Meet the staff

Denise Learned, Executive Director/CEO

Danita Ballantyne

Camp Director

Laurie Bouchard

Office Manager

Katherine Davies, Group Camping Director/Day Camp Director

Ed Edgar

Food Service Director

Brent Lawson, Maintenance Director

Curtis Lemieux

Program Director

Claudia Martin

Business Manager

Meg Carr

Teen Program Director

Michael Phaneuf, Adventure Program Director

Bruce Watrous Development Coordinator

Michael Learned Maintenance Staff

Denise Learned

Executive Director/CEO

denise@camphazenymca.org

Denise Learned has served as Camp Hazen's Executive Director since 1999. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Shoreline Soup Kitchens, and Hazen's Summer Camp Director. Denise holds a degree in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut. She lives in Chester with her husband and 3 children. Denise is proud to work with a professional staff committed to positive youth development.

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen ....what, there's another place?

Favorite Children's Story book: Yurtle the Turtle by Dr Suess

Favorite Place on Camp: The Enchanted Forest

Best Advice: '

Most often heard say: 'That is the best thing I have seen in my whole LIFE'

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen a full time mom I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Goodnight Moon and The Lorax and The Giving Tree

Favorite Place on Camp: The Chapel

Best Advice:

Most often heard say: "It'll happen"

Danita Ballantyne

Camp Director

dballantyne@camphazenymca.org

Danita Ballantyne is looking forward to her fifth summer as Camp Director at Camp Hazen YMCA. She has been working at camps for over 20 years, filling many different positions including Counselor, Trip Leader, Unit Director, Program Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and Camp Director. Originally from Iowa, Danita has a degree in Elementary Education from Gustavus Adoplphus College in Minnesota. She now lives in Deep River with her husband and two children who are both Happy Hazen campers!

Laurie Bouchard has been with us here at Hazen since 2003. She started out as our office assistant, but now she is our Office Manager and plays an integral role in our Open Doors Financial Aid program. Laurie's favorite part of her job is during the Spring, as the build up for summer continues and the phones are going crazy, Laurie still finds time to look through hundreds of catalogues to find the latest in Haz-wear for the Dickinson's General Store. She will help you with any question you may have with regards to our programs, payments and anything else that will help make the summer even better.

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen traveling all over the country on a Harley Davidson I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates

Favorite Place on Camp: Dickinson's General Store

Best Advice: 'Anything that you do out of love, is never the wrong thing to do'

Most often heard say: 'Thank you for calling Camp Hazen YMCA, this is Laurie...'

Laurie Bouchard

Office Manager

lbouchard@camphazenymca.org

Katherine Davies

Group Camping /Day Camp Director

kdavies@camphazenymca.org

Kath Davies is originally from the South Coast of England. This will be her 5^th summer on the Professional Staff. Kath graduated from a Teaching Training College in Plymouth, England in 2001 as a Physical Education Teacher, but each summer she returned to Cedar Lake for another fun summer at Camp. After a series of fortunate events Kath landed on her feet as the Group Camping Director, where she oversees all the year round programs, but in reality just waits for the summer to arrive each year!

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen traveling the world I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew: by Dr. Seuss

Favorite Place on Camp: The Magic Ponds

Best Advice: 'To each his own' - Everyone one has their own reason for making their own decisions.

Most often heard say: 'Fun Times'

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen watching the Red Sox I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling

Favorite Place on Camp: The Kitchen!

Best Advice: 'Be yourself'

Most often heard say: 'Anything is possible'

Ed Edgar

Food Service Director

eedgar@camphazenymca.org

Chef Ed is excited about his first summer at Camp Hazen YMCA! He has over 25 years of experience in Food Services in a variety of venues. He is looking forward to a long tenure with such a warm and friendly staff.

Brent Lawson has been with us here at Hazen since 2000. Brent loves all his toys, the gators, the tractor and of course his white van! Anytime you ever need anything done, Brent is your guy. He makes everyone feel welcome here at Hazen. If you can't find him on a nice sunny day, he will probably sneaking a quick ride on his bike to the local hardware store.

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen Maine I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Farmer Grover

Favorite Place on Camp: Deep in the woods

Best Advice: 'Stay in school'

Most often heard say: 'What's next boss?'

Brent Lawson

Maintenance Director

blawson@camphazenymca.org

Curtis Lemieux

Program Director

clemieux@camphazenymca.org

Curtis Lemieux, a long time Camp Hazen YMCA staff member, joined the professional staff as Program Director in January of 2004. Originally from the great state of New Hampshire, Curtis graduated from Boston University with a BA in Elementary Education in 2002 and the National Outdoor Leadership School in 2003. He has worked as a counselor, mentor, ski instructor, and respite provider for countless organizations since 1999. He is absolutely ecstatic for his ninth summer here at Hazen!

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen Climbing Mountains I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: The Oddkins

Favorite Place on Camp: Doubles

Best Advice: Take time to stop and lick the flowers!

Most often heard say: "Announcements! Announcements! Announcements!"

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen at home being creative I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: '500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins' by Dr Seuss

Favorite Place on Camp: Back deck of the Dining Hall

Best Advice: 'Learn something new each day'

Most often heard say: 'I'm sorry, I can't hear you?'

Claudia Martin

Business Manager

cmartin@camphazenymca.org

Claudia Martin has been with us here at Hazen since 2003. She is a whiz at keeping the books up to date, and chasing all those program directors for receipts. Claudia's favorite part of her job is being a substitute mom for all our staff that are so many miles away from home. She will help you send mail, buy phone cards and anything else that will help the summer be even better.

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Never Talk to Strangers

Favorite Place on Camp: Over the Hills and Far away...Onandaga

Best Advice:

Most often heard saying: "Are you kidding me?"

Meg Car

Teen Program Director

mcarr@camphazenymca.org

Michael Phaneuf

Adventure Program Director

mphaneuf@camphazenymca.org

Michael “Mikey” Phaneuf grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, but now lives at Camp Hazen YMCA year round. Mike is the Adventure Director who oversees Camp Hazen YMCA’s Adventure programs and assists in the running of our Resident Camp program during the summer. This is Mike’s eighth summer working at Camp Hazen YMCA since he graduated from Central CT State University in 2000 with a degree in Environmental Science.

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen Australia I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: 'The Giant Jam Sandwich'

Favorite Place on Camp: Top of the High Ropes Course

Best Advice: 'Don't chew with your mouth open'

Most often heard say: 'What did you do to your computer now?'

Camper and Staff in the 60’s, Board Member and Treasurer in the 70’s, Bruce returned to Camp Hazen as year round staff in 2003 to spearhead Camp’s development activities. A life long resident of Chester Bruce is active in the community presently serving his fourth term as a Selectmen. “After more then 40 years I still cannot wait to get to Camp”

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen with my grandchildren I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book:

Favorite Place on Camp: The Dining Hall

Bruce Watrous

Development Coordinator

bwatrous@camphazenymca.org

Michael Learned

Maintenance Staff

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen with my children I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: '500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins' by Dr Suess

Favorite Place on Camp: The Blue Trail to Onandaga

Best Advice: 'Sometimes you have to back up to go forward'

Most often heard say: 'Did you watch LOST last night?'

Douglas Morrison

Maintenance Staff

If I weren't at Camp Hazen, no place I'd rather be. If I weren't at Camp Hazen the ocean I would be.

Favorite Children's Story book: Charlotte's Web

Favorite Place on Camp: The front deck of the Dining Hall

Best Advice: 'Keep focused'

Most often heard say: 'Where's my truck?'