Camp Echo : Our Leadership

Activity Specialists

Division Leaders

Camp Moms

Bernd Foecking, Associate Director, returns to Echo for his sixth summer. Bernd has over 13 years experience in programming and staffing for summer camps and boarding schools. Bernd’s expertise lies in experiential learning, and challenge course management. Bernd earned his BA from Ruhr University Bochum in History, English, and Education and his M.Ed. Adventure Learning from Plymouth State University. Bernd is an ACCT certified Challenge Course Manager. He is also an ACA Standards Visitor. During the winter, Bernd is the headmaster of Hampshire Country School in Rindge, NH.

Lisa Hallinan is the year-round Operations Manager with more than 15 years of experience at Camp Echo. She is a New York State certified teaching assistant (SUNY New Paltz). A familiar name at camp, whether in the office or on the grounds, she ensures that all operations at camp function efficiently and professionally. She heads all the support services at camp. Lisa is a ACA Standards Visitor. Along with husband Chris, she has two daughters who have grown up at camp– Courtney is a certified lifeguard and WSI and Layla is a Pioneer Counselor.

Chris Hallinan is the year-round Site Manager with more than 15 years at Echo. He is an expert in commercial and residential wiring, a wiz at carpentry (a Union carpenter), and a Certified Pool Operator. With wife Lisa and daughters Courtney and Layla, they truly are the First Family of Camp Echo!

Njoli Brown returns to Echo as Supervisor of Youth Development. He comes with vast experience with campers and students of all ages and backgrounds, both nationally and internationally. Njoli has worked with YMCA camps and Morry's Camp. He currently teaches for the The Leadership Program in New York City. In addition, Njoli makes music and teaches Capoeira and NinJiutsu.

Stacy Pace Spanier is the Head Counselor at Camp Echo. She is originally from New York and has a B.A. degree from Oneonta State College. Stacy has a vast knowledge of how camp works having been a Group Leader, Programming and Athletic Director and Head Counselor over her 12 years in a Leadership positions in camping. She has two children, Joshua (18), attending Skidmore College and Jessica (17) a senior at Baldwin High School. Both children have accompanied her at camp for 10 summers.

Activity Specialists

angela

Angela Sculthorp is the Aquatics Supervisor at camp. Angela returns to camp for her fifth summer. She has been a lifeguard at Echo for all five years and the Aquatics lead for the past two years. Angela is certified by the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Instructor, WSI, and more. Angela comes to camp with her husband Adam, our Adventure Supervisor.

Adam Adam Sculthorp is the Adventure Supervisor at camp. He began working at Echo in 2003 as an archery instructor and has since broadened his role to cover the other adventure activity areas. Adam graduated with a History degree in 2004 from the University of Leeds in the UK and currently works at a Learning skills center in Minnesota during the off season. Adam comes to camp with his wife Angela, our Aquatics Supervisor. Did you know they actually got married at camp?

Scott Rosenbluth returns to Echo for his 12th summer as the Coordinator of Special Events. He began his years at Echo as a camper in the fourth grade, and has grown up through the ranks after completing our Counselor-In-Training program and then becoming the Lead Counselor for our 6th and 7th grade campers. During the year Scott helps plan reunions, alumni events and is the editor of our family newsletter, The Echo Post.

Charlene Nikolaidis is our Arts Supervisor. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland but based in Athens, Greece, Charlene is an elementary schoolteacher of both English and Theater, having graduated in Acting and Performance at Motherwell College in Scotland, UK. Charlene, our Arts Supervisor, returns to Echo for her 2nd year, having over a decade of camping experience as counselor, Group Leader and Theater Director. Among the many performances she has produced at camp, you will find Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, High School Musical, and Mamma Mia here at Echo in 2009. Charlene is also a singer and teaches children to develop these skills. Having inspired many campers (and staff) to overcome nervousness and step onto the stage and shine, Charlene is often thanked by alumni who remind her of the impact she has had in their lives. She has a knack for being a "pied piper" and bringing the best out of her campers and students, combining a methodical approach with creativity and a maternal instinct. Married to Coach Lee (our Tournament Supervisor whom she met in camp), Charlene hopes to continue to help and teach our campers and staff for years to come at Camp Echo.

Lee Nikolaidis is Athletics Supervisor and in charge of all activity programming. a US citizen with a UK education (University of Westminster - MA in Social Science) "Coach Lee" is based in Athens, Greece where he is a high school English Teacher and Head Soccer Coach. Lee, in charge of Intercamp Games and Tournaments (Echo Sports Center), returns to Camp Echo for the 2nd year, but has 23 camp summers under his belt as camper, counselor, group leader, head soccer coach (fully certified by the English FA) and Athletic Director (at camps Pocono Ridge, Pa, and Summit, NY), having featured in the Wayne County League and now in the Mountain Conference. Lee prepares all our teams for tourneys and friendly games, paying attention to both the group as well as to the individual, campers and staff members, emphasizing that sports are for ALL to enjoy, regardless of ability. Having played a part in Olympic soccer organization (Athens 2004) Lee runs our home tournaments and organizes our travel teams using this experience along with his camping experience. Lee is married to Charlene (our Arts Supervisor - whom he met in camp), and is especially proud to be part of the Echo family.

