Nature Summer Camp Staff

Camp Co-Directors

Jeff Mazur, (he/him) Environmental Educator

Jeff is a curious naturalist whose enthusiasm and wonder for nature is infectious. Jeff leads his programs with a joyful heart, intentional communication, and a high level of physical energy. Being outdoors with children and fostering their sense of adventure and play in nature is his passion, and it shows, as kids flock around him, eager to play.

Prior to joining the Hitchcock Center, Jeff worked for Mass Audubon as a teacher/naturalist and created his own afterschool program called “Into the Woods” for the Lexington Montessori School. When not at the Hitchcock Center, Jeff can be found spending time with his wife and children, in the woods keeping a keen lookout for mushrooms, swimming at Puffer’s Pond, biking or tending his garden.

Monya Relles (they/them) Environmental Educator

Monya has been working at Hitchcock Summer Camp since 2019. Some of their favorite summer camp activities are parachute games, sun prints, and catching and studying pond critters. Monya is especially interested in integrating environmental justice and climate change education into their lessons. Monya organizes dances and fosters kittens in their free time and if they’re lost, you can almost always find them dancing or outside in the sunshine.

Camp Counselors

CHICKADEE CAMP

Syd Chuang (She/Her)

Growing up in New York City with limited access to green space, Syd has learned the importance of outdoor experiences for children and greatly values spending time in nature. She is an experienced childcare provider, having worked with children of all ages for almost a decade. Syd believes that environmental education is not only beneficial for children but a prerequisite for a more sustainable and just world. She is currently a senior at UMass Amherst, earning a degree in Natural Resources Conservation. She is specifically interested in plant identification and loves to spend time in the woods learning the names of new plants. In her free time, she enjoys playing bass and guitar and writing music.

Raquel Mazur (She/Her)

Raquel can’t wait for her first year as a Nature Summer Camp counselor, after years at the Hitchcock Center as a junior counselor, counselor in training, and a camper before that! Raquel has fostered a curiosity and love for the outdoors as she has moved through the world, and will be pursuing a degree in environmental studies at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. In her free time, she will often be found swimming in just about any body of water, taking film photos, or tromping around her local fields. Raquel is looking forward to further exploring the Nature Discovery Play Yard and spending another year with the Hitchcock community.

GREY SQUIRRELS

Isaiah T. Brown (He/Him) Environmental Educator (Sessions 1, 3, 4 & 5)

Isaiah’s curiosity towards the natural world is unbounded. Growing up in the seasons of New England, learning and immersing in nature through Mass Audubon and Scouts BSA, he has developed an appreciation for the beauty and creativity of the natural world. He is a graduate of Hampshire College focusing on environmental science/studies, and with experience as a Scouts BSA Nature Counselor, Isaiah is passionate about the care and cultivation of ecosystems. If he’s not spotting birds of prey in the sky or buried in the woods identifying animals, Isaiah is always active! He understands the importance of movement, always finding ways to nurture his physical well-being. When it comes time to relax, meditating, eating food, listening to music, and spending time with his friends and family are grounding and aid in recharging his center. In his third year at The Hitchcock Center, Isaiah’s hope for this Summer is to foster the same wonder and excitement he has found in nature in the minds of this year’s youth.

Sebastian Berninzoni (He/Him)

Sebastian is an enthusiastic student at Clark University studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Previously, he worked as a Youth Development Counselor at the YMCA, working with children in first through fifth grade and organizing activities designed to create an engaging and fun environment. He has always enjoyed spending time outdoors and exploring the natural world. His studies have strengthened his interest in biology and ecology, especially the relationships between living organisms and their environments. Sebastian looks forward to sharing his curiosity about nature with campers and helping them develop their own appreciation for the outdoors.

Karma Griggs (They/Them)

Karma is excited to join the Hitchcock Center for the first time. Karma is a third-year Amherst College student with a concentration in the Practice of Art. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA Karma loved going to the beach and collecting sea shells for art and decoration. During the school year, Karma is a TA at Woodside Children’s Center. In addition, Karma has spent time babysitting for professors and at Amherst College events. Karma is most proud of their ability to paint, draw, and sculpt. Environmental health is at the forefront of Karma’s artistic practice.

Scout Wittmier (They/Them) (session 2)

Scout is excited to join the Hitchcock Center for their first year this summer. Scout has worked as a counselor at several summer camps, and last year was a nature counselor who enthusiastically led hikes and taught campers about wildlife and plants. They just graduated with a history degree at UMass Amherst, and are returning to complete a master’s program in education. Scout’s favorite past times include wandering the woods, drawing, playing guitar, and caring for their spoiled bunny.

RED FOXES

Julie Cozine (She/Her)

Julie is excited for her second year as a Nature Summer Camp counselor, following years as a junior counselor, counselor in training, and camper herself here at the Hitchcock Center! Julie has also assisted with the Nature Play Afterschool Program for several years. With a love for the outdoors from an early age, she is now pursuing a degree in environmental science at the University of Maine at Farmington. Julie enjoys going on long hikes, camping, tending her garden, creating art, and playing softball in her spare time. She looks forward to sharing her love of nature with this year’s campers.

