Meet the Staff

Our staff is carefully selected on the basis of their experience, education, training, leadership ability and interpersonal skills. Each staff member participates in a week long pre-camp training period in preparation for the arrival of campers.

Cabin counselors are 18 years of age or older, and are supported by CIT’s and junior counselors who are 16 and 17. Many of our staff members have grown up at North Woods and Pleasant Valley. International staff add a unique flavor and experience for everyone at camp.

While recollections of camp activities and the surroundings never fade, what every child will remember most is the people. Memories of the cabin mate who became a lasting friend or the counselor who took the time to care, talk through a problem or share a laugh will continue for a lifetime.

2010 Pleasant Valley Staff

Liz Young, Pleasant Valley Camp Director

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.

Lara Eberlein, Pleasant Valley Assistant Director 

Lara live in Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. During the off-season she teaches 4th grade in Indianola, a small town south of Des Moines. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and reading. On the weekends Lara and her fiance Tim like to try different restaurants in and around Des Moines. All of those activities just pass the time until Camp!

Lara has been attending and working at camp since she was 11 years old. She spent 10 years at camps in Wisconsin before making her way to Pleasant Valley. At Pleasant Valley she can be found working with Liz, helping out at the waterfront or taking pictures around Camp. Lara's favorite activities at camp are canoeing, kayaking and watching sunsets from the PVC waterfront.