Camp Pathfinder Staff
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.'
Headmen - The Heart and Soul of Pathfinder
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's Owners
- Mike & Leslie Sladden, Heidi & Glenn Arthurs
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.
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 Eagle Vale Golf Club.
Mike Sladden, Camp Director
- Sladds
Rochester, NY
The coming summer will mark Sladds' 10th year as owner-director. He started at Pathfinder as a Cree, age 11, was a camper in the early '70s, 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 mother, dad and brothers also 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!
Will Hopkins, Program Director 08 / Tripping Director 09
- 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 found Will back in '08 as our Ott Supervisor, a CIT mentor, and Second Half program director. In '09 Will takes over the Tripping program from Zach Arem.
Jill Pala, Program Director
- Jill at the Lower Office
Chattanooga, TN
Teacher, Girls Preparatory School, Chattanooga, TN
Coming into her 12th 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.
Corey Floyd, Director of CITs
- Corey
Denver, CO
Artist & Photographer
Preparator, DesignWorks Denver
In his 18th year at Pathfinder, our Vail, Colorado native Corey Floyd is taking over the CIT training program for the third year. In 2007, he 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. Corey also designs of the annual Camp Trails yearbook.
Katie Rand, Director of Waterfront 08
- Katie
Boulder, CO
University of Colorado '10, Master of Education
Katie virtually grew up at Pathfinder, as the daughter of former owner Mac Rand. In recent seasons, 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 studies at UC Boulder. For summer '09 we'll see Katie as an Alumni Guest Staff in second half.
Ryan Arthurs, Director of CITs 08
- Ryan
San Francisco, CA
Robert Koch Gallery
Independent artist / Gallery manager
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. In the off season he signed on as a studio assistant to artists in San Francisco. Back for the 95th summer, and rarin' to go tripping in '08, Ryan helped manage the CIT program. A Pathfinder lifer and member of the Arthurs clan who co-own camp with the Sladdens. In the fall of '08 Ryan took a new role with the Robert Koch Gallery in SF
Jim Coakley, Alumni Guest Staff
- Gyro
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 former 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!
Chris Hacker, Director of Earth Lore 08
- 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 carried 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, a veteran Pathfinder Headman, has provided great leadership. For '09, he'll be in southern California pursuing his graduate work in geology.
Hannah Wadsworth, Asst Director of Waterfront 08
- Hannah
East Aurora, NY
Bowdoin College '09, Brunswick, ME
Hannah has been on the swim staff for 5 years, and shares the Pathfinder experience with brothers Barrett, longtime staff man, and Jeremy, the 2006 winner of the Pathfinder award, and a Pathfinder secondman. 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 '08 winter, Hannah spent a semester in Hong Kong.
Lisa Pugliese, Camp Nurse 08
- 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.
Jamey Bumbalo, Alumni Guest Staff
- Jamey
Camden, ME
Teacher, Rangeley, ME
Jamey was a camper at Pathfinder in the '70s and a staff man in the '80s. Active as an alumni volunteer during the late '90s, then joined the ranks of the Alumni Guest Staff. 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.
Bob Roggow, Alumni Guest Staff '08
- Rags
Longmont, CO
Colorado Schools Guidance Director, ret.
What can you say about 'Rags?' Always ready for a day at Pathfinder, with a quick smile and good advice at the ready. Bob has been a Pathfinder fixture since he was 6 years old. His parents were instrumental in the program at Camp for decades, and Bob himself held many staff positions at Camp, from trip staff and headman to Director of Tripping. Keeps many traditions alive at Pathfinder, including brain rot and GOOP!
Pete Johnson, Guest Staff
- Pete
Pete teaches at EFS in Buffalo and has spent 15 years running the fall program that brings EFS students to Pathfinder in autumn and winter. In 2008, Pete came up for his first summer session and loved it. So much so, he's back for '09. Welcome Pete!
Zach Arem, Dir. of Tripping 08 / Alumni Guest Staff
- zach
Rochester native. 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. In 2007 Zach ran tripping in second half after leading the 25-day AA trip down the Otoskwin and Attawapiskat Rivers. Last year he posted 80 trips for the camp including the first AA descent of the Rupert R. He spends his winters in Gainesville, FL working on his degree in physical education, teaching, and coaching the multi-repeat national champion handball team at Univ. Florida. Summer '09 we will miss seeing Zach fulltime, but we're sure to see him for a visit.
Brent Hurley, Dir. Canoeing 08 / Alumni Guest Staff
- Brent
Brent made his '08 return as Canoeing Director, having shared the DOT role with Zach in summer '07. A 20-year veteran of Pathfinder, Brent is a graduate of Queens University. A few years back, he joined the faculty at Lakefield College School, which is great for Pathfinder, as it allows him to spend summers with us. Following the summer season Brent took a year to teach aboard the ClassAfloat tall ship S/V Concordia while it sails the Atlantic. Currently he is at sea, but looking forward to more time at CPI as a guest staffer for summer '09.
Sarah McBee, Director Arts & Crafts 08
- 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 '08
- 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 '09
Chef Ron was new to Camp in summer 2007, and we all love his cooking already! An Ontario man with South Florida roots, Ron is a grad student at York University, getting a Master's degree in cognitive studies. Ron was with us again in '08 !
Jenn Elliott, Camp Baker
- Jenn
Peterborough, ON
Jenn was the Pathfinder baker from '06 - '08. Alter identity: Director of Sugar. The kids love 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.
