Ilisha & Sam Borek | Owners / Directors

Ilisha and Sam have dedicated their lives to working in the world of children’s summer camps and it has been a dream come true to have a camp of their own.

Ilisha was the Professional Development Director of the American Camp Association for many years and the Director of Oasis Day Camp in Manhattan. She also served as a Board of Education Member at the Haworth School and is currently on the Board of Directors for NJY Camps. 

Sam was the Program Director at Camp Laurel in Maine and the Administrative Director of Elmwood Day Camp in White Plains, New York. Sam is the President Emeritus and currently serves on the Board of the American Camp Association New York/New Jersey section which oversees hundreds of both day and residential camps. He also sits on the Board of Change Summer, a not-for-profit organization that offers summer camp opportunities for under-resourced youth. 

Ilisha and Sam are proud parents of two sons who have been lucky enough to grow up at Woodmont and are now staff members.

Peter Goldberg | Camp Administrator

Peter’s journey with summer camps started in 1997 as a counselor, later transitioning to a teen travel program then the Travel Director. After over a decade of traveling with camp, he joined Woodmont full-time as Camp Administrator. Since 2011 he has been an integral part of the year-round leadership team, managing office operations, transportation, and travel programs. Outside of camp, Peter’s greatest joys come from his family. In 2014, he welcomed his daughter, Hannah, into his life through adoption. His family continued to grow in 2024, when he proudly stepped into his newest role: Grandpa. Peter holds a degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Education. He taught middle school math in Fair Lawn, NJ, where he was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2011.

Marisa Gershwin | Assistant Director

Marisa’s lifelong passion for camp began as a camper in NJ and later the Berkshires. While she wears many hats at Woodmont, her primary role focuses on all things relating to staff and CITs. Prior to joining Woodmont’s year-round team in 2019, Marisa spent six years at A BroaderWay Foundation. As an active member of the American Camp Association NY/NJ (ACA), she volunteers as a Standards Visitor and holds positions on the DEIB and Tri-State Program Committees. In 2022, Marisa was awarded the Michael Gordon Young Leaders Award on behalf of the ACA. She is passionate about expanding camp access through her work with Project Morry and SCOPE and holds a BA in Speech & Hearing Sciences from The George Washington University.

Michelle Huberfeld | Curriculum & Staffing Coordinator/ Middle Village Boys

Woodmont has been home for Michelle since her very first summer as a CIT in 2008. Over the years, she has grown alongside camp, moving from counselor roles to her current position on the year-round team since 2023. During the off-season, Michelle’s days are split between focusing on curriculum development for activity areas and working alongside Marisa to recruit the best staff for our campers. When summer hits, she assumes her role as a Village Leader, overseeing campers and mentoring her staff. Michelle volunteers for the Tri-State Program Committee to stay connected to the wider camp community. When she’s not at Woodmont, you can find her relaxing with a good book or catching up on the latest reality TV shows.

Chris Komjian | Head of Media 

Chris’s journey at Woodmont began in 2019, when he joined the media team as a photographer. You’ll typically find him behind the lens capturing the videos and photos of all the fun that goes on! Chris is the creative force behind our social media content, expertly creating and editing all videos, including our highly anticipated staff lip dubs at the end of each summer. When he’s not at camp, Chris manages Komjian Media as a freelance videographer and photographer, where he fulfills his passion for highlighting special moments in creative and impactful ways. Chris is a proud member of the advisory board of a non-profit organization, Especially Everyone, dedicated to creating inclusive music experiences that support the neurodivergent community. He holds a BA in Communications from Ramapo College.

Sean Gordon | Operations

Sean first joined Woodmont in the summer of 2016. His first 5 summers were spent as a Super Seniors counselor before transitioning into his full-time role in Operations. As a vital member of the year-round team, Sean is responsible for the essential “behind-the-scenes” work that keeps camp running smoothly. He is committed to ensuring every Woodmont camper and staff member enjoys a safe, special, and seamless environment every single day. When he isn’t making his rounds on his golfcart, you’ll find Sean playing and refereeing roller and ice hockey. He also loves spending his free time with his two dogs, Shaggy and Delilah.

Helene Collins | Kinder Village

Helene, affectionately known as Jellybean, has been a familiar face on the Woodmont campgrounds since 2000, where she first began as a basketball specialist at Candy Mountain Day Camp. Her deep-rooted enthusiasm for the camp experience is built on years of coaching at Syracuse University, Mercy College, and Pepperdine University basketball camps, as well as teaching tennis through the Orangetown Recreation programs. As a Kinder Village Leader, Helene brings over 41 years of experience as a dedicated educator to her role, currently teaching fourth grade in the Nanuet School District. She is passionate about understanding the unique needs of every child and is committed to ensuring that every day at camp is filled with learning, growth, and fun.

