Camp Pathfinder Staff
- The Staff at Sladds' cabin 2005
Pathfinder is extremely proud of our expert and friendly Staff. Most members come up through the ranks, having learned the "Pathfinder Way" from years as campers and junior counselors. Each year, more former campers join the historic ranks of the Pathfinder Staff.
The directors and senior staff average about 15 years of experience each at Pathfinder. This means that they are able to caretake the traditions that ensure a Staff with solid hard skills, and the commitment that 'Camp is for the kids.'
Years of traversing the trails of Algonquin Park have given the rank and file Pathfinder Staff canoe tripping expertise, and the experience they need to be great trip guides, counselors and role models for campers. The trip staff are highly trained, and carry important certifications in first aid, lifesaving, and paddling.
Each season, alumni guest staff of all ages return to the Island to make their mark once again. And the in-camp staff, male and female, ages 17 to 70, complement Pathfinder's tripping program with a variety of activities and a lot of personal attention.
Pathfinder Owners
Camp Pathfinder is a family affair.
Camp owners since 1999, the Arthurs and Sladdens work to sustain Pathfinder's 95 years of tradition. Mike and Glenn are former campers and counselors, longtime alumni volunteers, and parents of Pathfinder campers.
- Mike & Leslie Sladden, Heidi & Glenn Arthurs
Glenn and Heidi Arthurs
Glenn Arthurs is Director of Investments with Smith Barney Buffalo. He has been a member of the firm since 1983, and a member of its Director’s Council since 1987.
Like Glenn, Heidi is a life-long Western New Yorker. A longtime Northway Lodge camper, she raised two sons and a daughter as Algonquin Park canoe trippers and camp counselors.
Glenn and Heidi are active in their Youngstown – Buffalo community. In addition to guiding Pathfinder, Glenn serves on a number of foundations and boards, including Sisters of Charity Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, Stella Niagara Education Park, and Holimont Ski Club.
Mike and Leslie Sladden
The Sladdens hail from Rochester, NY. They have two sons in the Pathfinder program, so the family spends their summers together on Pathfinder Island. Sladds devotes full time year 'round attention to the camp as director. Leslie also works in Rochester on the management team of Midtown Athletic Club.
Mike Sladden, Camp Director
- Sladds
Rochester, NY
Next summer will mark Sladds' 9th year as owner-director. He started at Pathfinder as a Cree, age 11, and has been a Headman, Director of Canoeing, alumni volunteer and parent since 1984. Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Level II Instructor in Ropes Course leadership through CUI/ACCT, and ORCA Moving Water I-II. Sladds attended Allendale School, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Connecticut College ('81). He worked for 13 years on the staff, and was curator of education, at the International Museum of Photography and Film, George Eastman House.
Mary Chestnut, Assistant Director
- Mary
Wellsville, NY
Teacher, Wellsville Central Schools
Mary has been an invaluable part of the Pathfinder experience for almost a quarter century. Her dad and brothers made their own mark on Camp over the decades. Mary came into the front office from a career as waterfront director. In the off-season she teaches middle school in Wellsville, New York. Likely Mary's will be the cheerful voice on the phone during summers. Ask her what any boy is doing at Camp that day, and she'll know!
Zach Arem, Director of Tripping
- Zach
Honeoye Falls, NY
University of Florida '08 Gainesville, FL
A longtime camper and staff man, Zach began his DOT career in 2006 at Pathfinder after many seasons leading AA trips and helping with the Mics and Chipps. Last year Zach ran tripping in Second Half, after a First Half spent in charge of the 25-day trip on the Attawapiskat River. Zach’s university studies are leading him toward a career in physical education and leadership. A Rochester native, he’s enjoying sunny Florida and running Univ. Florida's handball club in his free time.
Brent Hurley, Director of Canoeing
- Brent
Peterborough, ON
Teacher, Lakefield College School, ON
Brent is planning his '08 return as Canoeing Director, having shared the DOT role with Zach last summer. A 20-year veteran of Pathfinder, Brent is a graduate of Queens University. A few years back, he joined the faculty at Lakefield, which is great for Pathfinder, as it allows him to spend summers with us. Following this summer season Brent will take a year to teach aboard the ClassAfloat tall ship S/V Concordia while it sails the Atlantic.
