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.
Director of Sales
Bridgette Janes
Director of Sales
Bridgette Janes
Assistant Director
Kalee ‘Spinelli’ Chapman
Assistant Director
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.
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.
Business Development Manager
April Zazueta
Business Development Manager
April Zazueta
Sales Associate
Jamie Hoopes
Sales Associate
Jamie Hoopes
Sales Associate
Natalie ‘Babushka’ Hart
Sales Associate
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!
Sales Associate
Christina Hitt
Sales Associate
Christina Hitt
Billing Coordinator
Arlene Marquez
Billing Coordinator
Arlene Marquez
Staff Supervisor
Joey ‘Steely Dan’ Schill
Staff Supervisor
Joey ‘Steely Dan’ Schill
Hometown Rochester, NY
Education New York State University in Oswego; B.S. in Zoology
After earning a degree in zoology, Joey started working at various environmental education organizations to provide resources for local schools and communities, igniting the desire to grow in the field of outdoor education. He started as an instructor in the Fall of 2023 and hopes to stay in the education industry for years to come.
Staff Supervisor
Zoé ‘Mars’ Acosta
Staff Supervisor
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.
Challenge Course Director
Dan ‘TBD’ Harbuck
Challenge Course Director
Dan ‘TBD’ Harbuck
Hometown Lufkin, TX
Dan started in the outdoor adventure field in the early 2000’s. His 20+ year career in outdoor recreation has taken him to programs across the US, leading outdoor adventure trips as well as training, inspecting, and building ropes courses. Dan started at Pali in January 2023 as the Challenge Course Director.
Assistant Ropes Director
Michael ‘Duck’ Ellison
Assistant Ropes Director
Michael ‘Duck’ Ellison
Hometown Clayton, NC
Education North Carolina State University B.S. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, minors in Environmental Education, Outdoor Leadership
Michael grew up exploring the forests around his home in central North Carolina, and those experiences led him to working in the outdoor recreation industry as a trip leader and rock climbing instructor in college. After graduating, he travelled across the country to work at a variety of camps, at all of which he has been focused on sharing his passion for adventure and the outdoors with everyone around him. Since starting at Pali in fall of 2023, he has found a joy in the ropes courses and facilitating so many meaningful experiences for all of the participants and hopes to continue creating a space for the growth of each person and group that rolls through our gates.
Assistant Ropes Director
Charles ‘Chucks’ Tousley
Assistant Ropes Director
Charles ‘Chucks’ Tousley
Hometown Keene, NH
A long-time summer camp participant and eventually staff, Chucks has always been excited to be outside. After years of working in summer camps, schools, and various youth programming, Chucks decided to combine his passion for the outdoors with his passion for teaching and is always so happy to share that joy with others!
Assistant Ropes Director
Riley ‘Jester’ Gilmer
Assistant Ropes Director
Riley ‘Jester’ Gilmer
Hometown Bremen, IN
Education Ball State; B.A. Video Production, minor in Theater
Whether leading lessons by the ocean or teaching among the trees, Riley has always had a passion for outdoor recreation and education. Shortly after graduating, she started working at Pali in the fall of 2024, balancing work in both the Retreat and Outdoor education programs. She is beyond grateful to step into a new role and is very eager to continue growing in the field!
Education Coordinator
Christina ‘Speedo’ Mascalo
Education Coordinator
Christina ‘Speedo’ Mascalo
Hometown Doylestown, PA
Education Providence College: B.A. Elementary and Special Education; Saint Joseph's University: M.Ed. Reading Specialist
After teaching 5th and 6th grade in a traditional classroom, Christina came to Pali to explore teaching in a new environment. She began as an instructor in the fall of 2025 and has really enjoyed adapting and applying her skills to the outdoor education space.
Education Coordinator
Rebecca ‘Ohana’ McCann
Education Coordinator
Rebecca ‘Ohana’ McCann
Hometown Williamsburg, VA
Education James Madison University, B.S. Elementary Education with Licensure, Minor in Sociology
Rebecca started at Pali in August of 2025. She has always loved education but took an interest in pursuing specifically outdoor education in undergrad. Rebecca has spent time working in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California summer camps where she has grown and developed her teaching toolkit. She continues to focus on experiential and hands-on learning opportunities for students and is incredibly excited about continuing a future in outdoor education!
Education Coordinator
Annie ‘Oakley’ O’Connor
Education Coordinator
Annie ‘Oakley’ O’Connor
Hometown East Lyme, CT
Education University of New Hampshire, B.S. Recreation & Event Management, minors in Psychology & Business
Annie joined the Pali team after graduating in May of 2025. She has always had a strong connection to nature, which stemmed from her childhood growing up in New England. She moved across the country to continue her passion of providing children with experiential learning opportunities. Annie is excited to keep discovering new ways to find joy and meaning in her work.
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
Jonathan 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 here for a many number of years and enjoy meeting the many people that end up through our gates.
Wellness Center Coordinator
Sophia ‘Cricket’ Mainiero
Wellness Center Coordinator
Sophia ‘Cricket’ Mainiero
Hometown Hastings on Hudson, New York
Education University of Edinburgh B.A. in Geography and Anthropology and M.A. in Sustainable Development with a focus in Education
Sophia is an outdoor adventure enthusiast who is always excited to share this passion with students. She holds her Red Cross Instructor Certification and Wilderness First Responder Certification, and is constantly learning more about healthcare. She believes that keeping kids healthy and safe is the best way to empower them to try new things in the outdoors.
