) or traveling the globe.

Joanna Berkowitz

Upper Grove
Group Leader

Joanna grew up in The Bronx and was a student at the Bronx High School of Science and now resides right here in Granite Springs. Joanna graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and holds an American Chemical Society Certified BA in Physical Chemistry. In the spring of 2007 Joanna joined the Summer Trails full-time staff team where she enjoys talking with new camp families and staff. When not at camp Joanna stays busy participating in her children’s school activities, playing with her dog Cassius, listening to music, and singing Kelly Clarkson songs (Joanna is her #1 fan).

Lynn Carlisto

Creative Arts Director

Lynn has lived in Somers since 1994 with her husband, Mike, and their family. She has been an active member of the Somers PTA where she currently serves as President as well as the Girls Scouts organization for many years. In addition to balancing these extra curricular activities she works part time as an office manager for her husbands Accounting Firm. This will be Lynn’s fourth summer at Summer Trails. She had been an Arts and Crafts specialist for three summers. In her spare time she loves to scrapbook, make cards and read.

Amy Kaufman

Little Grove
Group Leader

Amy is originally from Long Beach, New York and currently lives in Somers. She has a BA from SUNY Buffalo and an MA from Emerson College. Amy is a teaching assistant in the winter months and looks forward to summer because she loves seeing everybody’s smiling faces. Amy joined the Summer Trails family in 2005 as a Little Grove Group Counselor and in 2007 became the Little Grove Group Leader. When not at work, Amy can be found baking in the kitchen, reading, taking long walks, and practicing yoga

Dan Kreiness

Baseball Program
Coordinator

Dan grew up in Mahopac, NY and currently resides in Danbury, CT. He has been a member of the Summer Trails family since he was a camper in Nursery Boys in 1985. Dan has been a member of the Summer Trails staff since 1996. His voice can also be heard from across the camp grounds as he announces the play-by-play calls for baseball camp. Dan has a BA in Journalism from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in Education from Mercy College. Dan is an eighth grade English teacher in the Bronx and also an instructor with the Mahopac High School Marching Band.

Brittany Kugler

Lower Grove
Assistant
Group Leader

Brittany grew up and currently resides in Somers. With a BA in Elementary Education, she currently attends Pace University and is working towards a Masters in Special Education. She has been apart of the Summer Trails family for the past five years working in the Lower Grove with Girls 1. Brittany has also spent the last two years in the role of Extended Day Director. In her free time Brittany likes to spend time in Montauk on the beach, relaxing or hanging out with friends.

Liz Nesbitt

Upper Grove
Group Leader

Liz was born and raised in Mahopac and still resides there. She has a Master's degree from Western Connecticut State University in Education / Reading Literacy and a BS in Special Education from The College of Saint Rose. Liz has been at Summer Trails as group counselor for the past 6 summers. In the winter she is a teacher at a private school in Ridgefield, CT. When she is not at camp, you can find Liz coaching volleyball and heading up the chess club at her school! Also she enjoys doing all sorts of crafts, cooking, and of course some running and dancing too!

Heather O'Neill

Summer Office Manager

Heather grew up in Mt. Vernon and now lives in Somers. She attended Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. and graduated with a Bachelor's in Arts and Science in English and Secondary Education. She also has an Ma ED in Curriculum and Instruction. Heather has been teaching high school English for the past 8 years. This is her second summer working in the Summer Trails office. When not at school or camp Heather enjoys hanging with her Bulldog Louie, skiing, reading, fishing, roller blading, and most of all shopping.

Dave Parent

Controller

Dave was born in Wyoming and raised in Florida. He graduated from the University of West Florida with an Economics & Finance degree. After working at Southwoods Camp as the bookkeeper, Dave joined the Summer Trails Staff in 2008. During the winter, Dave fills the role of controller including accounting and operations. In the summer, he also manages our office and maintenance staff and coordination of all camp transportation. Dave is an avid golfer, guitar player and Jimmy Buffett fan.

Debi Kelly

Aquatics Director

Debi was born, raised and currently resides in Yorktown Heights. She considers Summer Trails her second home as she grew up here spending 21 summers at camp (15 as staff and 6 as a camper). In addition to running our pool, Debi oversees our Extended Day Program. Debi has a Masters of School Psychology from Plattsburgh State University. Debi joined the Summer Trails full-time staff team in the Fall of 2009. When not at camp you may find Debi teaching an American Red Cross Certification course, reading, and playing with her Rottweiler, Xena.

Phil Ronca

Athletic Director
Phil Ronca, a New Rochelle native, has happily lived in Yorktown Heights for the past 3 years. He received his B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Education from the College of Mt. Saint Vincent. A Physical Education teacher in the Bronx for the past 13 years, Phil has dedicated the past 19 years to camp life - the last three here at Summer Trails.  If he's not spending time on new adventures with his family you'll find him working on his golf swing or glued to the Miami Dolphins game. 

Lisa Rudinski

Little Grove
Assistant
Group Leader

Lisa grew up and currently resides in Mahopac, NY. She has a BS in Childhood Education and recently completed her Master's in Childhood Special Education from Fordham University. Lisa currently works in the Chappaqua CSD as the AIS math teacher. She has spent four summers as a counselor working with Boys entering First and Second grade. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, shopping, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with her dog Missy.

Christine Wedvik

Lower Grove
Group Leader

Christine has a B.S. in Elementary Education with Minors in Child Development and Early Childhood Education and a M.S. in Educational Psychology, certified in Special Education. She currently teaches a combination class of Pre-K/Kindergarten in Shrub Oak at Seton School. She has been part of Summer Trails since 2000 as the Nature Specialist. Christine enjoys being outdoors, gardening and traveling.

Jamie + Dave Sirkin

- Owners/Directors -

Jamie completed her undergrad at Indiana University and then received a Masters of Social Work from NYU. As a camp “lifer” she has spent over 25 summers at camp, more than a decade as a Camp Administrator. Jamie is committed to positively impacting children through the summer camp experience. 

Greg Fitts

- Associate Director -

Baseball

Greg grew up in Somers, NY and is a graduate of Somers High School. Greg played college baseball at both Concordia College and then SUNY Brockport. He graduated from SUNY Brockport earning a BA in Physical Education and then went on to earn a Masters Degree in Health Education from Lehman College. He currently teaches physical education in the Mahopac Central School District.
Greg has extensive coaching experience including soccer, track and baseball at Mahopac High School.
Greg currently resides in Mahopac with his wife Amy and enjoys staying active & fit, golfing and playing softball.

 

Andrea and Scott Ralls

- Owners -

Andrea and Scott have dedicated their professional lives to empowering children. Between them they have more than 45 years teaching and camp experience. They spend their summer in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains at Southwoods the premier residential 4-week children’s camp that they have founded, own, and direct.

Ann & Dave Silverstein

Judy & Marty Davidson

Pauline & Jim Durling

- Founders -

Ann, Dave, Judy, Marty, Pauline and Jim banded together in 1974 to start a small camp named Summer Trails.  Five of them being teachers, they looked to continue to impact lives of children during their summer vacations from school.  They landed here in Granite Springs at the doorstep of Dr. Molly Cohl.  Dr. Molly Cohl had previously run a small camp and petting zoo on this property.  They fell in love with the site and started work immediately on opening camp.  Decades later Summer Trails has grown to accommodate campers age 3-14, offer a wide variety of programs, and impact the lives of thousands of Westchester families.  With their ingenuity Summer Trails has become the benchmark in day camping.