Meet our exceptional '10 Staff

INSTRUCTORS & HEADS

ADVENTURE ISLAND INSTRUCTOR 1:

John Harding. About me... John Harding is excited for a summer filled with water, canoes, mud, rope swings and everything else connected with Adventure Island. A recent graduate of Brigham Young University in Political Science, John plans to spend his summer "living the dream" with all the great staff and campers before being forced to grow up and go to Law School in the fall. His interests include kayaking, climbing (with the hex crew), hot air ballooning, canyoneering, and ca mping. These adventures are often shared with his wife (Rachael) and their super puppy Samson. (apparently named for his ability to destroy cellphones>)

ADVENTURE ISLAND INSTRUCTOR 2:

Lane Kurkjian About me... "I'm so excited to be back at Calleva for another adventure-filled summer! I just finished my freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University, where I'm studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. I am interested in sustainable engineering, green energy, global development, and being the difference. This summer I'm looking forward to....everything; especially tribal competitions (Elvacla-- we'll rise to the top-ya), awesome campfires, crazy songs, and epic overnights. I'm all about hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, and whatever else gets people outside. I can't imagine a better way to spend my summer."

MOUNTAIN BIKING INSTRUCTOR:

Tom Doi About me... "I have made the trek across the country from my winter home in Jackson, WY to come back for another summer at Calleva. I am so excited to be able to spend the summer back in the saddle leading trips. As well as leading mountain biking, I will also be working with Karen on the Calleva Leadership School. When I am not a t Calleva I am usually traveling the country playing ultimate frisbee, skiing and teaching Pag how to ski deep snow, or out of the golf course. I can't wait for another AMAZING summer!"

MOUNTAIN BIKING INSTRUCTOR:

Phil "New Guy" Raymond About me... Phil came to Calleva last summer, and was soon given the nickname"New Guy." As the summer went on and because of his job as the person in charge of the gear his named changed to "Gear Guy." This summer only time will tell what his new nickname will be.... This summer Phil is stoked to be running mountain biking. Over the winter months he has been working tirelessly on the Calleva Mountain Bike trail in preparation for the summer. With Phil's background as an ex-racer he is ready to challenge any kid on their bike this summer!

ROCK CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR 1:

Alex "AJ" Jennison About me... "I am hanging up my boat shoes and polo shirts for climbing shoes and t-shirts. After a great summer down at National Harbor teaching sailing I am stoked to be getting back to my roots out on the rock. One of my biggest passions is taking campers out climbing and watching them push through their comfort zones, as well as teaching them outdoor living skills. When I am not hanging out on the rocks I can be found out on the Ultimate Frisbee fields of DC. I am so happy to be back for another summer at Calleva and all of its adventures. BRING IT ON!"

ROCK CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR 2:

Dave "Brokeback" Harding About me... "The Harding Family is here, and before you know it we'll be out numbering the Markoff's. Not only will I have my two brothers Michael and John working, and my wife Gloria, but this past February we've added another to the family, little Emma Raye Harding. Although she's only a few months old, Alex already plans for her to be the new Explorers Kayaking Instructor. I've been sharing my love of the outdoors with Calleva Campers for the past 3 years, and I can't wait for the opportunity to share it with my own little girl too"

KAYAKING INSTRUCTOR 3:

Jeffrey "Pag" Girts. About me..."I pretty much was raised here at calleva. As a kid i tagged along on a lot of the Markoffs adventures. During my high school years i started interning with them and learned a lot about how to run different programs in each season. i now finally got an instructor position and am ready to run my own program. During the off-season I split my time between boating in Mexico and getting ski lessons from Doi out on the ski slopes of Wyoming. Over the years I've developed a lot of outdoor skills and want to share them with all the kids in maryland... and teach them to shred the GNARRR!!

KAYAKING INSTRUCTOR 2:

Stevo "Pixie" McKone About me... We first got Stevo into a kayak a few years ago and we haven't been able to get him out of one since. Last summer Stevo bounced around between a few different activities but this year he will be strictly a kayaking instructor, with maybe a few weeks of surfing. Stevo is one of the most high energy, fun loving staff that works at Calleva and he constantly inspires his campers with the same attitude. He spent sometime this winter honing his paddling skills down south of the boarder in Mexico and can't wait to share his experiences with everyone!

FISHING INSTRUCTOR:

Adam "Swish" Swisher About me... "I am currently out in neature sending this message to Calleva through the wonders of the mountain spirits. I am so excited to come back to Calleva for another year, spending my days out on the rivers and ponds teaching fishing. My goals for the summer is to teach people how to be one with the land and the animals, to be connected to them mentally and spiritually. I want to teach this because so many of my powers come from the power of the earth and mother nature. I also want to focus my teaching on how to be a U.H.B. (ultimate human being). I hope to see everyone out there this summer!"

