2008 Staff so far (updated 5/1/08)

This list is to help people find who is coming which week. If you would like to see what is being taught by whom the week that you are coming to camp, please click on the Week title.

Listed alphabetically by first name.

• Alice Silverman (Week 2) – Non-violent Communication - Alice is a psychiatrist/psychotherapist who is still amazed that she gets paid for doing what she loves, which is generally talking to people as they negotiate the challenge of living meaningully and richly in a challenging world. She currently has a private practice in St. Johnsbury VT where she works with individuals, couples and families. She also consults to several community organizations where she provides clinical supervision and organizational support.
• Carole Blane (Weeks 1-3) – Camp Director – Carole Blane has been coming to Camp for 8 years. She is the mother of 3 daughters, the wife of Steve and owner of 2 dogs and a guinea pig. In her former life she produced TV commercials and an independent film. She loves to work with people and organize things; hence the job as Camp Director. When she’s not doing CGC work she homeschools Eve, cares for Megan and Rebecca, volunteers for La Leche League and Attachment Parenting International. She is also a Lactation Consultant. She loves college basketball, reading, and hiking and Camp Common Ground.
• Charlie Cunningham (Weeks 1-3) - Dinner Cook - Charlie runs the vegan cart at UVM during the school year. This is his second year at CGC. When not cooking he can be found wrestling with kids or playing cribbage.
• Courtney Reckord (Week 3) - Yoga Instructor - Courtney is a treasure trove of information on yoga, massage, herbs, soap, candles, felting and just about anything.
• David Kirsch (Weeks 1-3) – Youth Leader - "I love kids, animals, nature, music, cooking, electronics, bike riding, kite flying, and art of all kinds. I will bring with me the magic of giant soap bubbles and fancifully-scented homemade playdough! Let's build boats out of sticks and launch them down the creek!"
• Dew B. Wilde (Weeks 1 & 3) – Drumming Instructor - is a musical educator with 19 years of experience leading groups of all ages in hand drumming, performance and song. She lives with her family in Williston , VT. Dew has been a part of Camp Common Ground since its birth and is looking forward to a third summer in Starksboro.
• Elana Davidson - (Weeks 1-3) - Youth Leader - Elana, when not doing hand stands, is a wealth of energy and fun things to do. We were very luck to discover her at the last moment last year and get her back this summer.
• Francis Goodman (Weeks 1-3) – Volunteers for Peace Project Leader & Construction Instructor – Francis is a fourth-generation mid-western organic dairy farmer. He is active in farm organizing and works locally with several organizations, like the national Family Farm Coalition and The national Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. He is committed to preserving family farms and providing a safe and affordable food supply for consumers. You can buy cheese from him at www.cedargrovecheese.com.
• Geoff Gohacki (Weeks 1-3) – Camp Baker - Geoff and Tessa have been living bi-coastal for the past few years - summers in VT and winters in Mendocino, CA - with their two boys, Miro and Emmett. In the summers Geoff runs his catering business and in the winters does construction. This is Geoff's 4rd summer at CCG. Tessa and Geoff met cooking at a massage school in northern California that has similar food to CCG and never thought they might do it again in Vermont. Geoff has been to Vegan Culinary school and graduated from Evergreen College and the New England Culinary Institute. He then went on to become a chef instructor for them.
• Jim Mendell (Weeks 1-3) – Photographer & Conflict Resolution – Fully to blame for at least half of the 30,000 photos put into the computer in 2007, Jim usually is attached to a camara. Jim is interested in everybody and everything and would love to hear all of your ideas.
• Kim Dunkley (Weeks 1-3) – Youth/Teen Leader, Lifeguard, Jill-of-all-trades - After a long history in outdoor ed/rec with many ages, I've settled down with a great program working with 5-8 year olds in Morrisville , VT. I still make time for the important stuff like traveling, skiing and standing on my head. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my silliness and playing with folks at this summer in Starksboro.
• Liz Ritter (Weeks 1-3) - Liz is an activist housewife in New York City. She can always be counted on to do the little annoying behind the scenes tasks.
• Lori Biamonte (Weeks 1-3) - Lori not only has a thousand and one craft ideas, she actually acts on many of these ideas and then finishes her projects! If you have a lot of time on your hands, she is sure to know just how to fill those empty hours.
• Mark Adams (Week 1) - Massage & Yoga Instructor - Mark trained in California and England, and practiced holistic massage and acupressure in England. Mark and Niko Preusse own and operate a massage school in South Burlington.
• Marc Kornbluh (Weeks 1-2) – Glass & Adirondack Design Instructor – Marc is a glass artist in Nebraska. Before switching to arts and crafts full-time, he opened and ran the Olive Branch bakery in Burlington. Check out his work at kornbluhdesign.typepad.com.
