Meet the Team
Directors
Matt Gilmer
Co-Founder and Director
Matt Gilmer's passion for summer camp started during his childhood spent in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where he developed a love for the relaxed pace and time-honored traditions of camp life. After completing his studies in adventure education at Prescott College in 2014, Matt landed a teaching position at an outdoor education camp in Prescott, which solidified his love for the camp world as a career path.
Matt has always felt most at home in the outdoors and at camp, which inspired him to dedicate his life to creating that same safe and comfortable space for others. He firmly believes in the power of play, hard work, and challenging oneself to become a better leader and person.
When he's not hard at work, you can find Matt shooting hoops, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, or unwinding on the golf course.
Jonathan Pierson
Co-Founder and Director
Jonathan Pierson, an Arizona native developed a love for camp life in 2012 when he started helping out in the kitchen at Friendly Pines Camp. He's always been a hard worker and never shies away from new opportunities, which led to his appointment as Friendly Pines' Rental Director in 2017.
Jonathan takes great pride in being the first point of contact for many of our guests and goes the extra mile to ensure that all their needs are met. He's always eager to hear fresh ideas from guests and loves tackling difficult challenges to create unforgettable experiences for our groups.
Jonathan is particularly drawn to the camp lifestyle and is excited to raise his newborn daughter, Emma, in this unique environment. When he's not hard at work, you can find him cruising on his motorcycle, hiking around town with Emma, or simply enjoying the peace and serenity of Groom Creek.
Program Team
Mary Kem
Program & Operations Director
After spending every summer at camp as a child, Mary approaches her work at CampWay as a way to give back and pass on the magic of camp to others. Camp provided Mary with a space to grow her confidence, learn independence, and form relationships with others throughout her childhood. It only makes sense that Mary’s favorite activity at camp is team building, which acts as a catalyst for growth, learning, and relationship building.
As one of CampWay’s Program and Operations Directors, Mary works collaboratively with group leaders on detail-oriented logistics planning to create an organized and thoughtful camp experience. She provides an incredible example of leadership to both the program staff and participants as she guides groups through their time at camp.
Mary’s favorite place at camp is the trail to the lake, specifically in August when the plants along the trail are blooming after the monsoon rains. She loves to have the baked oatmeal for breakfast at camp, and says it’s like waking up to a warm hug!
Megan Kuhn
Programs & Operations Director
Megan’s background is focused on ecological design and sustainable community development. As an advocate for outdoor activities, Megan loves cycling, climbing, exploring mountain ranges, studying herbs, tending to her garden, and spending quality time with her chickens during her free time. Megan's passion for the outdoors is evident in everything she does, both in and out of the workplace.
As a our Program and Operations Director, Megan has developed an interactive curriculum for campers, believing that natural settings can provide endless learning opportunities. Her passion for connecting children with the natural world is clear in her interactions with campers. She enjoys watching kids connect with one another and the environment, taking that inspiration into their future endeavors.
Megan's dedication to observing and learning from nature's interconnected systems guides her work here at camp. Her infectious energy inspires campers, clients, and staff alike to explore, be curious, try new activities, and foster a lifelong love for nature.
Dining Team
Chia Richards
Assistant Chef
Johnny Annerino
Assistant Chef
Our food service team is dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences to our campers. Comparable to the relentless rhythm of a percussion section in a band, our kitchen team is always in action. Denise and her team meticulously hire and train utility staff, craft menus that cater to both children and adults, manage upscale catering events, and accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions, ensuring every meal is memorable and meets our guests' needs.
Denise Icard
Dining Director
Join the Team
At CampWay, we are constantly seeking out motivated individuals to join our team and help us create amazing experiences for our guests. If you have a passion for delivering great customer service, a love of working with people, and a desire to make a difference in the world, we want to hear from you.
We typically hire staff prior to our Fall and Spring seasons in July and December, respectively. If you're looking to be a part of the incredible CampWay team and help us spread the magic of camp to our guests, click the button bellow to see what roles we are currently accepting application for.