Full-Time Directors

NICK MARKOFF

A) About Me: Married 4 kids. 4yrs BYU Majored in History. Love to kayak, climb, ski, frisbee, read books and go to the beach. Served a two year mission for church in Netherlands - (used to be fluent in dutch). B) I'm in charge of...Haunted Forest design and construction, Office books and payroll, Food on programs. C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be...Adventure Island - It's new, exciting and can include many activities. D) Calleva Memory: The greatest growth I saw in a camper was....Eric Hanson on the Kayak High Adv. 2005 within a few days he went from "scared" on the cheat narrows to "can't get enough" on the New. John Gay finally pulling the overhang at Annapolis Rocks. ( It took 2 years) E) My personal goal for Calleva is...keeping Calleva a small and personable family business.

ALEX MARKOFF

A) About Me: I have just finished building my home out at the Calleva Farm for my wife and 4 children. We are surrounded by horses and beautiful pastures, and enjoying learning how to farm our land. B) I'm in charge of...staffing. C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be...sailing, rafting, kayaking... anything in the water. D) Calleva Memory: My earliest Calleva memory is... swimming classes in poolesville, TP crying because he couldn't put on his skirt, open houses at darnestown, mole, goat, nicole, mushro, mcadams, nortons, holly, jane parise, walsmans, --- alot of the first campers. E) My personal goal for Calleva is... realize riley's lock road location, grow explorers, corp, - create the best staff and working environment for all ca lleva staff.

MATT MARKOFF:

I Love the Outdoors. I love planning for the next big trip, almost as much as doing the trip. I have been in the camping business my entire life. I attended USU and NOLS. I have led climbing, kayaking, biking, caving, & ski trips all over the country and parts of Mexico. I think I have ran every program at Calleva, and developed many of them -o.k. maybe not fishing! I am married to Kolette (she ran the office and many other programs in the early years of Calleva) and have a beautiful boy, Sotir Davis and a daughter, Lillian. Right now I am questioning my priorities because I am writing this instead of going skiing with the Calleva Snow Club. 

ERIC "FLASH" HILL:

A)About Me:I'm married, live in the country, speak German, have 2 teenagers, 2 dogs and 2 cats, worked at Calleva since.... the beginning. B) I'm in charge of... Ski Club /Transportation/ Vehicles. C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be...:C'mon, what kind of question is that? Skiing or Mtn. Biking! D) Calleva Memory:One of my favorite memories was our first overnight ( yes, the very first). We were on the Shenendoah River and got caught in a wicked thunderstorm. We had to pull out in the middle of the river on rock band. Some left looking for shelter and the rest of us stayed and sang every camp song that I could think of to entertain the campers that were huddled under, propped up rafts and canoes, until "help" arrived. Nevertheless we ended finding a sweet location to camp and would later befriend Jim Kuhn, the owner of the farm.

JILL KNUDSON

A) About Me:Most important things in my life, next to horses, are my family, friends, good health and spending times outdoors. I've been teaching riding more than 20 years and have competed in a wide variety of disciplines. My most memorable equestrian accomplishment was cross country jumping with Eventings' Olympic double gold medalist, Blyth Tait from New Zealand. I currently hold the level 3 certification in Eventing with the ARICP. B) I'm in charge of...Calleva Equestrian Educational Program C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be...Riding :) D) Calleva Memory: sailing high adventure in the BVI. There were so many delightful moments. One was watching "6-pack" feed the seagulls bread from between his teeth. Laughing portside as we watched "Mo" unclog the septic line under the boat and then swim for his life as the 'debris' floated out of the pipe into his snorkel!! Spencer racing other dinghies, snorkeling over shipwrecks, charades on deck, exploring the islands, hot sun, great food, good friends and beautiful, warm clear water ...what more can I say?? E) My personal goal for Calleva is...To help kids and adults learn more about the amazing world of horses. At the same time creating fun memories that will last a lifetime.

TONY WITTER

A) About Me: Tony Witter's first career was as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army, and he retired in the rank of Colonel. Tony held a variety of leadership positions over a 26-year career in the Army. These had the mission of developing young soldiers to be more effective as followers and leaders and to build their self-esteem. He taught courses in Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and American Institutions to Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point for three years as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. Tony was also the team chief of a five-officer academic counseling team to assist Cadets in their studies.

Tony commanded an Infantry Training Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia, which trained over 3000 new soldiers in Infantry skills, teamwork, ethics, personal discipline and physical fitness. Most of these young men were just out of high school. Tony graduated from the Army's elite Ranger, Airborne, and Combat Tracker Schools.

