Our Staff
Pathfinder boasts a large staff of young men, homegrown from camper age, with canoe country expertise and a dedication to individual attention. A specialized complement of expert young women join in, creating a 1:2 staff to camper ratio unique in camping.
The position of Pathfinder counselor is one of caretaker, role-model and instructor focused on the campers. Pathfinder staff provide guidance and continuity of tradition. They share core Pathfinder values -- fraternity, service, teamwork, heritage, respect for the natural world, and personal goal-setting, achievement, and reflection.
​
Our counselors give their guys Pathfinder’s magic mix of challenges and encouragement. They reward each genuine camper effort and milestone. They possess that rarest ingredient - empathy – to blend with the excitement, skills and maturity carried forward from their own camper years.
Staff & The Pathfinder Summer 2024
Check Out the Amazing Pathfinder Staff!
Following the COVID recovery years, Pathfinder will enjoy an incredibly high return rate for veteran staff! Kudos to the many amazing young adults who stuck with camp through several compromised years and now make up one of the most experienced, well-trained, and camp-committed staffs in the modern era! We are so excited to see what this group can accomplish during the 111th Pathfinder summer.
What are the qualities that make Pathfinder staff so special? Expertise, focus, hard work, dedication, empathy, patience, mutual good will, and a LOVE of FUN. All age groups of staff act in the finest traditions of Pathfinder to make sure we have a healthy setting, a vibrant program, and the warmest sense of 'welcome home' for the campers. The Staff simply work their tails off and give everything with their whole hearts. The result is a camper experience including great trips, esprit de corps, grounding routines and beloved traditions.
​
Our senior staff includes the directors, area supervisors and activity directors as usual. This management team will be energized this summer as we dive into the first year under New Director, Will Hopkins' leadership. Pathfinder also welcomes Erica Mason back in role of Assistant Director. Paige Clark and Simon McNamee will also return in their key program leadership roles. Satisfying his undying commitment to Pathfinder, Sladds will be back as emeritus director, and Mary Chestnut will continue in her role supporting all operational aspects of camp.
​
The Pathfinder Staff will see the return of the successful new LIT program. The counselor in training (CIT) summer has become an age-17 year. CITs will graduate into Third Man privileges as the summer progresses, after their training and certification, while age-16 boys will enjoy a full summer of LIT tripping and training, all the time enjoying tandem paddling life together with their directors, focused on guide skills in preparation for a Staff career.
​
Our age-18 crew are the Veteran Second Men group, while eligible age-19+ trip staff are the Pathfinder Headmen. This includes the 2024 rookie Headman class, and a stellar slate of veteran Headmen. A full schedule of training and certification this June includes the fifth biennial Pathfinder Spruce Root, a unique wilderness leadership conference bringing renowned experts in a constellation of fields right to our Staff at the Island.
​
We’re all excited to be reuniting as the 111th Pathfinder Staff season kicks off in June. We can’t wait!
Owners & Directors
WILL HOPKINS
Owner/Director
Maplewood, NJ
Cornell University, BS
U.C. Berkeley, MS
​​
Will started as a camper at Pathfinder in 1987, served as a staff member, headman, and senior staff in the 1990's and 2000's. He worked in education leadership for 25 years all the while remaining active in the Pathfinder alumni community. In 2023, Most recently, Will was the Associate Head of School at Friends Seminary in NYC. Will and his wife Diane became owners of Pathfinder and Will stepped into the Director role.
​
Will and Diane met on Source Lake and were married at Pathfinder in 2010. They live in Maplewood, NJ during the off-season with their 3 daughters. During the summer, they also enjoy visiting Diane's family cottage on Source Lake.
MIKE SLADDEN
Recruitment Coordinator / Emeritus Director
Rochester, NY
Connecticut College
Former Director & Owner: 1999-2023
​​​​
'Sladds' started as a Pathfinder 'Cree', a third generation camper and staff man in the 1970s and '80s, and alumni in residence in the '90s. He partnered with alum Glenn Arthurs in 1999 to purchase camp from Mac Rand.
