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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 welcome's Erica Mason back in role of Assistant Director.  Paige Clark and Simon McNamme 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.  

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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 and enjoying tandem paddling life together with their directors, focused on guide skills in preparations for a Staff career.

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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, 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.

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We’re all excited to be reuniting as the 111th Pathfinder Staff season kicks off in June. We can’t wait!

Directors Page

Owners & Directors

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WILL HOPKINS

Owner/Director

Maplewood, NJ
Cornell University, BS

U.C. Berkeley, MS

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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 camp alumni community.  In 2023, Will and his wife Diane became owners of Pathfinder and Will stepped into the Director role. 

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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

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Rochester, NY
Connecticut College

Former Director & Owner: 1999-2023

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'Sladds' started as a Pathfinder 'Cree', a third generation camper and staff man in the 1970s and '80s. 

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His college studies led him to photographic history and graduate work at SUNY’s Visual Studies Workshop, and he joined the education staff of George Eastman Museum in 1986, becoming Curator of Education in 1989. Over the next decade he directed museum education programs, working as both a team member and manager on numerous exhibitions and public programs interpreting the history, art and technology of photography.

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Sons Jack and Quin are longtime campers and staff men. Sladds spends six months in residence at Pathfinder and the winter months working from Rochester.  He maintains a ropes course certification and WFR status, and is a Director of the Ontario Camps Association, and a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Camp Directors.

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Assistant Director Emeritus, Operations

MARY CHESTNUT

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Williamsville, NY
College of Wooster

Teacher, Wellsville Schools (ret)

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Mary has been an invaluable part of the Pathfinder experience for four decades. Her dad Al was a staff man at Pathfinder where he met her mother Helen, the camp nurse, just after WWII. While Mary attended Oconto, her brothers also made their own mark on Camp over the years.

 

Mary came into the Pathfinder front office from a career as waterfront director and was the first female to hold a senior title. At camp today, she manages operations and finance.

Mary recently retired from a career in middle school math instruction in Wellsville, New York. Likely Mary's will be the cheerful voice on the phone during summers.

 

Ask her what any camper or staff is doing at Camp that day, and she'll know!

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ERICA MASON

Assistant Director

Rochester, NY

Canisius College, undergraduate

SUNY Brockport, MPA

Rookie Season: 2013

Years Attending: 5

Program Director 2013-2017
Spring and Fall program leader, 1st year as Assistant Director
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PAIGE CLARK

Program Director

Rochester, NY

Skidmore College

B.A in Health and Exercise Science, Minor in Fine Arts

Began at CPI: 2018

Years Attending: 7

Former Camp Northway camper and staff (11 years), 7th year as Pathfinder Program Director
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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

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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
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ANDREW BEECHER

Director of Canoe Tripping (DOT)

Buffalo, NY

Fordham University

B.S in Marketing, Minor in Anthropology 

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Rookie Season: 2007

Years Attending: 16

6th Year Senior Headman, 2nd year as Dir. of Canoe Tripping
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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
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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
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AIDAN WALTERS

Assistant Director of Leadership Training

Creemore, ON

Quest University

Studying Liberal Arts

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Began at CPI: 2018

Years Working: 6

Aidan is a 4th year Headman, AA trip veteran and will complete his whitewater paddling instructor certification in Spring 2024. 1st year as Assistant Director of Leadership Training
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Aidan McPhail

Senior Headman, Supervisor for Camper LIfe

Gatineau, QC

Quest University

Studying Liberal Arts

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Rookie Season: 2011

Years Attending: 13

5th Year Veteran Headman,
1st year as Supervisor of Camper Life
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AARON ORKIN, MD

Pathfinder Medical Director

Toronto, ON

McMaster University School of Medicine

Specialized in family medicine, emergency medicine and public health

Began at CPI: 2013

Years Working: 11

Director of Population Health for Inner City Health Associates Toronto, and practices emergency medicine at St. Joseph's Health Centre.
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JULIA ORKIN, MD

Pathfinder Medical Director

Toronto, ON

McMaster University School of Medicine

Began at CPI: 2013

Years Working: 11

Staff pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Division of Paediatric Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer and staff paediatrician at Sickkids Hospital.
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DAVE STATTEN

Canoe Builder

Bancroft, ON​

Dave grew up at Taylor Statten Camps on Canoe Lake and learned his craft from his dad Bill, and Dave Stanfield.

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Began at CPI: 2018

Years Working: 6

Creator of Brass Tacks Canoe Works
in camp

In-Camp Staff

Kitchen Staff

In Camp Program & Support Staff

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Began at CPI: 2016

Years Working: 9

GONZALO PANTOJA PARADA

Head Chef

Queretaro, MX

Universidad Contemporánea

Culinary Arts

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Began at CPI: 2015

Years Working: 4

THANIA FLORES

Camp Cook

Queretaro, MX

Instituto Gastronomico de Estudios

Culinary Arts

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Began at CPI: 2023

Years Working: 3

GUSTAVO ANAYA

Camp Cook

Queretaro, MX

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Began at CPI: 2023

Years Working: 2

JAY NOBLE

Assistant Cook

Amherstburg, ON

St. Clair College, Windsor ON

Nursing Staff

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JULIANNE MCNAMEE

Trip Outfitting Staff

Began at CPI: 2023

Years Working: 2

Ottawa, ON

Algonquin College

StudiedVisual Arts & Design

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ANNA LENTZ

Program Assistant

Began at CPI: 2023

Years Working: 2

Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Studying International Economics and Modern Language, 3rd year

