Nancy Thomas
Owner and Director
Nancy is proud to be carrying on a 65-year tradition by being the second generation Owner/Director of Thomas School. Nancy graduated from the University of Colorado with an Elementary Education Degree. Nancy has taught in every area at Camp. Her three children have followed in her footsteps by spending their childhood years as campers, then joining the camp staff afterwards.
Kristen Garcia
Year Round Ride Director
Kristen graduated from the University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management. She was a member of the varsity IHSA riding team, and qualified for Regional Competitions. Kristen has competed in hunters, equitation, and dressage. Kristen is an accomplished rider as well as an experienced instructor, she has now been teaching for over five years. Kristen now orchestrates the schooling schedules for our horses to ensure a better experience for you each week.
Megan Murray
Year Round Ride Director and Horse Science Director
Megan began camp at Thomas School when she was 8 years old. She joined us for year round lessons shortly after that, and soon earned a position on our TSH show team. She was also captain of the St. Anthony's Equestrian Team. Megan has been part of our ride staff for 6 years. She is presently attending college working towards becoming a licensed veterinary technician with certification in equine medicine. We are glad that she has spent more than half of her life with us at TSH.
Jayne O'Toole
Jr. Camp Ride Director
Jayne has been part of Thomas School for the past 30 years. Jayne started as a camper, CIT, and Show Team member, then joined our staff. Although she was not with us for a few years, her children have brought her back to us. Jayne has now returned to camp with her four children. Jayne takes care of the Jr. Campers as if they were her own children.
Eric Dickinson
CIT Director
Eric has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Computer Graphics, has taught drawing classes at a private art school, and hopes to pursue a career in art education. He is an entrepreneur who runs his own clothing design business, Infinite Clothing. Eric has worked at Thomas School since 2001, is now our head CIT Director, and we're looking forward to having him for another summer.
Bebe Barbella
Jr. Camp Director
Like so many of our staff, Bebe spent most of her childhood summers at Thomas School. She and her brother were a strong part of our camp family. A few years ago Bebe enrolled her son in camp, she was reminded of her incredible experiences as a child, so we were able to entice her onto our staff. She is loved by campers and staff alike. We are so glad to have her here, providing our campers with nurturing and fun-filled summers.
Claudia Stewart
Program Director
Claudia is originally from Argentina, she came here in 1997 and lucky for us, she now calls Thomas School her home. Claudia was so creative and well organized for all her years on the sports staff that she is now our Program Director. She schedules our day to day activities as well as organizing our Special Day schedules. Claudia met and married Mike Stewart, a past camp director at Thomas School, and their daughter Kayla is now a camper.
John Cockroft
Sr. Pool Director
John was one our first International Staff members thanks to the Camp America program. Over 15 years ago, John came "across the pond" from England to join our swim staff, and has returned every year since. John has introduced us to many quality staff members from the UK and Australia over the years.
Michele Michelson
Jr. Pool Director
Michele grew up at Thomas School, she began camp at age 11. After completing her camper and CIT years, Michele joined our camp staff. For the next few years, she impressed us as a counselor, lifeguard, Pool Director, and Jr. Camp Director. This experience guided her to her full-time profession as a school psychologist. This profession gives her many skills for working with children, and luckily leaves her free to spend summers with us. Now her children are here as campers, enjoying the same camp their Mom remembers so fondly.
Our Counselors and Leaders are carefully screened and selected. They must be enthusiastic, responsible and excellent role models. Many staff members are alumni who love what we do for kids.
The cornerstone of our amazing staff is certainly our intensive Staff Training program, organized and facilitated by owner and director Nancy Thomas. During this training, our staff-to-be learn many important skills such as conflict mediation and how to foster a supportive environment in thier groups. They also learn that it's OK to come out of their shells, have fun, and be silly, in fact, it is entirely essential to a fun camp atmosphere.
"I had a great time working with the Early Starters and
everyone helped me when I needed it. The entire staff was wonderful
and I can't wait to see everyone next summer!"
First Year Staff, Emily Osterman
Many of our Counselors and Leaders are camp alumni who understand all the wonderful things our camp has to offer, and wish to carry on the tradition they enjoyed as campers by sharing it with a younger generation.
"I have spent half my life either at TSH Camp or spending a school year looking forward to it. I can honestly say that I have just as much fun now, on the staff, as I did when I was a camper."
Camp Alumni/Staff, Kayla Murdock
A number of our staff attended Thomas School as kids, and now support the traditions of our day camp by returning with their own children, so that they may enjoy all the gifts of horsemanship and our supportive camp community. Our day camp embodies qualities which transcend generations, and lessons which last a lifetime. Our top-quality staff is a reflection of these traits.
Our staff Specialists are here to teach, support, and
help our campers to discover their inner talent, develop self-confidence, and flourish as unique individuals.
Your child may develop pride in their abilities at the gymnasium with our gymnastics or dance specialists, or at the archery range with our archery instructors. They may discover a new sense of teamwork and sportsmanship on the field with our sports staff. Perhaps your child will realize their love for performance art with our drama specialists, or unleash a previously unknown creative spirit with our encouraging Arts and Crafts staff.
"Every summer, I think about you and all that TSH did for me,
and I want you to know that I am who I am because of you."
Camp Alumni, Sue Silver
Our specialists are here to give campers an opportunity to try new things, find what they love to do, and point them in the right direction. Developing interests and hobbies early in life creates a strong foundation for a happier childhood, and helps to keep kids out of trouble later in life. It is truly an incredible thing when young children discover a passion they want to pursue.
Certification and Safety
We are dedicated to the safety of our campers. All of our
Ride Instructors are Horsemanship Safety Association Certified,
and all Lifeguards must have current Red Cross Certification.
Our international staff bring an engaging spirit to the
Thomas School Community. These staff members travel from countries all over the world to work here: Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland, just to name a few.
"I have lots of memories to take back with me to England
and will look back on this summer as one of my best.
I feel that I have grown as a person while I have been here,
and I've made loads of friends I hope to keep in contact with."
International Staff, Vicky Siddons
You may apply for employment at our Day Camp by filling out the online application at the link below. After submitting, please call our office at (631) 692-6840 to set up an appointment for an interview, please ask to speak with either Nancy Thomas or Megan Murray.
*Note: Please review applicant guidelines below before applying.
Group Counselors and Group Leaders:
We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic people who love working with children, and want to make a difference in a child's life. If you fit this description, we encourage you to apply for a Counselor or Group Leader position.
Sports and Elective Instructors:
We hire specialists to teach tennis, gymnastics, archery, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, arts and crafts, dance, drama, karate, pilates, and yoga. If you have the experience necessary to teach one or more of these activities we encourage you to apply for an Elective Instructor position.
Riding Instructors:
All instructors must be Horsemanship Safety Association Certified. If you have extensive riding experience you may apply and attend our 4-day certification course offered in June, prior to camp. Instructors will spend one day learning and practicing all the safety principles that must be implemented every day; the other days will teach specific skills to be mastered at each level, proper progression requirements, ring organization techniques, communication skills, psychology for horses and riders, practice teaching, and rider evaluations.
Swim Instructors:
All Lifeguards must be Red Cross certified. These certifications must be current. Courses are offered at various colleges and recreation centers, call the Red Cross near you to find a course. However, if you have been a certified Lifeguard in the past, our Pool Director can put you through a Re-Certification course in June, prior to camp.