Grace Herman, Waterfront Staff
- Grace
Waban, MA
Newton South High School '09
Grace was a Northway Lodge tripper, before moving over to become a member of the cpi swim staff in 2007. 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 hard-tripping AA full season camper this year as well.
Emily Baronich, Waterfront Staff
- Emily
Springville, NY
Springville Griffith Institute HS '09
Emily spent First Half with us at Pathfinder in 2006, following in the moccasin prints of her grandfather, uncles, father John and brother Mike. This will be her fourth season coming up to CPI, and she's now a veteran presence at Swim Dock, as well as serving in other in-camp roles like arts and crafts and day trip guiding. Emily will be attending Canisius College in the fall, studying mathematics and adolescent education.
Mara Peacock, Waterfront Staff
- Mara
Tallahasee, FL
Elementary Educator
Florida State University '09
Mara has been a Cache Lake resident, Northway Lodge camper and staff for many years. Graduating from FSU this spring and spending another Algonquin summer. Welcome Mara!
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
- Steve
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
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.
Gill Stanley, Trip Staff
- Gill
Buffalo, NY
Hobart William Smith College '10, Geneva NY
Gill 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, Gill 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. In 2008, he joined Aydin Perese as co-headman on the Chochocuoane River expedition.
Grif Edwards, Trip Staff
- Grif
Durham, NC
College of Wooster '10, Wooster OH
Grif is another Pathfinder lifer, a Headman coming off a freshman year at Wooster and an '08 trip in charge of AAs down the Missinaibi River. 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 last 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. In 2008, Kyle and Steve led the AAs down the Rupert, and spent the spring helping open camp. An outdoor studies major at Plymouth.
Brian Brunsing, Trip Staff
- Brian
Buffalo, NY
University of Colorado '11, Boulder, CO
Brian is a Pathfinder lifer, and as a trip staff man has been on the trail throughout Pathfinder's tripping network. Brian can do it all, from a spring crew school group program to a Mic 'n Chipp assignment, to a long Ott or AA trip.
Charlie Katrycz, Trip Staff & Athletics
- Charlie
Toronto, ON
MacGill University '11, Montreal QC
Charlie grew up spending summers on nearby Cache Lake, and joined the camper ranks in 2001. His enthusiasm and experience as a Pathfinder staff man has served camp so well, both in his role as a senior member of the Mic Chipp sleepage staff, and as a presence at Canoeing and Athletics. Charlie brought us the Pathfinder Olympics in '08, a great complement to the real Summer Games. Always good to have him.
Pete Farmelo, Trip Staff
- Pete
Buffalo, NY
University of Colorado '11, Boulder CO
Pete came to us a couple of seasons ago, thanks to his hometown buddy Max Brown. Pete made his mark with the campers right away. The Pete Farmelo soccer chant became a regular feature of the '07 season. In '08 Pete was back and in addition to tripping gave a lot of time to teaching the boys basics of the whitewater kayak.
Aydin Perese, Trip Staff
- Aydin
San Antonio, TX
University of Texas '10, San Antonio TX
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, and he co-led the AA trip on the Chochocuoane in Quebec with Gill. He's also a stalwart of the spring and fall crews. Welcome back for '09, Aydin!
Henry Shepley, Trip Staff
- Henry
St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri '11, St. Louis MO
Henry's been with us since 2000 as a camper and staff man, and is a hit with campers and staff alike. Always ready with the brain rot, and to lend a hand on every job.
Carl Eppers, Trip Staff
- Carl
Buffalo, NY
SUNY Geneseo '11, Geneseo NY
Carl's been a Pathfinder man for years, and is excellent with the campers. He's also a skilled trip guide, ready for anything.
Josh Uline, Trip Staff
- Josh
Rochester, NY
Keuka College '11, Penn Yan NY
Josh is one of the classic Rochester crew.
Conall 'Finn' McCance, Trip Staff
- Finn
Holywood, Northern Ireland
Ski School at Revelstoke BC '09
Finn, like many Headmen, began as a Camper and worked his way up the ranks. Despite his family's move a couple years back from Rochester NY to their home country of Northern Ireland, Finn has stayed close to Pathfinder. In fact, he worked the spring and fall crews in '08 and is back on as of May 1, 2009. Yea, Finn!
Chris Mui, Trip Staff
- Nice pose Chris
Rochester, NY
Cornell University '11
Chris had a spectacular season as a Rookie Headman in '08, following a long career at Pathfinder which included the Pathfinder Award in his AA year. He was recently invited to join the steering committee of the Algonquin Campership Fund as the active Staff representative to our scholarship program. A Camper favorite. Welcome back Chris.
Kiel Pfaff, Trip Staff
- Kiel
East Aurora, NY
University at Buffalo '11
Another long-timer, Kiel has been with Pathfinder since 2001, and is back for a second Headman year. Lots of tripping in store for the "P-Faff" this season.
The Rookie Headmen of 2009 !
James Berking, Rochester, NY
University of Vermont, Burlington VT '12
Colin Bristow, Vergennes, VT
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY '12
Tim Carey, Wilmington, DE
Georgetown University, Washington DC '12
Conor Peterson, Williston, VT
St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY '12
Max Reis, Buffalo, NY
University of Vermont, Burlington VT '12
Cooper Scheuerell, Newton, MA
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA '12
Mike Baronich, Springville, NY
Canisius College, Buffalo NY '11