Meet Our Instructional Staff

Adam Krey – Program Instructor, Age 27
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Design from the University of Wisconsin – Stout
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Waterfront Lifeguard
Experience Working with Children: Before I came to Pali Institute, I worked for a year in a wilderness therapy program for at-risk teens in Oregon. I have also spent the past 5 summers in New York at a camp for homeless children, most recently as the Assistant Director.
Additional Interests: Baseball, primitive fire making, art, whale watching, camping, bicycling, climbing trees, the desert, mountains, oceans, and turtles.

Adam Mazzara
Hello. My name is Adam Mazzara from Madison, WI. I received a BS from the University of Wisconsin, Steven’s Point in May 2009. I enjoy anything outdoors and I have worked with children over the past 6 years. My certifications include CPR/First AID, Wilderness First Responder and I am a Lifeguard.

Alissa Tombaugh - Program Instructor, Age 22
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Sociology with a minor in Spanish from American Universiry (12/2008)
Additional Certifications: First Aid and CPR
Experience Working with Children: I have worked at various summer camps (as a counselor, ropes course facilitator, and program coordinator) and after school mentoring programs throughout the years. I volunteered for the Organization for Youth Empowerment in Honduras. And I have years of babysitting experience.
Additional Interests: Reading, knitting, traveling, talking about Kansas (my home state), crazy dancing, and all things about Latin America.

Amanda Krafft – Program Instructor, Age 26
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Sociology from Portland State University. Child Diversity Certificate from Denmark International Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Additional Certifications: First Aid and CPR
Experience Working with Children: During the Summer of 2009 I was an Adventure Program Instructor at The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with chronic medical conditions. I volunteered at The Painted Turtle during 2007 and 2008. I was also a soccer and wrestling coach between 2000 and 2002.
Additional Interests: Fishing, camping, being outdoors.

Andrew Haka – Program Instructor, Age 24
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison
Additional Certifications: Boy Scouts of America Aquatics Instructor, American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED/Lifeguard
Experience Working with Children: I have been working with children for the past 10 years, including at the Tesomas Scout Camp, Quinipet Camp and Retreat Center, and Pali Institute
Additional Interests: Snowboarding, knitting, the Green Bay Packers, state capitols, super-massive black holes, and Battlestar Galactica.

April Brewer
Recently graduated from American University in Washington DC with a degree in International Media and Theatre, April is happy to relive her camp experiences as an Outdoor Educator. A loyal Red Sox fan, April was born and raised in Central Massachusetts. Having worked at two summer camps and attended for nine years, April enjoys working with children, exploring the world around her and a good laugh. In addition to knowing obscure facts and trivia, she is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Ashleigh George
Hello. My name is Ashleigh and I graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in May 2008 with a BS in Nursing. I worked in the Emergency Department for 16 months prior to arriving at PALI. I have worked with special needs camps for the past three years and served as Assistant Medical Director for a summer. I also have experience in outdoor education in the team building field including ropes course and zip line. I am certified in Wilderness First AID, Advanced Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Life Support as well as Pediatric Trauma Nursing Core. I feel privileged for the opportunity to work here at PALI.

Becca Buckler – Program Instructor, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Environmental Analysis and Policy with a minor concentration in Earth Science from Boston University
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, U.S. Sailing Level 1 certified instructor
Experience Working with Children: I have worked at the Boston Museum of Science, the Allandale Farm Day Camp, spent 5 years at YMCA Camp Fuller, and was a high school sailing coach for 2 years.
Additional Interests: Spending as much time as possible in the outdoors and seeing the world!!!

Brent Arnold
Brent comes to us from Tallahassee, Florida. He has a Bachelors of Music from Florida State University and a Masters in Opera Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. Aside from Opera, he is an avid camper, hiker, guitarist, pianist, photographer and cyclist. Some people say he climbed MT. Everest……………..Twice!

Dan Egan
Hey All. I’m Dan from Baltimore, MD. I graduated in 2005 from the University of Delaware with a BS in Wildlife Conservation Ecology. I spent the past two years living in Senegal, West Africa teaching Environmental Education with the Peace Corps. I’m very excited to be here at PALI this year. I’m looking forward to working with all of you and your schools.

David Pilon
Hello. My name is David Pilon and I am from West Hartford, CT. I have also lived in Vermont, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Alaska, and Lima, Peru. I have been working at camps for a long time. I have a BA in Psychology from St. Michaels College in Vermont and a M Ed, in Recreation Management from Springfield College in Massachusetts. I am a Lifeguard, CPR and First AID certified.

Deanna Eickhoff – Program Instructor, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands
Additional Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) – allows for substitute teaching in California
Experience Working with Children: The past few summers I have worked with Adventures Cross Country, a company that provides month long adventure travel trips to high school students throughout the world. Also, I have extensive experience babysitting.
Additional Interests: Backpacking, rock climbing, waterskiing, reading, traveling, and outdoor fun!

