A Family Affair!For sixty-nine years, the Bloom family has been dedicated to enriching children’s lives through the camp experience. Our family is incredibly excited to share our summers with you!
Steve Bloom, joined his parents, Gary & Barbara Bloom, in 2011 as Playland’s third generation of Blooms. Steve lives on campus year round with his wife, five year old son and one year old daughter.
The Playland staff is comprised of teachers, college and high school students. Staff members are selected for their maturity, ability, experience and sincere love for children. Many of our counselors are Camp Playland alumni and we have a high rate of returning counselors each year. This enhances the feeling of a camp family.
Matt Dudics
Director
Mary Garesche
Associate Director
Vivi Torres
Pre-K Division Leader
Lynnet Karamanian
Pre-K Division Leader
Debbie Ravina
Kindergarten Division Leader
Kat Shockley
Kindergarten Division Leader
Emma Zachary
Lower Camp Division Leader
Colby Stalteri
Lower Camp Division Leader
Rachel Wolfe
Middle Camp Division Leader
Jake Isolda
Middle Camp Division Leader
Izzy Weiss
Upper Camp Girls Division Leader
Lola Butler
Upper Camp Division Leader
RJ Cavaliero
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
Andrew Pavia
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
Brett Flowers
Program Director
Jon Zajdel
Aquatics Director
Mike Lepoutre
Aquatics Director
Juan Mejia
Facilities Director
Matt Dudics
Director
Matt has has been a full time employee since 2007 . Matt enthusiastically attended Playland as a camper and grew up as part of the Playland family. He met his wife, Pina while working at camp and they have a son, Matteo, who attends Camp Playland and is a Playland Nursery School alumnus. Fun Fact: Matt and his family are Disney enthusiasts!
Mary Garesche
Associate Director
Mary comes to Camp Playland after 10 years working in schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.In her free time, Mary loves exploring new areas, hiking, running and trying new foods! Fun Fact: Mary was raised in St. Louis!
Vivi Torres
Pre-K Division Leader
Vivi is from Costa Rica! She has worked at Playland for 15 summers and her daughters, Camilla and Caterina, come to camp with her. Vivi is a Head Teacher and Assistant Director at Playland Preschool. Fun fact: Vivi has represented Costa Rica in various Olympic events and holds the current record on the 200m back-stroke!
Lynnet Karamanian
Pre-K Division Leader
Lynnet has worked at Camp Playland for 10 years. Lynnet graduated with a Fine Arts degree and quickly realized her love for teaching! Fun fact: Lynnet speaks Spanish and she lived in Uruguay for 2 years!
Debbie Ravina
Kindergarten Division Leader
Kat Shockley
Kindergarten Division Leader
Emma Zachary
Lower Camp Division Leader
Emma has been working at Playland for 9 years, and also attended as a child, so she absolutely adores Playland! Emma is a 2nd grade teacher in Bedford, NY! Fun fact: Emma studied abroad in Barcelona in college.
Colby Stalteri
Lower Camp Division Leader
This will be Colby’s 7th summer at Camp Playland. Colby teaches 2nd grade at Naramake Elementary School. Colby is excited to step into her new role as a Division Leader this summer! Fun Fact: Colby loves to snowboard in the winter.
Rachel Wolfe
Middle Camp Division Leader
This is Rachel’s 7th summer at Playland and she is so excited to be back. Reachel studied Psychology and Early Childhood Education at Tulane University and teaches at Greenwich Country Day School. Fun Fact: Rachel lived in Australia last year!
Jake Isolda
Middle Camp Division Leader
Izzy Weiss
Upper Camp Girls Division Leader
This is Izzy’s 12th summer working at Playland. She also attended as a camper when she was younger. Izzy is a kindergarten teacher at the Mead School in Stamford She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Izzy is ready for a fun-filled summer taking on the role of supervisor for the Upper Camp girls. Fun Fact: her mom is Rhona from the pool!
Lola Butler
Upper Camp Division Leader
Lola is from Bridgeport, CT. She has worked at Playland for 5 summers. Lola is a Speech Language Pathologist and ABA Therapist during the school year. Fun Fact: Lola does RC racing with her dad all over the United States!
RJ Cavaliero
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
This is RJs 4th summer at Camp Playland! RJ has been an elementary school teacher for 12 years and has experience with coaching and leadership in a school setting. Currently he is teaching at Greenwich Country School Day. He is thrilled to come back to Camp Playland this year and can’t wait until his son is old enough to join him. Fun fact: RJ’s loves to golf, hike and camp with his friends and family.
Andrew Pavia
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
This is Andrew’s 2nd summer at Camp Playland! Andrew is a veteran elementary school teacher and currently a math specialist at Davenport Ridge School in Stamford. Andrew comes to camp with his two children. Fun fact: Andrew is an avid Yankees and NY Giants fan!
Brett Flowers
Program Director
This is Brett’s 20th summer at Camp Playland. During the year, Brett is the upper school visual and performing arts director at Christian Heritage School. Fun fact: Brett has five daughters! Brett’s wife and his five daughters are all campers or counselors at Camp Playland!
Jon Zajdel
Aquatics Director
Jon Zajdel directs the Playland Pools. He has been at Playland every summer since he was 14 years old and on the pool staff for 18 years. Jon was a collegiate swimmer at Ithaca College. Jon is a history teacher at Norwalk High School. Fun Fact: Jon loves Jazz!
Mike Lepoutre
Aquatics Director
This is Mike’s 12th summer at Camp Playland! During the year, Mike teaches math at Norwalk High School. Fun fact: Mikes loves playing tennis and golfing in his free time.
Juan Mejia
Facilities Director
This is Juan’s 12th summer at Camp Playland. Juan works at Camp Playland year round, ensuring the campus stays beautiful! Fun Fact: Juan has traveled to 13 countries!