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LEIGH MOESER

Swim Staff

Began at CPI: 2023

Years Working: 2

Buffalo, NY

SUNY Geneseo

Studying Business Administration and Mathematics, 4th year

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SUNRYA PEACE-FRIEDMAN

Camp Media/ Arts & Crafts

Began at CPI: 2022

Years Working: 3

Maui, HI

Florida State University

Studying English, 2nd year

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LAYLA AHMED

Swim Staff

Began at CPI: 2024

Years Working: 1

Arlington, VA

University of Virginia

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HEATHER COLEMAN

A / D Sessions Nurse

Nurse Staff and Infirmary Coordinator

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ERIN ISERHOFF

A Session Nurse

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AUTUMN ELZINGA

B Session Nurse

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LISA ANTONISZYN

C Session Nurse

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ERIN BRANDON

D Session Nurse

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ERIN CANNELL

B Session Nurse

2ndmen
headmen

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. 

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MATEO ARAGUES

Spain

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COOPER BOULAY

Calgary, AB

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EMMETT BOULAY

Calgary, AB

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ANDREW CLEMENTS

Costa Rica

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JACK CUTLER

Denver, CO

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PEYTON DAHMEN

Boston, MA

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WILL HARRIMAN

Madison, CT

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LLEYTON ROSSI

Brantford, ON

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SHANE WHITESIDE

Rochester, NY

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SAM MENDOLA

Rochester, NY

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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.

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COMING SOON
Stay Tuned for the Roster of 2024 CIT's

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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.

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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

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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

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Rookie Season: 2014

Years Attending: 10

SIMON COUSINEAU

4th Year Veteran Headman

Burlingame, CA

McGill University 

Studying Political Science

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Rookie Season: 2011

Years Attending: 12

CJ LENAHAN

4th Year Veteran Headman

Buffalo, NY

Northeastern University

Studying Chemical Engineering and Mathematics

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Rookie Season: 2010

Years Attending: 14

TATE PIERSON

4th Year Veteran Headman

Rochester, NY

Hamilton College

Studying Literature, Government & Philosophy

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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

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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

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Rookie Season: 2011

Years Attending: 12

EVAN POPAT

4th Year Veteran Headman

Buffalo, NY

Northwestern University

Studying Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Rookie Season: 2012

Years Attending: 13

DAN BUNDGARD

3rd Year Veteran Headman

London, ON

University of Western Ontario

Studying English and History

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Rookie Season: 2010

Years Attending: 14

DECLAN EADY

3rd Year Veteran Headman

Toronto, ON

Queens University

Studying Sociology and History

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Rookie Season: 2013

Years Attending: 11

GRAHAM HALL

3rd Year Veteran Headman

Brooklyn, NY

Bard College

Studying Film and Electronic Media & Spanish Studies

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Rookie Season: 2013

Years Attending: 11

JAMIE SILLS

3rd Year Veteran Headman

Mississauga, ON

Western University

Studying Economics

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Rookie Season: 2013

Years Attending: 11

JACOB SEIFRED

3rd Year Veteran Headman

Toronto, ON

Dalhousie University

Studying Sustainability and Anthropology

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Rookie Season: 2022

Years Attending: 3

OLIVER ALLSHIRE

2nd Year Rising Headman

Maui, HI

Florida State University

Studying English, 2nd year

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Rookie Season: 2019

Years Attending: 6

PETER BROWNRIGG

2nd Year Rising Headman

Burlingame, CA

Colorado College

Studying English

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Rookie Season: 2011

Years Attending: 12

MAX CROCKER

2nd Year Rising Headman

Lowell, MA

Professional Electrician

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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

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Rookie Season: 2010

Years Attending: 14

MAC FABENS

2nd Year Rising Headman

Brookyn, NY

Emory University

Studying English, 2nd year

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Rookie Season: 2014

Years Attending: 10

SILAS WITMORE

2nd Year Rising Headman

Washington, DC

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Studying Geography

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Rookie Season: 2013

Years Attending: 11

SAM ZIONTS

2nd Year Rising Headman

Buffalo, NY

North Country College

Studying Wilderness Recreation Leadership

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Rookie Season:

Years Attending:

ALEX BEECHER

1st Year Rookie Headman

Buffalo, NY

University of Colorado, Boulder

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Rookie Season:

Years Attending

IAN BROWN

1st Year Rookie Headman

Ottawa, ON

Algonquin College

Studying Outdoor Education

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Rookie Season

Years Attending

WILL DAHMEN

1st Year Rookie Headman

Boston, MA

Colorado College

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Rookie Season:

Years Attending:

WES PRICE

1st Year Rookie Headman

Buffalo, NY

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Rookie Season:

Years Attending:

HENRY ZIEF

1st Year Rookie Headman

Princeton, NJ

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