About the Camp Concepts Leadership Team

An essential strength of any summer camp lies in its leadership.  Camp Concepts, proudly  educator-owned and operated, boasts over 210 years of combined teacher and camp experience among its top administrative leaders! 

 

The passion and expertise of the Camp Concepts' leadership team helps set them apart.  Every member understands the profound impact camp can have on a child's development, and is fully committed to creating an enriching summer camp program that is not only fun but also a physically and emotionally safe place for individual growth.   This is what has made Camp Concepts one of the best camp programs in the entire region.

 

Steve Haines-Executive Director

Steve brings over 30 years of expertise to the camp education industry.  Having spent 22 years at George School Day Camp, where he directed,  designed, and significantly grew that program,  Steve has devoted his career to working with children.  His teaching career included 20 years at Newtown Friends School and a few years at Plumstead Christian School, Steve brings his vast knowledge of children into all of his professional entities. 

 

Steve spends significant time in China doing speaking engagements as well as conducting leadership and teacher training seminars. To date, Steve has trained between 4,000-5,000 teachers throughout China.   He also leads Immersive Education Associates,  helping schools find a pathway to education reform utilizing VR/AR/MR learning.  As the C.O.O. of Global Connections Foundation, (a New Jersey NGO helping Kenyan people become more self-reliant through entrepreneurship and educational initiatives) Steve enjoys the greater challenge of empowering others towards self-reliance and restored dignity.   

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Steve holds a B.S. in Education and a Master's degree in History.

 

Steve Bernardini - assistant executive director

Assistant Director Steve Bernardini was part of the dynamic administrative duo “Steve & Steve” at George School Day Camp.  He served that camp community, in multiple capacities, for over 30 years before following Steve Haines to Big Oak Day Camp.  Steve B, as he is known, is our resident animal rescuer, identifier, and overall nature enthusiast, in addition to being a senior administrator.  Having been a teacher math, science, and PE teacher & coach at Buckingham Friends School for over 40 years, Steve is now enjoying his retirement from teaching .  Steve has significant international travel experience, having studied in Paris having taken multiple groups of students to places like the rainforest of Ecuador and to a sister school in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Steve is a gifted and talented administrator, and his passion for education and leadership is exemplary. Steve is married and is the father of two grown children.  Steve is also the grandfather to Madden and Lenyx

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Linda Schloo - Account Services

Linda has been an integral part of Camp Concepts for over 15 years.  Linda is the main reason Camp Concepts has such high customer service and customer support reviews.  While our summer camps only operate in the summer, Linda stays busy year-round managing employees, overseeing finances, and servicing all the customer accounts throughout all of our camp programs.  Linda is a much loved mother to her 4 grown children and also works part-time at Souderton Area School District.  We are so lucky to have Linda who masterfully handles so many details essential to running our great camps.

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Debbie Kirk - expressions director

Expressions Day Camp Director-  Debbie has been a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for over twenty years, where she brings her energy, passion, and professionalism to the classroom as well as our Expressions ampers & staff. Debbie's talents were noticed when Steve hired her to serve as a counselor and was soon promoted to Lower Camp coordinator, at the George School Day Camp.  This is her tenth year with Camp Concepts and her ninth year as Director of Expressions Day Camp.

 

In just a brief conversation with her, you will know how much Debbie loves camp! Debbie is married and mother to University of Arizona student & lead counselor- Adam.  Debbie has also led multiple camper groups to China and Kenya.

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Ashley Carlson - little buds director

Director of Little Buds- Ashley has been a vital leader with Camp Concepts for more than 10 years.  A middle school teacher during the school year, Ashley brings steady leadership and creativity to the director role of Little Buds.  Ashley graduated from Bucknell University with Elementary & Early Childhood Education and loves her work with Little Buds!  When not in camp, Ashley can often be found on the softball field training elite players in the sport she played and loves.

Jennifer Schloo - Little Buds assistant director

Jennifer, our assitant director, has been with Camp Concepts for over 15 years and is currently teaching First Grade in the Allentown School District.  A graduate of DeSales University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Masters in Early Childhood Literacy from Wilkes University, Jennifer is a nurturing and loving leader who brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and creativity to our youngest campers.  

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Stefanie Schloo - logistics & Special Programming specialist 

Stefanie has worked in various positions at camp over the past 14 years.  She has become invaluable in logistics and event planning.  She is also the Assistant Director for our Horizons program.  She graduated from DeSales University where she majored in International Studies,  Marketing, and History.  She received her Masters's in Leadership from  Cabrini University..  She loves to travel and has been to over 20 countries!