Becky Shefsky | Kinder Village

Becky is a lifelong camp enthusiast who grew up on the very grounds of Woodmont as both a camper and a counselor. Today, she is proud to see her children continue that legacy as they spend their own summers at Woodmont. As a Kinder Village Leader, Becky oversees our youngest campers, finding joy in their excitement, awe, and unique personalities. During the school year, she teaches 1st grade, which she has been doing for well over 20 years. Recognized as a “Lab Class Teacher” in the North Rockland School District, Becky serves as a mentor and role model for fellow educators who observe her classroom. Outside of school and camp, she spends her time as a “Mommy chauffeur” to her girls’ many activities and busy sports schedules. Becky also enjoys taking tap dance classes and making her own jewelry. When you see her around Woodmont, be sure to check out her earrings – they are different everyday!

Melissa Leventhal | Lower Village Girls

Melissa has been a valued member of the Woodmont family since our inception in 2007, beginning her journey in Kinder Village with our youngest campers. She now serves as a Lower Village Leader, overseeing 1st and 2nd grade girls. During the school year, Melissa teaches middle school math at Schechter Bergen and serves as the Math Team Leader for grades 1–4, where she is passionate about helping students build confidence and a lifelong love of learning. Outside of the classroom and camp, she can be found cheering on her children at soccer games and dance competitions, or enjoying her hobbies of traveling, reading, and crafting. If you see Melissa around camp don’t forget to share your favorite joke.

Victoria Bergin  | Lower Village Boys

Victoria fell in love with Woodmont at just 17 years old when she began as a counselor and camp quickly became her second home. Her years of hands-on experience with campers led to her current role as a Village Leader, specifically for 1st and 2nd grade boy campers. As a Village Leader, Victoria supervises and mentors counselors in creating fun, safe, and unforgettable experiences for campers and their families. 

Camp also sparked her passion for working with children year-round. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education and completed her Master’s of Science in Communication Disorders at Mercy College. Victoria works as a Speech-Language Pathologist helping children build communication skills and independence. Outside of camp and work, Victoria’s favorite and most rewarding role is being a mom.

Hilary Scharf | Middle Village Girls

Hilary has called Woodmont home since the summer of 2009. As the Village Leader for 3rd and 4th grade girls, she is committed to creating a positive, nurturing, and engaging environment where each camper feels supported, confident, and a strong sense of belonging. During the school year, Hilary works as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, supporting students, families, and staff; she holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education; Hilary is a proud mom of two and the owner of How Ya Dough’n, her sourdough bread business, where she creates homemade breads. Outside of her professional roles, Hilary loves spending time with her family and can often be found in the kitchen baking and cooking up something delicious.  

Brooke McGovern | Upper Village Boys

Brooke’s camp journey started in 2015 when she worked as a counselor at Blue Rill Day Camp. After spending five summers there, she took some time off before joining Woodmont in 2023 as the Upper Village Boys Village Leader. During the non-summer months, Brooke teaches third grade at Dorchester Elementary School in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. When she’s not running around camp or the classroom, you can find her watching sports, walking her dog, or spending time with family and friends. One of Brooke’s favorite parts of camp is watching her campers try new things and participate in exciting special events like 5th Grade Survivor and 6th Grade Escape the Bunk!

Izzy Sussman | Upper Village Girls

Izzy’s deep connection to camp began as a camper at Candy Mountain Day Camp, eventually leading her to Woodmont where she has grown from a CIT and counselor into her current role as a Village Leader. For Izzy, camp is truly a family affair; her mother and sisters have also worked at camp, and her daughter, Bennie, will soon be a Woodmont camper herself. During the school year, Izzy serves as a school psychologist in Ridgewood, NJ. Her favorite parts of the summer include witnessing the lasting connections made between campers and staff, as well as cheering during Woodlympics and enjoying our famous Woodmont pizza and cookies. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, go for walks, and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Thomas Czerwinski | Super Seniors

Camp has been a central part of Thomas’s life for as long as he can remember. Having worked as camp staff at other local programs for over a decade, he joined the Woodmont team in 2020 as a group counselor. Thomas is proud to be the Super Seniors Village Leader since 2025. Outside of camp, Thomas teaches physical education and coaches multiple sports teams, including volleyball, basketball and track and field. His goal for all of his campers and students is to learn to find the joy in the small things in life and create an environment in which they can be their truest selves.

Daniella Denaro | Teen Travel

Daniella brings extensive camp, travel, and teaching experience to our team, having spent ten years as a camper before beginning her professional journey at Woodmont. She first joined the staff in 2019 as a travel counselor and, after a brief time away, returned in 2023 as the Super Seniors Village Leader before transitioning into her current role as the Village Leader for Teen Travel. Daniella loves helping teens explore the world around them and finds immense joy in sharing those new experiences with her campers.

