Debbie Archer

Summer Camp Director
After spending 3 years teaching outdoor education on the west coast in Alaska and Southern California, Debbie made a happy return to the east coast, joining the education team at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in 2015. With a M.S. in Environmental Science and experience as an educator, naturalist, and camp program manager, she has a passion for getting kids outside into nature and won't flinch at the opportunity to howl like a coyote or sing a song about a polar bear. She knows the importance of having the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences where everything from the development of social skills to math thinking can occur. Debbie has been running Audubon's camps since 2017. If Debbie were an animal, she would be a Musk Ox because they are the unicorns of the north.

Emily Kaplita

Senior Educator
Emily is from Connecticut, but has been in Vermont for the past 7 years has been at Audubon Vermont as a Seasonal Educator, AmeriCorps member, and now Senior Educator.  She graduated in May 2016 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from Dickinson College. Emily earned her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Champlain College July 2022! This will be Emily's seventh summer with Audubon Vermont summer camp, and she cannot wait to explore the wilderness, build fairy homes, and spend lots of time out in the sun again.  Emily loves to learn from nature and understands the importance on hands-on learning. If Emily could be one animal for the rest of her life she would be a sea otter.

Sarah Hooghuis (they/she)

Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator

Sarah grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in Environmental Studies. As a kid, you could find her playing in streams and woods. Sarah discovered a love of birds later in life, her spark bird was a Steller’s Jay in Colorado - from then on she didn’t leave for a walk without a bird guide and binoculars. Prior to joining our team as the Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator, they served as our Outreach and Education Americorps member from 2019-2021, and returned in the winter of 2022 as a sugaring assistant for our bird-friendly maple syrup operation. They come to this position with six years of experience in environmental education and communications.They love summer camp and coordinate our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program for teenage youth looking to build their resumes and skills in childcasre.

Emily Calder (she/her)

Educator

Emily's curiosity for the outdoors grew from a childhood of exploring the marsh behind her house in New Hampshire. She came to Vermont for college where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Saint Michael’s College in 2019. Emily has worked in education for six years, with experience ranging from summer camps, to teaching in the White Mountains, to leading teen trail crews, to being an elementary school paraeducator. At Audubon Vermont, Emily is the lead educator for Unschool and Free Afterschool, as well as teaching many other programs including Free Nature Playgroup, library programs, and field trips. In her programs, she loves to teach about aquatic animals, tracking, birds, and letting kids explore to make their own discoveries. Emily lives in Burlington where she enjoys birding, rock climbing, hiking, and playing board games. 

Tay

Seasonal Educator

I was born and raised in Southern California. I grew up spending most of my time hiking in the mountains or surfing and kayaking in the ocean. I graduated from a small school, Oxnard College, where I received my associates of science in fire technology. I then attended Oregon State University majoring in sustainability and history. I am currently working at a local school as an Instructional Assistant in fourth grade. Before my current job, I was working as an outdoor educator around New England. While working as an outdoor educator I enjoyed sharing my passion/love for nature, birds and amphibians. Outside of work I like to backpack, spend time with family, and read. I can’t wait to get outside this summer and teach in the outdoors again. 

Naomi Tanier (she/her)

Seasonal Educator

​Naomi grew up in Philadelphia, where she fell in love with the natural world by exploring the city's green spaces. As a kid, she spent her Julys chasing fireflies, planting tomatoes on the porch, and learning to ride her bike in the nearby woods. Now, she's here in VT finishing up her undergraduate degree in Applied Ecology and Place-Based Education at UVM, with particular interests in plant sciences and horticulture. This will be Naomi's first season at Audubon and she’s excited to bring her years of experience working with kids in after-school programs, forest preschools, and nature-based day camps (primarily back in PA) to the team. She's looking forward to a super fun, place-based, and hands-on summer, exploring the Audubon grounds with campers and learning all about ourselves and the world around us. In her free time, Naomi loves to garden, cook, and practice her guitar.

Max Schibel (he/him)

Seasonal Educator

Max grew up in Minnesota and is a rising senior at the University of Vermont studying Wildlife Biology. Max has spent two summers as a camp counselor, leading rock climbing and biking trips. He loves spending time in nature, either listening to birds or following the first set of tracks he finds. Max is looking forward to getting out into nature with everyone and having the most fun possible. 

Lily Falk (she/her) 

Seasonal Educator

Lily grew up in New York and is a rising junior at the University of Vermont where she studies Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and Place-Based Education. Lily loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, swimming, or simply exploring. This will be her first summer with Audubon Vermont, and she brings experience from day camps and a sleepaway camp in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She’s excited to spend the summer in Vermont and looks forward to getting to know the Audubon community and natural area!