CAMP STAFF

Top-quality staff is the key to ensuring a safe and fun summer for our campers! We place special emphasis on hiring individuals who have demonstrated competency in working with children and the capacity to provide mature guidance. Each applicant is screened through a multi-step process. The candidate completes an application and provides employment and character references, relevant certifications, and documented experience working with and instructing children. The materials are carefully reviewed, and a face-to-face interview takes place with one of the camp directors. Criminal background checks are conducted by an independent agency; sexual abuse and criminal checks are conducted by the State of Pennsylvania; and fingerprint checks are performed through the FBI database. The candidate’s social media content is also reviewed for appropriateness by the camp directors. On-site staff training takes place during a week-long orientation, when further evaluations and qualifications take place. The staff to camper ratio is 1 to 4.

    OWNER & DIRECTOR

    Hi, I’m Brian Buynak, the owner & director of Camp Cayuga. I first attended camp in 1957 when I was 3 months old. At that time my parents, Mike & Arline, were camp owners and directors. Since then, I’ve attended camp every summer and consider Cayuga ‘my home away from home’. After being a camper from ages 5 to 16, I assumed various staff positions including kitchen, maintenance, cabin counselor, activity instructor, waterfront director, division director, program director, and assistant camp director. The full-time directorship of Camp Cayuga was turned over to me in 1983. My first-hand knowledge of camp life is reflected in the manner in which I direct and operate Cayuga.

    As camp director, I take pride in learning the interests of our campers and ensuring that they also ‘feel at home’ at Cayuga. I'm the type of camp director who really likes to have fun with the kids, but I'm always providing the maturity and leadership that comes with over 40 years of hands-on camp experience.

    My credentials and educational background:
    * Decade-Plus Member of the ACA (American Camping Association).
    * Treasurer for American Camping Association NJ Section (1995-1999).
    * Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame (1979).
    * Doctorate of Juris Prudence degree from Seton Hall Law School (1982).
    * Admission into the NJ Bar Association (1982).
    * ACA New Jersey Section Member (1984).

    SENIOR STAFF

    Camp Cayuga is actively supervised by the camp directors and 40 senior staff members, who are professional educators, school teachers, coaches, and camper parents. All senior staff reside on the premises and are available 24 hours a day. They eagerly assume the responsibilities for positions including: division directors, program directors, elective activity directors, evening activity directors, special events directors, trips director, transportation director, food service manager, medical staff, and administrative staff.

      The Activity Program is categorized by departments that are managed by qualified senior staff who fulfill directorship roles in athletics, aquatics, lakefront, creative arts, performing arts, horsemanship, flying trapeze & circus, tennis, wilderness & adventure, extreme sports, intercamp tournaments, and academics.

      Campers are closely monitored by Division Directors who are experienced child care providers.  They are dedicated to knowing the interests of each camper in their division to ensure a positive camp experience. These adults provide guidance and support to our counselors, watch over the campers on a daily basis, and communicate with their campers’ parents.   

      MEET OUR YEAR-ROUND STAFF

      Molly websiteMolly Bisson joined Cayuga in 1996 as a lifeguard and returned the following 2 summers to assist our administrative staff.  She became a full-time staff member in 1998, and worked in Cayuga’s business office with her husband (who she met at camp).  In 2003 Molly relocated to her home town (Bay Village, Ohio) to raise her new family.  She returned to camp as Assistant Director with her 2 daughters from 2010 to 2018.  She rejoined the full-time staff in 2018 as Co-Director and Staff Director.  Cayuga has been a big part of Molly’s life for 25+ years.  She loves Cayuga, enjoys speaking with everyone (parents, staff, campers), and believes it’s the best investment a parent can make for their child.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and cheering on the Buckeyes (O-H-I-O)!

      Steve beals headshotSteve Beals aka ‘Bealzy’ first joined Cayuga in 1984 as an activity instructor, and has been with Cayuga ever since!  He became a full-time staff member in 1991, and the Director of Teen Campus in 1995.  Bealzy relates well with teenagers, and has the knowledge and experience to understand their interests and needs.  He resides on the camp premises year-round and in the off-season, he maintains the facility and gives personal tours.  Bealzy is originally from upstate Greene, New York.  His wife, Sheryl, is a school teacher and has worked at camp for 20+ years.  They have 4 children (who also attended camp) and are proud grandparents.  His favorite thing to do is spending time with his children and grandchildren.  

