Meet Our Staff – Camp Middlesex

Steven LaFountain, CAGS

Executive Director

22nd Summer

2015 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Rindge, New Hampshire

Steve is originally from Albany, NY. He went to college at Franklin Pierce College in NH, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Elementary Education. He earned his first Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Fitchburg State College in 2002. His second Master’s degree in Reading Education was completed in 2007 at Worcester State College. In 2017, he earned a CAGS degree in Educational Leadership and Management at Fitchburg State.

He has worked in the camping business for numerous seasons, moving up the ranks as counselor, head counselor, CIT Director, Assistant Director, and now Executive Director. Currently, he lives in Rindge, NH and is the District Math Coach at North Brookfield School District.

Raul Sanchez

Junior Camp Director

3rd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

“Hi everyone! My name is Raúl, I’m from Mexico and this is my third year working in this incredible place, I’m very excited and happy to be back. Last summer was amazing and I’m pretty sure this one will be even better. I’ll do my best to give back to Camp some of the happiness it has given me over the past two years. I can’t wait to see you again, have a great time together and make your summer unforgettable.”

Nicole Tortora

Day Camp Director

6th Summer

2015 Camp Spirit

Home Town: Pepperell, MA

“Hey everybody! I’m ecstatic to be back for another summer at camp. This is my sixth summer on staff, but I’ve been going here since 2011. Although some may remember me as the science counselor, I’m excited to step into a directorial position this year! I’m currently a rising senior at the University of Miami where I study English and Mathematics. I’m a silly goose who enjoys dancing around, eating fruit, and yelling PEPPERELL! This will be a summer of new beginnings, and I’m thrilled to make more fantastic memories with you all!”

Mary Galindo

Teen Camp Director

4th Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Mexico

“I’m Mary and I’m from Oaxaca, Mexico. I’m very excited to be back at Camp Middlesex, this would be my fourth year, I couldn’t be happier to spend another amazing summer at this place. I have a degree in Language Teaching, I work as an English teacher. I love traveling and meeting new people and places full of nature. I can’t wait to meet and see you all and have an amazing summer!”

Colleen McGrath, RN

Nurse wks 5, 6, and 9

6th Summer

Home Town: Lowell, MA

“Hello, I’m Colleen. I am a Middle School Nurse in Lowell, MA and work part time in the Recovery Room at local hospital. I am excited to be working my sixth summer at Camp Middlesex! I attended as a camper while I was in middle school, and have great memories! I have two daughters who are campers as well.”

Kim Dimacale, LPN

Nurse wks 1-4, 7&8

4th Summer

Home Town: Ashburnham, MA

“Wow, 4th year! My name is Kim Dimacale. I am an LPN and have been for 17 years. My passion, besides caring for people, are my grandchildren, hiking, checking out waterfalls and the Beach. I love collecting sea glass and walking on the shores. I can’t wait to see all the old and new faces this summer.”

Kendra Marshall

Theater

2nd Summer

Home Town: Rochdale, England

“Hey Everyone I’m Kendra Marshall. This will be my second year at camp and I’m so excited to be back! Last summer was the most amazing experience and I can’t wait to make even more memories with everyone and to see some new faces! “

Siana Clark

Head Counselor Teen Camp / Woodworking

3rd Summer

Home Town: West Yorkshire, England

“Hey everybody! My name is Siana and I am from a small town in England called Yorkshire. I am currently studying Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln. This year will be my 3rd year at camp and I am so unbelievably excited to make lots of new memories with both new and returning staff & campers! See you all soon!”

Liz Arnes

Court Sports

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

“Hello everyone, I’m Liz, I am a college student in Mexico, I love sports and rock music. This is going to be my second year at camp Middlesex and I am so excited to see y’all, I’m sure we’re having fun. See you soon!”

Vi Correa

Arts & Crafts

2nd Summer

Home Town: Windsor, Connecticut

“Hey Everyone! My name is Vi and I’m from Windsor, Connecticut. I work at an elementary school as a paraprofessional. This will be my second summer at camp and I am so very excited to be back! I made so many wonderful memories last summer and cannot wait to make more!”

Han Shotton

Outdoor Living Skills

1st Summer

Home Town: Hartlepool, England

“Hi everyone I’m Hannah more commonly known as Han. My hometown is Hartlepool in England but I’m currently at the University of York studying biology and I love all things outdoors, especially hiking and camping! This is my first summer at camp and I’m excited to meet everyone and make fun memories!”

Ellie Tesluk

Lifeguard

1st Summer

Home Town: Buffalo, NY

“Hi everyone! My name is Ellie, and I am so excited for my first summer as a lifeguard and counselor. Outside of camp, you may find me doing crafts, making bracelets, spending time outside (bonus points if there’s snow), and playing with my two dogs George and Martha! I am also a university student studying Psychology. I am looking forward to meeting everyone soon.”

Carmen Garcia

Head Lifeguard

3rd Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Spain

“Hi everyone! My name is Carmen, I’m from Spain and this is my third summer in this beautiful
Camp. I’m really excited to be back. Last summer was incredible, as it allowed me to grow
personally and overcome challenges such as being captain of the red team. I can’t wait to start
this summer and see all the surprises that await us. I’m ready to give my best so that all the
campers have a wonderful summer full of laughter and special moments. I can’t wait for the
best time of the year, SUMMER at Camp Middlesex!!”