Division Leaders

Vincent Miller is the Division Leader of the Senior Boys. He comes with much experience from growing up in summer camps as a camper and counselor. This is Vincent’s 5th summer at Camp Echo. He currently holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Forensic Biology, minor in Political Science with a concentration on vocal performance from the great University of South Florida. He is currently in his Master’s Program at Webster University for Business Administration. During the off- season, Vincent works as math and drama teacher at Denison Middle School. He also is a mentor for a non profit organization called Chain O’ Lake Achievers.

Gail Jordan-Gold is Division Leader of the Senior Girls. Gail has many years of experience working in summer camps, and is an Echo veteran of nine years. She is a first grade teacher in the New York City School system. She has a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Special Education from Hofstra University. Gail says she loved camp so much that she even talked her parents into working there (Gene and Sue run the Echo ceramics program) Gail has three daughters at Camp Echo, Abby is a three year old and in the Pioneer division, Amy is a counselor and Victoria a Senior. (Our Pioneer campers have their very own counselors, so that their parents can devote themselves exclusively to our campers.)

Brandon Cloyd is the Division Leader for the Junior Boys. A veteran counselor and “Lead” at Camp Echo, he spent all his summers throughout his college years being a role model to our boys. He hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he holds a B.S. degree in theater and business institutions from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he currently works during the off-season. As a performer, Brandon especially enjoys working with outreach programs in theater for young audiences. He was recently seen in a production of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and he had a huge success in directing a children’s theater production. As one of the founders of the famous “Echo-Prov,” Brandon brings this and other talents to our camp community.

Meg Barthel is returning to Echo for her seventh summer. She spent her first summer in G4-1 as a cabin counselor. Meg has worked her way up the ranks as an 8th grade Lead Counselor and a Lead Counselor for the Freshmen Division. She became the Division Leader for the 7th and 8th grade Division in 2009. Meg is working towards a degree in Organizational Administration. She coordinates Webster Stanley Elementary School’s after school program. Meg is looking forward to enabling her staff to be the positive role models our campers deserve, and to promote a fun, healthy, and safe program for all of her campers.

Sherryl Garry is Division Leader of the Freshmen Girls. An Echo veteran returning for her seventh summer, she teaches middle school math during the year at Oceanside Middle School, in Oceanside, NY. Prior to this, she taught math in East Meadow and was also a nursery school teacher at the East Meadow Jewish Center. She has a BA from Queens College and an MS in Education from Queens College. She and her husband Leigh have three children: Jason, a senior at Echo; Ashley, a counselor at echo; and Matthew who attends the UMASS-Amherst.

Merryl Winter is the Division Leader for the Freshman Boys. Sleep away camp has always been a second home for Merryl. Her childhood was spent at sleepaway camp and as an adult she has spent the last twelve years as a counselor, division head and head counselor. Merryl has been an integral part of the Syosset School District for the past 15 years. She works with special needs children as well as regular education students helping each individual child to grow to the fullest of their potential.

Camp Moms

Geri Cohen is Camp Mom for the girls, a position she has held for the past few years. Previously, she was a counselor of boys at Coleman Country Day Camp, in Merrick, NY. During the off-season she is a kindergarten teacher in Floral Park, Queens. Geri has a BS in psychology with a minor in child and family studies from SUNY Stony Brook, and a Master’s in Early Elementary Education from Hofstra. Geri’s children are campers: Ilyssa, a Junior, and Matthew, a Senior.

Liz Hecker is Camp Mom for the Dining Hall. She is a Registered Dietitian and certified in pediatric and adolescent weight management. Liz is the mother of two children, both with food allergies who will be attending Camp Echo this summer. Her son is eight and her daughter is six years old. They will both be in the Freshmen Division. During the year she works at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey.

Shari Kanterman is the Camp Mom for the boys who is looking forward to a summer filled with nail clipping, bedtime stories and lending a shoulder to lean on when needed. Although this is Shari’s second summer at Camp Echo, she comes to camp with many years of camping experience. She is an eighth grade Language Arts teacher in Staten Island, NY and holds a BA in Elementary Education from Oneonta State College and a Masters in Reading from Brooklyn College. Shari lives in Marlboro, NJ with her husband, Marc and two young Echoes Jamie and Evan.


