Peter Buehner
Assistant Director
Orono, ME
A high school guidance counselor during the year, Peter joins us for his 23rd summer on Echo Lake. He holds a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Maine and was formerly the training director at New York’s Reebok Sports Club. Peter is a Laurel mainstay and works closely with Jem, Debbie and the Head Counselors to make Camp hum. He is truly one-of-a-kind and an incredible key asset to the Laurel community.
Lauren “Poppy” Picatti
Girls Head Counselor
Leavenworth, WA
Affectionately known as Poppy for her “Mary Poppins” qualities, Poppy is a graduate of the University of Maine and works year-round as Girls Head Counselor and Staffing Coordinator. Poppy and Boys Head Counselor, Joie, celebrated their first wedding anniversary this past September and have been enjoying life on the West Coast. This is summer #16 for Poppy, and she’s beyond excited for camper arrival day! To know her is to love her, and we sure do!
Joie Picatti
Boys Head Counselor
Leavenworth, WA
Joie returns to the Head Counselor team for his 18th summer at camp. A former collegiate soccer player, Joie graduated from Naropa University. A former youth soccer and basketball director in Oregon, Joie now works for Camp full-time as Boys Head Counselor and Staffing Director. We’re thrilled to have Joie as our “magic ace.” He is a vital and integral part of our full-time team!
Lexi Smiertka
Head Counselor Bec/Bago
Kingwood, TX
Lexi is back for her fourth Laurel summer, taking on the new role of HCL of Bec and Bago. Lexi is a water sports enthusiast and also served as Girls Head Counselor at her childhood camp. A graduate of Chapman University and the NYU Silver School of Social Work, Lexi is a social worker based in New York during the off-season. We’re so lucky to have her wisdom and expertise back in Maine!
Bailey Miller
Campus Administrator
New York City, NY
Bailey is a lifelong camper whose passion for Laurel has turned into a career, joining the full-time team in 2023. She grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey, graduated Tulane in 2019, and began her career in Manhattan as an Executive Assistant. With her vast knowledge of camp, incredible attention to detail, organizational skills and outgoing personality, Bailey will be working in a blended capacity as Campus Administrator and Co-Super Senior Head. We look forward to great things for Bailey in her 11th summer at camp!
Katie Jo Fritsen
Campus Administrator
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Katie Jo returns for her third summer on the Laurel administrative team, reprising her role as a Campus Administrator. A University of Montana graduate, Katie Jo played four years of Division I softball while also helping with the university’s softball camp for several years. Katie Jo is a highly organized, motivated, and efficient team member who works closely with Jem coordinating the everyday routines of Camp. We’re so grateful to have her!
Program Department
Megan Albers
Program Director
Dublin, OH
Meg returns for summer #8! She started as an Acadian Specialist before spending summers as the Campus Leader of Acadia and Bec. “Malbers” was the Director of a Pre-K program in Chicago and now works in Colorado at Telluride Ski Resort managing the Toddler Ski School program. Malbers graduated from Ohio University with an education degree and has years of experience working at camps, after-school programs and coaching volleyball. Welcome back, Malbers!
Becky Avila
Assistant Program Director
Santa Maria, CA
Becky joins us for summer #3 on Echo Lake in her second year as Assistant Program Director. Becky earned her degree last year in Recreation Systems Management from San Diego State University and has previously served as the Enrollment Manager for an after-school program before becoming Program Director of a California day camp. We know Becky will be an absolute star this summer in her second year in the Program Department!
Colin McGregor
Inter-Camp Coordinator
Lafayette, LA
Colin is shaking things up and moves from the Playhouse to the PD for his second summer to oversee our intercamp program. Colin grew up playing football and other sports and is now an avid hiker. A Business and Political Science graduate of LSU, he’s been growing his acting career in NYC while also working as an Executive Assistant. We know Colin’s ability to multi-task will be a phenomenal asset for Laurel intercamps this summer!
Mary Beth Coffman
Program Assistant
Norfolk, VA
Mary Beth joins the Program Department team for her first summer at Laurel. Having graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Occupational and Technical Studies, Mary Beth spent the last few years working as an Assistant Manager for various small businesses in Virginia Beach. A lover of all things outdoors, Mary Beth grew up wake surfing and previously spent several weeks hiking through North Carolina’s national parks. She attended multiple summer sports camps growing up and volunteered for day camps around Virginia. Mary Beth is a great addition to our Program team.
Kate Pafford
Program Assistant
Bakersfield, CA
Kate returns for her third summer at camp, this time hanging up her sails and transitioning to the Program Department. A former Dance instructor, Kate earned her degree in Education from Oregon State University and taught 3rd grade this past school year in her hometown of Bakersfield. We’re excited to have Kate hyping us up in Program this summer!
Michael Landau
Program Assistant
Doral, FL
Michael makes his Laurel debut this summer in the Program Department. In addition to being a semi-professional soccer player, Michael coached for FC Highland in Winter Park, FL. He’s now working toward his master’s in Applied Neuroscience through King’s College London, and teaching Outdoor Education, including ropes and climbing, through the Pali Institute. We look forward to having Michael’s knowledge and energy at camp.
Administration
Craig Cadman
Sioux Rapids, IA
“Cad” joins us for summer #37 at Camp Laurel! He’s a vital member of our Operations team and helps with all things behind-the-scenes. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Cad recently retired after a career as a middle school science teacher in Iowa. We’re looking forward to enjoying Cad’s ukulele songs and “Cad-sadillas” this summer. Welcome back, Cad!
Rich Strean
New York City, NY
Rich joins us for Laurel summer #35. Rich is a Haverford graduate with a Ph.D. in government. As a long-time teacher and department head at Rye Country Day School, professor at Baruch College, CUNY, and former Laurel counselor and program director, Rich has become an invaluable asset as a program consultant and logistics expert. We’re excited to have Rich’s immense Laurel experience with us again this summer!