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 serves as Aquatics Director, 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.

Kenisha "Pana" Caicedo, Operations Manager

Pana started with PSDC in 2005 as a Head Counselor and spent many summers out in the field working in leadership roles. More recently, Pana serves as the Operations Manager, doing the huge job of insuring that everything goes smoothly during the camp day. When asked what PSDC means to her she says "PSDC is my home and my family."  Her favorite part of the summer is seeing the campers and staff having a great time!  During the school year, Pana is the Site Supervisor of the Kids Orbit after school program at PS 58.  Though behind the scenes during the summer, so many of our campers know Pana and they are always excited to see her around camp.  Pana holds a Masters in Education.  In her spare time she loves to travel and play basketball.

Katie Palumbo, Site Supervisor

Katie joined us in 2008 as a Counselor.  She held positions as Head Counselor and Assistant Supervisor before taking the helm at our Bay Ridge camp site.   A graduate of SUNY Cortland with a BA in Elementary Education, Katie says “this is excellent experience to prepare me for teaching.”  When asked why she chooses to spend her summers with us, she echoes the sentiment of many staff: “PSDC is the most unique camp I’ve ever seen.  I love that we make a real effort to get children excited and involved in trying new things.”  Katie’s favorite camp trip is the NY Aquarium, and in her free time she loves to dance - from ballet to ballroom, and everything in between.

Gillian Shotwell, Lead Supervisor of Junior 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.

Kris Sanchez, Assistant Supervisor of Junior Camp

Kris has spent his summers at PSDC since 2007 because he likes to be "a positive influence for the younger generations, AND I get to be silly with the kids.”  We know he means it, because he stays on staff with us during the school year, working as a Site Supervisor in Kids Orbit.  He loves the time he spends with campers in Prospect Park, and his favorite camp trip is Adventureland.  Kris studied Musical Theater at SUNY New Paltz, and in his free time he loves to dance, travel, go to movies and explore the lastest fad in the culinary world.

Ryan Miller, Middle Camp Unit Head

Ryan came to us in 2008, and is yet another staff member that stays on during the school year to work at Kids Orbit. A self-described “big kid,” Ryan says “It’s not just work; it’s fun!” Ryan is a well-rounded guy with background in both dance and computers. His favorite summer camp activity is roller skating. If this is your child’s first summer with us, Ryan wants you to know that “Every minute of every day is planned for safe fun – so don’t worry!”

Aimee German, Cirque d’Été Artistic Director

Aimee has been working with PSDC since 2007, first as our gymnastics and circus specialist and now as the much loved supervisor of the very popular Cirque d’Été, which is now in it's second season. Aimee has a post graduate degree in Theatre.  When asked why she does what she does, that's simple - “I adore all aspects of performance and theatre.  I enjoy writing, devising, rehearsing and performing acts and sharing my love of comedy and circus with kids.  PSDC has provided me an artistic home for my endeavors!”  She loves the thrill and excitement of the shows - and learning from what made the audience laugh or affected them.  When she’s not busy planning for the summer, or running Gymstars classes during the year, Amy enjoys figure painting, the weekly satirical news podcast " The Bugle" and Bikram Yoga.

Akil Guy, Cirque d’Été Unit Head

Akil has been a member of the PSDC staff since 2006, but before that spent his younger years with us as a camper. Akil's started on staff as an assistant counselor and a bus counselor, has been Transportation Assistant, a Head Counselor, and now a Unit Head. During the school year Akil is busy studying radiology and social work.  So what keeps him coming back year after year?  He enjoys working with kids - getting to know them and watching them develop year after year. And he's made life-long friends at PSDC.  Akil's favorite part of the summer is meeting new people, both staff and campers. When he’s not busy studying or being a role model at PSDC he’s either playing or watching sports, vacationing or catching up on movies.

Jeminah Russell, Pee Wee Group Leader

Jeminah is a “first year” at PSDC. She completed her undergraduate studies at Temple, earning her BA in Speech, Language, and Hearing before earning a Masters in Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Hunter College. During the school year, Jeminah teaches 6th grade in Harlem. Yet another one of our well-rounded staff members, Jeminah is a professionally trained dancer, and loves to cut a rug in her spare time. When asked what she would say to reassure a nervous parent, she says, “I look after my campers as if they were my own flesh and blood.”

