Camp Northwoods staff
Peter Carner, Camp Director
I am excited to be returning to Camp Northwoods as the Director this summer. Camp has always been a passion for me. From being a camper as a child to running a camp as an adult, I have worked in every role imaginable. I believe that a summer camp should enrich a child's life and allow them to learn and have fun in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
We at Northwoods look forward to welcoming campers to full-day programming with exciting field trips, swimming, and many other great activities.
Outside of camp, I enjoy being on the water kayaking or boating with my son Madigan and a dog named River. I look forward to meeting you and your children and assuring that their summer will be amazing!
Education: B.S Medical Anthropology, SUNY Plattsburgh M.S. Ed Education, Russell Sage Graduate School.
Marissa Folts, Camp Assistant Director
I am beyond excited to return to Camp Northwoods for another fun-filled summer! Growing up in Saratoga Springs, I first worked at Camp Northwoods as a counselor, then I stepped up to Assistant Director during 2018 and 2019. Since then, I have worked as a collegiate field hockey coach, but I have returned to my passion of working with kids.
My favorite part about Camp Northwoods is the endless memories of all the campers, counselors, and parents. We have the best support system and love what we do each and every day!
Outside of camp, you can find me fishing on the lake, coaching field hockey, or playing with my kitty Benny! I am thrilled to step back into this role as Assistant Director to help create memories that will last a lifetime.
Madelyn Symons, Camp Health Director
Education: I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2019 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. I also received my Registered Nurse License in 2019. Currently, I am working as an Elementary School Nurse for Niskayuna District!
Experience: This is my 3rd year as the Health Director of Camp Northwoods. The campers’ and staffs’ health and wellness is my top priority. I’m so proud to be a part of such a special camp!
Interests: I got married to my amazing husband in May of 2022, and we welcome our beautiful first-born son in March of 2023. You can find me spending most of my free time with them!
Madigan Carner, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Greenwich Central High School in 2022 and am pursuing a Nursing Major (BSN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing) with minors in Biology and Honors at the University of Southern Maine.
Experience: I've worked at Camp Northwoods for a couple of years and love the opportunity to be back! Besides working at CNW, I've worked in various other jobs in the community and outside.
Interests: My primary sport is soccer as I play it in college, yet I love all things sports! I love taking hikes, swimming, and overall everything outside. I can't wait to come back and work this summer and share my passions.
Giada Cunningham, Counselor
Education: I am currently completing my senior year at Schuylerville High School. I plan on attending SUNY Plattsburgh where I will major in Childhood/Special Education.
Interests: My interests are skiing, nature, and hanging out with friends.
Kelsey Foehser, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Saratoga Springs high school in 2021; I’m now a student at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. I’m studying multidisciplinary studies with dual minors in psychology & worship ministry. I hope to step into the ministry field, as a pastor, after graduating with my masters degree in 2026!
Experience: I interned at Faith Fellowship Church in Virginia for 9 months; primarily working
with their youth & children programs! I also had the opportunity to work with a local
Boys & Girls Club branch in tandem with my internship, and have also had plenty of
previous experience
with babysitting.
Interests: I love to adventure - this includes love for kayaking, hiking, camping, and being
outside in general! I also have passions for music, having a musical theater background,
and also
enjoy painting & drawing when I have the time.
Kylie Folts, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Saratoga High School in 2020. I also attended Endicott College my freshman and sophomore year and now taking classes at Skidmore College. Although my major is still undeclared, I have found a great passion for teaching and childhood education.
Experience: I am so excited to be back for a second summer at Camp Northwoods! I have had tons of experience babysitting throughout the years. I have also coached various youth field hockey camps and programs.
Interests: Besides working with kids, I love to spend time with my friends and family. Going on walks, playing sports, and doing arts and crafts are some other hobbies of mine. I grew up camping and spending lots of time in the woods and around nature. I also love field hockey and enjoy sharing my passion for it with others.
AJ Matyas, Counselor
Education: Sophomore at Skidmore College, majoring in Biology.
Experience: I was a camper at Camp Northwoods for 4 years when I was younger. Ever since then, I grew to love working outdoors and with nature. For the last few summers, I’ve been working with a theater guild, and worked with Skidmore Stables.
Interests: I love all things outdoors and science related but whitewater rafting, bird watching, and art/theater have really been my passions over the years. I always dreamed of being a counselor at Camp Northwoods and I’m excited to work with them this summer.
Makayla McMaster, Counselor
Education: I graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2023 with my B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. I will continue my studies at Russell Sage College in their Counseling and Community Psychology program this fall.
Experience: I am excited to start my first year working at Camp Northwoods! Throughout the years, I have worked as a babysitter and Respite Care Worker within my community. While attending SUNY Oswego, I volunteered within the Oswego City School District to practice and implement play-based techniques with a caseload of pre-at-risk children.
Interests: Since I was young, I have always had a particular interest in working with children. I enjoy using the skills and techniques I have learned from my classes to help foster social-emotional awareness and overall growth with each child I work with. I also love the outdoors, especially when it comes to hiking and swimming.
Matthew Ormsbee, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Burnt Hills High School in 2022. I have been studying at the University of Vermont and will be a sophomore in the Fall.
Experience: I have been working as a counselor for various summer and sports camps for four years, as well as being an assistant coach for my school's Unified Basketball team the prior two seasons. This is my first year at Camp Northwoods and I am very excited to be here!
Interests: I love doing anything active and outdoors. I played soccer and basketball and grew up playing every sport there was. I love hiking, swimming, and just being in and around nature.
James Roach, Counselor
Education: I am graduating in fall 2023 from SUNY Oswego with a degree in History.
Experience:This is my first summer at Camp Northwoods, but I have experience babysitting and homeschooling, and I’m really looking forward to being a camp counselor!
Interests: I love being outside, playing sports, rock climbing, swimming, and just enjoying the summer weather. I also love playing musical instruments, playing video games, and reading.
Maggie Schwartz, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Schuylerville High School in 2022 and am currently studying at Castleton University with a double major in Psychology & Sociology
Experience: This will be my third summer as a counselor at Camp Northwoods and I’m so excited! Outside of camp, I have coached youth field hockey, volunteered at sports camps, babysat, and have been a substitute at a local elementary school.
Interests: Sports have always been my passion throughout my life. I currently play on the Castleton Field Hockey team; however, along with field hockey, I have also played basketball, softball, soccer, and enjoyed tap dancing. I also love fishing, kayaking, and anything that involves being outdoors!
Emily Tobias, Counselor
Education: I graduated from Quinnipiac University in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. This May, I will graduate from the same university with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education.
Experience: This will be my first year at Camp Northwoods and I am so excited! I have various experience working with children from my many roles inside the classroom for my teaching program. I was also a camp counselor in summer 2021.
Interests: I have been a dancer my whole life and throughout college. Also, I love spending time on Lake George during the summer months!
Madelyn Woodcock, Counselor
Education: I am currently completing my sophomore year at Schuylerville High School.
Experience: This will be my first year working at Camp Northwoods. I have a lot of experience with children and am very excited for the summer.
Interests: My interests are softball, field hockey, spending time with friends and family, and hiking, really anything that involves being outside.