Meet the Pali Summer Camp Team

Get To Know the Pali Adventures Staff

One of the most memorable aspects of summer camp for many kids is the amazing camp leaders and camp staff that work tirelessly to ensure that campers have the time of their lives. Many kids return home from camp raving about our camp staff. Camp counselors play a leadership role, and often become role models for campers to look up to. A unique thing about Pali Adventures is that the staff-to-camper ratio is 1:3—one of the lowest staff-to-camper ratios in the summer camp industry.

Summer camp leaders and staff are able to provide personal 24/7 supervision and attention to campers. Camp staff are go-to sources for advice, leadership, fun, and friendship. Each cabin at Pali Adventures houses at least two counselors in each 12 person cabin.

What It Takes to Be a Camp Counselor at Pali Adventures

At Pali Adventures, we hire world-class summer camp staff from around the globe to bring the best camp experience to our campers. Each staff member possesses advanced skills and expertise in one of our specialty areas. Chances are that your child will come home talking about the amazing counselors, and maybe doing it in their best English or Australian accent.

Pali Adventures camp staff members are trained in CPR, AED, and first aid—ready to handle any challenges that may arise during camp sessions. Every camp staff member is also trained in areas such as bullying, age-based counseling, emergency procedures, and homesickness. This ensures that all counselors are prepared to offer the best care possible.

Camp leaders, counselors, and other camp instructors begin their training months before camp starts, reading pre-orientation manuals and completing a variety of online training courses. Counselors arrive fourteen days before camp sessions start, for comprehensive training courses and to learn how to safely operate all camp activities. This training period is twice the length of the industry required standard.

The Pali Adventures Leadership Team

With the help of our highly trained staff of counselors, the leadership team ensures that all of the daily details of camp are taken care of, in addition to long-term planning and organization. The leadership team works tirelessly year-round to make sure that camp sessions are fun for everyone. Camp Directors spend the whole year planning activities to make each summer better than the last.

Camp leaders are always available by phone and are happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have about the specifics of camp. The current camp directors and assistants include Daniel “Hamms” Hammond, Stephen “Snacks” Smigielski, and Suzanne “Tuppence” Hammond. Combined, the directors have years of experience in camp leadership to provide campers with the ultimate fun and safe summer camp adventure.

Daniel Hammond aka Hamms, Camp Director

Hamms joined the Pali Adventures team in 2007 after working as a high school teacher in Australia. His educational background includes studying personal development, health and physical education, and sports science at the University of Canberra. His favorite specialty at Pali Adventures is Secret Agent camp, but he is constantly blown away by the courage of the Hollywood Stunts campers and the creativity of the LARP campers.

Stephen Smigielski aka Snacks, Director, Senior Camp

Snacks became the head counselor for Pali Institute, the Outdoor Education program, in 2014. A lifelong camper, he began his career in summer camps in 2006, working for YMCA camps, outdoor science camps, and a professional learning center. His favorite activities at Pali Adventures include being a Terminator for Secret Agent camp, a bad guy at LARP, and a judge for Pali Iron Chef. He looks forward to leading his elective, Story Time with Snacks, this year at camp.

Suzanne Hammond aka Tuppence, Director, Junior Camp

Tupp started her career at Pali Adventures in 2009 and has since helped organize and lead as a camp counselor, Girl Power speciality Director, Action Sports in-charge, Specialties Director, and Junior Girls Head Counselor. This summer she will assume the role as Director of the Junior Camp. She is a licensed and certified physical therapist in the UK. Her favorite specialty at Pali Adventures is the Girl Power program because of the way it’s designed to inspire, support, empower, and embrace the importance of every young girl who is part of the program. She also loves the crazy, fun, laughter-inducing spectacular that is mealtime at Pali, and her Pali family holds a special place in her heart.