Passionate & Dedicated
Meet Our Staff
Our staff members are well-educated, highly trained and share a passion for outdoor education. Pali instructors come from all over the United States and the world, year after year bringing their high energy and a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of students.
Leadership Team
Director
Emily ‘Bauder’ Balcome
Director
Emily ‘Bauder’ Balcome
Hometown West Chester PA
Education Gordon College, B.S Recreation and Leisure; Concentration in Outdoor Education; Business Minor
Emily has over a decade of camp and outdoor education and camp experience. She is passionate and excited about supporting a team of amazing educators to facilitate a safe, fun and hands on experience for students of all ages. She has been with Pali since 2014.
Assistant Director
Jenna ‘Memaw’ Thompson
Assistant Director
Jenna ‘Memaw’ Thompson
Hometown Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Education Northern Michigan University
Jenna has over a decade of experience working in the summer camp industry and in outdoor education programming in Michigan, West Virginia, Montana, and California. She grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Da UP!) and has a passion for getting people outdoors and out of their comfort zones. Jenna started as an instructor in 2016 and returned to Pali in December 2022.
Assistant Director
Luis ‘Crush’ Bonilla
Assistant Director
Luis ‘Crush’ Bonilla
Hometown Aguada, PR
Education Eckerd College, B.S. Biology, minor in Environmental Studies
After graduating, Luis decided to pursue Outdoor education and joined our team in 2018. He has worked in the camping industry for many years and enjoys teaching while sharing his passion for the outdoors with the students. Luis is excited for this new season and cannot wait to welcome all the students who will be joining us.
Relationship Director
Bridgette Janes
Relationship Director
Bridgette Janes
Sales Specialist
Alex Valencia
Sales Specialist
Alex Valencia
Customer Liason
Julie McCarthy
Customer Liason
Julie McCarthy
Logistics Supervisor
Jon ‘Pepto’ Kane
Logistics Supervisor
Jon ‘Pepto’ Kane
Hometown Traverse City, MI
Education Northern Michigan University, B.S. Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management
Jon has been involved with Boy Scout camps since his mid-teenage years. During college, he started getting involved in outdoor education and after graduating college, Jon journeyed out to Pali Institute. He has worked at Pali for a number of seasons now and is excited for yet another great season.
Staff Supervisor
Kalee ‘Spinelli’ Chapman
Staff Supervisor
Kalee ‘Spinelli’ Chapman
Hometown Townsend, MA
Kalee has always been passionate about working with children their whole life, and combining that with the whimsy of outdoor education it is just a win all around. She is loving her time at Pali and hopes to be here for at least a little while. They started as an instructor in August 2019.
Challenge Course Director
Dan ‘TBD’ Harbuck
Challenge Course Director
Dan ‘TBD’ Harbuck
Assistant Ropes Director
Kellen ‘Quick Draw’ Moczynski
Assistant Ropes Director
Kellen ‘Quick Draw’ Moczynski
Assistant Ropes Director
Rylie ‘Jimmy Dean’ Young
Assistant Ropes Director
Rylie ‘Jimmy Dean’ Young
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Alex ‘Geo’ Suswillo
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Alex ‘Geo’ Suswillo
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Julie ‘Jewels’ Marcus
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Julie ‘Jewels’ Marcus
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Chase ‘Cheese’ Lopez
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Chase ‘Cheese’ Lopez
Hometown Chapel Hill, NC
Education B.S. in Psychology at James Madison University (Roll Dukes!)
Chase has been attending and working at camps his whole life. He could not imagine a life without camp and his goal is to share the same great experiences and love for the outdoors with everyone else. Chase started at Pali Institute in the Fall of 2022 as an instructor and is excited to be a part of the leadership team.
