Camp Northwoods

2013 Camp Northwoods Staff

Ellen Mattison – Camp Director

This is Ellen Mattison's sixth year with Camp Northwoods.  Ellen received her Bachelor's Degree from State University of New York Geneseo in Childhood Education and Special Education in 2010.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Literacy at SUNY Albany, and teaches third grade in the Saratoga Springs City Schools.  In her free time, Ellen loves spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, playing guitar, and making jewelry.  She is looking forward to another fun-filled summer spent at Camp Northwoods!

Jake Zanetti– Assistant Director

A Physical Education Teacher at Lake Avenue Elementary School, Jake Zanetti, rejoins Camp Northwoods' staff for his second year.  Jake graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2005, SUNY Cortland in 2009, and Canisius College in 2012 with a Master's Degree in Differentiated Instruction for P.E. When not teaching or coaching (soccer, wrestling, and track) he spends free-time with family and friends, boating, traveling, and exercising.  During the summer months, Jake also works at Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, as well as his own instructional pole vault camp.

 Molly Donovan - Counselor

Experience: Returning Camp Northwoods Counselor, Student Teaching, Teacher's Aide in Kindergarten, First and Fifth grade classrooms, years of babysitting, Queensbury Elementary Spanish club helper, Homework Club helper, and a Peer Leader for Fifth Graders.

Interests: Spending time with my family and friends, playing soccer and softball, dancing, skiing, and going to Cape Cod during the summer.

 Courtney Martindale - Counselor

Experience: Worked 5+ years as a Kids Klub member at the Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Water Park.  Also, has several years of babysitting and working as a Sunday school teacher, in addition has been a volunteer at the Otsego County Head Start.

Interests:I have been dancing since I was 3 years old.  I also enjoy meditation, rugby and all sports, traveling, nature and the environment, arts and crafts, game nights with family and friends.

Dominic Gina - Counselor

Education: SUNY Plattsburgh, Class of 2013; pursuing a B.S. in Elementary Education.

Experience: Worked 3 years as a summer camp counselor. I also worked at an after and before school program with elementary age children. I have classroom experience with first, third, and fifth grade students as a student teacher. 

Interests: I like to challenge myself at new activities, I have recently started playing tennis, racquetball, and the acoustic guitar. My favorite sport to play is basketball, which I play regularly with friends. My favorite hobby is drawing or anything related to arts and crafts.

 Devan Mattison - Counselor

Certifications: CPR/First Aid & Responding to Emergencies

Experience: Returning Camp Northwoods Counselor (4th year), student learning at the Greenberg Child Care Center, years of babysitting

Interests: Spending time with family and friends, vacationing, going to the beach, arts & crafts, being outdoors, playing sports, & exercising

 Matt McGarry – Counselor

Education: SUNY Potsdam Graduate. BA Degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Education.

Certifications: CPR/First Aid Certified.

Experience: 3rd summer working a Camp Northwoods. Kindergarten Student Teacher at Lincoln Elementary in Ogdensburg, NY and Fifth Grade Student Teacher at Parishville/Hopkinton Central Schools. Schuylerville Central Schools After-School and Summer Camp Counselor.

Interests: Being outdoors playing baseball, golf and snowboarding. Traveling, attending sporting events and spending time with my family and friends.

Lindsey K. Ranck – Counselor

Education: Schuylerville Jr/Sr High school, Senior at The College of Saint Rose

Experiences: 5th summer working at Camp Northwoods, CPR/ First Aid, Social work pre-field internship at Troy Housing Authority's homework help club for low-income individuals and families, years of babysitting.

Interests: I love to spend time outdoors, with friends and family.  I love to hike, ski, and lay on the beach!  Love to play sports of any kind, and love playing and spending time with my two dogs!

 Sean Rossley – Counselor

Education: Currently attending The College of St. Rose for Elementary Education with a dual major in special education grades 1 -6 with a concentration in history. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Suny Adirondack majoring in Elementary Education 1-6 concentration in History

Certifications: CPR/First Aid; Peer Leader

Experience: Substitute teacher, Teacher's Aide, Tutor, Schuylerville Summer Camp Counselor, Schuylerville Elementary School's Before and After School Program for 5 years and Camp Northwoods Counselor for 5 years

Interests: Swimming, hiking, acting, singing, astronomy, drawing, ultimate frisbee, soccer, lacrosse, arts and crafts and spending time with family and friends.

Erin Speed - Counselor

Education: Junior at SUNY Potsdam, Pursuing a BA in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Biology.

Experience: Currently work at the SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center at school, worked with the Adopt-A-Bear program at SUNY Potsdam, many years of babysitting, and an internship in a 3rd grade class at Lake Avenue Elementary School.

Interests: I love hiking, swimming, geocaching, snowboarding, running and field hockey. I love spending time with friends and family and relaxing with my dogs and cat.

Molly Zanetti - Substitute Counselor

Education: SUNY Fredonia Class of 2014; B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Second Grade) and concentration in Art

Experience: Assistant director, head counselor, camp counselor and an assistant art director for Greenfield Summer Recreation. Field placements hrough SUNY Fredonia: Observed and taught during the spring of 2011 for a kindergarten class in Dunkirk, NY; Tutored literacy twice a week in the spring semester of 2012 for a second grade class in Dunkirk, NY; Volunteered in the infant room at the Campus Community Childcare Center in the spring of 2012 in Fredonia, NY. Childcare provider: Provided multiple families in Saratoga Springs with in-home childcare before and after school and school vacations. Ensured that the children received nutritious meals, arrived at school on time, completed their homework, and that they made it to their after-school activities.

Interests:In my free time, I play in a recreational kickball league; I like being outside, playing tennis, hiking and biking, participating and coming up with new arts and crafts activities, photography, sketching and painting. Also, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.