skip to main content

Staff Bios

Meet the Asbury Woods Summer Camp Staff!

Asbury Woods is committed to providing a quality summer camp experience. Our summer camp educators are highly qualified individuals who enjoy inspiring others to get outside and explore.

Camp Director

Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett, Director of Education & Community programs, has years of experience teaching college-level biology, volunteering in the Erie community, and leading various programs. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Zoology and is excited to use her education and leadership experiences to build upon Asbury Woods’ already excellent programs.

I have always been fascinated by the natural world and felt most at peace while walking in the woods. My favorite family memories are from camping and hiking in the woods. As I grew older, I wanted to know everything I could about how living things survive and interact with each other and to share that knowledge with people of all ages. I love that Asbury Woods offers so many ways for people of all ages to enjoy and learn about nature. As Director of Education & Community Programs, I am fortunate to lead a team of incredibly talented educators and naturalists to make nature accessible and exciting for everyone. I look forward to working with summer camp kids and their families to make Asbury Woods summer camp an unforgettable experience. When I’m not working, you’ll find me reading, cooking, attending my kids’ sporting events, or camping with my family."

Staff sarahB WEB2

Camp Staff

Staff Erin2 WEB

Erin Paquette

Erin Paquette, Environmental Educator, has a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and has taught in a variety of outdoor settings, from state parks to overnight outdoor camps to zoos. Erin is looking forward to sharing their passion for the natural world.

"I have always loved being outside, from digging dirt forts under the back porch, making homes for pet worms, and climbing the mulberry tree in the backyard with my siblings. My passion for learning how the world works was ignited in school where I would eagerly await science class. One of the best aspects of my role as an environmental educator is sharing both my passion for and knowledge of the natural world. Asbury Woods has so much to be inspired by from a peaceful wooded stroll to an up close creek investigation. After hours, you will probably find me baking, playing board games, or taking a stroll on the Brown’s Farm trails."

Staff Emader1 WEB

Emma Mader

Emma Mader, Environmental Educator, has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in freshwater fisheries and a Master of Science in Secondary Education: Pedagogy and Practice focusing on science education.  She has worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Coalition of Oral Health, and Mercyhurst University. Emma can’t wait to spread her love of the outdoors this summer!

“I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t inspired by the world around me.  Being in nature in any form brings me joy. I especially enjoy fishing and hiking with friends, family, and my dog! I have always wanted to learn more about the environment which has led me to where I am now, and I love sharing my knowledge and passion with those around me. An educator’s job is critical in developing a deep desire in students to not only love learning itself but have a unique love for every subject they encounter. I care deeply about nature, and I believe that if children can explore and learn about nature in the programs like the ones we offer at Asbury Woods, they will learn to love the environment as much as I do. When I’m not at Asbury Woods you can find me wetting a line in our local waterways or taking my dog for long walks by the lake.”

 

Staff Ckeating WEB

Casey Keating

Casey Keating, Interpretive Naturalist, has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and loves helping children, adults, and families get outside and enjoy nature. She has worked at Girl Scout and YMCA camps and taught in indoor and outdoor classrooms in several states and countries. Casey is excited to help campers learn about and explore their natural world at Asbury Woods.

“Some of my favorite childhood memories are from hiking in the woods with my family near my grandmother’s house. That’s where I discovered the joys of exploring the forest, from climbing rocks and trees to watching animals, and from identifying usable plants to learning that the best-tasting water comes from a mountain spring after a long hike. This summer, I’m looking forward to meeting our campers and having fun together outside, finding magic and friendship in the forest. I’ll be co-leading our Trailblazers and Outdoor Adventurer camps. Outside of Asbury Woods, I love exploring and experiencing the Erie County community, including parks, museums, festivals, and the beautiful natural areas in our region.

Staff ReganKupfer WEB

Regan Kupfer, Nature Camp Counselor

Regan Kupfer will be teaching this year’s camps for first and second-graders. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood and elementary education from Champlain College and will start her junior year this fall. Regan has been working with kids for the past five years in various ways including teaching dance classes, working at an after-school program, being a camp counselor, and most recently, student teaching in a second-grade classroom.

'I grew up coming to Asbury Woods with my family very often to explore all of the amazing natural beauty it has to offer. Many of my favorite childhood memories were made in Asbury Woods camps, and I cannot wait to be a part of those experiences for this year’s students! When I’m not working I spend my time going on hikes, doing puzzles, and tending to my slightly excessive amount of house plants.'"

Staff JacobStush WEB

Jacob Stush, Nature Camp Counselor

Jake will be teaching this year's camps with the third and fifth graders. Jake has returned to his hometown of Erie, PA, from living and teaching in China and Korea to study for his Master's in Environmental Education at Slippery Rock. Before working abroad, he worked for Audubon in San Antonio and taught environmental subjects all over the East Coast. Jake has taught in many different settings and can't wait to use his background to bring new perspectives to his students.

"I spent a lot of my youth outside in the Allegheny National Forest, catching frogs and salamanders in a pond and running around the woods looking for cool things. I first discovered the joy of teaching outside when I went to W. Alton Jones in Rhode Island. There is something to say about having a 2,600-acre classroom and being so close to nature that you can sense its mood or the changing seasons. After participating in many different environmental education programs and jobs around the US, I decided to travel the world. I gained a stupendous amount of perspective on teaching, culture, language, and the natural world. For example, squirrels I saw in Spain have hairy tufts on each ear. I've returned to my hometown to finish my master's and learn to combine all my experiences. When I'm not at work, I am working on grad school, cooking, drawing zentangles, doing crochet, or outside, thinking of imaginative ways of expressing natural concepts."

Staff HaleyWasiloski WEB

Haley Wasiloski, Nature Camp Counselor

Haley will be teaching the four- six year olds at camp this year. Haley is a junior at Penn State Behrend studying environmental science with biology and crime, law, and psychology minors. I hope to become an environmental lawyer in the future.

"Growing up in rural Minnesota, I spent a lot of my childhood outside and I have always loved animals and the outdoors. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to teach others about wildlife and the environment."