A high return rate of both campers and staff really works to maintain Agawam’s traditions from year to year. Our staff is comprised of college students, teachers, and camping professionals who each summer create a balanced program in a variety of camp activities.
“Swampy” Brendan Barnard – Is a 2nd generation counselor and former camper. He returns this summer as Lower Campus Unit Head and Head of Sailing. “Swampy” is graduating from Boston College this spring and is exploring options in either outdoor/experiential or classroom education in the fall. “Swampy” is a talented singer and actor, and has enjoyed being part of a comedy improv troupe on campus at BC. He has the unique quality of being a fantastic mild-mannered listener and also raucously funny, at times.
“Inspector” Tom Colesby – Hailing from England, “Inspector” is slated to serve as Unit Head of our oldest campers. Colesby is finishing up his teaching degree at Liverpool Hope University with the hopes of coaching Soccer -er- Football. “Inspector” is a fantastic example of the value of the J-1 cultural exchange program that Agawam benefits from every summer. He has most certainly given to us more culture than he has received; after several years visiting the U.S. he still can’t figure out why we don’t put baked beans on our breakfast plates and drive on the wrong side of the road.
Emma Longcope – Is still awaiting her title – she was introduced to Agawam by “Bos’n” Murray, who, together with their dog Hatcher are happy to be back in Maine living on Crescent Lake this summer. Emma is originally from Falmouth, ME, and was a counselor at Camp Wohelo as a teenager. She has also been a mentor/educator at the Catamount Center in Colorado and completed an AmericCorps fellowship at Teton Science School in Wyoming. At camp, she will continue working part-time doing marketing for the No Man’s Land Film Festival, and will help Agawam with photography and in-season communications strategy and implementation to help parents stay connected with camp.
“Bos’n” Sam Murray – One of many Murrays who have made an impact at Agawam, “Bos’n” will be returning to Agawam as the Program Director this summer after several summers away. Since 2016, has been teaching at the Aspen Academy in Littleton, CO, and is completing a Masters’ Degree from Utah State University in Natural Resource Management this spring. He took a hiatus from teaching this school year to finish Grad school remotely while enjoying the “VanLife” and rock climbing all around the country with Emma. He was recently hired to teach at The White Mountain School in New Hampshire in the fall of 2021.
“Dusty” Zach McEwan – “Dusty” can do just about anything. He is a former co-trip director, but is equally at home on the waterfront, in the woodshop, or in the music room. After working with children both in and out of schools for years, in 2020, “Dusty” landed his first full-time teaching position inspiring young musicians at Medway Middle School in Medway, Maine,. He loves hiking, yoga, dancing, music, and remains very close to his family who also live in the beautiful greater Katahdin/Baxter State Park area where he grew up.
“Corp” Jacob Morse – “Corp” Morse is leading our trips program this summer after serving as assistant trip director in 2019. An avid hunter and fisherman from Lovell, a town in the Western Mountains of Maine, “Corp” brings a unique perspective to share with the boys as they explore the woods and waters of his native state. During the winter, “Corp” works in foodservice at Bates College, so the boys are sure to eat well on trips, too! He is actively working with the Leadership Team this winter to consider how we can ensure that our tripping program maintains its core goals while maintaining our “bubble” for COVID isolation.
“Dodger” Luke Osselaer – “Dodger” is happy to be back exclusively in the classroom after covering as interim Principal at St. John Berchmans School in Chicago. Impressively, he led the school to reopening in the midst of the pandemic while simultaneously teaching social studies and science in-person and helping prepare for virtual learning for students who were staying home. He recently began graduate school at DePaul University with the goal of receiving his M. Ed in Educational Leadership. “Dodger” leans on this experience and more to lead the Sr. Club, Agawam’s counselor-in-training program. He has become a beloved mentor to many aspiring staff members.
“Swampy” Brad Przedpelski – After many years of Agawam experience as a camper and staff member, “Swampy” participated in the intensive Waterfront Leadership School in the summer of 2019 and continued to grow into a seasoned leader while ensuring a safe and happy waterfront. After being disappointed by the cancelled 2020 season, “Swampy” is eager to build on his leadership in 2021. “Swampy” recently moved to Portland, Maine. He is an accomplished musician who sings and can play most any instrument, but his true passion is writing and recording songs, and engaging in the creative process.
“Corp” Emily Waller – “Corp” is a gifted woodshop counselor who seems to have eyes in the back of her head. While ensuring that no-one loses a finger, she inspires creativity, responsibility, and thoughtfulness in wood-working. “Corp” is also the most highly trained and experienced member of our Challenge staff. Before the pandemic, she worked as a professional stagehand, doing rigging, set-building, and support for all types of performances. She hopes to return to that work after live performances return, but in the meantime, has been managing the cold Minnesota winter doing residential construction. “Corp” is multi-talented, and studied Music Education at University of Southern Maine.
Tara and Scott Fitzgerald are both RNs and currently call Texas home where Scott is doing contract nursing. Both were hired to work at Agawam in 2020, and last summer Tara and Scott worked as RNs for Camp CenterStage in Livermore Falls, Maine. Tara has experience as a charge nurse, a family services coordinator, and a CNA manager. She also has been a camp nurse at Boy Scout camps as well as a residential treatment center for adolescents and teens. Scott has experience as a charge nurse, admissions nurse, and a staff nurse. Tara and Scott recently repurposed a van themselves so that they could really put the “travel” in travel nursing. Tara and Scott enjoy spending time with their 3 boys and the whole family enjoys spending time camping, rafting, biking and skiing in Colorado. Scott is a musician who played the bass professionally before earning his RN 30 years ago.
Hannah Lawrence, RN will be rejoining our Healthcare Staff after 2 years away and we are very happy to welcome her back. Hannah will be joined by her partner “Coach” Wade Sturges who is a soccer coach, headed up the Agawam soccer program in 2018, and will be joining our soccer staff and possibly assisting “Capt” Estes. Hannah’s son will also be returning to Agawam for his 2nd summer. Hannah is currently working as a contract nurse and her present assignment is in Washington State. Hannah, Wade and her son love being outdoors and go hiking any chance they get.
Jessica McGuire, RN lives in Florida with her 2 boys who will also be Agawam campers. Before going into nursing, Jessica worked in commercial insurance and ecology research. Her RN experience includes John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and home health nursing.