“In the cathedral of the wild a glorious language is revealed in every breath.”- Robbie George
“The quickest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”
Camp W Leadership Team
Camp W is a team of expert educators, and a community of parents, mentors, and professionals of trades. We are made up of compassionate individuals who focus on caring for their family and yours, competence and eloquence in all that they do and of course, gathering together for great food. We believe kids (and adults) should have real adventures in the natural world.
We hire only the most qualified staff who have demonstrated strong leadership skills, a love of children, and a true camp spirit. Our staff understand the importance of creating a fun, nurturing, challenging, and safe environment in which children can learn about themselves and the world around them. Many staff are former campers themselves! To find out what it takes to join the Camp W Family check out our employment section at the bottom of the page, fill out an application, and get it to us.
Sean Ashcraft
Exec Director
With 17 years of experience in experiential education, I have dedicated my life to creating unique and memorable learning experiences. Through my work, I strive to inspire individuals to embrace their passions, explore new horizons, and uncover their true potential. I specialize in development and leadership of outdoor programs, and am particularly interested in youth development through outdoor opportunities and challenges. I have a focus and passion for deepening family connection & communication through exploring awareness of self and the natural world.
I have been or am currently a Coastal Kayaking Instructor, Climbing Guide, Nordic & Alpine Skiing Instructor, WFR, Outdoor Emergency Care (NSP), AIARE 2, Flat & Whitewater Canoe Instructor, Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) Instructor, Pilot, PPG 2 Paramotorer, NYPUM Dirt Bike Instructor, Carpenter, Gardener, Beekeeper, Breathwork Facilitator, Biohacker, Surfer, Father, Lover of Life, Gear Guru, Motivational Speaker, Reality TV Personality, Backcountry Travel Guide, General Wilderness and High Altitude Mountain Guide, Biochemist & Molecular Biologist, and Psychonaut.
Together we can plant seeds of growth in order to create a more beautiful world.
Join me on this incredible journey of learning and discovery as we learn to curate the life you want! www.SeanAshcraft.love
Heather Ashcraft
Master Chef and Dietician
Heather has been a dietitian for close to two decades, and working with food and health for her whole adult life. Heather started cooking when she was in middle school. She has prepared food and baked cookies for the rich and famous, intravenously fed sick preemies, and worked with families to manage food allergies. When camp isn't in session, you may find her working at a hospital or helping individuals wrestle with food difficulties. She is working to build an automated fungus farm in shipping containers, but in the meantime, she gardens plants in the dirt and inoculates shiitake logs.
Heather loves making healthy food delicious, creating vegetarian meals that inspire cheers, poetry, and songs among campers. She is happiest when she turns a vegetable skeptic into an adventurous enjoyer of plants.
John Leone
Director
My name is John Leone, I am a 24 year old college student getting an education certification in both Physical Education and Health. Over the past few years I have really developed a love for coaching and teaching as an extension of physical fitness. My life goal is to help people discover and rediscover an enjoyment in physical activity that is often lost as we age. This passion has been growing since the age of 16, when I took my first coaching job at the gymnastics gym I had been learning at for years. Since then I have worked in a multitude of positions all centered around teaching people new skills. My hope is that going forward I can continue to introduce and teach people skills that they may not have even considered, things like parkour, Ninja Warrior, and martial arts are just a few examples of "non-traditional" sports people may have never even been exposed to. With all that said, I am excited to return to camp this summer to help foster a love for nature and all the activities one can find themselves doing in the great outdoors.
I'm Evan Odell, a 21 year old college student studying Environmental Sciences, with minors in Environmental Humanities, Biology and Geospatial Information Systems. While at college I work as a peer mentor where I support my fellow students in succeeding in both their academic and personal life. This will be my fifth summer working at summer camps, second here at beautiful Camp W. I spent two summers in the Appalachian Mountains teaching youth about science and the environment around them. I also worked in the Florida Keys where I taught youth about marine biology through scientific studies such as shark tagging and snorkel surveys.
In my role here as the Head Trip Leader I am extremely excited to help show people the beauty and wonder of the natural world in a safe and life-changing way. I have spent most of my life outdoors and have done many incredible trips and experiences that have shown me some truly incredible places. I have a passion for learning more about nature as well as wilderness survival skills and sharing that knowledge.
Melonie comes from a vast background of experiential knowledge and is a lover of learning and adventure.
From growing up in The Ozarks of Missouri, planning safaris along the creeks on the back dirt roads, to cave exploring and picking wild blackberries.
She is a lover of nature and the gifts Mother Earth has to offer.
She spent most of her life with children and raised a large family. She is a devoted, mother, grandmother, and has a heart that is compassionate and loving for all! She loves teaching, especially about nutrition, living a healthy life, and self-sufficient living.
Some of her favorite things to teach are cooking from scratch, sprouting seeds, and solar cooking.
Currently, she's taking the last year to simplify her life down into a trailer and travel. She's following her heart to find a piece of land she can plant her feet on and sink her roots into. Her passion is to create a retreat space for all to come where they can find a closeness to Nature, find healing, and personal growth. It will also be a special place where she can get her hands back in the dirt with gardening, growing and arranging flowers, and her art projects.
For now, the open road is her home, watching Sunsets and camping full-time is her new adventure!
Kaleb is a multimedia visual artist from Long Island, New York. His love of the outdoors informs his work in a variety of ways, from inspiring landscape paintings from life to providing materials for ring making and sculptures.
He has spent many summers at Camp W being inspired by the picturesque surroundings and wonderful community. His favorite camp activity is community meeting. He is greatly looking forward to providing videography for the Centennial season at Camp W!
My name is Sebastian, I am a 17 year old that is currently studying high school in Mexico. This will be my first year in Camp W but my second working in a summer camp. I like to spend my time playing sports, painting, hanging out with my friends or doing outdoor activities. I would describe myself as a reliable, adaptable, and energetic individual who likes to try new things. From the experiences I have had I know that I am very passionate about working with children and creating meaningful experiences with them.
Mia is a very active and adventure seeking person. She loves being outdoors and playing with children in her free time. Mia has plenty of experience with working with kids and has attended several summer camps during the years. She is a very extroverted and enthusiastic teenager who creates deep and profound connections with children of all ages.
Molly McIntyre is a 17 year old Collision Repair student at Franklin County technical school in Turners Falls.
She likes hiking books as well as drawing. Molly works as a ski as well as snowboard instructor at Berkshire East in the winter, as well as working at Nova Motorcycles!
Watersports Director
Tyson Whitcom
Tyson has been involved with watersports since his childhood. He owns a local retail watersports business and loves being able to get kids out on the water for days full of fun and education. Tyson works with Sean and our other staff to curate experiential learning on the water!
