Meet Our Staff – Camp Middlesex

Steven LaFountain, CAGS

Executive Director

23rd Summer

2015 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Rindge, New Hampshire

Steve is originally from Albany, NY. He went to college at Franklin Pierce College in NH, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Elementary Education. He earned his first Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Fitchburg State College in 2002. His second Master’s degree in Reading Education was completed in 2007 at Worcester State College. In 2017, he earned a CAGS degree in Educational Leadership and Management at Fitchburg State.

He has worked in the camping business for numerous seasons, moving up the ranks as counselor, head counselor, CIT Director, Assistant Director, and now Executive Director. Currently, he lives in Rindge, NH and is an Assistant Principal at Athol Royalston Middle School.

Nicole Tortora

Program Director

7th Summer

2015 Camp Spirit

Home Town: Pepperell, MA

Raul Sanchez

Junior Camp Director

4th Summer

2024 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Mexico

Mary Galindo

Teen Camp Director

5th Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Mexico

Ava Hixon

Day Camp Director

5th Summer

Home Town: Hudson, MA

Colleen McGrath, RN

Nurse

7th Summer

Home Town: Lowell, MA

“Hello, I’m Colleen. I am a Middle School Nurse in Lowell, MA and work part time in the Recovery Room at local hospital. I am excited to be working my sixth summer at Camp Middlesex! I attended as a camper while I was in middle school, and have great memories! I have two daughters who are campers as well.”

Kim Dimacale, LPN

Nurse

5th Summer

Home Town: Ashburnham, MA

“Wow, 5th year! My name is Kim Dimacale. I am an LPN and have been for 17 years. My passion, besides caring for people, are my grandchildren, hiking, checking out waterfalls and the Beach. I love collecting sea glass and walking on the shores. I can’t wait to see all the old and new faces this summer.”

Siana Clark

Head Counselor Teen Camp / Woodworking

4th Summer

Home Town: West Yorkshire, England

“Hi Everyone, I’m Siana and I’m from England! I’m so excited to be back for a 4th year and can’t wait to see old and new faces. I’m looking forward to making so many new memories and especially looking forward to International Week! I can’t wait to meet everyone ◡̈”

Olivia Collins

Woodworking

1st Summer

Home Town: Australia

“Hey everyone, my name is Olivia. I am from Australia, and I will be your woodworking counselor. I have visited the States before, but this will be my first summer here and I can’t wait to meet you all, have heaps of fun and make memories with you all. See you Soon!!”

Caitlin Warburton

Outdoor Living Skills

1st Summer

Home Town: Kent, England

“Hey I’m Caitlin, I’m from Kent, England and I will be the Outdoor Living Skills Counselor this summer. I’m very excited for my first summer camp experience and meeting everyone at Camp Middlesex.”

Carmen Garcia

Head Lifeguard

4th Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Spain

Sofia Morales

Lifeguard

2nd Summer

Home Town: Spain

Marlenne Samaniego

Floater Counselor

3rd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Ana Pillado

Lifeguard / Head Counselor Junior Camp

4th Summer

Home Town: Spain

Ivan Ezequiel Gamez

Low Ropes

2nd Summer

Home Town: Argentina

Sergio Castell

Lifeguard

3rd Summer

Home Town: Spain

Celine Elsner

2nd Summer

Home Town: Germany

Isaac Stallman

Floater

1st Summer

2023 & 2024 Camp Spirit

Home Town:

Evan Harris

1st Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Framingham, MA

Holly Harris

1st Summer

2023 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Winchendon, MA

Gary Cooley

Cook

18th Summer

Home Town: Greenfield, MA

Gary has been the Camp Middlesex cook for the past 18 summers. A baker by trade, Gary makes some of the most delicious congo bars, cakes, pizzas, and lots of other great food! We are very fortunate to have Gary as a part of our camp and look forward to eating his food each summer!

Frida Castillo

Kitchen Assistant

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Valeria Sanchez

Kitchen Assistant

2nd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Jessica Briley, M.Ed.

Hiring Manager

19th Summer

1994 & 2018 Camp Spirit!

Home Town: Medford, MA

“I am excited for another summer with Camp Middlesex! My history has been a long one, starting in 1991 as a Camper, I moved forward through the CIT program and became a Lifeguard and Arts & Crafts Counselor until 2000. In 2009 I had the opportunity to return to camp, which was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was the Summer Director until I retired in 2021 to have more time with my family after my marriage in 2020. I continue to be the Hiring Manager, with the task of hiring our incredible staff each year. You will see me on camp every summer for Spirit Week, as I fill in for the LTs who have to go back to school.

During the “off season” I am the Executive Director of the Good Shepherd School, a preschool in Charlestown, MA, which I have been since 2016. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Camp Middlesex has always had a special place in my heart and I feel blessed to share the magic with so many campers and staff alike.”

Cesar Vazquez

Maintenance

3rd Summer

Home Town: Mexico

Jessica McLaughlin AKA Office Jess or OJ

Office Manager

12th Summer

Home Town: Fitchburg, MA

Jessica (nick-named Office Jess or OJ) is originally from Townsend, MA. She is currently an 8th grade History teacher at Narragansett Middle School in Templeton, MA. In her spare time she enjoys reading, sky diving, and spending time with family.