	Activity Specialists Division Leaders Camp Moms
	Bernd Foecking, Associate Director, returns to Echo for his sixth summer. Bernd has over 13 years experience in programming and staffing for summer camps and boarding schools. Bernd’s expertise lies in experiential learning, and challenge course management. Bernd earned his BA from Ruhr University Bochum in History, English, and Education and his M.Ed. Adventure Learning from Plymouth State University. Bernd is an ACCT certified Challenge Course Manager. He is also an ACA Standards Visitor. During the winter, Bernd is the headmaster of Hampshire Country School in Rindge, NH.

	Lisa Hallinan is the year-round Operations Manager with more than 15 years of experience at Camp Echo. She is a New York State certified teaching assistant (SUNY New Paltz). A familiar name at camp, whether in the office or on the grounds, she ensures that all operations at camp function efficiently and professionally. She heads all the support services at camp. Lisa is a ACA Standards Visitor. Along with husband Chris, she has two daughters who have grown up at camp– Courtney is a certified lifeguard and WSI and Layla is a Pioneer Counselor.
	Chris Hallinan is the year-round Site Manager with more than 15 years at Echo. He is an expert in commercial and residential wiring, a wiz at carpentry (a Union carpenter), and a Certified Pool Operator. With wife Lisa and daughters Courtney and Layla, they truly are the First Family of Camp Echo!
	Njoli Brown returns to Echo as Supervisor of Youth Development. He comes with vast experience with campers and students of all ages and backgrounds, both nationally and internationally. Njoli has worked with YMCA camps and Morry's Camp. He currently teaches for the The Leadership Program in New York City. In addition, Njoli makes music and teaches Capoeira and NinJiutsu.
	Stacy Pace Spanier is the Head Counselor at Camp Echo. She is originally from New York and has a B.A. degree from Oneonta State College. Stacy has a vast knowledge of how camp works having been a Group Leader, Programming and Athletic Director and Head Counselor over her 12 years in a Leadership positions in camping. She has two children, Joshua (18), attending Skidmore College and Jessica (17) a senior at Baldwin High School. Both children have accompanied her at camp for 10 summers.
	Activity Specialists Back to Top
	Angela Sculthorp is the Aquatics Supervisor at camp. Angela returns to camp for her fifth summer. She has been a lifeguard at Echo for all five years and the Aquatics lead for the past two years. Angela is certified by the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Instructor, WSI, and more. Angela comes to camp with her husband Adam, our Adventure Supervisor.
	Adam Sculthorp is the Adventure Supervisor at camp. He began working at Echo in 2003 as an archery instructor and has since broadened his role to cover the other adventure activity areas. Adam graduated with a History degree in 2004 from the University of Leeds in the UK and currently works at a Learning skills center in Minnesota during the off season. Adam comes to camp with his wife Angela, our Aquatics Supervisor. Did you know they actually got married at camp?

	Scott Rosenbluth returns to Echo for his 12th summer as the Coordinator of Special Events. He began his years at Echo as a camper in the fourth grade, and has grown up through the ranks after completing our Counselor-In-Training program and then becoming the Lead Counselor for our 6th and 7th grade campers. During the year Scott helps plan reunions, alumni events and is the editor of our family newsletter, The Echo Post.



	Charlene Nikolaidis is our Arts Supervisor. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland but based in Athens, Greece, Charlene is an elementary schoolteacher of both English and Theater, having graduated in Acting and Performance at Motherwell College in Scotland, UK. Charlene, our Arts Supervisor, returns to Echo for her 2nd year, having over a decade of camping experience as counselor, Group Leader and Theater Director. Among the many performances she has produced at camp, you will find Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, High School Musical, and Mamma Mia here at Echo in 2009. Charlene is also a singer and teaches children to develop these skills. Having inspired many campers (and staff) to overcome nervousness and step onto the stage and shine, Charlene is often thanked by alumni who remind her of the impact she has had in their lives. She has a knack for being a "pied piper" and bringing the best out of her campers and students, combining a methodical approach with creativity and a maternal instinct. Married to Coach Lee (our Tournament Supervisor whom she met in camp), Charlene hopes to continue to help and teach our campers and staff for years to come at Camp Echo.
	Lee Nikolaidis is Athletics Supervisor and in charge of all activity programming. a US citizen with a UK education (University of Westminster - MA in Social Science) "Coach Lee" is based in Athens, Greece where he is a high school English Teacher and Head Soccer Coach. Lee, in charge of Intercamp Games and Tournaments (Echo Sports Center), returns to Camp Echo for the 2nd year, but has 23 camp summers under his belt as camper, counselor, group leader, head soccer coach (fully certified by the English FA) and Athletic Director (at camps Pocono Ridge, Pa, and Summit, NY), having featured in the Wayne County League and now in the Mountain Conference. Lee prepares all our teams for tourneys and friendly games, paying attention to both the group as well as to the individual, campers and staff members, emphasizing that sports are for ALL to enjoy, regardless of ability. Having played a part in Olympic soccer organization (Athens 2004) Lee runs our home tournaments and organizes our travel teams using this experience along with his camping experience. Lee is married to Charlene (our Arts Supervisor - whom he met in camp), and is especially proud to be part of the Echo family.
	Division Leaders
	Back to Top
	Vincent Miller is the Division Leader of the Senior Boys. He comes with much experience from growing up in summer camps as a camper and counselor. This is Vincent’s 5th summer at Camp Echo. He currently holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Forensic Biology, minor in Political Science with a concentration on vocal performance from the great University of South Florida. He is currently in his Master’s Program at Webster University for Business Administration. During the off- season, Vincent works as math and drama teacher at Denison Middle School. He also is a mentor for a non profit organization called Chain O’ Lake Achievers.


