Meet Our Staff
The single most important aspect of any summer camp is the people who run it and who care for and mentor children day in and day out. At Fessenden, we’re proud to say we have some of the best. Our summer staff includes teachers, college and high school students, as well as specialists who provide their specific expertise for activities. Highly qualified, superbly trained, and deeply compassionate, our people make Fessenden Day Camp the great place it is.
Meet the Leadership Team
Jenn Whalen-Sirois Camp Director 5 Years at Fessenden
2024 will be Jenn’s third year as Director at Fessenden Summer Camps. Prior to becoming Director she worked closely with the camp staff as Camp Administrator. Before coming to Fessenden, Jenn spent the majority of her camping career at Camp Bernadette, in Wolfeboro, NH, most recently as their Resident Director. Jenn has experienced summer camp from a variety of lenses, including a camper, CIT, counselor, program director, director and most importantly, as the parent campers and staff members. Jenn is an active member of the American Camp Association where she volunteers as a Camp Accreditation Visitor. She has also worked as a Middle School math and science teacher in Medford, MA . Jenn is a graduate of Boston University and a lover of all Boston’s local sports teams.
My Family
I have an 18 year old daughter and a 17 year old son who are both Fessy counselors. I also have a 13 year old son who loves being a camper. We live in Burlington with our standard poodle, Bridie.My favorite camp activity is…
Swimming! There is no better way to cool off on a hot day. I spent every summer as a teenager lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons at a summer camp!What I love about camp is…
Camp is all about building relationships. The best part of camp is meeting new people and making new friends, all while having a blast!
Nikki Bookwalter Summer Camps Administrator 3 Years at Fessenden
2024 will be Nikki’s third summer as the Fessenden Summer Camps Administrator. Prior to Fessenden, Nikki worked at MIT in the Aquatics Department, overseeing lifeguards and special events. Nikki has worked at a variety of Summer Camps in the Greater Boston area and has a deep background in camp program development and administration. Nikki was a competitive swimmer for 18 years, and joined the Varsity team at Boston University where she received her undergraduate degrees in Art History and History. She has also received her Master’s Degree in Sports Management.
My Hobbies
Traveling, hiking, cooking and reading. My favorite food to cook is Korean and my favorite book is Jane Eyre! Ireland is my favorite place to visit so far!A fun fact about me
I have moved 18 times in my life!My favorite camp activity
Soccer or anything in the water!Meet our Summer Staff
Becca Wilson Program Director 16 Years at Fessenden
2024 will be Becca’s third year as the program director and 16th summer summer working at the Fessenden Summer Camp. Previously, she has been a CIT, counselor, nature science specialist and even a camper. She always looks forward to reuniting with returning campers and staff each summer! When she’s not at Fessenden, Becca teaches third grade at Lilja elementary school in Natick, where she’s worked for the past six years. She has a degree in elementary education and a master’s in Literacy & Language.
My hobbies are…
Baking, reading, and following Boston sports! After a fun-filled camp day, I can often be seen heading off to a Red Sox game!My favorite camp activity is…
Sports! I love participating in the unique, collaborative, and skill building activities our sports specialists plan out for campers.What I love about camp is…
Seeing campers build skills in a play-based setting! Camp lets kids be leaders, teammates, friends, and themselves all while having fun!
Alyssa Fucci Aquatics Director 1 Years at Fessenden
Alyssa is excited to be joining Fessenden Summer Camps for the 2024 season! Alyssa has spent over 12 years in Aquatics and, most recently, as an Aquatics Director at a local day camp. When not at the pool in the summer, Alyssa has taught 5th grade for the past 6 years at Atrium School in Watertown. Previously she has worked at Fay School in Southborough (where she grew up!) in various roles including Kindergarten teacher and dorm parent. She holds a degree in Biology and Science Education from Lesley University. Alyssa’s favorite part of camp is teaching campers of all ages to learn how to be safe around water and gain confidence in their swimming abilities.
My Hobbies Are..
Swimming, of course! Photography, reading, traveling and spending time with my 4 rescue cats!What I love about Camp..
Seeing kids of all ages come from different backgrounds and build a community together; having fun, learning new skills and pushing themselves to try new and exciting things!A fun fact about me..
I just got married in August! And I can wiggle my ears.
Adam Brewer Upper Camp Director 3 Years at Fessenden
This is Adam’s third year as Upper Camp Director. He has been in education since 2009 in Austin, Texas. Adam began working at summer camps in 2017 at Belmont Day School. Adam has worked in many different roles including: coaching fencing and cross country, seventh grade science, health and wellness, head of athletics, head of off campus camp programs, and various grades of math. This school year, Adam joined the Fessenden School as the Extended Day Program Assistant Director.
My Hobbies Are..
Adam is one of the best fencing referees in the world and travels all over to officiate competitions. He enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, rock climbing and various other outdoor fun!My Favorite Camp Activity is..
Swimming and any team activity!
Ray Isales Specialty Camp Director 4 Years at Fessenden
Ray has been Fessenden’s lower camp Sports and Games Specialist for the past three summers and this year steps into the our new role of Specialty Camp Director. Originally from New York (Go Yankees!), he has worked Summer Camp since 2013, bringing a variety of experience from day, onsite, offsite, and overnight camps. In addition to working in Special Education during the school year, Ray has a passion for coaching year round, whether its Cross Country, Track & Field, or Wrestling.
