Camp Northwoods staff
Peter Carner, Camp Director
I am excited to be returning to Camp Northwoods as the Director this summer. Camp has always been a passion for me. From being a camper as a child to running a camp as an adult, I have worked in every role imaginable. I believe that a summer camp should enrich a child's life and allow them to learn and have fun in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
We at Northwoods look forward to welcoming campers to full-day programming with exciting field trips, swimming, and many other great activities.
Outside of camp, I enjoy being on the water kayaking or boating with my son Madigan and a dog named River. I look forward to meeting you and your children and assuring that their summer will be amazing!
Education: B.S Medical Anthropology, SUNY Plattsburgh M.S. Ed Education, Russell Sage Graduate School.
Casey Renner, Camp Assistant Director
I am so excited for my first fun-filled summer at Camp Northwoods! I first developed a love of camp as a camp counselor at my local YMCA. I stepped up to become a head camp counselor, and am thrilled to be stepping into this position as Assistant Director at Camp Northwoods. My experience working with children stretches beyond camp, as I spend a lot of my time during the school year with students in my 4th grade classroom.
I love that summer camp allows students to learn, grow, and have fun in a structured, yet entertaining environment. At camp we work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to build memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming our campers with open arms for a summer of fun!
Outside of camp, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy staying active by going on walks, working out, swimming, and playing sports.
Education: I graduated from SUNY Oneonta in 2022 with my Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood and Childhood Education. I’m currently working towards completing my Masters degree to be a certified Literacy Education specialist.
Madelyn Symons, Camp Health Director
Education: I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2019 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. I also received my Registered Nurse License in 2019. Currently, I am working as an Elementary School Nurse for Niskayuna District!
Experience: This is my 4th year as the Health Director of Camp Northwoods. The campers’ and staffs’ health and wellness is my top priority. I’m so proud to be a part of such a special camp!
Interests: I got married to my amazing husband in May of 2022, and we welcomed our beautiful first-born son in March of 2023. You can find me spending most of my free time with them!
Easton Symons, Camp Health Director Assistant
Sometimes you may see me at Camp tagging along with my Nurse Mom. I just turned one in March and recently learned to walk! On a nice day, you can find me spending all of my free time outside. I love swinging in my baby swing and “driving” toy cars! I absolutely love watching “older” kids and learning from them, so I can’t wait to be at Camp!
Madigan Carner, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Greenwich Central High School in 2022 and am pursuing a Nursing Major (BSN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing) with minors in Biology and Honors at the University of Southern Maine.
Experience: I've worked at Camp Northwoods for several years and love the opportunity to be back! Besides working at CNW, I've worked in various other jobs in the community and outside.
Interests: My primary sport is soccer as I play it in college, yet I love all things sports! I love taking hikes, swimming, and overall everything outside. I can't wait to come back and work this summer and share my passions.
Samuel Chaucer, Counselor
Education: I am currently completing my junior year at Saratoga Springs High School.
Experience: While this will be my first year as a Camp Northwoods Counselor, I spent a number of summers as a Camp Northwoods camper when I was younger! I have also volunteered with children in the community through National Honor Society.
Interests: I am very interested in anything that involves physical activity or being outside. I Nordic ski and play volleyball and tennis for Saratoga High school. In my free time, I play the cello and enjoy spending time with my friends. I love working with kids and am excited for this opportunity!
Giada Cunningham, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Schuylerville High School in 2023. I am currently studying childhood and special education at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Interests: During my senior year of high school I completed an internship working in a fifth grade classroom. Through the education program at Plattsburgh, I have done fieldwork experience which allows me to work with children. This will be my second summer back at Camp Northwoods, and I am super excited to be back.
Interests: I love spending time with friends and family. But I also love to ski, run, and do anything outdoors related.
Kylie Folts, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Saratoga High School in 2020. I attended Endicott College in my Freshman and Sophomore year and am now taking classes at Skidmore College. I will be attending Russell Sage this fall and completing my bachelor's in Education and Life Science.
Experience: I am so excited to be back for a third summer at Camp Northwoods! I have had tons of experience babysitting throughout the years. More recently, I have taught in the classroom at the Early Childhood Center at Skidmore. I also have experience coaching various youth field hockey camps and programs.
Interests: Besides working with kids, I love to spend time with my friends and family. Going on walks, playing sports, and doing arts and crafts are some other hobbies of mine. I grew up camping and spending lots of time in the woods and around nature. I also love field hockey and enjoy sharing my passion for it with others.
