Staff
These are the professionals who work year round to make the magic of camp happen! Click on the names below for the opportunity to meet our staff. Feel free to contact anyone of them with any questions you may have!
Extension:
1512
Favorite Food:
Mexican
Favorite Color:
Black & White Stripes
Favorite Vacation Spot:
The Homeland (England!)
Favorite Movie:
Shawshank Redemption
About Me:
My Kern Story begins back in 2005 when, as a fresh faced 20 year old, I crossed the pond from England to be a summer camp counselor here at Camp Kern. After a little bit of a culture shock (singing Da Moose around a campfire wasn’t something I had experienced before!), I quickly fell in love with the kids, the camp and the staff and began to realize the impact a week at camp can have on a child. After graduating college the next summer I returned for, what I thought, was my last summer at Kern, but having realized that camp was a year round operation, I decided to come back for an 18 month internship. That was in 2007, and I’ve basically never left! I’ve been lucky enough to work my way through numerous positions: Outdoor Educator, Assistant Summer Director, L&C Facilitator, Ozone Zipline Director and Senior Program Director.
I feel very fortunate to be in my current position and my goal is to bring camp, in all its forms, to as many kids, families and groups as possible in the coming years.
I look forward to seeing you soon and please don’t hesitate to contact me for any reason.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Playing football (soccer) and trying to find things I’ve never done beforeMy Words to Live By:
Never lower your expectations – aim for the moon and if you miss you will still land among the stars.
Extension:
1511
Favorite Food:
Boiled Crawfish
Favorite Color:
Navy Blue
Favorite Vacation Spot:
New Orleans
Favorite Movie:
Patton
About Me:
Areas of Supervision: All 480 acres of YMCA Camp Kern and the 100+ buildings’ care and upkeep. Direct supervision over the maintenance staff and all general maintenance and in-house construction projects.
Where you can find him at camp: At the next camp project!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Usually at one of my kids sports events.My Words to Live By:
"Unless a man is master of his soul, all other kinds of mastery amount to little." - Theodore Rosevelt
Extension:
1530
Favorite Food:
Potatoes in all forms
Favorite Color:
Turquoise
Favorite Place at Camp:
Top of Pete's Tower
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Maho Bay
Favorite Movie:
Moonrise Kingdom
About Me:
Started from Frontier now I’m here! I’ve seen Kern as a camper, summer counselor, and now as Teen and Family Director. After a few years away to finish my degree in Architecture, I am absolutely thrilled to be back!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Trying to fill some pages of my sketchbookMy Words to Live By:
“Do small things with great love” -Mother Teresa-
Extension:
1513
Favorite Food:
Salmon
Favorite Color:
Pink!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
The Beach
Favorite Movie:
Grease
About Me:
I have been at Camp Kern since April 2000. I met my husband thru a co-worker and combined we have 4 amazing boys, 4 beautiful daughters in law and 2 adorable granddaughters. My husband and I were married at Camp Kern in October 2014. Camp Kern holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. In the years I’ve been here I have met the most amazing people. When I talk about this place I just bubble with excitement. We have the best staff, campers and parents.
I feel very blessed to be part of the Camp Kern Family.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Playing with our fur babiesMy Words to Live By:
"Be the reason someone smiles today."
Extension:
1528
Favorite Food:
Guatemalan
Favorite Color:
Orange
Favorite Place at Camp:
TBD!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Mountains / Beaches
Favorite Movie:
Remember the Titians
About Me:
Born and raised in the Boston Ma, area. I started as a counselor at YMCA Camp Roger in Utah. After being a counselor for a summer, and absolutely loving the experience, I was asked to return as the seasonal Program Director. I had no idea the journey Y Camping was going to take me on! I took over operations of Camp Roger in 2015 and by 2018 I was wrapping up my last summer in Utah before heading over to California where I took the Youth Programs Camp Director position at YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake. Now this journey has brought me to YMCA Camp Kern! I am excited and ready to meet all campers, families, staff. If you have any questions about summer camp do not hesitate to give me a call I love talking about camp!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Hanging out with my wife and sons looking for something to explore!My Words to Live By:
“Don't think about it. Be about it."
Extension:
1527
Favorite Food:
Pistachios
Favorite Color:
Plaid
Favorite Place at Camp:
Snake Island
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Lapland
Favorite Movie:
The Big Sleep
About Me:
Dave Moran has been overstaying his welcome at YMCA Kern since the early 90’s. Drifting from seasonal into fulltime work he has been a lifeguard, naturalist, river monitoring coordinator, pool manager, sailing instructor, and is now the Outdoor Education Director. Dave and his family live in nearby Lebanon. In addition to camp and family life, Dave enjoys fishing and paddling on the Little Miami River whenever he gets the chance.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
bird watching, sailing, canoeing, hikingMy Words to Live By:
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx
Extension:
1529
Favorite Food:
Chipotle
Favorite Color:
Blue
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Favorite Movie:
Boyhood
About Me:
I began my journey with the Y in 2008 at Countryside YMCA in Teen Programs, and started at Camp Kern in March 2010 as an Ozone Zipline tour guide. Since then I have worked in our Environmental Education Department and Group Rentals Department before becoming the Group Rentals & Team Building Director in 2015, taking on oversight of Ozone Zipline Adventures in 2020. I enjoy providing opportunities for any and all groups regardless, giving them the chance to experience the impact of camp, whether for a few hours or a whole week. Please let me know if you would like to bring your group or organization out to experience everything YMCA Camp Kern has to offer.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Biking, Hiking, or Watching a Movie with Family and FriendsMy Words to Live By:
“Before others can look to you, you must look at yourself”
Extension:
1531
Favorite Food:
Olive Garden
Favorite Color:
Blue
Favorite Place at Camp:
Elk Lake
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Lexington, KY
Favorite Movie:
Perks Of Being A Wallflower
About Me:
I was born into a camping family. My grandparents ran a church camp when I was growing up and now it is run by my Uncle. I spent every summer there and it was my favorite time of year. I come from a long line of camping professionals and I’m so excited to have my two favorite things (summer camp and horses) be my big kid job. I started riding horses when I was 12 and never stopped after that. Before coming to Kern I worked at a different YMCA camp for four years as a ranch camp counselor and a barn hand/trail guide during the off season. I enjoy show tunes, video games, Dr. Pepper, and fun socks. I can’t wait to see everyone up at the barn!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
I am playing video games and listening to One DirectionMy Words to Live By:
‘Why fit in when you were born to stand out'
Dr. Seuss