      TracieTracie Romansky started her career at Cayuga in Summer 2005 when she joined our team of seasonal office staff.  In the Fall of 2005, Tracie left her accounting career to become a full-time staff member and Cayuga’s Camp Administrator and Office Manager. During the off-season and summermonths, she oversees all areas of administration, including camper registrations, mailings, invoices, bunking, payroll, and so much more.  While these responsibilities can become overwhelming at times, Tracie performs them efficiently and enjoys the  challenge!  She resides in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania with her husband, 2 sons, and her English bulldog.  Her children had attended Cayuga for many years as campers, as well as staff members.  When Tracie has down-time, she enjoys gardening, knitting, and reading.  

      emilyEmily Buynak first attended Cayuga as a camper at the young age of 6, and continued her ‘camper years’ for 10 summers.  She was a CIT for 2 summers, and thereafter became a cabin counselor in 2012.  Over the next 4 summers, she specialized in creative arts & pottery, and assisted instructors at various other activities.  Emily first joined Cayuga’s year-round staff in 2018 to lend a helping-hand with staff recruitment and marketing.  Her role evolved over the years and is now the Program Director.  She oversees the free-choice elective program, evening activities, special events, and trips. Emily spent most of her life at Camp Cayuga, and possesses the passion & commitment that ensures our daily program is fun for everyone.  Emily resides in Morristown, New Jersey and attended the University of Alabama.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, skiing, travelling, and spending time with her family and friends.

      Jack horizontal websiteJack Engel is the newest member of Cayuga’s year-round team, although he is no stranger to camp!  From day-one, Jack has been our ‘go-to’ guy.  He started his career at Cayuga in 2019 joining the senior staff as Director of Intercamp Tournaments.  The following two summers, he fulfilled the roles of Athletic Director and Elective Program Director.  In his full-time leadership role, Jack concentrates his efforts on camper recruitment.  He especially enjoys speaking with parents and discussing the benefits of sending their children to camp.  During the summer months Jack is also the Operations Director, who oversees the food service department, maintenance, and transportation.  Jack is originally from Connecticut.  He graduated from Kent State and is a die-hard fan (GO GOLD).  In his spare time, he enjoys watching & attending sporting events with his friends (and his chocolate Labrador, ‘Hank’).

      Justin headshotJustin Pritchard started his full-time employment in 2008 when he joined Cayuga’s Maintenance Crew.  Today, he continues to work in this role with his father, Dick.  Justin, being a third-generation staff member, continues to carry-on the ‘Pritchard Pride’ in all he does for Cayuga.  He keeps the camp looking beautiful, and does a great job!  His grandfather, Richard, Cayuga’s first Head Custodian, would certainly be proud – I know we are!  Justin resides in Honesdale, just up the road from Cayuga.  He and his wife have a young daughter, who hopefully will attend as a camper someday, like her dad. Justin’s favorite hobbies are hunting and fishing.

      Dick HeadshotDick Pritchard joined Cayuga’s year-round maintenance staff in 1976.  At that time, he worked with his dad, Richard, who had been the Head Custodian since 1957.  After Richard retired, Dick became the Head Custodian, and assumed the responsibility of maintaining the camp’s facilities.  Dick has spent his entire adult life working at Cayuga, and the pride in his workmanship is evident everywhere you look!  Dick resides in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and lives only minutes away from camp.  He’s always available 24/7 if we need him!  Dick is a second-generation staff member who has a sense of loyalty and dedication that’s indescribable.  His favorite hobbies include: snowmobiling and hunting.

        CABIN COUNSELORS

        Our cabin counselors are high-caliber individuals who are attending fine colleges and universities throughout the United States, Great Britain, and other English-speaking countries.   Our youngest counselor is entering sophomore year of college. The average age counselor is 21 years old. The majority of counselors travel from the Midwest; 15% travel from the west coast and southern states; and the remaining 30% travel from abroad.

        BUSINESS OFFICE

        (Mid-September to early June): 
        PO Box 151 - Suite INT
        Peapack, New Jersey 07977
        Telephone: 908-470-1224
        Fax: 908-470-1228

        SUMMER ADDRESS

        (Mid-June to early September):
        321 Niles Pond Rd. - Suite INT
        Honesdale, PA 18431
        Telephone: 570-253-3133

        Email

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