Ronny Schindler, Owner and Director

Ronny has dedicated his life’s work to informal education and children’s development.  He founded Park Slope Day Camp in 1992 and, with the help of his wife Lauri , built it from the ground up. Ronny holds a BA in History and an MA in Education and has 35 years of experience working with children, with more than 20 years right here in Brooklyn.  When asked what his favorite part of the summer is, Ronny smiles. “Being outdoors with our campers and staff!”  He is always busy with camp and coming up with his next great idea; but when he manages to get free time, he enjoys his family, skiing, racquetball, dancing and traveling.

Lauri Schindler, Administrator

Lauri has been the backbone of PSDC since the very beginning, starting with the very first mailing. Today she is the camp’s Administrator, which means that she handles and manages all the behind the scenes of camp.  It's not surprising that Lauri says her favorite part of the summer happens in October, when she sits with the supervisors and administrative team to debrief the previous summer and start planning the next one.  “Nothing is sacred and we're always excited to discover new ways to improve.”  Aside from her role at PSDC, she is the mother of two fabulous teens, a Trustee and First Vice President of the Park Slope Civic Council, and active with our neighborbood institutions including Congregation Beth Elohim and New York Methodist Hospital. Lauri also enjoys working with her family's pet and therapy dog Julius under the auspices of the Good Dog Foundation, vacationing, biking and skiing.

Shiry Meiron, Director of Staffing and Programming

Shiry = PSDC camp spirit since 2000! She came up through our ranks starting as a Drama specialist and has been instrumental in the development of our program over the years in so many ways.  Shiry  is especially proud of the work she did to create our very successful Leadership Experience which develops teens into highly successful staff and people. When asked what keeps her coming back year after year, she says “I love watching the formation of the friendships that knit together our families, our campers and our staff and cherish the community that is a result of those beautiful relationships.”  Her favorite part of the summer is the first day – walking into Prospect Park and seeing a sea of yellow shirts meshing beautifully with the greens of the park. When she’s not busy with camp and her family, she likes to relax and catch up with friends. Shiry holds a BFA in Educational Theatre from Tel Aviv University and a Drama Therapy certificate from The New School University.

Zarreen Perpall, Assistant Director

Zarreen came to us with a sleep away camp background and first joined our office staff. That was in 2005, and she has had many roles since then.  Today, Zarreen supervises our Aquatics program, training our aquatics team and supervising water-related activities whether at the pool, the beach or on a trip.  She is also our CPR and First Aid Trainer, teaching these important skills to both our staff and the teens who participate in our Leadership Experience. Zazi's favorite part of the summer is the first day of camp. “After weeks of hiring, training and prepping it’s great to see the staff and campers engaged and having fun.”  Zarreen is also Program Supervisor of Kids Orbit, our affiliated after school program.  She holds a BS in Chemistry.  When she’s not busy with camp prep, she enjoys swimming, reading, amusement parks with her family and road trips with friends.

Rachel Bosamonte, Enrollment Manager

Rachel first worked with PSDC in 1998 as an Office Assistant and returned in 2003 after a few years home with her son.  If you have called our office, chances are that you have talked to her -- she is the friendly voice on the other side of the phone.  When asked what has kept her in the PSDC family for so long, she says “I love working with people and developing relationships with our families.  It's awesome watching the kids grow up each year and knowing that we played a part in their lives.”  Her favorite time of the summer is check in on the first day -- seeing all the excitement among the campers and staff and putting faces to all the names.  PSDC has been a huge part of her life as well as her son’s, who has attended PSDC since 2004.  When she’s not in the office, she loves to spend time with her family and to do logic puzzles.

Mildrena "Millz" Vega, Operations Manager

Millz started with PSDC in 2011 as a Head Counselor and Dance Specialist. More recently, Millz serves as the Operations Manager, insuring that everything runs smoothly during the camp day.  When asked what kept her on board since 2011, she says " The kids bring a joy to me that I can't seem to find anywhere else."  Her favorite part of camp is the first day - seeing how excited the campers are.  During the school year, Millz works as the Literacy Program Coordinator for Kids Orbit.  She is currently studying Communications at Brooklyn College.  In her spare time, she enjoys the performing arts - specifically dance and music.