Avrie Koval, Counselor
Education: I am completing my junior year at Schuylerville High School.
Experience: This is my first year as a counselor and I'm very excited! I have experience with kids, such as babysitting and coaching at sports camps for young athletes.
Interests: Sports have always been a big part of my life. I play Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse. I am an FFA officer for my high school and love being active in the club. I enjoy camping, kayaking and hiking. I love watching sunsets and being outside to enjoy nature!
AJ Matyas, Counselor
Education: I'm a senior at Skidmore College, majoring in Biology.
Experience: I was a camper at Camp Northwoods for 4 years when I was younger. Ever since then, I grew to love working outdoors and with nature. For the last few summers, I’ve been working with a theater guild, and worked with Skidmore Stables.
Interests: I love all things outdoors and science related but whitewater rafting, bird watching, and art/theater have really been my passions over the years. I always dreamed of being a counselor at Camp Northwoods and I’m excited to work with them this summer.
Makayla McMaster, Counselor
Education: I graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2023 with my B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. I have continued my studies at Russell Sage College in their Counseling and Community Psychology program this past year.
Experience: I am excited to start my second year working at Camp Northwoods! Throughout the years, I have worked as a babysitter and Respite Care Worker within my community. While attending SUNY Oswego, I volunteered within the Oswego City School District to practice and implement play-based techniques with a caseload of pre-at-risk children.
Interests: Since I was young, I have always had a particular interest in working with children. I enjoy using the skills and techniques I have learned from my classes to help foster social-emotional awareness and overall growth with each child I work with. I also love the outdoors, especially when it comes to hiking and swimming.
Daisy Mehan, Counselor
Education: I am currently completing my junior year at Schuylervile highschool
Experience: This will be my first year working at Camp Northwoods. I have experience volunteering at youth sports camps.
Interests: I love sports and being outside doing different activities. I play field hockey and lacrosse, and ski during the winter. I am also involved in FFA. I grew up camping every summer, and love being outdoors!
Alex Renner, Counselor
Education: I’m currently completing my junior year at Schuylerville High School.
Experience: This will be my first year working at Camp Northwoods. I’ve worked with kids in many different settings, including coaching soccer teams, volunteering in summer sports camps, and observing in elementary classrooms.
Interests: I love playing all sports but mainly Soccer, Baseball, Basketball which I play all at the varsity level at my school throughout the year. I also enjoy going outside and playing golf with my friends, occasionally. I just really enjoy spending time outside whether it’s swimming, hiking or any fun activity. I’m very excited to be able to work this summer while doing the things I love!
Maggie Schwartz, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Schuylerville High School in 2022 and am currently studying at Castleton University with a double major in Psychology & Sociology
Experience: This will be my third summer as a counselor at Camp Northwoods and I’m so excited! Outside of camp, I have coached youth field hockey, volunteered at sports camps, babysat, and have been a substitute at a local elementary school.
Interests: Sports have always been my passion throughout my life. I currently play on the Castleton Field Hockey team; however, along with field hockey, I have also played basketball, softball, soccer, and enjoyed tap dancing. I also love fishing, kayaking, and anything that involves being outdoors!
Robin Wintsch, Counselor
Education: I'm a senior at Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School and am thrilled to be entering college undecided in the fall! I am hoping to take advantage of exploratory programs and opportunities to double major.
Experience: I have worked as an outdoor Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for the last 2 years at Little Troy Park. I really enjoy working with children and have volunteered to help with youth programs through 4-H since my early teens. I think it's really important to foster a kind and accepting community in every working environment, especially when working with children. This is my first year working at Camp Northwoods, but I am confident I will feel at home there!!
Interests: Where to start? I consider myself a super artistic person with concentrations in ceramics, print work, theatrical arts, sewing and fashion, and mixed media work! I also enjoy being outside in nature in my free time and like to go swimming and hiking. At home, I spend a lot of my time cooking, baking, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. I also enjoy participating in clubs during the school year some of my favorites being Philosophy Club, RISE (our social activism club), and NERD Club which I was the president of.
Madelyn Woodcock, Counselor
Education: I am currently completing my junior year at Schuylerville High School.
Experience: This will be my second year at Camp Northwoods. I have a lot of experience with child care and am very excited for this summer!
Interests: My interests are softball, field hockey, spending time with friends and family, and hiking, really anything that involves being outside.