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 our year-round staff
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 a 17 year old daughter and two sons, ages 12 and 15, who all love summer camp. 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 Camp Administrator
(3 years at Fessenden)
2024 will be Nikki’s third summer as the Fessenden Summer Camp 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 Italian 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
Colleen Gulezian, Lower Camp Director
(20 Years at Fessenden)
2023 will mark Colleen’s 20th year at Fessenden summer camp. She began as a counselor with the youngest campers in 2003, and when the director position opened five years ago, she was hired for that position. Colleen also worked as the Extended Day Program director at Fessenden for 18 years. She has a degree in and has been working in the early childhood field for 45 years. She currently is in her 20th year as lead teacher and assistant director at Auburndale Community Nursery School in Newton.
My Family…
I have eight children ranging in age from 44 to 14. I am also grandmother to 15 beautiful children. We live in West Newton, three minutes from campus. We have a black lab named Molly and a 14 year old cat named Hercules.
My favorite camp activity is…art! I love being creative and enjoy seeing the excitement on campers faces when they have a beautiful piece of art to bring home and share with their families.
What I love about camp is…
Watching children forging new friendships, stepping out of their comfort zone to try new things, and having the kind of summer every child deserves, full of fun and good times!
Adam Brewer, Upper Camp Director
(2 Years at Fessenden)
Adam started at Fessenden Summer Camp in 2022 and had so much fun he had to return in 2023 in his role as Head of Upper Camp! He has been in education since 2009 in Austin, Texas but did not work at a summer camp until 2017 at Belmont Day School in Belmont, Massachusetts. 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.
My hobbies are…
Adam is one of the best fencing referees in the world and travels all over to officiate competitions. He hopes to make the Olympics in 2024 and 2028! He enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, rock climbing and various other outdoor fun!
My favorite camp activity is…
Swimming and any team activity!
Becca Wilson, Program Director
(15 Years at Fessenden)
2023 will be Becca’s second year as the program director and 15th 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 five 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!