Elizabeth Kelly – Program Instructor, Age 22
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Social Work from Troy University in Troy, Alabama
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR and English as a Second Language on the Community Level
Experience Working with Children: I have been working in camp environments for the past few years, including at Camp Fletcher in Alabama for 2 years, Harbor Learning Academy in Alabama for 1 year, and Sandy Hill Camp in Maryland for 2 years.
Additional Interests: Kayaking, camping, photography

Emily Bohr – Program Instructor, Age 24
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Social Science from Michigan State University
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard, Blood Borne Pathogens training, and a certified S’More technician
Experience Working with Children: I have been working in camp environments for the past 6 years, including at Camp Timber Tops as a Dance instructor, Michigan State Sports Camp as a counselor, and as a substitute teacher in Michigan. I have previous experience as an Outdoor Education Instructor as Camp Miniwanca, which is also in Michigan.
Additional Interests: Country music, reality television, and nacho cheese

Fletcher – Program Instructor, Age 24
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS in Physical Education, Exercise, and Wellness from the University of North Dakota
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR
Experience Working with Children: In the summers, I work at Camp Choconut for Boys in Pennsylvania teaching the basics of fishing, canoeing, archery, and outdoor skills.
Additional Interests: Paddle fishing

Jacki Colloton
My name is Jacki and I am from the Bay Area. I received my BS in Environmental Education from Humboldt State University located in Northern California. I have been working in the camp field since I was 14 and wanted to be an OE Instructor since the 6th grade.

Janet Steffenhagen – Program Instructor, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Elementary Education Grades 1-8 with a minor in Math from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR, Project WILD instructor, training in the Tribes TLC process
Experience Working with Children: I spent 3 summers as a YMVA day camp counselor, have been a long term Kindergarten substitute teacher, and was a babysitter/nanny for many years.
Additional Interests: Art, including painting, sketching, and arts and crafts projects, volleyball, camping, traveling, running, movies, music, organizing, photography, and eating!!!

Jessie Williams – Program Instructor
Norwell, MA
I'm from the Boston area, and have been working at a summer camp and outdoor education facility for six years. I love to travel and I studied abroad in Scotland. My vast portfolio of skills include dressing in earth tones, dry humor, and happy lists. In the near future I hope to see the pyramids, skate on a frozen pond, and learn the choreography to the "Thriller" video.

Josh Lippmann – Program Instructor, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in Music from Sonoma State University
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Wilderness EMT registered through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician
Experience Working with Children: I have been working in camp since middle school and was a rock-climbing instructor for 2 years. I have also taught children how to play the guitar.
Additional Interests: Rock climbing, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, camping, playing my guitar, music, and handstands.

Lindsay Ebert – Program Instructor, Age 24
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Bachelors Degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Lifeguard, and Water Safety Instructor
Experience Working with Children: I have extensive experience working in summer camps, most recently as a Swim Division Specialist
Additional Interests: Scuba diving, cheeseburgers, and traveling.

Matt Thomas
My name is Matt Thomas and I am from Philadelphia, PA. I graduated in May of 2009 from Temple University with an Environmental Studies Degree and a Spanish Certificate. I love the outdoors and enjoy sharing my knowledge with the next generation. I enjoy working with kids and in my spare time I like to play guitar, bass and drums. I also enjoy surfing, skateboarding and participate in any activity that enriches life.

Nathan Perry – Program Instructor, Age 22
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA in English from Furman University (2009)
Additional Certifications: CPR – Pro, First Aid, and Lifeguard from the American Red Cross
Experience Working with Children: I have worked at a Cub Scout day camp during the Summers of 2003 and 2004, Camp Arrowhead for Boys in the mountains of North Carolina during the summers of 2006 – 2009, and was an America Reads tutor through the Education Department at Furman University during the 2008-2009 school year.
Additional Interests: Marksmanship, weightlifting, literary theory, hiking, and handwriting letters.

P.W. Mallory – Program Instructor, Age 28
Schooling Degrees/Attained: Business Degree from Sage College of Albany in New York
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR
Experience Working with Children: I have worked with children in many different environments, including with the Disneyworld/MGM College Program, Camp Scully in New York, Little Flower Day Care in Brooklyn, and Chuck E. Cheese.
Additional Interests: Hiking, playing my guitar, bouldering, playing video games, and reading a good book by an open fire.

Rohan Shahani
Rohan Shahani holds a BA in Music Industry Studies from Cal State University, Northridge, He grew up camping and backpacking his way across California with the Boy Scouts. He is very excited to be working in the outdoors again, Rohan holds BSA Aquatics Instructor and Program Management Certifications as well as AHA First Aid and CPR/AED certifications.

Sarah Donahue
Hi!! I’m Sarah Donahue from Boston, Massachusetts. I’m a recent grad from Boston University where I was a double major in history and English. I was a captain of the BU Sailing Team and was selected as an All-American Sailor in 2009. I love the ocean, road trips, and photography. In the summer, I am the Director of a Girl Scout resident camp on Cape Cod, MA.

Tyler Gray – Program Instructor, Age 23
Schooling Degrees/Attained: BFA in Acting from Columbia College in Chicago, IL
Additional Certifications: First Aid/CPR
Experience Working with Children: This past summer I was the Acting Director at Pali Overnight Adventures. I was also the Acting and Evening Programs Director at Camp Lohikan in Pennsylvania for 2 years.
Additional Interests: Picking my nose, long walks on the beach, dolphins, and orange juice

Veronica Fenske – Program Instructor
Prairie du Sac, WI
I love being outside. I enjoy camping, hiking, running, walking in the rain, playing sports, reading, working with children, doing arts and crafts, and traveling among many other things. I also like being adventurous and trying new things. This past summer I traveled for two and a half months in South and Central America, visiting 6 different countries. I went scuba diving, zip-lining, rock climbing, hang gliding, whitewater rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, sandboarding, surfing, and also biked down the world’s most dangerous road. In the future I hope to get a job as a Spanish teacher.