The Director & Staff

MICHAEL DOUGLASS

Director

Michael Douglass has been the Executive Director of Camp Bishopswood, in Hope, Maine, since the fall of 2012.

Prior to Bishopswood, Mike spent many years working at Lutheran camps in New York and New Hampshire, before moving into public education. Mike spent four years teaching high school math and helped pilot a dropout prevention program. Mike then moved to work for two years in middle school special education.

Currently, Mike serves on the board of directors for the Sweetland School,  and Maine Summer Camps, where he serves as the chair of Level Ground, an initiative to get immigrant and refugee campers to camps in Maine. When Mike is not working he enjoys touring Canada on his motorcycle, skiing in the winter, curling and spending time with his amazing wife Hanna and their there dogs, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Dashwood, and Poppy.

I loved going to summer camp as a kid. It was a place where I could be myself, try new things, make lots of friends, and just have fun.

Lacey Ryder

Assistant Director

Lacey Ryder first came to Bishopswood as a CIT in 2012. She has worked on staff as a cabin counselor and art barn activity leader, village leader, CIT trainer, program director, and is now the assistant director.

Outside of camp, Lacey works as a speech-language pathologist in the public schools. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and doing craft projects in her spare time.

JESTINE SAWYER

Book Keeper

Jestine Sawyer is the office manager & bookkeeper for Camp Bishopswood, in addition to other area businesses.  Jestine has spent the last three years bookkeeping and working for a local accountant.  Prior to that she spent 10 years working for area childcare & summer camps. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education.  When not working, Jestine enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, ages 2 & 10.  They like to hike, paddle board, and other outdoor activities.

It has been such a pleasure to work with Camp Bishopswood, especially after not working with children for a few years.  It’s nice to be back in the atmosphere that summer camp provides for children, even if I’m working on the business side of things.  Bishopswood is such a fun place for our kids to grow & develop.

THE SUMMER STAFF

Staff members at Bishopswood are mostly college age. Many have been campers and Counselors-In-Training at Bishopswood. All are carefully selected on the basis of their dedication to working with children and commitment to the values of Bishopswood.

About 45 in total, the staff includes Cabin Counselors/Activity Leaders, a nurse, cook and kitchen assistants, maintenance people, and program specialists. Staff members come from all over the country and bring a rich variety of experiences, gifts, and skills. Together the staff forms the hub of the Bishopswood community.

Bishopswood is not one of those places that you grow into. Instead, it grows into you. A small camp like Bishopswood allows everybody to get to know each other, and I have made incredible bonds with other adults and campers in the relatively short time that we spend together.