​
Sons Jack and Quin are longtime campers and staff men. Sladds volunteers on the Standards committees, and Board of Directors at the Ontario Camps Association. He's a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Camp Directors.
​
Began at CPI: 2013
Years Working: 12
AARON ORKIN, MD
Pathfinder Medical Director
Toronto, ON
McMaster University School of Medicine
Family & Emerg medicine/ public health
Emergency Physician in Toronto, ON and Huntsville, ON. Over two decades of experience in wilderness and expedition medicine.
Began at CPI: 2013
Years Working: 12
JULIA ORKIN, MD
Pathfinder Medical Director
Toronto, ON
McMaster University School of Medicine
General Pediatrician in Toronto, ON.
Began at CPI: 2018
Years Working: 6
DAVE STATTEN
Director of Canoe Building and Maintenance
Bancroft, ON​
Dave grew up at Taylor Statten Camps on Canoe Lake and learned his craft from his dad Bill, and Dave Stanfield.
​
Creator of Brass Tacks Canoe Works
ERICA MASON
Assistant Director
Rochester, NY
Canisius College, BS
SUNY Brockport, MPA
Rookie Season: 2013
Years Attending: 6
Program Director 2013-2017
Spring and Fall program leader, 1st year as Assistant Director
PAIGE CLARK
Program Director
Rochester, NY
Skidmore College
B.A in Health and Exercise Science
Began at CPI: 2018
Years Attending: 7
Former Camp Northway camper and staff (11 years), 7th year as Pathfinder Program Director
SIMON MCNAMEE
Director of Facilities
Director of Leadership Training
Ottawa, ON
University of Toronto
B.S. in Oboe Performance, Minor in Translation of Russian Literature​
Rookie Season: 2009
Years Attending: 13
8th Year Senior Headman, 3rd year as Spring/Fall Dir. of Facilities, 3rd year as Dir. of Leadership Training
ANDREW BEECHER
Director of Canoe Tripping (DOT)
Buffalo, NY
Fordham University
B.S in Marketing, Minor in Anthropology
​
Rookie Season: 2007
Years Attending: 16
6th Year Senior Headman, 2nd year as Dir. of Canoe Tripping
VIRGINIA BOYER
Director of Waterfront
Louisville, KY
Colgate University
Studying Art History & Economics, 4th year
Began at CPI: 2021
Years Working: 4
4 years as Pathfinder swim staff, 2nd year as Dir. of Waterfront
SIMON JEENS
Assistant Director of Leadership Training
Etobicoke, ON
University of Guelph
B.S in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Rookie Season: 2012
Years Attending: 12
5th Year Senior Headman, 2nd year as Dir. of Leadership Training
AIDAN WALTERS
Assistant Director of Leadership Training
Creemore, ON
Quest University
Studying Liberal Arts
​
Began at CPI: 2018
Years Working: 6
Aidan is a 4th year Headman, AA trip veteran. 1st year as Assistant Director of Leadership Training
AIDAN MCPHAIL
Senior Headman, Supervisor for Camper LIfe
Gatineau, QC
University of Montreal
Studying Industrial Design
​
Rookie Season: 2008
Years Attending: 15
5th Year Veteran Headman,
1st year as Supervisor of Camper Life
In-Camp Staff
Kitchen Staff
In Camp Program & Support Staff
Began at CPI: 2016
Years Working: 9
GONZALO PANTOJA PARADA
Head Chef
Queretaro, MX
Universidad Contemporánea
Culinary Arts
Began at CPI: 2015
Years Working: 4
THANIA FLORES
Camp Cook