• Martha Siegel (Weeks 2-3) – Chamber Music (violin & cello) Instructor - Martha teaches strings at the UN International School and at the Henry Street Settlement in NYC. She has been coaching chamber music groups of kids and adults in her home studio for many years. As a cellist, Martha played with Argentine singer-songwriter Suni Paz for 21 years, and performed with Calle Strada Strasse. This is Martha's 13th summer at CCG – many past campers plan their weeks around her camp schedule. Check out her new website at marthasmusicstudio.com
• Nicki Marshall (Week 1) - Nicki has been coming to CCG with her mom and brother since it's first year, when she was a teenager. After taking a couple of years off while she was studying at Mount Holyoke College, she came back as a staff person (as well as a happy camper), teaching dance and yoga and working in the youth programs. Nicki has been living in NYC since 2000 as a post-modern and West African dancer, a choreographer, and a singer. As a choreographer, she and her collaborator, Helen Tocci, have performed their work, combining voice and movement, at numerous NYC venues. Nicki has produced three evenings of dance at WOW Café Theater. She is currently dancing for Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance. Nicki is a certified yoga instructor, experienced dance teacher, and a Reiki practitioner. She teaches dance and yoga to 2 year olds - adults through the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, National Dance Institute, and other studios all over NYC.
• Niko Preusse (Week 1) - Niko trained at West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver. She practiced Swedish massage in Vancouver and Toronto. Niko and Mark Adams own and operate a massage school in South Burlington.
• Peg Kamens (Weeks 1-3) – Site Coordinator & New Camper Liaison – Peg is one of the original founders of Common Ground, and is now co-director. Her interests in nature, gardening and architecture dovetail well with her responsibilities as site development coordinator. This past year, Peg developed an interest in recycled doors and windows, and would be most happy to discuss these with you (even if you are running in the opposite direction). In general, she functions as part trouble-shooter, part trouble-maker, and can be found squirreled away in her office at camp. She is also the mother of the three Mendell children.
• Russ Mitkowski (Week 2) - Russ is a musician and producer. He'll lead a course where participants learn the secrets of reggae through song analysis. You will eat sleep and breathe reggae for a week, ending the week with a performance at the big show. Participants will learn about the universality of reggae and how reggae can make the world a better place. Every'ting is irie mon.
• Sam Silverman (Week 2) – Non-violent Communication - Sam is a mental health and substance abuse counselor with 41 years experience as a social worker in institutional and community settings. He is currently working as a counselor at Lyndon State College and leads NVC workshops and support groups in the community. Sam has been a political activist since the 1960's and an active participant in mens' support groups. Both Sam and Alice Silverman have taken a workshop with Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication. They have been in a NVC support group for the past 3 years where they have fine tuned their skills and begun to work towards applying NVC for social change.
• Tessa Holmes (Weeks 1-3) – Camp Chef – Tessa specializes in cooking vegetarian cuisine for large groups and individuals. She was head cook at the Heartwood Institute in CA for several years before coming to CCG. She also shares a strong interest in the arts. Tessa and Geoff have been living bi-coastal for the past few years - summers in VT and winters in Mendocino, CA - with their two boys, Miro and Emmett. In the summers Tessa is a wedding photographer. Winters see less work for Tessa. This is Tessa's 8th summer at CCG. Tessa and Geoff met cooking at a massage school in northern California that has similar food to CCG and never thought they might do it again in Vermont.
• Vanessa Anton (Weeks 1-3) – Camp Nurse & Youth/Teen Leader & Capoeira– Vanessa is a full-time student and mother studying life and searching for the ultimate career. She loves chocolate, travel, her convertible and her laugh is contagious. She is trained as an EMT, is American Red Cross certified, a BLS (Basic Life Saving) instructor, a Farm certified mid-wife assistant, an Interfaith Minister and a holistic health counselor in NY state. She worked with teens last year and will again. She loves them because she thinks she is still one.
• Veronica Gadbois (Weeks 1-3) – Breakfast Chef & Volunteers for Peace Coordinator - Veronica, long-time member of the CCG community, received her Master's Degree in Education in 1999. Her undergraduate degrees are in Fine Art and French, which she teaches to middle school children. She is looking forward to teaching in the Multi-Age Arts and Crafts program this summer.
• Zoe Leas (Weeks 1-3) - Kitchen Assistant - Zoe couldn't get enough of camp as a teen, so now she's back working!
  

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