Ella McTasney (she/her) (Session 2)

Ella is looking forward to joining the Hitchcock team this summer. She has worked as a camp counselor the past two summers in her hometown in New York, and has been a counselor during the Hitchcock Center’s vacation days during the year. She loves working with young people and is excited to continue. She is currently studying Nutrition at UMass Amherst, and is very passionate about science and food. Ella enjoys running, painting, playing guitar, going on hikes, and spending time in nature.

Scout Wittmier (They/Them) (session 1, 3, 4)

Addison Di Guglielmo (She/Her)

Addie is excited to be joining the Hitchcock Center for her first year this summer. Previously, Addie has worked as a summer camp counselor for three summers at a nature center in Delaware. At camp, Addie enjoys engaging campers in educational activities surrounding biodiversity, sustainability, and native plants and animals, as well as leading creative projects to help apply these themes. Addie is studying Sustainable Development and Medieval History at the University of St Andrews.

Natalia Jacobs (She/Her) (Session 5)

Natalia’s time at the Hitchcock Center started with Nature Preschool when she was four. She has worked as a Counselor in Training and Junior Counselor, and Camp Counselor at Nature Summer Camp and is thrilled to be returning this year as a Counselor after a number of years away. A recent graduate of Bates College, Natalia is passionate about environmental justice, female empowerment, and supporting underrepresented voices in the sciences. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in theatre this fall. You are likely to find her breaking out into song, Irish dancing, making up languages, and/or sampling the finest cuisine in the mud kitchen.

BLACK BEARS

Christopher Aas (He/They/She)

Chris is a returning counselor who has been coming to the Hitchcock Center since they were 6 months old (a big fan of nature storytime), and has stuck around ever since. Prior to their time as a counselor last Summer they have been both a Junior Counselor and Counselor-in-Training. Chris is very active, practicing Kung-Fu for the past 9 years, and likes to stay on the move. They are currently a rising sophomore at Pomona College, studying theater and psychology while training separately to be a stunt actor.

Jackson Ayres

Jackson is a first year counselor from Williamsburg MA. He has been working with nature and outdoors skills his whole life, previously working for Earthwork summer camp in Conway. He is a rising sophomore at Lafayette College studying structural engineering and architecture. Jackson is very passionate about encouraging a strong relationship with nature from a young age, as well as working with the built environment to cultivate sustainable infrastructure. Often found on his bike or out on the trails, he enjoys being active while exploring western mass.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP

Isaiah T. Brown (He/Him) Environmental Educator

As far back as he can recall, Isaiah has been immersed in the wonders of nature. Growing up in the biomes of New England, learning and immersing in nature through Mass Audubon and Scouts BSA, he has developed an appreciation for the beauty and creativity of the natural world. A recent graduate of Hampshire College focusing on environmental science/studies, and with experience as a Scouts BSA Nature Counselor, Isaiah is eager to re-explore the world of environmental education. If he’s not spotting birds of prey in the sky or buried in the woods identifying animals, Isaiah is always active! He understands the importance of movement, always finding ways to nurture his physical well-being. When it comes time to relax, meditating, eating food, listening to music, and spending time with his friends and family are grounding and help to recharge his center. In his first year at The Hitchcock Center, Isaiah’s hope for this Summer is to foster the same wonder and excitement he has found in nature in the minds of this year’s youth.

Moo Butler (They/Them)

Moo is a 28-year-old interdisciplinary artist, poet, and performer who loves all things relating to circus and nature. They like to live within the whimsical and wild! Moo is a certified Wilderness First Responder and completed their training at SOLO wilderness medicine school in New Hampshire. In 2024, Moo spent 27 days hiking 100 miles in New Zealand with NOLS, National Outdoor Leadership School and looks forward to more backcountry adventures in the future. Moo took an unconventional educational path which included: two years at the New England Center of Circus Arts, two years at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, one year farming, a performance intensive at Double Edge Theatre, and two years at Hampshire College. Moo graduated from Hampshire College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, which combined a concentration of performance, art, creative writing, queer/gender studies, Indigenous studies and social justice. Moo has worked at Berkcirque, a circus camp in the Berkshires for 11 years and is going on their 3rd year coaching circus for the Campus School’s June program in Northampton. Moo worked at Hitchcock as a Camp Counselor in 2024 and is excited to be a part of their summer camp!

Camp Support

Katie Koerten (she/her) Education Director

Since first becoming a summer camp counselor at Hitchcock in 2007, Katie has instructed just about all the educational programs Hitchcock has to offer, from elementary school field trips to college orientations, summer camp to teacher professional development. Katie is especially proud of founding and instructing a nature play afterschool program called Girls into the Wild, serving as a space for 4th – 6th grade girls and other children of marginalized genders to play, be wild, and explore nature. As someone who is in daily awe of nature, Katie strives to infuse curiosity and amazement in all her programs, no matter the audience.

One of Katie’s core beliefs that she leads with in all projects is the understanding that all people deserve to feel a sense of belonging in the outdoors, and at Hitchcock. Whether it’s in local classrooms, at community events, on Hitchcock’s grounds or in our offices, Katie champions work and ideas that unpack and dismantle barriers of access.

Share this page with friends!