The Director & Staff
MICHAEL DOUGLASS
Director
Michael Douglass has been the Executive Director of Camp Bishopswood, in Hope, Maine, for over 10 summers.
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 two dogs, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Dashwood.
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.
Stephen Bachinski
Office Manager/Registrar
Stephen Bachinski has been part of Camp Bishopswood in some capacity since 2005. In the cabins, he has been a camper, CIT, and a counselor of both the youngest and oldest campers. Stephen also has experience as a department head, unit leader, and most recently, program director. In short, Stephen has been a dedicated member of Bishopswood for years!
Outside of camp, Stephen has worked in Special Education at Messalonskee High and Middle Schools for the past seven years. He is a big fan of indie music, quesadillas, and coffee. One day he’d like to be famous game designer, but for now he’s happy splitting the year between school and Bishopswood
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.
BILL RUDY
Maintenance/Fixer Upper Guy
Bill Rudy is the maintenance/fixer upper guy around Camp Bishopswood since 2016 and enjoys his role immensely.
Prior to being at Bishopswood, Bill has been involved in building renovations, woodworking, carpentry, oil heat and service, HVAC, and energy efficiency solutions.
Bill lives with his wife Cheryl on a farm in Union, Maine where they keep busy with gardens and animals. Bill and Cheryl also attend farmer markets, and many fairs with eggs and produce including handcrafted goat milk soap.
Bill’s off time passions are fishing and woodworking each in their seasons pursued vigorously. Bill is very grateful for the exceptional opportunity to be part of Camp Bishopswood and helping to fulfill its mission.
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.