Meet the Directors

Artie Lang, Executive Director    
alang@ymcaboston.org  
603.569.2725 ext. 224

I have been proud to call myself a member of YMCA of Greater Boston’s Camping Services since 2007. My life in camping began when I was ten years old and my parents forced me on the bus, kicking and crying, to a resident camp in Oregon. It was there I began to learn the true magic of camp. I went on to spend fifteen years at a camp in northern Minnesota, doing a wide variety of jobs as I grew. From there I moved to Wisconsin where I spent five years as the Senior Program Director in charge of all programming for Camp Minikani with the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Along the way I received degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Education. I am married to my camp sweetheart, Kristina, who is a veterinary student at Tufts. We live year round at Camp with our dog Rookie. When we’re not working or studying we love to run, golf, bike, and travel. In one way or another we’ve been involved in camping almost all our lives. Every summer I am renewed and constantly amazed at the power we all have in shaping the lives of children and families.

If you are in the area feel free to drop by. Someone is always happy to show you around the “summer home” of so many wonderful folks. We truly hope you’ll become a member of the family!

Campingly Yours,
Artie

Graeme Donald, North Woods Director
gdonald@ymcaboston.org
Summer Only 603.569.2725 ext. 238

Graeme Donald is the Director of North Woods YMCA Camp for Boys. He has been an incredible staff member here for a number of years and did an amazing job as the Assistant Director during the summers of 07’ and 08’. Graeme brings with him not only his experience as a Northwoodsman, but a commitment to give back to camp everything he got from it. Graeme believes that every camper and staff member deserves the chance to learn, grow and take on responsibilities while making friends, memories and a personal foundation that will last a life time. Graeme is currently working on his teaching degree at Edinburgh University back in Scotland after having completed his HNC in Early Education last year.

 

Eric Rightor, Senior Program Director of Youth programs erightor@ymcaboston.org
603.569.2725 ext 228

Eric Rightor has joined the year-round team as the Senior Program Director of Youth Programs and will set-up and oversee the operations of North Woods, Pleasant Valley, and Laughing Loon.  Eric is from Needham, MA and recieved a degree from American University in Washingtion, DC in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government. He was working at the Charles River YMCA as the Youth Development Director before joining us here. He began his camping career at Camp Coniston and returned for 14 summers, climbing the ranks to become the CIT Director at Coniston for his last two summers.  This past summer, Eric was the director for two day camps and designed the New England Adventure Camp, an adventure trip-based camp for teens.  He’s only missed one camp summer since age 10 at that was in 2009 to pursue his life-long dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, which he completed in 173 days.  Eric just finished another trip, a three-week national park tour where he hiked around the Channel Islands, Sequoia, Death Valley, Yosemite, Crater Lake, and Redwoods National Parks.  He’s always got a story to tell and we can’t wait to hear them all and have him bring his experience, leadership and enthusiasm here to camp!

Amy Goodman, Business Manager
agoodman@ymcaboston.org
603.569.2725 ext 222

This is Amy’s eighth year with Camping Services. Amy lives in Mirror Lake, NH with her husband of 26 years, her two girls (both in college), two cats, and Peanut the ever popular “camp dog”. She attended colleges from California and New Hampshire where she studied, forestry, cooking and business administration. The 13 years prior to working at camp she spent as a buyer and project manager for software companies in the MA area. She and her family began their camping experience 20 years ago at Sandy Island where they were fortunate to be family campers for many years, and then became staff. Her most rewarding and fulfilling moments have been raising her girls with her husband.

Fortunate and Grateful: To work with an organization that provides youth programs that help to build confidence and self esteem while partnering with their families.

Hobbies/Interests: Sailing, Cooking, Reading, Gardening, Spending time with my family, Learning Spanish and Puerto Rico.

Kate Lemay, Senior Program Director
klemay@ymcaboston.org
603.569.2725 ext 225
Summer Only 603.253.4217

Kate has been involved with YMCA family camps since 1999.  The 2009 season was her first summer at Sandy Island. In addition to serving as the Sandy Island Director, Kate works year-round as the Senior Program Director, handling communications and marketing for the Camping Services Branch of the YMCA of Greater Boston. Kate began her YMCA camping career at Camp Ockanickon, Inc. Medford, NJ. and holds a Bachelors in Studio Arts from UNH and a MA in Arts in Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Kate and her husband Robert and son Cooper currently reside in Kate's hometown- Gilford, NH. When not at Camp Kate enjoys painting, running, and making fun memories with family and friends.

Tom Marden, Facilities Director
tmarden@ymcaboston.org
603.569.2725 ext. 229

Tom started with the YMCA of Greater Boston in 1996. He and his family were previously week 3 “Sandy” campers. Tom studied computer sciences at Concord Commercial College. He has been involved in various building and construction related occupations most of his working career, including twelve years at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Tom and his family live in New Hampshire. Tom’s dog Peanut is a well known celebrity at camp. Both his daughters, Hallie and Grace, have worked at Sandy Island. Tom’s wife, Amy, also works at camp as the business manager. Tom enjoys woodworking, sailing, scuba diving, Puerto Rico, driving his Cobra and the “Big Sandy”.

Tom’s camp favorites-  Seeing the great experiences kids are getting from camp, helping staff and meeting people from different parts of the world.

Michael McCarthy, Maintenance Staff and Woodshop Instructor
603.569.2725 ext 229

Michael has been on staff for over 30 years, 20 of them full-time. He has held positions as a counselor, forestry patrol leader, CIT director (5 yrs), Sr. section head, camp caretaker (10 yrs) and assistant director. He grew up in Danvers, MA and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in forest management.

Michael lived in Old Town, ME (Yes, where the canoes are made!) for a time; met his bride Suzannah at the University and got married. Suzie and Michael moved to Melvin Village, NH after he got a full-time position with the Greater Boston YMCA as the Camp caretaker. They have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Mary. Katie is a seasoned camper at Pleasant Valley and Mary isn't far behind.

When Michael is not working, he is involved with his family, the Melvin Village Community Church, fishing, hunting, wild edible plant and mushroom gathering, and outdoor cooking.

Michael's favorite camp activities are woodshop, riflery, the Treasure Hunt, campfires, meteor showers in August and quiet canoeing on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Liz Young, Pleasant Valley Camp Director
lyoung@ymcaboston.org
603.569.2725 ext. 241 Summer Only

This is Liz's fifth year at Pleasant Valley and her 34th as a camp director.  Liz lives in Worcester with her two cats: Fitz and Bill.  She received her BS in Mathematics from the Illinois Institute of Technology and has taken numerous graduate courses in business.  Liz spends her free time serving on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Central Massachusetts and Chairs the Supporting Positive Youth Development.  In addition, she is the Vice President of the Board of the Friendly House (a neighborhood house) and is the Treasurer of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) guardians for abused and neglected children.