During the school year, Daniella is a dedicated educator, teaching 9th grade English and directing the high school drama club. She holds a BA in English and Adolescent Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and an MA in English from SUNY New Paltz. When she isn’t at camp or in the classroom, Daniella loves to travel, especially when leading high school trips to Europe.

Christina Zimmerman | Program Director

Christina joined the Woodmont family in 2013 and instantly fell in love with camp. Her role at camp involves all things scheduling and coordinating Woodmont’s special events to be fun and exciting for campers and staff! During the non-camp months, she is a pediatric occupational therapist primarily working with preschool and elementary aged neurodivergent children. She received her MS in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University and holds licenses in NJ & NY. Christina is a proud member of the advisory board of a non-profit organization, Especially Everyone, dedicated to creating inclusive music experiences that support the neurodivergent community.

Johnathan Porch | Adventure Director

Johnathan joined the Woodmont family in 2018 and has eagerly looked forward to each summer since. His journey through camp has spanned various roles, including Adventure Staff, Lower Village Counselor, and Teen Travel Counselor. After learning to swim as a staff member at Woodmont, Johnathan earned his lifeguard certification as well. Following a term of service as a Military Police Officer in the Army, Johnathan is thrilled to return to camp to lead the Adventure team. In the off-season, he is an avid fencer and has a passion for martial arts, music and museums. Johnathan will soon be expanding his horizons as he plans to study abroad at a university in Korea.

Joe Hroncich | Athletic Director

Joe is an original member of the Woodmont family. He spent time as both a group counselor in camp and on teen travel before ultimately taking on the role of Athletic Director in 2012. Joe has had a lifelong passion for sports, playing just about everything from the time he was young to focusing mostly on ice hockey as he got older. He holds an MA in Special Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and is currently a special education teacher at Felix Festa Middle School, where he has worked since 2015, primarily at the 6th grade level. Joe’s day to day role at camp consists of ensuring all athletic staff are prepared with fun, skill-building activities for campers, as well as running large group games throughout camp.

Akiva Friedman | Creative Arts Director

Akiva has been the Creative Arts Director at Woodmont for over 15 years. He is passionate about fostering creativity through music and developing engaging lessons that are both informative and fun. During the school year, Akiva teaches high school chemistry and physics in Westchester and can be found performing at local music venues. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and trying new restaurants. Akiva’s greatest joy is spending quality time with his wonderful wife and three children.

Dawn Bernstein | Lakeside Director

Dawn’s lifelong passion for camp began during her 15+ years as a camper and staff member at Blue Rill Day Camp. She joined the Woodmont family in 2012 alongside her three sons, all of whom have gone on to work as counselors following their camper summers. As the Lakeside Director, Dawn oversees a diverse range of activities, including the lake, waterpark, animal farm, nature, bikes, go-karts, and gymnastics. She is often found right in the middle of the action – whether dancing, hiking, or leading campers on special adventures. During the off-season, Dawn works as a Human Resources Professional. A dedicated animal welfare enthusiast, she holds a NYS Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification. Dawn also earned her Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Wendy Cowen-Smith | Swim Director

Wendy serves as one of Woodmont’s Swim Directors, bringing decades of experience in education, child development, and camp leadership to the role. After 33 years as a special education teacher and five years in early intervention, she now applies her calm, structured approach to building strong swimmer skills and confident staff teams. Off‑season, she’s a full‑time grandma to Avery (and two on the way!).  Summer 2026 marks her 20th year at Woodmont, following 24 summers at Candy Mountain Day Camp. Wendy is committed to maintaining a safe, well‑run aquatics program where both campers and staff can grow, feel safe, have fun and succeed.

Jason Schoolsky | Swim Director

Jason’s journey at Woodmont began in 2016 as a lifeguard and he has been a vital part of the aquatics team ever since. As Swim Director, he partners with Wendy to oversee all pool operations, with a steadfast commitment to ensuring a safe, high-energy environment for deep-water testing and skill progression. Jason holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Buffalo and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Hunter College. During the school year, he works for Student Assistance Services, a non-profit organization providing counseling and prevention education for 7th-12th grade students in the Pleasantville Union Free School District. In his free time, Jason is an avid golfer who enjoys listening to podcasts and spending quality time with his friends and family.

Jason Emerson | Dining Hall Supervisor

Jason has been a fixture within the Woodmont family since 2015. As our Dining Hall Supervisor, he ensures that our daily lunch service is a smooth, well-organized and welcoming experience. Jason’s deep roots at Woodmont include years spent as a Village Leader for Middle Village, Upper Village and Super Seniors. The Emerson family connection runs deep – his sons Jonas and Zach have both grown up as part of the Woodmont family as campers and staff members as well. Over a decade in, it’s easy to see why Jason keeps coming back!