Meet Our New Assistant Directors!

As Waukeela continues to grow, we are working very hard to make sure that we have an INCREDIBLE team in place to support your girls and our staff members. We have three assistant directors joining our team for Summer 2016 and we are so excited to introduce them to you.

The first two are Graham and Gillian Moore who will be joining Waukeela as our Staffing and Residential directors. Your daughters may remember their daughters, Ellie and Rosie, who were at Camp this past Summer! The third assistant director joining our team for Summer 2016 is none other than Cindy Vachon! Cindy and her family have been in the Waukeela family for a very long time and we are thrilled to have her back as our Program Director.

Below we did a quick interview with Graham and Gillian so you could get to know them a little bit more (Cindy’s interview is coming soon too!). Join us in welcoming Graham and Gillian to Waukeela!

What is your background in camping?

Graham: I did five summers at Trails End Camp in PA, where I met Jayson – he was a 10 year-old back in my first summer in 1985. That year I was the golf counselor. The following year I coached soccer. I then had a break in order to start work in the UK. I returned to Trails End Camp as a group leader in the mid 90’s where I did three summers making many fond and cherished memories.

Gill: I first went to summer camp in Pennsylvania in 1986 where I worked as a specialist counselor on the waterfront. I returned in 1993, this time responsible for the lake, and again in 1994 when I worked with the oldest campers as a general counselor.

What did you love about Waukeela when you visited over the summer and what do you hope to bring to it?

Graham: The spirit of the camp left a powerful impression on me.  I hope I will bring a wealth of experience to Waukeela. I will bring a warm and caring expertise to the camp staff, helping them to discover new ideas and solutions,  whilst being there as a source of comfort and advice when needed.

Gill: I loved that Waukeela appears very unassuming and then comes to life with joy and happiness with singing I had never heard before. I loved talking to campers who oozed with pride in telling me how their mothers and grandmothers had also been Waukeela girls. I am hoping to bring all of my life experiences to Waukeela! I am a mother of four home-educated teenager who enjoyed summers at Waukeela and loved them. I am hoping to transfer all of my skills to the campers of Waukeela and support them the best I possibly can, offering them any advice and encouragement they may need, and ensuring they have the best summer ever.

What is your favorite thing about working in a camp environment?

Graham: I think it is the carefreeness of camp life. Camp is a little oasis of harmony in the crazy world in which we live and it gives staff and campers time to relax and reflect on their lives. I love the joy and happiness that the young people experience, born out of the fact that they can totally be themselves.

Gill: Working in a camp environment is not like working. Spending time with young people and sharing many, many memorable experiences in such a happy environment is what I love! Everyone can be and express themselves as they want without being judged. The time spent together is quality time because it gives the campers and staff the perfect opportunity to really get to know each other.

What Waukeela tradition are you most excited to be a part of?

Graham: It is very humbling to be asked to become a part of such a rich heritage of culture and tradition, so for me, just being part of the staff group will be a honor and privilege that will not be lost upon me. I love to sing so learning the camp songs and joining in will be the highlight!

Gill: I am excited to be a part of Waukeela and be a part of all the traditions that make Waukeela the unique successful camp that it is. I am a happy positive person who enjoys life, loves meeting new people, singing, and making people laugh! I am really looking forward to being a part of this special place and meeting all of the staff and campers.