Nevaeh McGrath

Floater

1st Summer

2019 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Lowell, MA

“Hi friends! My name is Nevaeh and this will be my first summer on staff but I had been a camper here since 2018! I love singing, dancing (especially tap), and making friendship bracelets! I can’t wait to see you all this summer and make some great memories:)”

Sofia Morales

Lifeguard

1st Summer

Home Town: Spain

“Hi everyone! My name is Sofia, I am from Spain and this is my first year at camp. I am really excited to go because It is going to be an amazing experience for me. I can’t wait for summer to come. See you there guys!!”

Marlenne Samaniego

Floater

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

“Hello everyone, I’m Marlenne Samaniego, I’m from Guadalajara, Mexico and this will be my second summer at camp. I’m very excited to return this summer and make this summer the best summer and live new adventures, have fun and make new memories with everyone.”

Enger Gomez

Media Counselor

2nd Summer

Home Town: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

“Hi guys this is Enger , can’t wait to see you all soon , I’m a photographer, videographer, my favorite artist is Drake. I love to play basketball and listening to music. Let’s have the greatest summer ever.”

Ana Pillado

Lifeguard / Head Counselor Junior Camp

3rd Summer

Home Town: Spain

“Hi everyone! I’m Ana (or Anapi), and this is my third summer at this amazing camp! I’m from Spain and I’m studying to become an English Teacher. My favourite hobbies are singing , spending time in nature and, of course, swimming. I can’t wait to be back at the pool!

I am really excited to meet you all, spend time together and create unforgettable memories. See you soon!”

Matthew Goodwin

1st Summer

Home Town: Bloomfield, CT

“Hi everyone! I’m Matthew and this’ll be my first summer. Music is my forte so we’ll have a fun time over here. Even though I’m from Bloomfield, CT an environment like Camp Middlesex will be just right for me! I’m very happy and excited to be able to create an enjoyable and overall welcoming environment for all. Can’t wait to see what’s in store and to be able to create some great memories down the line. See you soon!”

Reka Ozsvath

Riflery

1st Summer

Home Town: Hungary

“Hey everybody! My name is Reka and I am from Hungary. This will be my first summer in the US and I will be a riflery coach at camp. I have been studying at the Hungarian University of Sports Science. I’m very very excited to meet all of you!

See you soon!”

Abby Reynolds

Counselor

1st Summer

Home Town: Fitchburg, MA

“Hello everyone! My name is Abby, and this is my first year at camp. I like creative stuff, and I love to see people making things (friendship bracelets, drawings, stories, etc.). It’s all super cool to me regardless of what it is. I look forward to meeting everyone and helping the campers have the best summer!”

Dave Tobin

Counselor

1st Summer

Home Town: Cork, Ireland

“Hi everyone! My name is Dave. I’m a college student studying Chemistry and I’m from Cork in Ireland. This is my first Summer at Camp Middlesex and I can’t wait to have the best Summer. I’m so excited to meet everyone. See you all soon!”

Ava Hixon

Floater / Head Counselor Day Camp

4th Summer

Home Town: Hudson, MA

Sergio Castell

Lifeguard

2nd Summer

Home Town: Spain

Jay O'Halloran

Field Sports

3rd Summer

2019 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Mansfield, MA

Megaly Mota

Court Sports

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Celine Elsner

Ceramics

1st Summer

Home Town: Germany

Alfie Hammond

Lifeguard

1st Summer

Home Town: England

Libby O'dwyer

Barnyard

1st Summer

Home Town: England

Benjamin Phillips

Archery

1st Summer

Home Town: England

Charlotte Gordon

Dance

1st Summer

Home Town: England

Frida Castillo

Kitchen Assistant

1st Summer

Home Town: Mexico

“Hi everybody! My name is Frida and I am from Puebla, Mexico. This is my first summer at camp as kitchen staff and I am very excited to start this experience. I hope to make a lot of friends and have an amazing time with everyone.”

Valeria Sanchez

Kitchen Assistant

1st Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Jessica Briley, M.Ed.

Hiring Manager

19th Summer

1994 & 2018 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Medford, MA

“I am excited for another summer with Camp Middlesex! My history has been a long one, starting in 1991 as a Camper, I moved forward through the CIT program and became a Lifeguard and Arts & Crafts Counselor until 2000. In 2009 I had the opportunity to return to camp, which was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was the Summer Director until I retired in 2021 to have more time with my family after my marriage in 2020. I continue to be the Hiring Manager, with the task of hiring our incredible staff each year. You will see me on camp every summer for Spirit Week, as I fill in for the LTs who have to go back to school.

During the “off season” I am the Executive Director of the Good Shepherd School, a preschool in Charlestown, MA, which I have been since 2016. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Camp Middlesex has always had a special place in my heart and I feel blessed to share the magic with so many campers and staff alike.”

Cesar Vazquez

Maintenance

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Jessica McLaughlin AKA Office Jess or OJ

Office Manager

11th Summer

Home Town: Fitchburg, MA

Jessica (nick-named Office Jess or OJ) is originally from Townsend, MA. She is currently an 8th grade History teacher at Narragansett Middle School in Templeton, MA. In her spare time she enjoys reading, sky diving, and spending time with family.

Jason Chisholm

Camp Cook

1st Summer

Home Town: Ashby, MA

“My name is Jason Chisholm. I have grown up in Massachusetts my entire life and currently live in Ashby with my family and our abundance of farm and domestic animals. I am a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy in Dover, NH. Currently I am employed as a private chef for a fraternity at WPI, Sigma Alpha Epsilon since 2018. In my spare time I enjoy painting, traveling and hockey. My favorite food to cook is pizza from scratch and cookies, brownies and other desserts for friends and family.”