Queretaro, MX
Instituto Gastronomico de Estudios
Culinary Arts
Began at CPI: 2023
Years Working: 2
GUSTAVO ANAYA
Camp Cook
Queretaro, MX
​
Began at CPI: 2024
Years Working: 1
PATRICIA JUAREZ NAVA
Camp Cook
Queretaro, MX
​
Began at CPI: 2024
Years Working: 1
JASPER DESROCHES
Assistant Cook/Coordinator for Indigenous Food Programs
Ottawa, ON
Queens College, Kingston ON
Studying Education
JULIANNE MCNAMEE
Trip Outfitting Staff
Ottawa, ON
Algonquin College
Studied Visual Arts & Design
Began at CPI: 2023
Years Working: 2
ANNA LENTZ
Program Assistant
Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University
Studying International Economics and Modern Language, 3rd year
Began at CPI: 2023
Years Working: 2
LEIGH MOESER
Swim Staff
Buffalo, NY
SUNY Geneseo
Studied Business Administration and Mathematics, 4th year
Began at CPI: 2023
Years Working: 2
SUNRYA PEACE-FRIEDMAN
Camp Media
Maui, HI
Florida State University
Studying English, 2nd year
Began at CPI: 2022
Years Working: 3
LAYLA AHMED
Swim Staff
Arlington, VA
University of Virginia
Studying Spanish and Global Studies, 1st year
Began at CPI: 2024
Years Working: 1
REN MARSH
Arts & Crafts
Suffern, NY
SUNY Potsdam
Studying Art Education and Wilderness Education, 2nd year
Began at CPI: 2024
Years Working: 1
LYTI WEED
Kindercare
Logan, UT
Utah State University
Studying Education, 1st year
Began at CPI: 2024
Years Working: 1
Nursing Staff
HEATHER COLEMAN
A / D Sessions Nurse
Nurse Staff and Infirmary Coordinator
ERIN ISERHOFF
A Session Nurse
HAILEY MARSHALL
ABC Session Nurse
AUTUMN ELZINGA
B Session Nurse
MORGAN KENNEDY
BC Session Nurse
Secondmen
The summer following CIT year our staff become Secondmen, when they take on duties such as finding and chopping wood on trip, assisting their Headmen, and taking care of campers.
Secondman year gives staff time to learn and develop the skills necessary to becoming a Headman.
MATEO ARAGUES
Spain
COOPER BOULAY
Calgary, AB
EMMETT BOULAY
Calgary, AB
ANDREW CLEMENTS
Costa Rica
JACK CUTLER
Denver, CO
WILL HARRIMAN
Madison, CT
LLEYTON ROSSI
Brantford, ON
SHANE WHITESIDE
Rochester, NY
SAM MENDOLA
Rochester, NY
BEN ROONEY
Brantford, ON
CITs
Our Counselor in Training group are made up of our 17 year old staff. At this point they have completed their AA camper year at age 15, which including a challenging 30-40 day whitewater AA canoe trip.
Following this, they completed their Leaders in Training LIT year at age 16, where they trip together with their LIT Directors on 7-12 day trips to improve their skill and prepare for the next years as staff.
This program includes staff training and certification courses, as well as hands on learning in camp and on trip throughout the summer.
CHARLEY RANDS
FELIX SHAPIRO
MATT KNOX
OWEN BRACKLEY
TUCKER WELT
LIAM OAKLEY
Headmen
The title of Pathfinder Headman is hard-earned.
A Headman has apprenticed for 3-years after his camper career and is fully qualified for the responsibility of leading canoe trips.
Headmen guide trips ranging from 1-40 days. Navigation, strategy, food planning, medical care, camper-care, and morale are just some of the roles taken on by a Headman.
