This will be Dak's second summer as the Camp Director of Ranachqua. Last year was a huge success for Dak and he looks forward to improving on an already impressive program. Prior to becoming Camp Director Dak served 2 summers as Program director and 7 on the Shooting Sports Staff. When not at camp, Dak is a social studies teacher in Massena, NY.

Besides the youthful good looks and charm, Bill Smith brings six years of staff experience with him as the Program Director for Camp Ranachqua this year. Bill’s first year on staff in 2003 was spent toiling away in Handicraft. During subsequent years, Bill led strenuous hikes at Nature, culminating with his appointment to the position of Nature Director in 2007. Last year, Bill became part of the Ranachqua “Key Three” by serving as the Camp Commissioner.

Hailing from Spring Valley, New York, Bill is an Eagle Scout, and all around wholesome young man. This is in addition to maintaining a profound sense of modesty. This fall, Bill will return to Cornell University in Ithaca where he is majoring in Communication – class of 2010 - and pursuing a minor in Africana studies. This past spring, Bill spent the semester abroad studying at the University of Ghana. Bill hopes to use his worldly knowledge to enhance the program offered at Camp Ranachqua. Bill’s goal this year as Program Director is to ensure that every Scout who comes to camp has the same amount of fun, camaraderie, and sense of achievement that Bill experienced while a camper at Ranachqua.

The "mom" of camp staff, this will be Lola's twentieth year at Camp Ranachqua. A skilled and passionate woman, she works as a teaching assistant with the middle level alternative program, a program that focuses on working with and improving the education of troubled youths. As always, she's excited and enthusiastic to be back at Ranachqua. She loves her job.

Appointed by the Ranachqua daimyo Zaza, this Shogun of Scout Skills is back for his 4th summer as a part of the Camp Ranachqua staff. This is Josh's first summer as the director of Scout Skills, though he has been with the area for his entire Ranachqua career. Though he has large shoes to fill he is eager to meet the challenge and to provide the best Scout Skills program possible.

Returning for a 6th summer, Terrence McKiernan is back as Camp Ranachqua’s Nature Director. Armed with the tremendous array of ecological wonders present at the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation, Terrence is on a mission to bring each and every Scout closer to the natural world. Whether it’s the stars in the sky, or the soil beneath the soil, Terrence offers a wealth of knowledge to all who will take a moment and listen.

During the year, Terrence is an Environmental Studies major at Binghamton University spending most of his time studying safe and sustainable ecosystem management. Contemplating problems such as energy efficiency, forest reclamation, and sustainable agriculture, he hopes to complete his degree and move on to a graduate research program. Terrence plans on continuing to pursue his interest in environmental awareness and education, all while bringing his energy, excitement, and enthusiasm to the Camp Ranachqua Nature Lodge for many summers to come.

Stephen LaVallee was born in Newburgh New York on November 23 1983.  He is a graduate of Cornwall Central High School where he participated in Drama Club for four years.  His first year at camp was 1994 and first worked on camp staff in 1999.  His camp positions have included FCA, Archery, and the Climbing Wall.  He has also worked in Pennsylvania as the Director in charge of services for a cub scout reservation.  After High School he attended SUNY New Paltz New York where he earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Visual Arts.  In his spare time he cartoons which he hopes one day could become his profession. 
         “The world is like a ride at an amusement park. It goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills and it's very brightly coloured and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time, and they begin to question: Is this real, or is this just a ride? And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, they say, "Hey - don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because, this is just a ride...” But we always kill those good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok. Jesus - murdered; Martin Luther King - murdered; Malcolm X - murdered; Gandhi - murdered; John Lennon - murdered; Reagan... wounded. But it doesn't matter because: It's just a ride. And we can change it anytime we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings and money. A choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love, instead, see all of us as one. Here's what we can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money that we spend on weapons and defenses each year and instead spend it feeding and clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.” -Bill Hicks
                                                                                

Zach's professionalism is absolutely clear to everyone, taking the role of Archery director in his second year on Ranachqua Staff. A natural professional, Zach has adapted quickly to the Ranachqua program and acted to maintain it, ensuring scouts a safe and fun experience at the camp Archery Range.

This will be Mike's fourth year as a Ranachqua Staff Member. Though young, Mike has already demonstrated his professionalism and talent in administrating the Waterfront and guaranteeing campers a fun and safe experience. With the level of vigilance and energy demonstrated by Mike it is no surprise that he received such a warm reception upon returning to Ranachqua.

Dan is returning to Camp Ranachqua this summer for his 6th summer of staff after taking 3 summers off and living in NYC. His first year as a staff member was in 2001 as a C.I.T. When he worked at the archery range and waterfront. In 2002 he became a full member of the waterfront staff and spent many summers there. He has now left the Waterfront and taken control of The Wall this summer. An area in which he hopes to "spark the climbing bug" In young scouts. Dan is a Eagle Scout and Asst. Scoutmaster at Troop 27 in Newburgh Ny.

When not at camp, Dan studies Graphic Design & Advertising Design at F.I.T in New York City. He has One year left to complete his Bachelors Degree and plans on pursuing his career in the Advertising and Graphic Design fields. Although the streets of New York is far from Ranachqua, Dan has not forgotten his roots & plans on continuing being part of the Ranachqua family.

Justin is returning to Camp Ranachqua for the second consecutive summer.  Last year on staff, Justin was the Assistant Climbing Area Director.  This summer at Ranachqua, Justin is our Mountain Biking and Field Sports Director. He teaches the scouts how nutrition and fitness are very important in life. As an Eagle Scout, and an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 540 in Monroe, New York, Justin will use his scouting background and experience to provide an unforgettable experience for each one of the campers that walks through the paths of Camp Ranachqua.

While not at camp, Justin is a majoring in Mathematics at SUNY Rockland where he will be completing his Associates Degree in the fall. After finishing his degree in the fall, Justin will transfer to a four year college. He is looking to study Special Education, while majoring in Mathematics. So for the years to come Justin will be entering the workforce of teaching as a profession but will have the summers off to help make sure that the scouts at Ranachqua have a great time and help them share memories for their families and troops at home.

Andrew Chmielowiec is back at Camp Ranachqua for a second year after a short hiatus and has taken up shop as the resident trading post manager for the first time. Channeling tremendous gusto into each and every Slush Puppie, Andrew brings unparalleled kudos to the bustling free-time destination that is the Ranachqua Trading Post.

A senior English major at Rowan University, Andrew spends the rest of his year knee-deep in literary anthologies and poetry readings as he prepares himself for a swift approaching graduation, upon which he intends to pursue a career in education. Teaching as an occupation would ensure free summer months and Andrew’s return to Camp Ranachqua - the grounds that have quickly become his warm-weather home away from home - for years to come.

Camp Medic

When not at camp, Joseph serves as a volunteer EMT in Rockland. It is for this reason that he is both qualified and excited to work at Camp Ranachqua this summer; to apply that which he has learned as an EMT in a different capacity and to help improve the summer of every boy who needs his help. Though it is his first year, Joseph is excited to be here and the camp is excited to have him.

Kitchen Manager

Donnie has become fixture at Camp Ranachqua. Beginning his 7th year at Ranachqua Donnie is ready for another great summer with incredible food. Just don't mention the Army; Donnie's a Navy man and isn't afraid to say so. Outside of camp, Donnie works as a chef at the University of Scranton.

Last Updated: March 16, 2007
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