Alanna is thrilled to take on the role of Resident Director at camp this summer. Alanna has been part of the Downer family for over 20 years as a camper, counselor, program head, and most recently as the Assistant Director. In the off season, Alanna works at Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, VT. Alanna loves hiking, swimming, yoga, creating art, and snuggling with her cat "Maybe." Alanna couldn't be more excited to get the 2022 summer started!

Katherine is overjoyed to be returning to camp for her 16th summer on staff, this year as Assistant Director. Katherine fell in love with camp when she was eight years old and practically hasn't left since! These days, she has a passion for doing all the behind-the-scenes work to help ensure that camp runs smoothly so that others can fall in love with camp just like she did. When she's not at camp, Katherine works as an administrator at Vermont Commons School in South Burlington, where she also gets to do fun, camp-like things like directing the school play and going on week-long outdoor adventures that have ranged from biking over 200 miles around Lake Champlain to canoeing in the remote Adirondack wilderness. She can't wait to welcome you to the Downer Forest this summer!

Luke Burton has worked at Camp Downer for nearly a decade. In that time he has been a Counselor, Village Leader, Program Head, Staff Mentor, and Maintenance Person. He is now the Operations Director — working to keep Camp running safely and smoothly from the Dining Hall to the farthest corners of the Pond. He holds a degree in Written Arts & Experimental Humanities from Bard College. In his free time he engages in with art of all persuasions, writes poetry, and lifts weights.

Ella is excited to begin her first summer at Camp Downer as the Registrar and Administrative Assistant. She is a native of Richmond, Vermont, and grew up hearing stories about camp from her brother and friends. She will be a senior at the University of Vermont this fall, where she studies Dance and Geography. Ella is the captain of the Vermont Dance Team at UVM, and she has worked with kids as a dance teacher at studios in Richmond, Saint Albans, and Burlington since she was in high school. She hopes to get involved with as many programs as she can, providing families and campers with plenty of pictures to remember their time at camp by. Ella is looking forward to a summer filled with laughter, new friends, and memories that will last a lifetime!

Hi All! This is Tiki Brown, and he will be the Nature and Aquatics Program Head this summer. This means that you can find him helping out at the pool or the pond, helping with programs or wandering about. Along with being with the other counselors and campers He will be supplying things for each program, such as pool toys or new fishing equipment. He was a camper at camp for five years before he became a counselor in 2018. When not at camp you can find Tiki at UVM where he is studying secondary education or on the Burlington Bike Path. He is looking forward to seeing you all at camp this summer!

This will be Jillian’s second summer as Camp Downers Art Program Head, and even though she wasn't a camper herself, she feels like she's been a part of Downer her whole life. When she isn't making friendship bracelets or dyeing the grass outside the arts and crafts cabin blue, you can find her in the office ordering lifetime supplies of pony beads or trying to unjam the button maker. She has spent the rest of the year counting down the days until she’s back in Downer State Forest, but in the meantime she’s enjoyed hiking, going to concerts, playing in the snow and working with a marvelous group of students who contribute to her gray hair count. She’s super stoked to return to camp to laugh way too loud and eat too many tater tots.

This will be Noah's second summer as the Sports Program Head here at Camp. Before that he was a counselor for 2 years and a camper for the 9 before that. He spends most of his time at the archery range, but he checks in with every sports program a couple of times a week, so you will certainly see him all around camp. He knows it’s going to be an amazing summer and he can’t wait to see you all there!

Kerri Rainville has been the Nurse at The Newton School in Strafford, and Camp Downer for a number of years. She travelled with the Audubon Expedition Institute, living out of a backpack and bus for several years, and lived with various indigenous people of North America. After continuing to travel independently by somewhat unorthodox means around North America; and continuing research out west and then for the Juneau Icefield Research Program, she graduated from Hampshire College. Later life became more settled and after graduating from Southern Vermont College Nursing School in 2011, she has continued to express her enjoyment of health through educational settings. Kallie, her daughter, also attends Newton and they live in Taylor Valley in Strafford with their wonderful neighborhood and adorable pets. They enjoy music, skiing, trail running, backpacking, hiking and most any outdoor engagement.

This is Becca, often referred to as "Becaw!" She's a go with the flow kinda gal. In her free time she likes to play video games and Dungeons and Dragons, read, craft and, most importantly, sleep. But that doesn't stop her from reaching challenging milestones. Recently, she has received her NREMT certification and has just returned from the Bahamas where she was an impromptu faculty member (unofficially). Becca is considering either going to PA School or Medical School, nevertheless she knows that Healthcare is her bread and butter. Catch her crafting away in the nurses cabin or nestled up with a good book in between patients. She is blessed that her work allows her to meet amazing young people.

