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.

Contact Emily

Assistant Director

Jenna Thompson

Assistant Director

Jenna Thompson

Education Northern Michigan University, B.S in Art & Design; Concentration in Photography; Media Journalism Minor

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.

Relationship Director

Bridgette Janes

Relationship Director

Bridgette Janes

Contact Bridgette

Sales Specialist

Alex Valencia

Sales Specialist

Alex Valencia

Staff Supervisor

Ben Waterhouse

Staff Supervisor

Ben Waterhouse

Hometown Grand Rapids, MI

Education Central Michigan University

Ben fell in love with camp at a young age and chose to follow a career in outdoor education. Ben started with Pali in Spring 2019 and has since moved up from the instructor role to his current position. He is excited to support our staff to ensure they all excel at delivering quality programs to our students at Pali.

Contact Ben

Program Supervisor

Jon Kane

Program Supervisor

Jon 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.

Contact Jon

Head Nurse

Koine Hauck

Head Nurse

Koine Hauck

Contact Koine

Wellness Center Manager

Percy Lu

Wellness Center Manager

Percy Lu

Education B.A. Economics - UC Riverside Teaching Credential Fundamental Mathematics - Cal Poly Pomona

Percy came to Pali after taking a break from teaching math in the desert to rekindle his love for the outdoors by combining a passion for education and a fascination of camp life. He has worn several different hats during his tenure at Pali, but still lives to fulfill the mission of providing meaningful learning experiences to all students who come to Pali.

Nurse

Ashley Godman

Nurse

Ashley Godman

Visiting School Supervisor

Kalee Chapman

Visiting School Supervisor

Kalee 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. They are loving their time at Pali and hopes to be here for at least a little while. They started as an instructor in August 2019.

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Peggy McAllister

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Peggy McAllister

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Mason Wood

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Mason Wood

Hometown Boise, ID

Education University of Idaho B.S. Geological Sciences

Starting in Interpretive education at Zoo Boise at 13 years old, Mason found a lifelong passion. For the past decade, Mason has worked in outdoor education as a backpacking guide, home school nature programs, and in Grand Teton National Park. Mason started her work at Pali in January of 2022 as an instructor and developed a passion for Pali’s community and education. She is excited to assist incoming schools and give them the best experience.

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Zach Bokota

Visiting Schools Coordinator

Zach Bokota

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.

Assistant Ropes Director

Maddie Levsen

Assistant Ropes Director

Maddie Levsen

Hometown Austin, TX

Education B.S. in Biology from Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi

Maddie started as an instructor in Fall 2021 and is stoked to now be a part of the ropes program. She has worked many challenge courses and ziplines over the years. She is excited to help students grow and challenge themselves.

Assistant Ropes Director

Kellen Moczynski

Assistant Ropes Director

Kellen Moczynski

Program Coordinator

Christopher Silvia

Program Coordinator

Christopher Silvia

Hometown Scranton, PA

Education Shippensburg University B.A. in Psychology, emphasis on Children's Development

Christopher has spent a decade working in children’s education with experiences as a summer camp ropes director and tutoring center assistant director. Christopher is excited to be stepping into the role of program coordinator with Pali! His first season with Pali was Spring of 2017.

Program Coordinator

Kayla French

Program Coordinator

Kayla French

Hometown Cleveland, OH

Education University of Cincinnati B.A. in Organizational Leadership; Psychology minor

Kayla Joined Pali in Spring of 2022 and is excited to be back at Pali as a member of the leadership team this season. Kayla has a love for the outdoors and working with children – which makes Pali the perfect environment for her. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Pali!

Program Coordinator

Sam Sullivan

Program Coordinator

Sam 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!

Education Coordinator

David Harris

Education Coordinator

David 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

Mandi “Erso” Thomas

Education Coordinator

Mandi “Erso” Thomas

Hometown Rolling Hills Estates, CA

Education Teaching Credential from Westmont College

Mandi has always worked with kids from being a theater counselor, to tutoring, to becoming a teacher. After the pandemic, she decided to combine her love of teaching with her love of the outdoors and come to Pali Institute. She is so excited to be the new Education Coordinator and bring a memorable and educational experience for the students!

Staff and Student Coordinator

Luis Bonilla

Staff and Student Coordinator

Luis 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 an 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 that will be joining us.

Staff and Student Coordinator

James Hempfield

Staff and Student Coordinator

James Hempfield

Staff and Student Coordinator

Meg Gold

Staff and Student Coordinator

Meg Gold

Hometown Idaho Falls, ID

Education Lindenwood University B.S. Biological Sciences

After graduating, Meg began working as an outdoor educator and immediately fell in love. They spent time working in Colorado and Michigan before finding their way to Pali in January of 2022. They are excited to continue connecting youth to the beauty of nature and joy of science this season and the future.