May 24, 2023

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I love nature photography, baking and going on adventures with my family.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I am humbled and honored to be the Camp Director this year! Camp has always been a “home away from home” for me and was a cornerstone in my faith formation as a youth attending as a camper and as a young adult serving on staff. I know how just one positive experience at Camp can make all the difference, and I wanted to be able to share similar opportunities with as many young people as possible. If it were not for my experiences at Guggenheim, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am looking forward to a fantastic summer at our “home on the water”!

Katelyn Sherman - Assistant Director
Age: 20
Hometown:  Originally from Upstate NY, currently in Ave Maria, Florida

Parish:
Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria, Florida

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I am currently the Head Women’s Lacrosse coach at Ave Maria University. I love playing and watching sports. I also love to ride my OneWheel with my two dogs.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I am so excited to serve the campers this summer along with an awesome staff. I can’t wait to spread Christ’s love to all the campers. God is good…all the time!

Madonna Champagne – Counselor

Age: 24
Hometown: Malone
Parish: St. André Bessette

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I love to sing, learn about my faith, go to mass and adoration, lead praise and worship, play music or instruments, laugh, go for walks, spending time with family and friends, and be outside.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
My faith is the most important thing in my life, I would not be alive without it. As such, I long for others to know the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic faith! I pray people come to know how much they are truly loved and come home to Jesus. Camp Guggenheim offers a wonderful experience for our youth to see these truths and hopefully encourage them on their faith journeys. “Life with Christ is a beautiful"

Stephen Dwyer – Counselor

Age: 18
Hometown: Chateaugay
Parish: Catholic Community of Burke and Chateaugay

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
Baseball, soccer, swimming, singing, community services

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I would like to work at Guggenheim because I have gone to Guggenheim my entire life, Family camp and teen camp, and I have always wanted to be a counselor. I want to help provide the same great camp experience that I experienced when I was in teen camp.

Gabriel Gratto - Counselor

Hometown: Schroon Lake
Parish: St. Alexander’s, Morrisonville

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I love to hike, sing, bike, sit around campfires, and spend my summers at Guggenheim!

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
Last year was my first year on staff after being a camper for seven years, and I can’t wait to see all of the campers again! It will be exciting to see returning and new campers as we continue to grow in faith together! Personally, I have had an exciting year since camp ended last summer. I have been teaching Prek - 12th grade chorus and music at Indian Lake Central School in the Southern Adirondacks! Can’t wait to see you soon campers! Get your singing voices ready for some epic Song Practices!

Venes Laine – Counselor

Hometown: Morrisonville
Parish:  St. Alexander’s, Morrisonville

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I am a sportive guy who likes to play soccer and volleyball. Whenever I have any free time I do some readings and socializing with those who are around me. I like to learn new things because that opens doors to appreciate the efforts of other people. Finally my interests are being with people and teaching them the goodness of God.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I can say that Guggenheim is a very good environment for people to learn and enjoy the companionship of each other. This is a good place that involves you to sharing your gifts to others. I want to work at Camp Guggenheim because I like to deal with younger people in order to teach them how to play soccer and volleyball and to be willing to teach them the word of God also and as well as to any other areas which I am needed to help out.

Keiler MacNeal – Counselor

Hometown: Amsterdam, New York
Parish: 
St. Mary’s Parish, Amsterdam

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
Some of my hobbies include hiking, reading, and playing chess. I also quite enjoy juggling, and spend a lot of time coding and even more time breaking code.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I had been a camper since the first year I was old enough back in 2016. I’ve frequently reflected on the special uniqueness camp brings, and ever since that first year I knew I wanted to someday impart this feeling on the next generation of campers. I love both learning and teaching about the faith, and I am forever blessed to be provided this opportunity to do exactly this with the 2023 Camp Guggenheim Campers!

Grace Manning - Counselor

Hometown: Gouverneur
Parish: St. James Catholic Church, Gouverneur

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I enjoy reading, hammocking, praise and worship, and spending time with friends and family. I am also interested in pursuing a career as a Catholic mental health counselor for children.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I went to Camp Guggenheim as a camper and I always loved being there. I want to work at Camp Guggenheim because I want to give campers a memorable experience like I received as a camper.

Naomi Presler – Counselor
Age: 18
Hometown: Milton, Delaware
Parish: St. Edmund’s Catholic Church

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I love wrestling, football and going to the beach with my friends. I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and Moana. My talents include Irish dancing, being able to cross both of my eyes and uncrossing one. My hobbies include volleyball and having a good time!

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
I want to work as a counselor at Camp Guggenheim because I was a camper here for a long time and I consider it a second home. To come back and help create a home for others is a passion of mine. I also want to be a counselor because Guggenheim is the best!

Matteo Reilly – Counselor
Age: 19
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Parish: St. Paschal Baylon, Thousand Oaks, California

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
I love wrestling, football and going to the beach with my friends

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
Camp Guggenheim was such a positive influence for me, and I wanted to share the joy that it brought me with others.

Sarah Samperi – Counselor
Age: 20
Hometown:  Saranac Lake
Parish: St. Bernard of Montjoux

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
Hiking, exploring, playing outside, painting, learning guitar, thrifting, spending time with friends and family, and talking/learning about the faith.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
Camp was the first place I encountered other young people on fire for the Catholic faith. The friendships I made there in my years as a camper were my strength throughout the years and encouraged me to continue to pursue a personal relationship with Christ. The youth are the future of the diocese, and I know firsthand how important a role Camp Guggenheim plays in fostering their faith. It gives me great joy to play a role in giving the experience that was so influential in my life back to the campers, in hopes that it will do the same for them. I love getting to know each camper and seeing them come out of their shells as each week progresses. I’ve never worked somewhere more fulfilling, faithful, and fun, and I can’t wait for my second summer!

Hope Switzer – Counselor
Hometown: Ogdensburg
Parish: St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish

What are your hobbies/talents/interests?
My hobbies including swimming, going on walks and hikes, crocheting, and bible study. I have always loved swimming and being in nature. I’ve gotten more into crocheting this past year and even started my own Esty where I sell crocheted animals. I enjoy reading and exploring different parts of the bible especially with my family and friends.

Why did you want to work at Camp Guggenheim?
Growing up I looked forward to going to camp every summer and even counted down the days. Ever sense the first year I went it has had a special place in my heart and I love sharing that love for camp with new and returning campers. I’m so excited to be on staff for my second year and to get the opportunity to sharing the word of God with all the campers and staff