This is Abbie's second summer as a Nurse Assistant at camp. She is so excited to see you this summer!

Libbie is this year’s Lakeside Village Leader and is so excited for this summer! Libbie has been at camp since 2012 when she first began as a camper, and this will be her third year on staff. She is a student at Syracuse University where she is studying Geography and Environmental Policy. Libbie’s favorite programs at camp are Outdoor Living, Water Aerobics, and Jewelry Making. She can’t wait to have so much fun with summer and meet all her campers!

Willem Ring, has been going to camp for 9 years both as a camper and counselor. He is the current Hillside Village leader and he can't wait to see you at camp!

Erin is a rising senior at the University of Vermont, double majoring in Dance and Psychological Sciences. This is her tenth summer coming to Camp Downer, but her first as the new Woodside Village Leader! She is so excited to finally get back to swimming in the Mitchell pool, hiking across the pond, and signing songs to finish every day. In the off season you can usually find her teaching dance classes in Montpelier and Richmond Vermont; she hopes to spend as much of the summer dancing as she can. Erin hopes to create the same fun-loving and safe environment Woodside, and all of camp, is known for. She can’t wait to see all your smiling faces this summer!

Sarah could not be more excited to be returning to the Downer woods this summer for her second year as a counselor. During the non-summer months, she attends the University of Vermont where outside of school she spends her time hanging out with friends, working at a cafe and chocolate shop, spending time outside and exploring Burlington. Her favorite camp activities are music class, the Downer Olympics, evening activities, and she cannot wait to see all of you this summer!

Bella is a first year counselor who has been going to camp for seven years! When it is not summer, she works at T.J. Maxx along with playing field hockey and lacrosse year round. She loves anything to do with art, especially friendship bracelet making and working with clay. She likes to run and hike with her dog, while exploring new places and sights. She is so, so excited to spend her time this summer at camp and meet new campers!

Willa started attending Camp Downer when she was 10 years old and she is thrilled to be returning to camp for her second year as a counselor. Willa enjoys hiking, music, and swimming in the rain and is looking forward to meeting all the new campers this summer. She will be attending University of Vermont in the fall.

This is Emma's first year as a counselor! She has been attending Camp Downer for 7 years and is so excited to continue her time at camp! During the off season, Emma works at Burlington Bay Market and Cafe in Burlington, Vermont making Creemees. She enjoys playing softball and spending time with her close friends. She grew up in a family child care center and has always loved spending time with children. She is pumped to be spending the summer at Camp Downer this year!

This will be André Brown's 6th year at camp and his first year on staff, after about a 4-year hiatus. He is super excited to be back at one of his favorite places! He is also super excited to be working alongside with his twin, Tiki, this summer! Outside of camp, André is studying Secondary Education, with a concentration in History at UVM. You can also find him on UVM’s Debate Team, listening to a good podcast, and hanging out with friends!

This is Aria’s second year as a counselor. Before being a counselor she was a camper for 7 years. She is currently attending Clarkson University studying to be a Civil Engineer. Aria loves being outside and making music. She loves dinosaurs and likes to think that they would like her too. She is so excited to see everyone this summer!

Noah Goodman is a counselor this year and is incredibly excited to return to Camp Downer for his last summer before college. This is his first time being a counselor, but he has attended Camp since 2018 and gone through the CIT I, CIT II, and Staff Aide programs. Outside of camp, he enjoys technical theater and playing ultimate frisbee.

Gabe is a counselor at camp. Gabe attended camp as a camper for many years. This is Gabe's 2nd year on staff after he worked as a kitchen aide last summer. Gabe is so excited to see you at camp!

Lily Hankes spent the summer of 2021 as a kitchen aide at Camp, and is now so excited to be a counselor. She has been attending camp for 9 years and enjoys swimming, camping, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family.

Colin is one of the newest staff members in the 2022 camping season at Downer. He's been going since he was 12 and has fallen in love with everything the camp has to offer. He enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends and participating in school sports like track and field.

This will be Grace's second summer at camp as a counselor. She will be a freshman at Montana State University in the fall and plans to study Environmental Studies. She loves to spend time outdoors hiking and skiing with friends and family.

This is Maria’s first summer as a counselor after being a camper and staff aide. She is from Montpelier, Vermont and will be a senior next year. She loves arts & crafts and outdoor activities, when she’s not at camp she likes spending time with her pets and going to the movies!

