We travel across the country and around the world in search of the finest staff available. Each counselor is personally interviewed and a background check is conducted. Most of our key staff have been with French Woods for over ten years and are well qualified in their specialty and in camping.
Owner –Director Ron Schaefer has spent his entire life in camping and is responsible for the development of French Woods’ unique individualized program over the past thirty two years. He has a background as a music teacher for the New York City public schools and currently teaches musical theater at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL.
Isaac Baumfeld, Director, was a guidance counselor in the New York City school system. He worked with both at risk students as well as honors students throughout his career. Isaac has developed programs in mediation and negotiation and trained Principals, Assistant Principals as well as students in these skills. He has been active as a coach in high school basketball and baseball during his tenure with the New York City Department of Education. Isaac has been involved with French Woods for twenty-five years.
A perpetual French Woods camper, Beth Schaefer (Staff Director) holds a BFA in Theater. She has played a myriad of roles at French Woods from Head Counselor to Director of Theater. While she continues to direct theatrical productions at camp, she strives to maintain the quality of staff at camp as a whole. She is an American Camping Association (ACA) member and serves the association as a Associate Visitor, maintaining the standards of the ACA in local accredited camps.
Larry Siegel, a native of Brooklyn, NY, has been part of French Woods for over twenty years and is currently Assistant Director. Educated at Ithaca College ,he graduated with a degree in recreational management. He is responsible for maintaining the French Woods facilities to state and national standards and is in charge of all purchasing. Larry coordinates many aspects of the camp community and is a vital key to our summer operation.
Enid Marcus brings more than 35 years of camping experience with her
as she rejoins the French Woods Family as an Assistant Director. Enid’s
camp history includes being Head Counselor at two prestigious New York
and Pennsylvania camps, as well as Owning and
Directing a camp in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Enid has dedicated her
life to insuring that children have an opportunity to experience and
grow through camping. Enid looks ahead to years at French Woods where
she can help campers develop their personal talents and encourage greater
self-esteem. Our leaders of tomorrow are sharing in the wonderful experience
that camp offers today.
Michael Knauf has many years of experience in the visual and technical arts, both as an artist and as an instructor. He is running the Video, Computer, and Visual Arts departments. During the winter months, Michael is responsible for our website and marketing efforts.
Brian Worsdale, director of music for French Woods has been on the faculty for over a decade. He is the founder of the ISO Symphonic Band and director of bands for ST Hilda's & St. Hugh's School in NYC. He is a frequent guest conductor throughout the United States and Europe. At French Woods, Brian is the conductor of our symphony orchestra, numerous pit orchestras and oversees one of the finest non-competitive summer music programs in the country.
Anne McAlexander recieved her BFA in Musical Theatre from State University of New York at Fredonia and has since been performing and choreographing along the east coast. As resident choreographer and Cabaret coordinator at Saxton's River Playhouse for the 2002 and 2003 seasons, she choreographed such shows as Pippin, The Pajama Game, Oklahoma and Fiddler on the Roof. While at Fredonia she choreographed Damn Yankees!, Candide, and several pieces for multiple dance concerts. Recently Anne was seen as a Merry Murderess in Chicago in Nashville, TN where she is currently choreographing Belmont University's production of Swing! Anne has also been seen in Guys and Dolls at Northern Stage as well as in Beauty and the Beast at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Some of her other favorite roles include Gladys in The Pajama Game, Ruth in Blithe Spirit, and Little Red in Into the Woods. Anne joined French Woods Staff after graduation in the summer of 2005 and looks forward to this summer!
Devan Hibbard graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre. Since then she has been living and working in New York City. She is the Resident Stage Manager and Board Member for Ground UP Productions. With Ground UP she has stage managed Proof, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Lobby Hero, Hot Damn Holiday, Burn This, The People vs. Mona, The Baby With The Bathwater and The Optimist (Dir. Jace Alexander). She is also the Production Manager and Board Member for 9Thirty Theatre Company. Other NY credits include: Kaboom! (NY Fringe Festival; Dir. BT McNicholl), Kiki Baby (Primary Stages; Dir. Lonny Price), Me, My Guitar & Don Henley (Crooked Neck Productions; Dir. Peter Page), The Secret of Mme Bonnard’s Bath (NY Playwights Lab; Dir Israel Horovitz)) Macbeth, Three Musketeers & The Lottery (The Acting Company). She is actively pursing her M.F.A. for Theatre Education at The City College of New York.