Nat Towsen, Pee Wee Group Leader

Nat was a Kids Orbit counselor this past school year and was eager to join the PSDC staff. He especially likes working with Pee Wees because “they are so energetic and lots of fun. I also love working in big groups, and I’ve made a couple hundred new friends this summer!” Nat’s a local who graduated from Stuyvesant High and is currently a film major at Emerson University. Of course, he is a HUGE movie buff, but he also enjoys still photography, preferring to snap his pictures at concerts and in the gritty city streets. Nat thinks he will stick around for a while because, as he says, “I am blown away by the support I receive from my fellow coworkers. They do it without trying because they love what they do, and know how to do it well.”

Reina Novell, 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.

Jackson Watts, Middle Camp Unit Head

The Schindlers are the only ones who can boast more years at PSDC than Jackson, who started with us in 1996 as a Junior Camper.  Jackson has held nearly every position over the years, from CIT to Logistics to Swim Instructor.  During the school year, he studies at Pamona College, where he is a Psychology Major.  When asked why he returns to PSDC every summer, we know he REALLY means it when he says, “It’s family! And not just because I’ve been here since I was 5 – it’s something experienced year after year by staff and campers alike.” Jackson loves to run track and eat good food; the two activities are a natural pair, as running helps Jackson work up a big appetite.  His favorite trips include Mountain Creek Water Park, and Lee’s Turkey Farm.

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.

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.

Oneka Kelly, Junior Camp Unit Head

With us since 2006, Oneka wants you to know that “Everyone is treated as family – everyone is welcomed.” That’s one reason she keeps coming back to PSDC summer after summer, but her biggest motivation is “the kids – their smiles, their laughter, and the joy.” Her favorite camp activity is going to the pool. Oneka has a BFA in Musical Theater from Howard University, and during the school year she'll be auditioning for the next Broadway smash.

Dayne Wolfman, Middle Camp & 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.

Daniel Thomas, Junior Camp Unit Head

Danny started spending his summers at PSDC in 2006.  In 2009, he earned degrees in Political Science and English from Vassar College.  During our off-season, Danny is a copywriter for an advertising agency.  He enjoys the change of pace that summer camp brings and says, “I love working with kids, and I also see this job as an opportunity to grow personally, in a new way each summer.  Danny’s favorite summer camp activity is going to Manhattan Beach.  When asked what he wants parents to know about our camp, he says, “I have seen other camps and the ‘counselor care’ here is unlike any other.  We maintain close relationships with parents as well, so they will feel well-informed about their child’s day-to-day camp experience.”

Ricardo Young, Senior Camp Supervisor

Ricky began in 2009 when he did double-duty as Head Counselor and Bus Counselor.  He has been a Pee Wee Group Leader, and is currently our Lead Supervisor for the Senior Camp units in North Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Bay Ridge.  A graduate of Boston University with a degree in History, Ricky is working on his Masters at Brooklyn College.  He plans to teach Social Studies to middle school and high school students.  When asked about working for PSDC, he says, “It is the most fun summer job I have ever had!”  His advice to parents is “don’t hesitate to call the office for anything – they are extremely helpful.  And, don’t forget to bring ID when you pick up your camper.”  When he isn’t at camp, Ricky can most likely be found at Red Bulls Arena, where he is a season ticket holder.

Kris Fuentes, Assistant Supervisor of On Wheels

Kris came to us in 2008, as an Assistant Counselor & Logistics, before moving up to Head Counselor, and finally Assistant Supervisor. Kris looks forward to daily trips in On Wheels, and says his favorites are bowling and Club Getaway. He knows PSDC is where he belongs summer after summer because “seeing the returning campers each new camp season – I know they are back because they were so satisfied the previous year, and that is a very satisfying for me.” He wants parents to know “your kids are in good hands. Even if it is their fist year in camp, they will make a friend or two in the first 5 minutes. Our staff and campers are all very friendly.”

Calena Johnson, Leadership Experience Supervisor

Calena has been with PSDC since 2005. She earned a BS from the University of Bridgeport and is currently working on her Masters in School Counseling.  Calena has led the PSDC Leadership Experience since its inaugural summer, 5 years ago - bringing so many of her ideas and so much of her creativity to the program design. One of her favorite moments happens when she takes the Leaders to Club Getaway - their last experience as PSDC campers. Calena takes pride in her graduates and loves that they come out in force to watch the next class graduate after their first year as staff members. “PSDC has allowed me to work with young adults on a personal level; much more so than is possible in a school setting.  I have formed many great lasting friendships at PSDC; the camaraderie here...it's nothing I have experienced before.....it's the PSDC way!”