Peyton Dennis (she/her); Camp Director
Joined Camp Comstock: December 2023
Camp Name: Sparky!
From: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Education: BFA in Theatrical Production Arts and Design at Ithaca College
Experience: Camp Director at Brooktondale Summer Camp for 3 years, a staff member for Brooktondale camp since 2018.
Basic Philosophy or Outlook on Life: Clear is kind
Eric Olsen (he/him); Camp Ranger & the camp dog Freya
Joined Camp Comstock: November 2022
Camp Name: Moose
From: Norwich, NY, United States
Education: Bachelor’s of Science: focus on terrestrial ecology and biology
Experience: I began my professional career in the military. Since being discharged I have worked extensively in landscaping and land management, ecological and biological field services, and land stewardship.
Basic Philosophy or Outlook on Life: "We shall never achieve harmony with the land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but to strive" Aldo Leopold
Bethany Anderson (she/her); Day Camp Director & Asst Overnight Camp Director
Camp Name: Peach
Joined Camp Comstock: June 2023
From: Buffalo, New York USA
Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work (expected May 2024)
Experience: I started working at camps in the summer of 2022 working with children and adults with additional needs, before coming to Camp Comstock in 2023! I have worked with Camp Beyond Binary as well, an LBGTQ+ summer camp. I also had a year-long field placement in a certified behavioral health clinic as part of my social work degree. My favorite camp song is The Great Big Moose.
Basic Philosophy for Life: Self-care is not selfish.
KT Sauers (they/them); Aquatic Director
Camp Name: Bruce
Joined Camp Comstock: June 2023
From: Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania USA
Education: BSE Elementary Education and Special Education from Millersville University
Experience: Camping as a Girl Scout from 1994-2004; Girl Scout Camp Volunteer lifeguard/ counselor summers 2005-2017. Singing camp songs is my favorite thing to do at camp along with macrame or tie dye for crafts.
Basic Philosophy for Life: Today is a good day to do better.
Jude Nash (he/him); Program Director
Camp Name: Beatle
Joined Camp Comstock: June 2023
From: the Canadian providences of Ontario and Manitoba, but spent just a much time in Syracuse, NY before moving onto College in Aurora, NY
Education: Wells College, Summa Cum Laude with double majors in Women/Gender Studies and Environmental Sciences in May of 2023
Experience: I have had a hand in nearly every part of what makes camp run smoothly each year, from weeks working with the kitchen and maintenance crews behind the scenes, to in the cabin and water as a Cabin-Counselor and Lifeguard, all the way to the planning and conduction of camp as a Program Director and Leadership-In-Training Coordinator. With all of the experience I have gathered and will continue to gather, I will one day open my own summer camp for LGBTQ+ kids who may not feel safe in typical summer camp environments; a goal that working with Camp Comstock and all involved helped me to grow stronger with throughout summer 2023.
Basic Philosophy for Life: As for life philosophies, I have two that I live by closely. “You don’t have to be good to be a hero” (along a similar path, the entire “Wild Geese” poem by Mary Oliver) And “In the Absence of everything abstain from fear”
Elaine Stampalia (she/her); Camp Nurse
Joined Camp Comstock: January 2023
Camp Name: Nurse Laney
From: Lives in Utica, Upstate New York. United States
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, UAH, Huntsville, Alabama
Experience: I’ve been a Hospital Registered Nurse for over 25 years. I retired from hospital nursing in 2017 and started my Camp Nurse career in 2018 at Kamp Kiwanis in Taberg, New York. I also work at Camp-Get-Away in upstate New York. I’m a certified American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Instructor. I worked as a volunteer nurse along the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast for more than a decade following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. I continue my volunteer work with a nonprofit relief organization called Plenty International.
Basic Philosophy or Outlook on Life: “When heartfelt efforts are amplified by cooperation across cultures and generations, we move closer to a peaceful, fair, and equitable world”. Plenty International
Summer Camp Staff 2023
Every summer our year-round staff is joined by an amazing group of summer camp staff! These staff members are usually college-aged young women, who serve as role models for our campers. We take pride in having staff that are responsible, courageous, and who love to have fun! Many of our staff members return year after year to give our campers the best camp experience.