Gina Stevensen, Cirque d’Été Supervisor

Gina grew up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. This is her second year at PSDC and she really wants to make a difference in the lives of her campers! Her favorite camp memory was the feeling she had during her first circus camp performance! Seeing her kids so proud and excited was an unbelievable experience. Aside from being a wonderful person, Gina  is an NYU Tisch trained actress and playwright. If she could have any superpower, it would be the gift of flight!

Yannick "Sonic" James, Sports Academy Athletic Director

Sonic joined the PSDC staff in 2010 as a Supervisor in Training for sports. He says he's been living and breathing soccer since he was born, coaching since 2006 - and playing, he thinks, for 20 years. Sonic can coach anyone...he's worked with children as young as two, adults of all ages, and everyone in between - and enjoys working with them all. When asked what PSDC means to him, Sonic says "PSDC creates a positive and fun summer experience. I love being part of an environment where children are encouraged to express their creativity." His favorite part of the summer is the care-free fun attitude that the campers bring with them everyday. Sonic played Division 1 soccer and has a BA in Economics from Holy Cross College.  When he is not playing soccer or coaching, Sonic enjoys working out, catching up on the NY sports teams and watching Dogs 101 on Animal Planet.

Dayne Wolfman, Pee Wee Supervisor and Site Supervisor

Dayne has been with PSDC since 2007; starting as a Head Counselor with in On Wheels, our travel program.  Dayne holds a BA in Television and Radio and it should not come as a surprise that his favorite parts of the summer usually involve singing and dancing. When asked what keeps bringing him back every year, he says “I've been hooked since my first staff development. I've met so many quality people here. To me, PSDC is the standard for professionalism and safety-mindedness. It has consistently stressed 3 things:  Do your personal best, be mindful of how we treat others, and taking care of children is the REALEST job you can ever have.  I am aware of the responsibility that comes with taking care of other people's children and developing young staff.  This is a responsibility that I embrace, have fun with, and love.”  Dayne is also the Site Supervisor for the Kids Orbit after school program at PS 230. When he is not busy with camp & Kids Orbit, he enjoys playing basketball, dancing, creating parody songs and drawing.

Reina Novell, Lead Supervisor Junior Camp and Site Supervisor, and Enrollment Assistant

One of the original members of the North Slope site. Reina has been with PSDC since 2005. Why does she keep coming back summer after summer? “PSDC is my home away from home and I can’t imagine a summer without my yellow shirts.”  Her favorite part of the summer is meeting new campers and families and seeing how her campers from previous summers have grown over the years. When she’s not busy with campers and staff she loves to read and spend time with her friends and family. Reina has also become an important member of our year round staff, assisting in the office with enrollment and bringing a wealth of field experience to inform our discussions.  Reina has a BA in Spanish and a minor in Chemistry.

Kevin Scott, Lead Supervisor of Middle Camp and Site Supervisor

Kevin has been with PSDC for a long time - starting as a counselor in 2003. When asked, he says that PSDC offers him the chance to be a positive influence on others.  His favorite part of the summer is when parents come to pick up their children at the end of the day and the kids are having so much fun that they don't want to leave!  Kevin is also the Site Supervisor for the Kids Orbit after school program at PS 8. In his spare time he likes to play football and basketball and train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Gillian Shotwell, Lead Supervisor of Senior Camp and Site Supervisor

Gillian has been with the PSDC family since 2004 and calls PSDC a second family – “I have made amazing friendships over the past seven years and continue to make new friends each summer.  I can’t imagine my life without my PSDC friends.”  Gillian's favorite part of the summer is watching campers experience activities for the first time, especially when they are hesitant to try something new - and then try it and love it.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, swimming, and spending time outdoors. Gillian holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Masters in Teaching Literacy.