Jill Pala, Program Director
- Jill in the Lower Office, 2007
Chattanooga, TN
Teacher, Girls Preparatory School, Chattanooga, TN
Coming into her 11th summer at Pathfinder, Jill is back to direct the program during First Half. Jill teaches computer science and technology at her alma mater back in Tennesee. She first came to camp from Chattanooga in 1994 as a summer baby-sitter. The north woods got into her blood, and the rest is history.
Will Hopkins, Area Supervisor/Program Director
- Will
Brooklyn, NY
Teacher, The Dalton School, NYC
Originally a Pathfinder camper from Rochester, NY. Will is a graduate of Cornell University and UC Berkeley. Over many Pathfinder summers he's led trips and played many of the in-camp roles. He taught at Urban School in San Francisco until accepting a post in 2005 at Dalton. Now closer to Pathfinder, Will continues his tenure on the senior staff. After a summer off in '07, we are looking forward to having Will back in '08 as our Ott Supervisor, a CIT mentor, and Second Half program director.
Corey Floyd, Director of CITs
- Corey
Denver, CO
Artist & Photographer
Preparator, DesignWorks Denver
In his 17th year at Pathfinder, our Vail, Colorado native Corey Floyd is taking over the CIT training program for a second year. Last season he also led the AA trip on the Harricana River. During the 2006 season he was Director of Canoeing and the Cree Area Supervisor. Corey is a senior Headman, who has led AA trips throughout Ontario. But he has also been an effective and much-loved Cree leader, anchoring that age group from his famous Tent 6. He also is designer of the Camp Trails yearbook.
Katie Rand, Director of Waterfront
- Katie
Boulder, CO
University of Colorado '10, Master of Education
Katie virtually grew up at Pathfinder, as the daughter of former owner Mac Rand. This season, she is once again in charge of the Swim program. You may also see Katie teaching kayaking, leading day trips, and guiding canoe trips. She's been teaching for the past four years in Connecticut private schools, and has now headed west to pick up graduate school duties at UC Boulder.
Ryan Arthurs, Director of CITs
- Ryan and fishing buddy.
San Francisco, CA
Independent artist and photographer
Carleton College '05, Northfield, MN
After a three-year hiatus from Pathfinder, while he traveled to East Africa, finished college, and moved to a gallery job in Sun Valley, Ryan returned to the Island in '07 to help run the CIT program and guide in the spring and fall season. Now a studio assistant to artists in San Francisco, he is still back for hte 95th summer, and rarin' to go tripping. A Pathfinder lifer and member of the Arthurs clan who co-own camp with the Sladdens. Ryan will again be leading trips and helping to run the CIT program.
Jim Coakley, Alumni Guest Staff
- Gyro (right) with emeritus owner Mac Rand.
Boothwyn, PA
Chief Financial Officer, Wilmington College, Delaware
"Gyro"Coakley joined the Pathfinder Staff in the early 1960s, and has been at the forefront of camp life ever since. A Headman and Director of Tripping, Gyro spent many years on the trail for Pathfinder, before taking on the role of at-large advisor, mentor to Headmen, trip trucker, and camper trip-training guru. Gyro and wife Sue will be in residence First Half this season.
Lance Kennedy, Alumni Guest Staff
- Lance
Chattanooga, TN
Teacher, The Baylor School
Lance has served Camp Pathfinder for over 40 years, and was Camp Director for much of the '80s and '90s under Mac. A former camper and longtime Pathfinder counselor, Lance spends his winters as a mathematics teacher at Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. He keeps busy writing calculus text books and consulting to the CBS television series "Numb3rs". His love for puzzles and games led to the creation of Pathfinder's Treasure Hunt, which will again be played during first half this summer!
Lisa Pugliese, Camp Nurse
- Nurse Lisa
Ottawa, ON
Registered Practical Nurse, Ottawa, ON
Lisa is a lifelong Algonquin camper, who found her way to the Pathfinder Infirmary in 2006. Lisa will again be overseeing medications, med kits, bumps and bruises. Lisa is a full-time mom and active nurse in Ottawa in the off-season.
