Andrea Charest has been with Petra Cliffs since 2002, has been a day camp and expedition leader, and is returning for her second year as Camp Director.  She now spends too much time in front of the computer, but enjoys organizing camp and communicating with families. When Andrea is not working, she’s out there climbing, skiing, hiking, and trying to spread consciousness and respect for the areas we play in! Andrea has a BA in Psychology from UVM and is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor.

Nadine Paffett-Lugassy is coming back for her ninth SumMAT Camp season, and we just figured out the other day that she has probably been through the Colchester caves at least 100 times! Full-time, Nadine works at Williston Central School as a special educator. She recently earned her teaching license in physical education.  Nadine is also an AMGA Certified Climbing Wall Instructor, teaching climbing clinics and private lessons.  Nadine enjoys rugby, snowboarding, climbing, and playing with her dog Bear in her limited spare time!

Cathy DesRoches is returning for her fourth year at SumMAT Camp.  During the school year, she teaches full-time at the Poker Hill School. Cathy graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 2005 with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Cathy worked for two years as the head teacher for School’s Out, an after school program in South Burlington, and as an Instructional Assistant at Thatcher Brook School in Waterbury. She also loves climbing, skiing, hiking gardening, or just sitting on her porch in Richmond!

Eric Smith hails from the great state of New Jersey. He worked the shore as a life guard and swim instructor for years before coming to Vermont to attend UVM. During his tenure at UVM, Eric was a member of various groups including the Outing Club, which four other of Petra's staff now originate from. He did a semester stint studying in Spain and traveling Europe as well. Now a graduate, this will be Eric's third and final summer working for Petra Cliffs as he was recently selected to be a member of the Peace Corps. His volunteer service assignment will begin in March 2010 in which he will be a Business Adviser for Ecotourism in Latin America. Before then, he will be traveling to Chile to help start a mentoring and surfing program for disadvantaged/at-risk youth.

Cynthia McCormack has just finished her second year in the UVM Nursing program and is about to start her third summer leading SumMAT Camp! Cynthia enjoys running, biking, and climbing - all things of which she hopes to pursue further this summer. Cynthia is looking forward to a great summer with SumMAT Camp this year!

Ted Calcagni is a native Vermonter and current University of Vermont student studying Global Studies and Political Science. Ted has worked as a respite care provider, camp counselor, and has been with Petra Cliffs since 2007 as a jack of all trades, from camp leader to birthday party facilitator to "climb back there and clean that!" guy. He enjoys all things outdoors, traveling, writing, recording, and rocking and rolling with his friends and brother in their band, The Fifth Business.

Tyler Cohen has been working in summer camping for the past five summers, though some of his counselors would say longer.  An aficionado for fresh snow and breathtaking views, Tyler enjoys backcountry skiing and scaling the peaks of New Hampshire and Vermont.  Tyler is a student at the University of Vermont, studying Private Recreation Management and Tourism and has spent the last three years leading backpacking, winter camping and backcountry skiing trips for UVM’s Outing Club.  He hopes to pursue a career in residential camping, guiding, the ski industry or as a local artisan crafting handknit hats.

Shane Mitchell is currently a senior at Paul Smith's College enrolled in the Recreation Adventure Travel and Ecotourism B.S. Degree and the Outdoor Recreation A.S. Degree. Paul Smith's College is located in the Adirondack Park where Shane is constantly taking advantage of the various recreational opportunities. He loves to go camping, hiking, canoeing and especially rock climbing. Shane has always had much love and respect for the outdoors and is looking forward to his first season with SumMAT Camp!

Laurel Round grew up spending all of her summers and a number of winters in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont where her family is originally from. She attended Virginia Tech, graduating in 2006 with a degree in civil engineering. Immediately following graduation she traveled to Acadia National Park where she learned to (and fell in love with) climbing.  Since then she has been lucky to climb in a number of places on the east coast, New England, Red Rocks (NV), and Mexico. Until very recently she worked as an Environmental Analyst for a small company known for designing ski resorts. She has decided to possibly pursue a career in teaching instead and thinks working with kids this summer will be a great way to test the waters. Her other interests include skiing, hiking, pretty much anything you can do outside, pottery, and eating chocolate. She also has a 2.5 year old chocolate lab named Acadia who is the love of her life!

Holly Copeland has just finished her second year at UVM studying English and is excited for her first year at SumMAT camp. She grew up in New Hampshire where her life in the outdoors began early on, spending most weekends hiking and skiing with her family. She began her outdoor education experience with UVM's Outing Club, participating and later instructing their outdoor leadership development program as well as leading weekend trips. She continued last summer as a Teen Wilderness Adventure Instructor for the Appalachian Mountain Club, leading groups of teenagers into the back country to backpack, climb and paddle on multi-day adventures. If she's not busy working or playing in the outdoors you're likely to find her lounging in her hammock with a good book.

Eli Worley is the SumMAT Camp kayak specialist and proud owner of the spunky springer spaniel you will see at Petra Cliffs, Willy. Eli has gone through extensive swift water and rescue training.  Eli also enjoys Costa Rican beaches, climbing, bouldering, and coaching the Petra Cliffs Junior Climbing Team.

Brad Nicholson is the SumMAT Camp Rock Specialist. He has gone through the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course, leads Outing Club trips and TREK through the University of Vermont, and spends his free time climbing, canoeing, hiking, and golfing.