	Gail Jordan-Gold is Division Leader of the Senior Girls. Gail has many years of experience working in summer camps, and is an Echo veteran of nine years. She is a first grade teacher in the New York City School system. She has a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Special Education from Hofstra University. Gail says she loved camp so much that she even talked her parents into working there (Gene and Sue run the Echo ceramics program) Gail has three daughters at Camp Echo, Abby is a three year old and in the Pioneer division, Amy is a counselor and Victoria a Senior. (Our Pioneer campers have their very own counselors, so that their parents can devote themselves exclusively to our campers.)

	Brandon Cloyd is the Division Leader for the Junior Boys. A veteran counselor and “Lead” at Camp Echo, he spent all his summers throughout his college years being a role model to our boys. He hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he holds a B.S. degree in theater and business institutions from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he currently works during the off-season. As a performer, Brandon especially enjoys working with outreach programs in theater for young audiences. He was recently seen in a production of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, and he had a huge success in directing a children’s theater production. As one of the founders of the famous “Echo-Prov,” Brandon brings this and other talents to our camp community.


	Meg Barthel is returning to Echo for her seventh summer. She spent her first summer in G4-1 as a cabin counselor. Meg has worked her way up the ranks as an 8th grade Lead Counselor and a Lead Counselor for the Freshmen Division. She became the Division Leader for the 7th and 8th grade Division in 2009. Meg is working towards a degree in Organizational Administration. She coordinates Webster Stanley Elementary School’s after school program. Meg is looking forward to enabling her staff to be the positive role models our campers deserve, and to promote a fun, healthy, and safe program for all of her campers.

	Sherryl Garry is Division Leader of the Freshmen Girls. An Echo veteran returning for her seventh summer, she teaches middle school math during the year at Oceanside Middle School, in Oceanside, NY. Prior to this, she taught math in East Meadow and was also a nursery school teacher at the East Meadow Jewish Center. She has a BA from Queens College and an MS in Education from Queens College. She and her husband Leigh have three children: Jason, a senior at Echo; Ashley, a counselor at echo; and Matthew who attends the UMASS-Amherst.

	Merryl Winter is the Division Leader for the Freshman Boys. Sleep away camp has always been a second home for Merryl. Her childhood was spent at sleepaway camp and as an adult she has spent the last twelve years as a counselor, division head and head counselor. Merryl has been an integral part of the Syosset School District for the past 15 years. She works with special needs children as well as regular education students helping each individual child to grow to the fullest of their potential.
	Camp Moms

	Back to Top
	Geri Cohen is Camp Mom for the girls, a position she has held for the past few years. Previously, she was a counselor of boys at Coleman Country Day Camp, in Merrick, NY. During the off-season she is a kindergarten teacher in Floral Park, Queens. Geri has a BS in psychology with a minor in child and family studies from SUNY Stony Brook, and a Master’s in Early Elementary Education from Hofstra. Geri’s children are campers: Ilyssa, a Junior, and Matthew, a Senior.

	Liz Hecker is Camp Mom for the Dining Hall. She is a Registered Dietitian and certified in pediatric and adolescent weight management. Liz is the mother of two children, both with food allergies who will be attending Camp Echo this summer. Her son is eight and her daughter is six years old. They will both be in the Freshmen Division. During the year she works at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey.

	Shari Kanterman is the Camp Mom for the boys who is looking forward to a summer filled with nail clipping, bedtime stories and lending a shoulder to lean on when needed. Although this is Shari’s second summer at Camp Echo, she comes to camp with many years of camping experience. She is an eighth grade Language Arts teacher in Staten Island, NY and holds a BA in Elementary Education from Oneonta State College and a Masters in Reading from Brooklyn College. Shari lives in Marlboro, NJ with her husband, Marc and two young Echoes Jamie and Evan.