Chris Hacker, Director of Earth Lore
- Chris
Buffalo, NY
University of Rochester '09, Rochester, NY
Chris started as a Pathfinder camper in the '90s, and rejoined the staff in '06 after a 2-year hiatus. Influenced by Earth Lore founder Chris Brackley, Chris is carrying on the leadership of that important pillar program. Earth Lore is a way campers can make a personal connection with the natural world of Algonquin, and become familiar with the land as a living system of interconnected plants and animals. Chris is also a veteran Pathfinder Headman!
Hannah Wadsworth, Assistant Director of Waterfront
- Hannah
East Aurora, NY
Bowdoin College '08, Brunswick, ME
Hannah has been on the swim staff for 4 years, and shares the Pathfinder experience with brothers Barrett, longtime staff man, and Jeremy, the 2006 winner of the Pathfinder award. Hannah is also an avid participant in all things Pathfinder, so you'll find her on the trip trail, in the kayaks, on day trips, and doing anything that needs doing. Hannah is also a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), so she helps us out with first aid and emergency care. Over the winter, Hannah spent a semester in Hong Kong.
Jamey Bumbalo, Alumni Guest Staff
- Jamey
Camden, ME
Teacher, Rangeley, ME
Jamey was a camper at Pathfinder in the '70s and a staf man in the '80s. Active as an alumni volunteer for a number of years, he began to spend First Half at camp when his son Brooks got to Mic Mac age. After directing the young campers' program for several seasons, Jamey now helps run the Cree tribe, and takes a lot more canoe trips while he still can! A.K.A. the Hogg, he is also our senior trucker, expert at taking and fetching home our trips from far-flung Ontario back roads.
Sarah McBee, Director Arts & Crafts
- Sarah
Lewiston, NY
SUNY Albany '09, Albany, NY
Sarah first saw Pathfinder Island when she came one summer to look after one of the pre-camper age children. She loved the people and the setting, so she began to contribute her talents at arts/crafts, at kayaking, on day trips, at athletic programs, anywhere she could help out. Sarah took over a/c last in '06, and looks forward to another summer of creativity, with the Park and her campers as inspiration.
Keenan Toohey, Swim Staff / Sailing
- Keenan
Lewiston, NY
Skidmore College '08, Saratoga, NY
Keenan has been a Pathfinder Staff friend for years, and at last has agreed to board the CPI cruise of '07, to bring the sailing program back to its former glories. A Skidmore girl, she is planning a semester of study and volunteerism in Tanzania this winter, when ice closes the Pathfinder Yacht Club. Welcome Keenan!
Ron Wishlow, Camp Chef
- Chef Ron
Bancroft, ON
York University '08
Chef Ron is new to Camp this summer, and we all love his cooking already! An Ontario man with South Florida roots, he's headed to grad. school this autumn to start a Master's degree in cognitive studies. Ron will be with us again in '08 !
Jenn Elliott, Camp Baker
- Jenn
Peterborough, ON
Trent University '10, Peterborough, ON
Jenn was at Pathfinder as the Baker in '06. New identity: Director of Sugar. The kids loved the desserts, of course, but she is also responsible for all the trip bread and most of the bread, muffins, and other daily baking at camp. Welcome back, Jenn!
Grace Herman, Waterfront Staff
- Grace
Waban, MA
Newton South High School
Grace was a Northway Lodge tripper, before moving over to become a member of the cpi swim staff. Her dad is Dr. John Herman, alumnus and guest staff man. It is good to get another Herman on the staff, and Grace's brother Davey will be a camper this year as well.
Emily Baronich, Waterfront Staff
- Emily
Springville, NY
Springville High School
Emily spent First Half with us at Pathfinder in 2006. This internship was mutually terrific, so we're very glad to have her back for the season. Emily will be working on swim staff, but is also great at arts and crafts.
Simon Mortimer, Alumni Guest Staff
- Simon (rt), with Mitch Anderson
Toronto, ON
Attorney
Simon first worked at Pathfinder as a college man in the '80s, famously hired sight-unseen by Mark T. Smith to become a staff legend, and in following years a stalwart alumni friend. Now with his son old enough for a camp stay, Simon is back! See him live, Session B, on Source Lake.
