Our People

Staff

Our staff members are carefully chosen for their leadership skills, compassion, creativity and enthusiasm for working with children. The staff consists of teachers, college and high school students, including previous campers who have completed our two-year Counselor-in-Training program. Every staff member undergoes an extensive background check including a CORI/SORI check and appropriate reference checks. All camp staff attend a one-week training and orientation program. This training includes CPR, First Aid and AED certification; conflict resolution; leadership development and team building; behavior management; emergency procedures as well as program and character development.

Gretta Parker

Camp Nokomis

Director: Gretchen Seifert

Contact: gseifert@mvymca.org or 203-912-0574 (cell) 603-279-4918, (camp office, summer only)

Gretchen Seifert first came to Nokomis as a junior camper in 1982 and likes to joke that she has performed nearly every job at camp.  Prior to being named Camp Director in 2017, she held the position of staff development director.  In the past she has been a cabin counselor, unit leader, bookkeeper, and program director.  Gretta is trained in early childhood education and was a teacher in Stamford, Connecticut for 18 years.  Although she lives in Connecticut during the winter, for Gretta, camp has always been home. Camp helped her develop confidence and leadership skills.  It is the place where she made her dearest friends and her fondest memories.   As Director, she is excited to help campers cultivate their own confidence, friendships, and memories.

Camp Lawrence

Director:  Charles Seifert

Contact: cseifert@mvymca.org or 978-975-1330

If you are looking for a true believer in the positive influence that camp has on a child’s life, Charlie is your guy. As director of Camp Lawrence, he believes every child deserves to have a camp experience.  Charlie grew up at Camp Lawrence and many of his first memories are at camp. He volunteered at our camps as a young child during work weekends with his family, anxious to be old enough to be a Camp Lawrence camper.  At age 8, his dream came true and he became a camper. He continued to attend Camp Lawrence through the 80s and 90s and went on to be a CIT and Cabin Counselor, teaching a wide variety of activities. Eventually he became the director of transportation for Camp Lawrence and Camp Nokomis. In 2010, Charlie left camp but continued to serve the organization as an alumnus and as the Manager at the Y Landing Marina. He returned to Camp Lawrence as director and he is happy to be back and excited for the summer!

Camp Otter

Director: Steph Doherty

Contact: sdoherty@mvymca.org or 978-651-3423, 603-893-4911 (camp office, summer only)

Steph Doherty comes to Camp Otter with over 30 years’ experience in youth development, education, and coaching.  She has worked with children of all ages as a teacher, coach, administrator, program director, camp counselor and camp director. Prior to becoming Camp Otter Director, Steph was the Early Education Director at the Methuen YMCA.  She holds a Bachelors’ degree in Early Education Leadership, a Masters in Sports Management, and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy. Steph lives in Tewksbury, Ma. with her partner and two daughters. Steph believes wholeheartedly in inclusive experiences for all and that “everyone gets what they need,” with regard to learning and development.  Her goal is to provide a fun and safe environment for all the campers at Camp Otter and looks forward to strong partnerships with families and the community.

Want to spend your summer working with us?

Visit our Employment Page for a list of job openings at our camps.