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.

Kyra Monsam

Education and Outreach AmeriCorps Member

Kyra is originally from North Carolina, where she spent her childhood fishing, swimming, and exploring in and around Lake Norman. She has always had a deep love for the natural world, especially the animals that inhabit it. Kyra attended the Pennsylvania State University, where she first discovered her love for environmental education through a program known as Outdoor School. She was able to couple her love of the environment and her affinity for teaching with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and a minor in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. Kyra first visited Vermont in early 2022 and immediately felt connected to the expansive views and incredible stars. She spent the summer on Lake Fairlee as a camp counselor, and was amazed by the vibrancy and beauty of the Green Mountain State. She is looking forward to spending her second summer in Vermont hiking, exploring, and brushing up on her knowledge of native species. Kyra is so excited to be serving the Green Mountain Audubon Center and building connections within the Huntington community and beyond. 

Annie Jackson

Lead Educator

Annie grew up in Vermont and spent her childhood exploring the forests, mountains and streams she was lucky to live near. Annie's early love of nature sparked a passion to protect the beautiful places and creatures she encountered there, leading her to pursue environmental education. Her work with kids spans many settings, including leading wilderness backpacking and canoe trips, exploring tidepools on the coast of Maine, teaching as a naturalist educator at North Branch Nature Center and teaching watershed education in Burlington. Prior to returning to Vermont, Annie studied elementary education in Maine and recently returned to UVM to complete a program in ecology and environmental education. She is thrilled to be working at Audubon this summer! Annie will be living off-grid in Warren for the summer and enjoys laughing, hiking, playing music, befriending trees and wildflowers, and sharing meals with friends.

 

Tay

Lead 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. 

 

 

Reuben Becker-Klein

Lead Educator

Reuben Becker-Klein is a senior at University of Vermont studying environmental science and forestry. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys spending time hiking, foraging, mountain biking and disc golfing. Reuben has just returned from three months in Costa Rica studying and learning about the flora and fauna and is excited to get back to the northern hardwood forests. He is excited to teach kids about the surrounding landscape and can't wait to spend all his time outside in the beautiful Vermont summer.

Alisse Quick

Seasonal Educator

Alisse is from Nebraska and currently attends the University of Vermont where she is a rising senior pursuing a B.A. in Biology. As a child, she spent most of her time outdoors, playing in the stream behind her grandparents' house and looking for rocks to add to her collection. Her passion for conservation stems from her first nature-based vacation to Breckenridge, Colorado where she saw elk right outside her cabin and foxes in town. This is Alisse’s first summer in Vermont and she is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and excitement about nature with campers who want to learn more!

Killian Sweeny

Seasonal Educator

Killian is a former camper and CIT joining us as a camp educator this year!