Senior Staff Profiles

MARC RAUCH

DIRECTOR

Dr. Marc Rauch has a long history at Camp Kinder Ring, working with children and in the camping world. He attended Kinder Ring in the 80’s and 90’s as a camper, counselor and Group Leader. He is a third generation Kinder Ring alumnus. Marc returned to Kinder Ring seven summers ago with 10 years of experience consulting with camps and presenting for the American Camp Association. His wife Beth was a camper and counselor at Kinder Ring, and his two children have grown up at Kinder Ring; one is a camper and one is currently a bunk counselor. Marc is a New York State Licensed Psychologist who has worked extensively within a large school district and in private practice with children. Marc is a staunch child advocate who brings the highest level of energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to Kinder Ring. His passion for Kinder Ring and long history of working with children and professionals make him an ideal leader. Marc strives to continue to bring Kinder Ring the most innovative programming and activities. When he started as Director, he had a vision to lead a new generation of Kinder Ring campers and show the world of camping how solid leadership and clear mission can lead Kinder Ring to ‘Make the World a Better Place’.

JESSICA RICH

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Jessica started as a Kinder Ring camper in 1981 in the youngest bunk and grew up at camp to become a counselor and Group Leader.  She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from New York University. She and her husband Andrew met as campers and they got married at camp with the Sylvan Lake sunset behind them.  Their two sons are the 4th generation to share the traditions of Kinder Ring and are now KR staff members.  Jessica loves working year-round with Kinder Ring’s families and staff members and can’t wait to spend her 26th summer at camp in 2024.  Jessica is involved in all aspects of preparation for the summer, including recruitment, planning, staffing, communications, and management.

PETER SAUNDERS

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Pete came over from England in 2000 to spend the first of twelve summers as a tennis specialist at Kinder Ring.  Before becoming our Director of Operations, he studied at Cambridge and taught high school chemistry in the UK and New Zealand.  He loves being able to live at Camp year-round with his wife Kyla and their dog Archie.  There is not a single aspect of operations that Pete does not excel in managing – from property maintenance to staffing; from security to infrastructure; and so much more. We are all so lucky that Pete and Kyla call Kinder Ring their home!

GERI LISS

GIRLS HEAD COUNSELOR

This will be Geri’s 24 th summer at Kinder Ring.  She started as a camper in 1977 and continued her camp life as a counselor and Group Leader. After taking an 18 year hiatus, Geri returned to Kinder Ring in 2008 with her three daughters.  Having worked in the KR Office for seven years and then as Girls Assistant Head Counselor for several years, Geri is excited to be leading Girls Side and bringing it her tremendous energy, excitement, and love for Kinder Ring.  Geri graduated from SUNY Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and has her JD from the University of Miami School of Law.  She looks forward to escaping the Florida heat and enjoying the beautiful NY summers on Sylvan Lake with her Kinder Ring family this summer and for many years to come.

COREY BLOCK

BOYS HEAD COUNSELOR

Corey started at Kinder Ring in 2017 having spent many summers as a camper and counselor at camps. In fact, Corey met his wife Robin while working at a camp when they were younger. Robin runs our very popular Cooking Program and their two boys are campers. The entire family loves spending the summer at Kinder Ring. Corey teaches high school writing, literature, and film in Port Washington, NY. Corey brings great skill and enthusiasm to lead Boys Side and looks forward to helping campers and staff have amazing summers for years to come.

JOSH STONE

WATERFRONT DIRECTOR

The summer of 2019 is Josh’s 32nd at Camp Kinder Ring.  He started as a Soph boy in 1985, grew up at camp, and began working as a lifeguard in 1992, a position he held until 2006.  After a three-year leave to complete his Ph.D. in English at the University of Miami, Josh returned to the shores of Sylvan Lake, eventually assuming the directorship of our waterfront in 2011.  In addition to holding Red Cross certifications in Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instruction, and Lifeguarding Instruction, Josh also brings a wealth of experience working with children to our campus each summer.  He is an award-winning high school English teacher and administrator. After camp,Josh and his family will relocate from Florida to South Carolina. He and his wife Alli, a KR Group Leader, and their two sons love nothing more than spending their time in their “home away from home.”

ALISA CHAFITZ

HEALTH CENTER DIRECTOR

Alisa and her children started at Camp Kinder Ring together in 2009. Her daughter went through camp as a camper, and then was a lifeguard for 4 years, prior to becoming a Group Leader last year.  Her son also went through camp and has been a counselor.  Alisa has been a nurse in our Health Center as well as our trip nurse, chaperoning and caring for our campers on our trips.  Alisa has a BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a BS in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickenson University.  She worked for several years in an inpatient child psychiatry unit.  She has also worked as a nurse at a day camp on Long Island and as a substitute nurse for Jericho Schools on Long Island.  Camp Kinder Ring is truly her home away from home. Alisa is very excited to spend her 6th summer as the Health Center Director and to be a part of the Leadership Team. Kinder Ring parents are always assured that the health and well-being of their children are entrusted to a fabulous professional and the team she supervises.

ARI KAPLAN

GIRLS SIDE COORDINATOR

Ari started her journey at Kinder Ring in 2001 as a Soph Girl. Since then, she hasn’t missed a summer! This will be her 19th summer at Kinder Ring. Ari has grown up here as a camper, then became a counselor, group leader, and is currently the proud Girls’ Side Coordinator. Over the year, she works as a 3rd grade teacher, where she gains a lot of experience working with children.

KR will forever be Ari’s “home away from home” and she is so happy to share that feeling with all of the campers and staff!

PAUL JACKSON

BOYS SIDE COORDINATOR

Paul first began his journey at Camp Kinder Ring in 2010. After gaining valuable experience working as a Counselor and Group Leader, he took the leap into Leadership in 2018 as the Assistant Head of Boys side and now Boys’ Side Coordinator. Paul loves Camp, and he gains the greatest sense of personal satisfaction from seeing children thrive and develop whilst having the most fun they’ve ever had in their lives. With over ten years of experience in Education, Coaching and People Management, Paul loves to help other staff members develop their skills and ensure they perform to the very best of their ability.

BRIAN PURZAK

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Brian Purzak is returning to KR for his 19 th summer this year.  Brian began his love for Camp Kinder Ring as a camper in 1970, became a lifeguard and then Senior Lifeguard, before leaving camp for a career in education after the summer of 1982. After a 27-year hiatus, Brian returned to Kinder Ring in 2009 for three years as a Unit Head and Director of Administration. Brian has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Special Education, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.  He has coached high school football as well as a multitude of youth sports and in his role as a school administrator, Brian has overseen and supervised several high school and middle school programs. Brian’s three children have enjoyed KR summers for years, and his youngest is now a staff member.  We are excited to have Brian at camp with us and are confident that he will continue to make many positive enhancements to our Athletic Program. In addition to his Athletic Director role, he coordinates our American Camping Association (ACA) accreditation process and is our Staffing Coordinator throughout the year. Brian makes sure that we hire only the best camp staff in the industry!