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Our Staff and Volunteers
Each year hundreds of volunteers and staff from all over the country and around the world come to work at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock. Many of the staff and volunteers are returners, and often will go to great lengths just to come back to camp. In addition to the summer camp staff and seasonal volunteers, there is a core group of staff who work here year round.
Year round directors
Executive Director - Jessica Speer-Holmes
Jessica Speer-Holmes attended Camp Hi-Rock as a youth and served in Counselor, Unit Director, and Program Director positions and, for a short time, as the Interim Executive Director in 1997. She received a B.A. degree from Brown University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Prior to her role as the Executive Director at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, she previously worked with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA serving as Associate Executive Director of the Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA, and the Bridgeport YMCA. Jessica now lives year round at Camp Hi-Rock with her husband, three daughters, and dog.
Senior Camp Director - Charles Hirsch
Chuck has a long history with Camp Hi-Rock and is excited for the coming summer.
Camp Director - Ben Havens
Ben grew up in St. Louis Missouri and was a long time camper and staff member at YMCA Camp Lakewood. Since Graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in parks and recreation he has worked in outdoor education, spent two summers as the assistant director at El Ranchito Camp outside of Austin Texas, and worked extensively with adolescents in the justice system in Pennsylvania. He came to visit Hi-Rock for an interview one day and knew that it was where he wanted to be for the. As Camp Director he loves the opportunity to help kids to enrich their lives and keep the spirit of Hi-Rock alive.
Facilities Director - Paul Duffy
Paul Duffy was originally an art student from Birmingham England, now he is the maintenance director at Camp Hi-Rock and has been for many years. He met his wife Rochelle while working at camp Hi-Rock. He enjoys golf, riding his 4x4 ATV around camp, and volunteering at the local dog shelter. Best of all, he loves Camp Hi-Rock because "there's not a nicer place in the world".
Camper Care Specialist - Tanya Gaudette
Tanya is in her 3rd year as staff at Hi-Rock and now lives at camp year-round. Prior to her move to camp, she has lived in the beautiful Berkshires her whole life. Tanya has managed the office for two years and continues to enjoy every minute of it. She is continuing her degree in early childhood education and has aspirations of great heights.
