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
Assistant Director
Vivi Torres
Pre-K Division Leader
Lynnet Karamanian
Pre-K Division Leader
Caitlyn VanDeusen
Kindergarten Division Leader
Rachel Cuesta
Kindergarten Division Leader
Kimmy Loop
Lower Camp Division Leader
Emma Zachary
Lower Camp Division Leader
Rachel Wolfe
Middle Camp Division Leader
Colby Stalteri
Middle Camp Division Leader
Izzy Weiss
Upper Camp Girls Division Leader
RJ Cavaliero
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
Brian Harvey
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
Brett Flowers
Program Director
Jon Zajdel
Aquatics Director
Mike Lepoutre
Assistant 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
Assistant 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 14 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 9 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!
Caitlyn VanDeusen
Kindergarten Division Leader
This is Caitlyn’s 9th summer working at Playland in the Kindergarten Division. Caitlyn is a 2nd grade teacher at Stillwater Elementary School in Stamford. Fun Fact: Caitlyn studied abroad in Ireland when she was in college.
Rachel Cuesta
Kindergarten Division Leader
This is Rachel’s 5th year at Playland. She has been at camp her whole life as a camper, counselor and division leader. Rachel’s two sons will be coming to camp with her. During the year she is a 2nd grade teacher at Strawberry Hill School in Stamford. Fun fact: Rachel has a vegetable garden at home!
Kimmy Loop
Lower Camp Division Leader
As someone who was a Playland camper and counselor for over 15 years, Kimmy LOVES Playland! Kimmy is currently teaching 2nd grade at Roxbury School in Stamford. Fun fact: Kimmy dances to at least one song each day to make sure that she is always smiling and spreading positivity!
Emma Zachary
Lower Camp Division Leader
Emma has been working at Playland for 8 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.
Rachel Wolfe
Middle Camp Division Leader
This is Rachel’s 6th 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!
Colby Stalteri
Middle Camp Division Leader
This will be Colby’s 6th 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.
Izzy Weiss
Upper Camp Girls Division Leader
This is Izzy’s 11th 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!
RJ Cavaliero
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
This is RJs 3rd 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.
Brian Harvey
Upper Camp Boys Division Leader
This is Brian’s 9th summer at Camp Playland! Brian works as a special education paraprofessional at Long Lots Elementary school during the year. Brian is excited to step into his new role as Division Leader this summer! Fun fact: Brian is learning jiu jitsu!
Brett Flowers
Program Director
This is Brett’s 19th 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 15 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
Assistant Aquatics Director
This is Mike’s 11th 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 11th summer at Camp Playland. Juan works at Camp Playland year round, ensuring the campus stays beautiful! Fun Fact: Juan has traveled to 13 countries!