Rookie Season: 2009
Years Attending: 15
SAM HAMLETT
6th Year Senior Headman,
Previous Roles: Director of Canoeing
Buffalo, NY
Binghamton Universirty
B.A. in Environmental Science
Rookie Season: 2015
Years Attending: 8
NELL BRUCKNER
5th Year Senior Headman
Previous Roles: Director of Waterfront, Dir. of CITs
Cleveland, OH
Bates University
B.A. in American Studies, Minor in German Languages
Rookie Season: 2014
Years Attending: 10
SIMON COUSINEAU
4th Year Veteran Headman
Burlingame, CA
McGill University
Studying Political Science
Rookie Season: 2011
Years Attending: 12
CJ LENAHAN
4th Year Veteran Headman
Buffalo, NY
Northeastern University
Studying Chemical Engineering and Mathematics
Rookie Season: 2010
Years Attending: 14
TATE PIERSON
4th Year Veteran Headman
Rochester, NY
Hamilton College
Studying Literature, Government & Philosophy
Rookie Season: 2009
Years Attending: 15
GABE MYRICK
4th Year Veteran Headman
Previous Roles: Dir. of Canoeing
Berkeley, CA
University of California, Irvine
Studying Psychology
Rookie Season: 2011
Years Attending: 12
CHRISTIAN KOLAGA
4th Year Veteran Headman
Previous Roles: Dir. of CITs
Buffalo, NY
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Studying English
Rookie Season: 2011
Years Attending: 12
EVAN POPAT
4th Year Veteran Headman
Buffalo, NY
Northwestern University
Studying Civil and Environmental Engineering
Rookie Season: 2012
Years Attending: 13
DAN BUNDGARD
3rd Year Veteran Headman
London, ON
University of Western Ontario
Studying English and History
Rookie Season: 2010
Years Attending: 14
DECLAN EADY
3rd Year Veteran Headman
Toronto, ON
Queens University
Studying Sociology and History
Rookie Season: 2013
Years Attending: 11
GRAHAM HALL
3rd Year Veteran Headman
Brooklyn, NY
Bard College
Studying Film and Electronic Media & Spanish Studies
Rookie Season: 2013
Years Attending: 11
JAMIE SILLS
3rd Year Veteran Headman
Mississauga, ON
Western University
Studying Economics
Rookie Season: 2013
Years Attending: 11
JACOB SEIFRED
3rd Year Veteran Headman
Toronto, ON
Dalhousie University
Studying Sustainability and Anthropology
Rookie Season: 2022
Years Attending: 3
OLIVER ALLSHIRE
2nd Year Rising Headman
Toronto, ON
Western University
Studying Engineering
Rookie Season: 2020
Years Attending: 4
IAN BROWN
2nd Year Rising Headman
Ottawa, ON
Algonquin College
Studying Outdoor Education
Rookie Season: 2019
Years Attending: 6
PETER BROWNRIGG
2nd Year Rising Headman
Burlingame, CA
Colorado College
Studying English
Rookie Season: 2011
Years Attending: 12
MAX CROCKER
2nd Year Rising Headman
Lowell, MA
Professional Electrician
​
Rookie Season: 2011
Years Attending: 13
GIDEON DENT
2nd Year Rising Headman
Santa Fe, NM
NM Institute for Mining and Technology
Studying Mechanical Engineering and Bio-Engineering
Rookie Season: 2010
Years Attending: 14
MAC FABENS
2nd Year Rising Headman
Brookyn, NY
Emory University
Studying English
Rookie Season: 2014
Years Attending: 10
SILAS WITMORE
2nd Year Rising Headman
Washington, DC
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Studying Geography
Rookie Season: 2013
Years Attending: 11
SAM ZIONTS
2nd Year Rising Headman
Buffalo, NY
North Country College
Studying Wilderness Recreation Leadership
Rookie Season:
Years Attending:
ASHER MILBERG
1st Year Rookie Headman
Washington, DC
Tufts University
Studying Electrical Engineering
Rookie Season:
Years Attending:
ALEX BEECHER
1st Year Rookie Headman
Buffalo, NY
University of Colorado, Boulder
Studying Biomedical Engineering
Rookie Season:
Years Attending:
WILL DAHMEN
1st Year Rookie Headman
Boston, MA
Colorado College
​
​
Rookie Season:
Years Attending:
WES PRICE
1st Year Rookie Headman
Princeton, NJ
Allegheny College
Studying Physics
Rookie Season:
Years Attending:
HENRY ZIEF
1st Year Rookie Headman
Princeton, NJ
​