My Hobbies are..
I enjoy reading and watching anime with my cat, Newt. I’m also always up to talk about the most recent Pokemon game or take a look at a camper’s card collection!My Favorite Camp Activity is..
Circle games! All you need is a couple of new friends and an idea, and you have instant fun, rain or shine, whether it’s a free-play period or a spare 5 minutes at the end of the day.
Margaret Campagna Camper Support Specialist 3 Years at Fessenden
Margaret is one of Camp’s two Camper Support Specialists. Margaret started at Fessenden Summer Camps during the summer of 2022. She has previously worked within middle and upper camp, helping campers make the most out of their camp experience. During the school year, Margaret works as a licensed School Psychologist in Boston Public Schools for grades K-8. She has a Master’s in Education (M. Ed.) and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
My favorite camp activity is..
Soccer! I used to play when I was younger and loved how much confidence the game gave me. Now playing at camp with my campers I experience that same enjoyment.My hobbies include..
Baking cookies and cakes for my friends, family and coworkers. My specialty is classic chocolate chip cookies.
Gerard Wilson 21 Years at Fessenden
This will be Gerard’s 21st summer at Fessenden. He has been a senior counselor in both the middle camp and upper camps. He was the woodworking specialist for four years and will be starting his eighth year as the CIT Director in 2024. Gerard has been a teacher at St John’s Preparatory School in Danvers for over 30 years. He also works part-time at the Countryside Children’s Center (K-6 program) in Newton Upper Falls. He has been a teacher there for over fifteen years.
My family…
His two sons have been campers and counselors at Fessy. Currently his wife MaryAnn is a senior counselor in the half-day program and his daughter Becca is the camp program director.My favorite thing about camp…
Sports, Sports and more Sports. I love playing, running, coaching and refereeing sports at camp. My favorite sports activity is running and participating in the upper camp floor hockey tournament.My favorite camp memory…
My favorite camp memory is building and painting an Adirondack bench with the Teen Trippers. Many of whom were my CITs a few summers ago.Meet our Specialists
Anna Edry Ceramics Specialist 2 Years at Fessenden
This summer will be Anna’s second summer teaching ceramics at Fessenden! When she’s not at camp, Anna is working towards her BFA in Craft And Materials Studies with a concentration in ceramics at the College For Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. She typically works in large scale ceramic installation, and loves silly art! Originally from the Boston area, Anna is excited to be back in Massachusetts for the summer!
My hobbies..
In my free time I take adult ballet classes!My favorite camp activity is..
I love seeing everyone dressed up for theme day! Some campers get really creative with their costumes!A fun fact about me..
In addition to ceramics, I also blow glass and am a silversmith!
Sirin Buruk Archery Specialist 2 Years at Fessenden
As an experienced adventurer with a deep enthusiasm for shaping young minds, honing skills, and cultivating a passion for the outdoors, Sirin is excited to return to Fessenden for her second stint as our Archery Specialist. Prior to Fessenden, Sirin served as a program director at a residential camp where she orchestrated unforgettable experiences for her campers.
My hobbies are..
Beyond the warmth of campfires, I take pleasure in reading, painting, and drawing. The tranquility by the seaside revitalizes my spirit, and my wanderlust continually drives me to explore diverse countries and cultures.Why I love working at camp..
For me, the camp is not merely a job; it's a vibrant canvas where I delight in having fun with kids and savoring the art of teaching.
Bradley Groleau Media Specialist 1 Years at Fessenden
This will be Brad’s first year working at Fessenden Summer Camp. Before this summer, Brad has worked for several summers at other summer camps creating videos for campers to bring home to show all the camp magic! He is beyond excited to meet the campers, create fun videos and just have an amazing summer here at Fessenden.
My Hobbies..
Walking my dog, hiking, listening to music and creating videos.My favorite camp activity is..
I am always a fan of creating camp videos with campers. Whether it be a music video, a mini movie something else, it's always fun.What I love about camp is..
Creating great memories for myself, the staff, and especially the campers!
J.P. Meyers Nature Specialist 1 Years at Fessenden
While this will be J.P.’s first summer at Fessenden, he has experience at an overnight camp over in Pennsylvania where he was the nature coordinator. J.P. has spent time as a camp counselor, as well. He is excited to be the Nature Specialist this summer at Fessenden and looks forward to sharing his passion for the outdoors and having fun with our campers and staff!
My Family..
I come from a large family of eight! I'm number 3 and have three sisters and two brothers. I grew up on a farm in New Jersey and just recently moved to Massachusetts.My Hobbies are..
Today, I love to go on hikes and nature walks and do general outdoor activities. I also have a soft spot for writing/telling stories! I love to cook and my favorite dish to make is chicken marsala!
Harmony Witte Lower Camp Arts & Crafts Specialist
This will be Harmony’s first year working at Fessenden Summer Camp. Before this
summer, Harmony worked at a summer camp in Texas as the art director, assisting
campers in making pinch pots out of clay dug from the banks of the river and organizing
weekly art galas for them. She looks forward to getting to know a new set of campers
and creating art and memories together.
