meet our camp directors

 At Avid4 Adventure, we are dedicated to building a camp community where every child feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to grow. Our camp directors bring a broad range of lived experiences, which helps shape an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and enriching for every camper. Our staff are passionate about building connections, fostering confidence, and creating meaningful outdoor experiences where every camper can grow, explore, and feel a true sense of belonging. 

Learn more about your local camp director below. 

Colorado

Rachel Ladany

Camp Director
Castle Rock Day Camp

Rachel (pronouns: She/Her) is based at our Castle Rock Day Camp location and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for 6+ years. 

Rachel brings her 10+ years of experience as an educator to their work, supporting meaningful, confidence-building experiences in the outdoors. This season, they’re especially looking forward to making Castle Rock a fun and welcoming place, celebrating the outdoors with all!

For Rachel, camp is a place where kids grow over their week, or even weeks, with Avid. She enjoys seeing a timid camper open up into the most outgoing camper by the end of their session, and to be celebrated for that! She loves that camp is a place where kids get to be themselves and see the world in a safe and caring environment where we celebrate growth. A fun fact about them: when she’s not working, she can be found out in nature hiking somewhere – anywhere! They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable. Their favorite camp tradition or activity is Avid’s end-of-week celebration, where each group is celebrated, and we recognize all the campers who have grown so much over their short time with us!

What gives Rachel the warm-and-fuzzies about Summer Camp is how much Avid cares that everyone has an opportunity to be in the outdoors and that we make sure to keep an environment that is fun and inclusive, starting from the Camp leadership to the instructors, all the way to the campers & families!

Chase Jurgaitis

Program Coordinator
Colorado Expeditions

Chase (pronouns: He/Him/His) is based out of our Colorado Expedition Programming and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for nearly 10 years. 

 Chase brings his degree in Outdoor Recreational Leadership from CMC and his love of working with kids outside up in the mountains to his role!

All year long, he has the pleasure of helping to encourage young people to become their best selves, and Avid is by far his favorite setting for doing that. This season, they’re especially looking forward to connecting with the campers and seeing them push through tough trails and climbs, coming out stronger on the other end. 

For Chase, camp is a place where community is built – specifically at the end of the night on trail during group circle time and reflecting on our day and experiences. It’s so rewarding to hear the campers be able to identify their own struggles and growth moments, and encourage one another to go even harder tomorrow. A fun fact about them: he’s a juggler and clown! He learned to juggle at camp, and he loves teaching others how to juggle. They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable. Their favorite camp tradition is the variety show at the end of Expeditions! It’s his all-time favorite camp tradition. Seeing people start preparing acts early in the week to show off and celebrate with peers is so heart-warming, and there are always incredible performances.

What gives Chase the warm-and-fuzzies about Summer Camp is our camp community – it is so supportive! Kids and adults alike feel open to embracing who they are and find adventure and excitement in the outdoors together.

Dave Vaillancourt

Camp Director
Washington Park Day Camp

Dave (pronouns: He/His) is based at our Wash Park Day Camp location and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for 10+ years!

Dave brings a love for the outdoors that began at an early age. It has brought him to Colorado from the East Coast in pursuit of making his passion for the outdoors his profession!

He’s been involved in varying aspects of outdoor education since 2015, including guiding, wilderness therapy, experiential education, camp programming, and serving as a Park Ranger. All this experience is brought to his daily work to support meaningful, confidence-building experiences in the outdoors. This season, he’s especially looking forward to getting to know every individual who comes to the Wash Park Camp and learning what their goals are for the summer. He’s so excited to learn what folks are passionate about and do what he can to support them in the pursuit of those passions.

For Dave, camp is a place where you can work closely with campers to reframe the everyday highs and lows and shape them into something incredible. It’s a skill to reflect on a rough day and find the strength to see the learnings and find the positives to make the next day better, and we get a chance to teach that to kids all summer! A fun fact about them: his nickname is “Canyon Bear”, after an incredible trip through Capitol Reef (Yes, you should absolutely ask him about it!). They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable. Their favorite camp traditions or activities are the end-of-week closing ceremonies. Yes, it’s sad to see campers go, but those are the times he feels like he can really step back

Jo Whittaker

Camp Director
Basecamp Centennial Day Camp

Jo (pronouns: She/Her) will be Avid’s first Base Camp Director at our Centennial location and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for nearly five years.

 Jo brings passionate experience as a teacher, librarian, and nanny to their work. She enjoys combining her love of the outdoors and working with children. This season, they’re especially looking forward to spearheading Avid’s first Base Camp programming and connecting with all the staff, campers, and families.

For Jo, camp is a place to learn and grow with the hope that each camper will use that new skill the rest of their lives. They strive to bring that supportive energy to every group they work with this summer. A fun fact about them: she loves to hike & paddleboard! They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable. Their favorite camp tradition or activity is the end-of-the-day circles where campers share highs and lows of the day, all together in their camp group! She loves that opportunity. It allows instructors and campers to be open with one another, listen intently, and take learnings to the next day.

What gives Jo the warm-and-fuzzies about Summer Camp is what Avid teaches campers (LNT,  high risk and high reward situations, pack in/pack out, and so so so much more)!

california

Zach Smith

Camp Director
Burlingame Day Camp

Zach (pronouns: He/Him) is based at our Burlingame Day Camp location and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for nearly 5 years

. Zach brings knowledge and experience to his role, having worked outdoors in both Arizona and California for years, doing everything from summer camps to trail maintenance. He’s an avid climber and hiker, and loves to positively impact people in the world of outdoor sports and education. This season, they’re especially looking forward to seeing everyone start their day with vigor and return with big smiles on their tired faces, which brings him unimaginable happiness.

For Zach, camp is a place to learn from the campers – not always the other way around! He has fond memories of learning from campers! They are creative, insightful, and incredibly observant – and Zach strives to bring that positive energy to every group they work with. A fun fact about them: they love to play Dragon Egg and Shark Bait. They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable. Their favorite camp traditions or activities are the daily/weekly photo contests. Seeing how much fun the campers are having every day is always a highlight of his day. Plus, we know that parents & guardians LOVE to see their kiddos in action – it’s a win across the board!

What gives Zach the warm-and-fuzzies about Summer Camp is creating safe and memorable experiences for campers, parents, and instructors alike. Providing fluid communications with parents and instructors is something he strives to achieve every season.

B. Silva

Camp Director
Oakland Day Camp

Barbara is based at our Oakland Day Camp location and has been involved in Summer Camp, Outdoor Education, and youth programming for a short amount of time – though she brings refreshing energy with her traditional education experience!

As a Middle School teacher, Barbara has experience supporting diverse learners. She also worked closely with animals when working at the Oakland Zoo! She loves creating spaces where kids feel safe, curious, and excited to learn, especially outdoors! This season, they’re especially looking forward to building meaningful connections with campers and helping create those small, unforgettable moments that make camp feel magical. She’s also looking forward to being outside, unplugging, and embracing the energy of summer.

For Barbara, camp is a place where campers grow more confident and open over time… especially when they realize they can do something they didn’t think they could. Those little breakthroughs are everything! A fun fact about them: she makes a really good banana chocolate chip loaf and loves sharing baked treats with my peers! They’re dedicated to creating a camp environment rooted in safety, inclusion, teamwork, and strong camper support, and they work hard to ensure every camper feels welcomed and capable.

What gives Barbara the warm-and-fuzzies about Summer Camp is creating a space where every camper feels seen, included, and supported to be themselves. Safety, kindness, and teamwork are what turn a group into a true camp community.