Meet the #TSCamp2023 Interns!

Alura fell in love with camp from her very first day as a day camper when she was seven years old. Now one degree, three camps, and many positions later, she is finding ways to turn her love of camping into a career. During the off season you can find Alura wearing many hats including nanny, office intern for the ACA, NY & NJ, and social media manager. Alura is very excited to begin the next chapter of her camp journey and experience her first Massachusetts summer as the Program Office Assistant at Camp Winadu and the Events and Operations Manager at Berkshire Lake Camp. Currently Alura’s goal is to learn as much as she can about different roles and camps before pursuing a full time career in camping!

My name is Thomas Czerwinski. I am in my fourth year as a camp counselor at Woodmont Day Camp, and my seventh year overall. I am a senior at Springfield College, studying Physical Education and Health Education. I am eager to work with an amazing group of people and create a special week for the camp world!

Hey guys! I’m Matt Fazzalaro but most people just call me Fazz! I am 22 years old from Athens, Georgia where I am currently a senior at UGA studying marketing. GO DAWGS! I first got involved in camping 3 years ago when a close friend of mine asked me to be a counselor with her at Camp Cobbossee up in Maine. I jumped on the opportunity for an adventure and haven’t looked back. I currently serve as the 8th grade group leader helping to train staff, foster relationships, and give the boys the best summer of their lives! I am super excited to be one of the interns for this year’s Tri-State CAMP Conference and I look forward to meeting you all in person!

Hello my name is Sujey Flores Cortes, I am 22 years old. I graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Major of Gender Studies and a Minor in Art, I am proud to be a first generation college student in my family. Being able to take a step forward is what gets me motivated!

Hello everyone! My name is Victoria Gomez and I love camp, especially Camp Fiver! Thanks to Fiver I am a well-equipped individual ready to take on the world. I am excited to be an Intern for this year’s Tri-State CAMP Conference and to learn about how camps around the world can benefit children! Can’t wait to meet and greet you all!

Hello from the West Coast! My name is Dani (she/her) and I’m currently a Seasonal Camp Director for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. I fell in love with camp in 9th grade after I was a CIT for Zoo Camp and never looked back. Here’s to learning and growing more with each year!

Ilyssa Lapp (she/her) is a second-year student at New York University studying Politics and Gender & Sexuality Studies. A lifetime camper turned staff member at Woodmont Day Camp, Ilyssa has brought her passion for activism into the camp space through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. With previous experience directing political campaign efforts to promote DEI both at the local level (school board) and federally (Congress), Ilyssa is proud to advocate for social justice within and beyond the camp experience. Currently serving in “Thought Leadership” for gender-free apparel company “The Phluid Project,” Ilyssa exercises her expertise in queer studies to defy the gender binary across the intersections of writing, art, and community. She believes firmly in the importance of education and cultural responsiveness and has plans to pursue these interests in law school upon graduation. 

Brandon Lovejoy (he/him/his) is a camp professional, curriculum designer, and freelance theater artist. Originally from Denver, Colorado by way of the Northeast, his career has landed him in the Chicagoland area working with Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camps in program operations and staff resident life. Brandon is passionate about bringing joy, equity, and community to the summer camp industry. When not working on camp programs or on a theater production, he can be found going on road trips and trying to perfect the art of the chocolate chip cookie. Brandon is a proud graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Yale. 

Christian wasn’t part of summer camps as a kid, but once he was hired as a counselor at Camp Winadu, he hasn’t looked back. Christian is entering his fifth summer working there, but when not at camp Christian is a working as a part-time physical education teacher in the Rochester, NY area. He worked at last year’s Tri-State as an intern and is back again for round two.

Hi! My name is Bailey Rabinowitz and I am currently a Senior at the University of Maryland. I am a lover of all things camp! I am so excited to be a part of Tri-State this year and looking forward to a great conference!

During the year, Rachel works as a Third Grade Co-Teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and during the summer works as a Division Head at Camp Playland. Day camp and sleepaway camp has been an integral part of Rachel’s life since she was a child and has spent the past 6 summers working, so she loves everything about camp! Rachel graduated from Tulane University with a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education and is looking forward to Tri-State this year!