Program Supervisor
Amara ‘Cinnabun’ Hampton
Program Supervisor
Amara ‘Cinnabun’ Hampton
Program Coordinator
Gabrielle ‘Koda’ Myers
Program Coordinator
Gabrielle ‘Koda’ Myers
Hometown Dillon, CO
Education Colorado State University: BA in Sociology
Gabby has always enjoyed working with students and in the outdoors. She has worked with all ages of children including infants in preschool all the way through seniors in high school. She has previously worked in the ski industry teaching people how to ski as well as coaching ski racing prior to coming to Pali for Spring 2025. She is very excited to continue growing with Pali.
Program Coordinator
Alex ‘Heron’ Friedrich
Program Coordinator
Alex ‘Heron’ Friedrich
Hometown Hamilton, NJ
Education Temple University: B.S. Environmental Science
After graduating in 2025, Alex decided to pursue his passion for Outdoor Education at Pali. His memories of camp and nature-based learning as a child have inspired him to give similar experiences to future generations of learners. Alex hopes to use these opportunities to continue growing in the outdoor education field!
Staff and Student Coordinator
Klara ‘Sol” Krumrey
Staff and Student Coordinator
Klara ‘Sol” Krumrey
Hometown Mount Pleasant, MI
Education University of Michigan, B.A. in Social Theory and Practice, B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies
Klara started as an instructor at Pali in January of 2025 and has greatly enjoyed their first experience working in Outdoor Ed. They possess deep reverence and admiration for nature and an immense love for humanity, life, and learning, which shines through in all that they do. They intend to continue their work in education and human development for many years to come.
Staff and Student Coordinator
Sheyna ‘Cedar’ Roscoe
Staff and Student Coordinator
Sheyna ‘Cedar’ Roscoe
Hometown Bowling Green, KY
After traveling and working hands-on outside across the USA for three years, Sheyna found a home in teaching Outdoor Education at Pali in Spring 2024. She hopes to lead and inspire our next generation of students through fun and meaningful experiences here at Pali.
Staff and Student Coordinator
Anna ‘Socks’ Armstrong
Staff and Student Coordinator
Anna ‘Socks’ Armstrong
Hometown Petoskey, MI
Education Northern Michigan University B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Water Resources
Growing up in Northern Michigan, Anna has always had a passion for the outdoors. This passion grew when she went to school along the shores of Lake Superior. After graduating, Anna knew she wanted to work with both children and in the outdoors. Starting as an instructor at Pali in the spring of ’26, she is excited for a program that emphasizes experiential learning and hopes to instill that same curiosity and love for the outdoors in children here at Pali.
Staff and Student Coordinator
Nicholas-Malik ‘Royal’ Porter
Staff and Student Coordinator
Nicholas-Malik ‘Royal’ Porter
Hometown Sardis, MS
Education University of Mississippi. B.M.D.S in Education, Entrepreneurship, & Marketing
After Ole Miss, Nicholas-Malik spent many years in Youth Development, working with Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi as Youth Development Staff and later as Teen Director. He also served as a Program Coordinator at 4-H Camp Wabasso in New York before coming to Pali where he hopes to continue building a meaningful, lasting career!
Visiting Schools Supervisor
Hannah ‘Skoob’ White
Visiting Schools Supervisor
Hannah ‘Skoob’ White
Hometown Gaylord, MI
Education Michigan State University, B.S. Zoology/Marine Biology, Minor in Environmental Science
Hannah grew up with a passion for the outdoors and earth sciences. After graduating, she found Pali in Spring 2024. She quickly learned that introducing children to outdoor spaces and natural environments was one of the most fulfilling experiences she has had yet! Hannah is loving her time working at Pali and hopes to continue her career in Outdoor Education to help foster the new generation of environmental enthusiasts!
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Carenna ‘Wren’ Cody
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Carenna ‘Wren’ Cody
Hometown Swarthmore, PA
Education Boston University: B.A. Sociology, minor in Theatre Arts
Carenna grew up attending summer camp and has worked at camps since she was 16. She started at Pali as an instructor in the fall of 2024 after graduating from BU, and is enjoying life on the west coast! Camp has been a huge part of her life, so she loves being able to help provide that same experience to students coming to Pali!
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Brandon ‘Shakespeare’ Burditt
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Brandon ‘Shakespeare’ Burditt
Hometown Redmond, WA
Education University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, MFA Acting
Brandon has turned a career in theatre into a passion for teaching! After receiving his Masters and teaching in both New York City and Illinois, Brandon has found a home here in Running Springs for the past four seasons. He is grateful to live and grow on this beautiful mountain as well as help make lifelong memories for all the students who come to Pali.
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Izzi ‘Indigo’ Dalsing
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Izzi ‘Indigo’ Dalsing
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Jodi ‘Jet’ Tepper
Visiting Schools Coordinator
Jodi ‘Jet’ Tepper
Hometown Agoura Hills, CA
Education University of Washington: BA in Communications
Jodi’s passion for camp started at 16 at her first job as a summer camp counselor. Since then she has worked many different jobs in camp settings, such as outdoor education instructor, arts and crafts specialist, and CIT director. Jodi started as an instructor at Pali in the fall of 2025 and is grateful that Pali provides an opportunity for her to continue helping students find the same joy for camp and the outdoors that she has.
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.