Continuing his interest in personal development and performance psychology, Tony recently completed two personal success-coaching courses; one was "Coach for Life" and the other was the "Results Coaching Academy" by the Anthony Robbins Company. In July of 2003, he was a Trainer at the Anthony Robbins "Discovery Camp" at the University of San Diego and was responsible for 35 youth, ages 12 to 17, who attended the week long camp.

CINDY BOSKA:

A) About Me:Moved to Germantown in 2000 when my husband got a job at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Rockville. I met Mary Markoff in a book store (she was buying horse books!) and I have been in love with Calleva ever since. I have been the office manager since 2004. B) I'm in charge of...Pushing papers - which can be a challenge because you all know how hard it is to get your kids to do their homework, try getting weekly reports from 40 kids and then add that it is summer time and they have places to go, friends to see...C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be... Canoeing. But I have not done any whitewater canoeing. My canoeing days were on the St. Johns River in FL and it is VERY quiet and laid back! D) Calleva Memory: The biggest change Calleva has made since my first year is to get our new office. It is absolutely beautiful and in a great location. The only drawback is they may find me walking on the canal instead of working in the office. E) My personal goal for Calleva is... Better communication. It is always a challenge to keep the information flowing to directors, instructors, counselors, junior counselors, CITs, bus drivers, campers and most importan tly, parents. I wi ll be using email a lot more to keep in touch with parents.

DAVID ROY RITTER:

I have a wonderful life and wife Julie.  I went to Hartwick college and majored in Outdoor education.  Attended a NOLS program and am a LNT master Trainer. I owned and operated OuterQuest Schools and Camp for 6 years. I have 16 chickens (they all have names), a dog Riley, and a cat Lulu. I have led mountaineering, climbing, and backpacking tr ips and expeditions all over the world. Love to travel - Love being an outdoor educator and instructor.  I am in charge of building, maintaining and programming Calleva's 3 ropes courses. If I was leading a program right now it would be my favorite one, but otherwise I love adventure island overnights and all ropes oriented programs.  There is something amazing about climbing rocks and challenging yourself on a ropes course. My favorite memory at Calleva is challenged myself on every trip, but right now it is watching campers become staff.  My goal for Calleva is to have new, exciting and safe ropes course programs.

KAREN SEIBERT:

Karen Seibert joined Calleva after working as an Environmental Scientist and with residential camps. She has degrees in both Environmental Science and Zoology. Programs she has developed for campers and students include Stream Ecology, Vermiculture, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, Orienteering, Winter Survival Skills, and Leave No Trace Ethics. Karen is an avid camper,backpacker,skier, SCUBA diver, and traveler. She and her husband have three children, all who have attended Calleva. She works year round developing and promoting the Leadership School, the Calleva Snow Club, School and Camp environmental-focused programs, and is our Student Volunteer and Scout Program Coordinator

ANDREW PRATT:

A) About Me: I was the director for Explorers in 2005 (the best year until this now) and left Calleva to get married... and I did. Now I am returning for year round employment and to lead my Explorers to greatness. B) I'm in charge of... EXPLORERS C) If I were leading a program right now I would want it to be... EXPLORERS D) Calleva Memory: Getting my nickname!!!! Baldylocks! E) My personal goal for Calleva is... getting a new nickname!!

NICK "THE CHIEF" MARKOFF

A) About Me:U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Chief played three years of varsity football and Navy was ranked #2 in the nation his senior year.  He piloted a carrier jet aircraft and retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve after 29 years of service.  Chief taught and served as athletic director at Maret School for 29 years, coaching numerous varsity sports and helping to establish strong private school leagues for boys’ & girls’ athletics.  His passion for teaching youth to achieve their absolute best in all that they do is a huge asset to Calleva.   He loves to lead programs and provides essential wisdom and perspective to our staff.  After all, he has tremendous know-how as a founder of Valley Mill Camp’s Darnestown location, organizer of Camp Woodmont, and chief advisor of Calleva from the very beginning.  Chief and his wife, Mary, have 5 kids and 18 grandchildren (with one more on the way!).

JULIE CLENDENIN

A) About Me: Julie is one of Calleva's newest staff, but she and her husband have been involved with the Calleva community for many years. Julie's professional background is in communications and environmental policy and she has 15+ years of volunteer experience in youth leadership developm ent. Julie is passionate about Calleva's mission and her three daughters are Calleva camper who are growing to love the outdoors, feel confident in their own abilities, and understand their value as part of a broader community. Julie wants to help kids from all over the area find their way to Calleva so that they can experience that same kind of growth. She loves hiking, camping, traveling, and exploring in general - especially in the company of family and friends. She is glad to be at Calleva, where all things she loves come together!