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 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
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.
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.
Head Nurse
Koine Hauck
Head Nurse
Koine Hauck
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.
Instructors
Instructor
Abigail
Instructor
Abigail
Instructor
Amani
Instructor
Amani
Instructor
Anna
Instructor
Anna
Instructor
Anny
Instructor
Anny
Instructor
Anthony
Instructor
Anthony
Instructor
Becca
Instructor
Becca
Instructor
Bridget
Instructor
Bridget
Instructor
Caoimhe
Instructor
Caoimhe
Instructor
Chad
Instructor
Chad
Instructor
Chase
Instructor
Chase
Instructor
Chavez
Instructor
Chavez
Instructor
Cheyenne
Instructor
Cheyenne
Instructor
Chip
Instructor
Chip
Instructor
Cora
Instructor
Cora
Instructor
Craig
Instructor
Craig
Instructor
Divo
Instructor
Divo
Instructor
DJ
Instructor
DJ
Instructor
Doug
Instructor
Doug
Instructor
Ethan
Instructor
Ethan
Instructor
Faye
Instructor
Faye
Instructor
Franco
Instructor
Franco
Instructor
Hannah
Instructor
Hannah
Instructor
Ian
Instructor
Ian
Instructor
Jack Rabbit
Instructor
Jack Rabbit
Instructor
Jasmine
Instructor
Jasmine
Instructor
Jesse
Instructor
Jesse
Instructor
Joseph
Instructor
Joseph
Instructor
Julie
Instructor
Julie
Instructor
Kate
Instructor
Kate
Instructor
Katie “Bug”
Instructor
Katie “Bug”
Instructor
Lilly
Instructor
Lilly
Instructor
Mak
Instructor
Mak
Instructor
Marcus
Instructor
Marcus
Instructor
Maxim
Instructor
Maxim
Instructor
Mica
Instructor
Mica
Instructor
Mikey
Instructor
Mikey
Instructor
Milli
Instructor
Milli
Instructor
Moo
Instructor
Moo
Instructor
Moose
Instructor
Moose
Instructor
Nicholai
Instructor
Nicholai
Instructor
Patrick
Instructor
Patrick
Instructor
Peaches
Instructor
Peaches
Instructor
Rylie
Instructor
Rylie
Instructor
Shaq
Instructor
Shaq
Instructor
Shayla
Instructor
Shayla
Instructor
Shrek
Instructor
Shrek
Instructor
Sonic
Instructor
Sonic
Instructor
Spider Bunny
Instructor
Spider Bunny
Instructor
Sprout
Instructor
Sprout
Instructor
Stephen
Instructor
Stephen
Instructor
Stick
Instructor
Stick
Instructor
Thumbelina
Instructor
Thumbelina
Instructor
Thuy
Instructor
Thuy
Instructor
Weights
Instructor
Weights
Instructor
Will
Instructor
Will
Instructor
Zoe
Instructor