Ronan Myregaard is a Vermont native who loves to ski, camp, and hang out in the outdoors. This will be Ronan’s ninth summer at Camp, and his second year counseling. He is super excited to teach fishing, meet new campers and throw the best dances in Sharon, VT. Ronan is a rising sophomore at the University of Vermont, and after spending all semester swimming in books he’s ready to go for a swim in the Downer pond. In the off-season, Ronan spends his free time leading students at an afterschool program, hiking, and playing broomball with Noah Patry.

Ben is a second-year counselor at Camp Downer. Ben loves nature, music, and cooking. Ben is from West Pawlet, Vermont. At camp, he loves to swim and play kickball. He also loves the camp dances and fishing. He attends Cornell University and studies business and political science.

Ella Pitonyak is a second year counselor returning for another summer at her favorite place in the world! She is currently attending Norwich University and is an employee at Dartmouth Hitchcock, and will be headed to Elon University for school in the fall. She attended Camp Downer from ages 8-16, and is so excited to be able to continue sharing her love for camp with more campers this summer. When Ella is not at camp or school, she runs her photography business & loves to travel, find new favorite foods, see pretty places, & laugh with her family & friends. She can’t wait to see what this summer brings, & is so excited to see her returning and NEW campers! She wants to remind you all that “Life is a highway” and she will see you all real soon!

After 9 years as a camper at Downer, Nyasha Rutanhira is entering her first summer as a counselor. Nyasha goes to school full time but she also works part-time during the camp off-season at a restaurant making milkshakes. Nyasha loves spending time with her pets and friends. She is so excited to work as a counselor this year and can't wait to get this summer started!

Matt is from Rockaway, NJ. He will be starting his senior year as a criminal justice major at Kutztown University in PA where he is also a member of the men’s X-C and track team. Matt is extremely excited for the opportunity to return to Camp Downer as a counselor where he spent seven summers as a camper.

Hey team! This is Slade. This is Slade's third year as a counselor at Camp Downer, and he doesn't doubt that it will be the best one yet. While he wishes he could spend all year in the woods of Sharon, he resides in the off-season at UVM, where he studies political science and music technology/business. Slade is passionate about playing the guitar and writing, and, recently, he's even begun recording a bit of his own stuff. Exciting! Playing disc golf and hiking are two of his favorite pastimes--he can’t wait to get out on the Downer course! Cheers!

Nick (he/him) has been a counselor for one year before this, and a camper at Downer for four years. He attends Macalester College. He is certified in archery, and it is one of his favorite courses to teach at Downer. He also is super creative and enjoys doing art programs a ton. He likes dogs. And cats. Really all animals. And superheroes. He knows a lot about superheroes. A lot. Nick has a dog. And a cat. Nick is also very talented at the drums and some other things too. He loves basically everything. He can not currently think of any other bio things currently but he hopes you have a great day!

This is Connor’s second year as a counselor and his 11th summer at Camp Downer total. He started going to camp when he was 7 years old and hasn’t missed a summer yet. He is actually following in both of his parent’s footsteps as they were both staff in the early 90’s. He loves fishing, football, and all sports. He is really looking forward to a full camp experience for everyone this year. He is hoping that anyone who has a lacrosse stick will bring one this year to just play catch during down time in the village. He will be a freshman at Southwestern University in Texas in the fall earning a degree in International Business.

Ryan Vallee is so excited to be returning for another year in the Downer State Forest. He has spent most of his off time attending school, working on his Jeep, and trading stocks. Ryan spent his entire summers at Camp Downer when he was a camper, and it is one of his favorite places to be! You may have seen him previously working in the kitchen, but this year, keep an eye out in Hillside for Ryan the counselor! Ryan can’t wait to be back with his fellow staff, and is so ready for a fun-filled summer at Camp Downer!

This is Lily's first year on staff after many years as a camper. Liy is excited to learn the ins and outs of the Camp Dower kitchen summer. She can't wait to see you at camp this summer!

Cyd has been a long-time camper at Downer, but this summer she'll get to experience it from a different perspective as a kitchen aide! When they're not at camp, you can usually find me painting, writing, playing their guitar, singing and performing locally, exploring nearby nature, being a fashionista, spending time with their friends, or planning my next adventure. (She usually does quite a few of these when she's am at camp as well!) She'll be spending my next school year abroad, and although preparing for such an escapade while not being at home is certain to be tricky, she's excited and ready for the challenges it will bring! Cyd says if you're ever passing by the kitchens this summer and need some positive vibes, she'll be sure to do her best and try to bring a smile to your face! Cyd can't wait to clean your dirty dishes Camp Downer!! :)

Maddie Kirkpatrick is a kitchen staff at camp. This is her first year working at camp but she has been a part of camp since she was little. She loves getting to be active by playing field hockey, basketball, and track. She also loves getting to be part of the outdoors, with things like hiking and camping as well as Camp Downer!