John Baronich, Alumni Guest Staff
- Monsieur B
Springville, NY
Principal, Springville Middle School
Mr. B is a force to be reckoned with. A camper in the '70s like Sladds, he has given Pathfinder a few weeks of his precious summer break every year. In return we all get a friend with limitless energy, enthusiasm, and ideas to make camp even more fun. He also seems to have an 'in' with the infamous "Jacques Beee," a Canadien raconteur, sometime trapper, and full-time scoundrel, who bursts into the Dining Hall when least expected.
Steve Szymkowiak, Trip Staff
- Terrah!
Buffalo, NY
Boston College '08
Steve is a Headman coming back to Pathfinder tripping after a year away, studying in New Zealand as part of a Boston College program. Good to see him again.
Ben Bristow, Trip Staff
- Ben
Vergennes, VT
Union College '09 Schenectady, NY
Ben is a member of the tripping Bristow/Anderson clan, and is joining the Headman ranks off a big trip last year to the Bloodvein R. with many of this year's CITs. This year he led the Meanest Link trip, a Pathfinder homage to Bill Swift.
Warren McDermott, Trip Staff
- Warren's 'blue steel'
Fairport, NY
Whitman College '10, Walla Walla, WA
What can be said? The man makes fire with magic, does his own sewing, and is a much sought-after trip staffman by campers and fellow staff alike. This year he climbs into the stern seat as a Headman. Also, he referred Terrence to us for the season. Nice.
Gil Stanley, Trip Staff
- Gil
Buffalo, NY
Hobart William Smith College '10, Geneva NY
Gil is a Buffalo man, who has been at camp for almost a decade now, and shows no signs of slowing down. A dedicated trip staff man who is taking up the Headman role this summer, Gil in recent seasons has been a standout for his film-editing as well as his tripping. His cuts of AA trip footage from the Missinaibi, Spanish and Bloodvein Rivers are a huge hit with the kids.
Grif Edwards, Trip Staff
- Grif
Durham, NC
College of Wooster '10, Wooster OH
Grif is another Pathfinder lifer, now a rookie Headman and coming off his freshman year at Wooster. A North Carolina tar heel who can't stop coming into the north woods.
Kyle Warren, Trip Staff
- Kyle
Rochester, NY
Plymouth State College '10, Plymouth, NH
One of the superb crop of rookie Headmen this summer, Kyle has been a part of long, difficult trips with AAs, and has taken care of the smallest Mics and Chipps. His dad attended Pathfinder, and the family has a cottage inside the Park, so time spent in Algonquin is in his blood. Let's have a soccer hooligan chant from Kyle ...
Trip Staff
Buffalo, NY
Trip Staff
Trip Staff
Aydin Perese, Trip Staff
- Aydin
San Antonio, TX
University of Texas, San Antonio '10
Aydin came back to CPI after missing a couple of years. Now he's hooked again. Last summer's tripping inspired him, and he is returning in '08, after completing another year at UT. Welcome back, Aydin!
More Trip Staff
The Second Men of 2008 !
- Veteran Second Men
- James Berking, Rochester, NY
- Colin Bristow, Vergennes, VT
- Tim Carey, Wilmington, DE
- Will Chapple, Baysville, ON
- Conor Peterson, Williston, VT
- Garrett Doran, Buffalo, NY
- Max Reis, Buffalo, NY
- Rookie Second Men
- CJ Cook, Orchard Park, NY
- Austin Hopkins, Montpelier, VT
- Ben Brown, Buffalo, NY
- Jeremy Wadsworth, East Aurora, NY
- Thomas Bryce, Chatham, MA
- Lyman Munschauer, Buffalo, NY
- Michael Szymkowiak, Buffalo, NY
- Will Holzer, Solon, OH
- Dean Zdriluk, Toronto, ON
- Caleb Fisher, Pittsburgh, PA
- Simon Gooding Townsend, Toronto, ON
- Grif Menzies, Jamestown, NY
- Sasha Hites, Buffalo, NY
- Jack Smith, Rochester, NY
- Max Georger, Buffalo, NY
- Coop Scheuerell, Newton, MA
- Caleb Atwood, South Royalton, VT