Abby has been involved with Shire Village Camp for almost 20 years, first as a camper and then on staff for 9 years. She ran the Theater, Dance and Horseback Riding programs at Shire Village before becoming one of the camp's directors in 2003. Outside of camp, Abby is a dancer, choreographer, and educator living in New York City. She has worked with students at the elementary, high school, and college level, teaching and tutoring in dance, Spanish, and English. Abby graduated from New York's High School of Performing Arts and Wesleyan University. She lived and worked in Havana, Cuba for two years. Abby is a member of the SVC Board of Directors.

Stephanie has been on the staff of Shire Village Camp for the past four summers as a group counselor and, most recently, as assistant director, supervising bunk life. Stephanie received her B.A. from Bard College and she has worked as a music teacher in the New York City Public Schools and the Mary McDowell Center for Learning. An avid photographer and musician, she grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. Stephanie is a member of the SVC Board of Directors.

Andy Williamson has worked at Shire Village since 1999, when he joined the staff at his best friend, Abby Levine's, recommendation. He was the camp life guard for many summer before becoming an assistant director, supervising both support staff and camp program. Andy is a high school English teacher at the School for Democracy and Leadership in Brooklyn, NY. Andy is a member of the SVC Board of Directors.

Caitlin is an artist and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Caitlin was a camper at Shire Village before joining the staff eight years ago. She has been a bunk counselor, a supervisor of bunk staff, a camper worker supervisor, as well as the camp's resident beautifier (especially with paint.)

Trevor was a camper at Shire Village Camp in the 1980s and he has been on staff for the past ten years, first as a bunk counselor, supervising counselor, and camper worker supervisor and most recently as an associate director. As is often the case, Trevor's job has extended far beyond his job description, including his role as an invaluable mentor and support for campers and staff members each summer. Trevor has worked at the Poly Prep Lower School and is currently on staff at the Mary McDowell Center for Learning. Trevor is a member of the SVC Board of Directors.

Janet joined the Shire Village Camp board two years ago (with her husband, Andres Henriquez, as alternate). Their daughter Anna attended camp for six years and looks forward to returning as a counselor. Sophia will be returning for summer '08. A former book publishing executive, Janet now runs her own publishing and strategy firm. She is on the faculty of NYU and serves on the board of the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo) in the South Bronx.

Claire first became involved with Shire Village Camp as a staff and board member for three summers in the early 1980s. Now as a parent of two campers she has returned to camp as a staff and board member again. In addition, she serves on the Board of Deans Pond Block Association and the Stone House Road Block Association in Somers, NY. She is a special education teacher for the Bedford Central School District, a representative to the Bedford Teachers Association, and an active participant in the Bedford Autism Support Group. Her favorite activities are hiking, camping, vacationing in Cape Cod, horse back riding with her daughter, and watching her son play baseball.

Carl was a founder and the first director of Shire Village Camp. A retired NYC high school educator and counselor, he is a long time antiwar activist, and he has been involved with various Teacher Union groups. Among Carl's interests are photography, art, literature, tennis and antique cars. Carl's children and grandchildren have attended SVC; Josh, a 13-year-old, will be back for summer '07. One of the most exciting and satisfying aspects of his long involvement with the camp has been seeing campers grow to positions of staff responsibility and leadership within the camp and in the outside community.

Helen has been on the Shire Village Camp staff for four years. She was a camper for seven years and was the first Minsky to attend SVC. A recent graduate of Bates College, Helen is an assistant science teacher at the Mary McDowell Center for Learning. She enjoys soccer, Frisbee, hiking, and science. She has fainted twice on the Shire property. Sometimes people mistake her for her sister, Laura, who also works at the camp.

Julie Reiss started out at Shire Village as a camper when she was ten. She continued to spend her summers there as a camper, a camper-worker and then as a bunk counselor. She is delighted that her two children, Sophie and Matthew, are enjoying Shire Village as much as she did. Julie is committed to maintaining the essential aspects that define camp as well as looking for ways to keep the camp growing and thriving. She is honored to be serving on the board. Julie is an art historian who lives in Brooklyn.

Kathy Reiss began her affiliation with SVC in July of 1972, as a camper. After continuing up through the bunks, she became a CW, and later a counselor/arts and crafts specialist. It was during that summer that she met her future husband, Paul McKenna (the drama specialist). Years later, she sent her oldest son to SVC (at the age of 12), who will be returning this summer as well. She is counting the days until her youngest son can also go to camp! During the school year Kathy is a school psychologist at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School.

Beth Schneider began her Shire Village life as a camper with her two brothers. She returned as a staff member and camp director for many years and now acts at the camp registrar and president of the board. She began her teaching career at the Woodward Park School in Brooklyn. She is currently the Assistant Head of School at the Mary McDowell Center for Learning.

"It is so loving, small and caring. Everyone knows everyone and people have made there best friends there. It is the Shire, the best place in the world. The Shire is my home away from home. I always feel safe. I know I will always have my Shire familyÉ"

"It is a quiet place where you can be yourself and no one will judge you."

"It is an escape from schoolÉShire Village is a quiet relaxing, fun place where you are never alone or left out."

"Shire Village Camp is amazing. I feel so safe there and the people that go are always so kind. The activities and sports are so much fun and you will definitely have an amazing summer"

"It is unique in its values and goals. It makes kids feel at home, sometimes more than actual homes. Everyone accepts each other, no one is friendless."

"The Shire has changed me for the better."

"ItÕs like no other place on Earth, you see so many people from different backgrounds and points of view, we discuss about different stereotypes, nobody judges you, you have no troubles there, the scenery, the people."

"Our daughters have had six great summers at SVC, where they have been part of a caring, non-competitive environment which fosters creativity and cooperation. Activities offered as choices have been interesting and challenging: photography, intensives, art activities, horseback riding and animal care- but SVCÕs greatest strength lies in its people- the thoughtful and respectful staff and the other campers, which have given my children such wonderful friendships."

"As a parent, IÕd love to know how Shire Village works its magic on kids. Our two boys both love the time they opened there, they rave about the activities, which are low tech and simple, so unlike the things they play with at home. They also value the relationships, the true friendships, they make there. When will you start an adult session?"

"Shire Village is the highlight of my daughterÕs summer. She looks forward to it all year. At camp, she has grown and been inspired in numerous ways. We appreciate how supportive and inclusive camp is, how the pace at camp is slow and easy going yet also dynamic, with the activities evolving to suit the campers."

"It takes a village and ours is Shire"