WHITEWATER CANOEING INSTRUCTOR:

Marina Leith About me... "I began canoeing as a camper at Calleva, and came back to become staff 3 years ago. I am in my junior year at Tulane University, studying Psychology and Spanish in hot, muddy, sunny New Orleans. During the summer you will find me paddling, whether it be in the muddy spring waters of the Potomac or the frozen fjords of Patagonia. If I am not paddling, I'll be playing my banjo, singing, painting, adventuring, learning and teaching in the outdoors. Looking forward to another epic summer of whitewater fun!"

WHITEWATER RAFTING INSTRUCTOR:

Sarah Reschovsky About me... "I've been working and playing at Calleva for the past six year, and I am excited to be returning once again to share my passion for the outdoors with such an amazing group of campers and staff. I study Earth Science and Psychology at William and Mary, where I play rugby and irritate my school friends by singing camp songs all of the time. Some of my favorite things include: campfires, rivers, chubby-bunny contests, rope-swings, and adventures! And in my spare time I enjoy beating ALL of the male staff in most competitions, especially Phil."

SAILING INSTRUCTOR 1:

Chelsy "Pickles" Meyers About me... "In past years at Calleva, I was a caving and canoeing instructor and I am so excited to get back on the water and start working on my tan! My goals for the summer are to have a great time, to teach my campers how to sail with style, to and prove to Rafi that Sailing 1 will always be superior to Sailing 2. I am currently playing the role as 'Ms. Meyers, 8th grade English teacher' at Loiederman Middle School while completing my Master's Degree at University of Maryland. GO VELLACA!"

SAILING INSTRUCTOR 2:

Rafi Norberg. About me..."I am pumped to be coming back to Calleva this summer! I am currently a sophomore at Emory University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Ethics and Political Science. While I enjoy sitting in the library and studying for exams... it's about time to get dirty. I've been sailing for years and last summer gained my Level 1 Sailing Instructor Certification. My interests outside of sailing include kayaking, fishing, and hiking. I can't wait to be back at beautiful National Harbor with our sterling fleet of Hobies and Lightnings. Sailing is easily the best activity to be in this summer. Get ready to find that groove."

DUNCAN'S ADVENTURE INSTRUCTOR:

Matt Gresko About me... "I am so stoked for this summer at Calleva. Calleva has been my home for the past decade, and I'm super excited to be an instructor for kids who are just like me. I am a rising junior at the University of Virginia, majoring in Spanish and Computer Science. My expectations for this summer are high, and I know that those campers who are lucky enough to be in the legendary Vellaca tribe will rise to meet them with ease."

RIVER ECOLOGY INSTRUCTOR:

William "Wigi" Young About me... I like to sing, mostly camp genre but sometimes I will sing country. Unfortunately I am tone deaf, which is why I instruct River Ecology and singing. I have been at Calleva for the past 8 years where I have had wonderful experiences and met some great people. I just graduated from the University of Vermont where I have been studying forestry and mapping. During the off-season I work as a lab technician for the US forest Service and as a ski instructor at Mad River Glen. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and skiing."

HORSEBACK RIDING INSTRUCTOR:

Marian Herbick About me... "2010 will be my fifth summer with Horseback Riding program at Calleva. I'm currently a junior at the University of Vermont studying Natural Resource Planning and Wildlife Biology, and I've been riding for as long as I can remember. Now, I am an active year-round competitor in the United States Eventing Association and Intercollegiate Dressage Association, as well as a Certified Horsesmanship Association instructor. In addition to spending all of my time in a barn, I enjoy skiing and hiking. I'll be spending May and June studying environmental conservation and sustainability in New Zealand, but when I get back from "kiwi-land" I look forward to having the best summer yet!"

HORSEBACK RIDING INSTRUCTOR:

Jackie Daigneault About me... By this summer I will have finished my junior year at Virginia Intermont College. I am working on a Bachelor of Arts degree, in Equine Studies. My passions in life are horseback riding, being outsides, and just plain having fun whenever possible. This will be my second year working at Calleva, and I am very excited to have another amazingly awesome summer!"

ART INSIDE OUT INSTRUCTOR:

Marieke Bier About me... "I'm phenomenally excited about this summer, as I get to combine two of my passions and share them... Art and the Outdoors!! I have been teaching outdoors in varying capacities since 1995 (instructing rock climbing, mtb b iking, caving, kayaking, ropes courses, and rafting rivers). What I love most about the outdoors is simply enjoying it... the sunshine, the people, and the adventure. My own art is primarily recycled mixed media; my husband often wonders why there are bowling balls in the yard, while the little one laughs at my TVs. What I hope to bring to the program this summer is an opportunity for campers to explore their visions, their voices and the natural world around them. "

GROWING GREEN INSTRUCTOR:

Ben Ritter About me... "I live in Poolesville and have a ten year old son named Sam and a dog named DC. In my spare time I teach music lessons, skateboard and cook. I started working at Calleva four years ago as a director of the Explorer Camp and Adventure Island instructor. Now I am in charge of Calleva's Sustainable Farming programs and the Growing Green activity camp. We grow tons of fruits and vegetables and raise chickens, pigs, cows, and goats. Calleva is the best job ever. I love having new challenges everyday and using my creativity to develop the best outdoor education programs in the country."