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Taylor ‘Treelo’ Munson
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Taylor ‘Treelo’ Munson
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Josh ‘Sunshine’ Adams
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Josh ‘Sunshine’ Adams
Hometown Hughson, CA
Education Sacramento State, B.S. Graphic Design
After graduating with a degree in Graphic Design, Sunshine decided to spend the summer working at a summer camp, which blossomed into a love for working with kids. He found a passion for combining his love of teaching and working with kids, which led him to begin his adventure into outdoor education. Sunshine joined Pali in the Spring of 2022 and is excited to be back as a member of the leadership team this season.
Wellness Center Coordinator
Liam ‘Quiver’ Hughes
Wellness Center Coordinator
Liam ‘Quiver’ Hughes
Staff and Student Coordinator
Zoé ‘Mars’ Acosta
Staff and Student Coordinator
Zoé ‘Mars’ Acosta
Hometown Monrovia, California
Education University of Hawai’i at Hilo: B.S. Marine Science
Zoé started working at summer camps after graduating college, which inspired her to combine her love for camp with a desire to teach in the outdoors. She started working at Pali as an instructor in Fall 2022 and hopes to build a long-lasting career in outdoor education.
Staff and Student Coordinator
James ‘Zephyr’ Hempfield
Staff and Student Coordinator
James ‘Zephyr’ Hempfield
Staff and Student Coordinator
Jack ‘Florida Man’ LaGoy
Staff and Student Coordinator
Jack ‘Florida Man’ LaGoy
Education Coordinator
Ben ‘Sheeran’ Collinge
Education Coordinator
Ben ‘Sheeran’ Collinge
Hometown Manchester, UK
Education - Salford University: BA:Hons Music: Popular Music & Recording - University of Cumbria: Primary Education With Special Educational Needs PGCE & QTS
Ben started his career supporting children at a special needs summer camp in NJ before joining the Pali Adventures Summer Camp program in 2015. After qualifying as a Special Educational Needs teacher in the UK, Ben re-joined Pali as an Outdoor Instructor in Spring 2023 and is now enjoying enhancing our curriculum alongside supporting staff with successful teaching strategies.
Education Coordinator
David ‘Batman’ Harris
Education Coordinator
David ‘Batman’ Harris
Hometown Calumet City, IL
Education B.A. in Youth Ministry
David has been working with youth and students for over a decade. His role as an Education Coordinator at Pali combines his passions for the outdoors and working with kids. David started as an instructor in 2013 and returned to Pali in April 2021. He loves creating memorable and life-changing experiences as well as investing in the growth and development of young people
Education Coordinator
Maddy ‘Indy’ Skidmore
Education Coordinator
Maddy ‘Indy’ Skidmore
Program Coordinator
DJ ‘Weezer’ Broadnax
Program Coordinator
DJ ‘Weezer’ Broadnax
Program Coordinator
Sam ‘Ponyo’ Sullivan
Program Coordinator
Sam ‘Ponyo’ Sullivan
Hometown Kennett Square, PA
Education The Pennsylvania State University B.S. in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Sam started as an instructor in Spring 2022 and is very excited to return as a part of the leadership team! She grew up exploring the world through summer camps, backpacking trips, and traveling with family. She loves to share her passion of the outdoors with others and is excited to support everyone at Pali this season!
Program Coordinator
Natalie ‘Babushka’ Hart
Program Coordinator
Natalie ‘Babushka’ Hart
Hometown Lowell, Ohio
Education Wingate University, B.S. Environmental Biology
Natalie found her passion for experiential learning and outdoor stewardship through camps she attended in her youth. Like the majority of Pali staff, she loves to travel and spend most of her time outside. Natalie started as an instructor in Spring 2020 and is excited to continue her time at Pali on the leadership team!
100+ Team
Our Instructors
Pali Institute instructors come from all over the United States and the world, sharing a passion for education and the outdoors. Our outdoor instructors have the chance to grow and receive feedback while teaching small groups of students in our outdoor classroom. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, Pali Institute offers a customizable outdoor education program for grades 4 – 12. Educators choose a three, four or five day program and select from over 30 class modules from three categories: Outdoor Education, Science and Leadership.
