Directors & Staff

Camp Mont Shenandoah is in Ann’s blood. Following in her grandmother’s and mother’s footsteps, she marks the third generation of ownership. She has spent 38 summers at CMS as a camper, counselor, program director, and owner and director since 1996. Ann is passionate about her work with the campers and staff and feels exceptionally fortunate to be the steward of such a magnificent and special place as CMS.

Ann is a graduate of Hollins College (1987) as well as St. Timothy’s School in Baltimore (1983). While working as the Director of Youth Ministries at Christ Church (Old Town, Alexandria, VA,) Ann became a “foster” parent to two teenage girls, living with them as they finished high school. They (along with their older brother and families) continue to be an important part of Ann’s life.

In 1996, Ann received her Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. That spring, she relocated to Bath County, Virginia to assume the directorship of CMS.

Ann has been involved in many local and regional civic organizations. She currently serves on the Cowpasture River Preservation Association Board where she had also previously served for six years, as Vice President for three of those years. Ann has worked with the Bath County Arts Association Board, American Camp Association-Virginia’s Section Board in the capacity as Conflict Resolution Chair, was the Bath County Christmas Mother and served on the board for several years afterwards. She has worked with the Bath County Chamber of Commerce and Allegheny Highlands Free Clinic boards. In May 2020, Ann coordinated and led the “Save Our Summers” coalition, a group of 35-40 overnight summer camps that came together to advocate for state support in light of being shut down for the year by the government.  At that same time, Ann started a group of regional directors, affectionately known as “TuTu” (meeting on Tuesdays at 2:00). Initially TuTu was formed to help each camp navigate the impact of the pandemic on the industry but each individual camp as well.  Because horses are her passion, she remains involved with the Virginia Trail Riders Association.

Ann enjoys many activities and hobbies, especially running, biking, traveling, and reading. She loves spending time with her friends, family, and animals and is especially fond of time spent on the back of a horse.

Introducing our Office Manager, Pam Brown! With over 17 years of management experience, Pam is a seasoned office manager. Pam attended Mountain Gateway for Business Management. She worked at The Omni Homestead for 13 years, where she wore many hats, including Reservations Manager and Assistant Front Office Manager. Most recently, she worked as the Property Manager for Scott Hill, and General Service Manager for Alleghany County Public Works. Known for her innovative approach and attention to detail, Pam has consistently delivered outstanding results.

Outside of work, Pam enjoys spending time with her family, three children, Tavi (age 23), Hunter (age 20), and Brianna (age 18). Her new favorite role is now “Gigi” to her grandson, Beau, who was born in October 2024! We are thrilled to have Pam with us in the office!

Introducing Program Director, Kelsey (Butler) Fatsi! As a legacy (her grandmother attended camp in the 1940s), she started attending camp at a young age and spent a total of 10 summers at CMS as a camper, JC, and counselor. Last summer, she became a camp parent herself! Kelsey is an art therapist, supporting mental health in early education through art exploration. Kelsey also adds support to families as they transition into becoming parents or parents-again as both a birth doula and a student midwife. She loves creating art with all types of materials, rather it’s perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe or bringing color and life to the purple house she shares with her husband, three daughters, and a variety of pets in Crozet, Virginia. We are excited to have Kelsey returning to CMS and she can’t wait to be with you all!

Introducing Program Director, Jane Lancaster! Jane spent 10 years at CMS as a camper, JC, CIT, and counselor. More recently, she attended CMS family camp, worked as a counselor, and visited as a guest counselor. For the past 25 years, she has worked as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Baltimore, Maryland. Jim, her husband of 21 years, also works in the field of education.

When not at camp, Jane enjoys traveling, cheering for the O’s and Ravens, walking with her chocolate lab, Lincoln, swimming in the Chesapeake Bay, and spending time with her family. Her two daughters attend CMS, continuing a three-generation tradition that began with Jane’s mother in the 1950’s. Jane is excited to work with the amazing staff and campers. We are thrilled to have her returning this summer!

Introducing, Peyton, a member of our healthcare team!  Peyton grew up in Baltimore, MD and spent ten summers at Camp Mont Shenandoah as a camper, CIT and counselor.  Her mother, Cathy Hutchins, spent many summers at CMS as well, most recently as the Program Director for six years.  Peyton’s sister and aunt also attended CMS.  Peyton went to Sewanee: The University of the South, after learning about the school from camp friends.  After college Peyton went on to receive her Master’s in Child Life, Family Collaboration, and Administration from Towson University and became a Certified Child Life Specialist.  Peyton worked as a Child Life Specialist, helping patients cope with being in the hospital setting, at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for over eleven years.

Peyton now lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, 2 sons, daughter, and dog – she can’t wait for her daughter to be old enough to attend CMS! Peyton is excited to continue her role as the Healthcare Manager this summer and we are excited to have her!

Introducing our Riding Director for 2025, Nina Braun! Nina Grew up on a family farm in Milton, Georgia where she was introduced to the world of horseback riding at a summer camp at only 4 years old. Her passion for riding led her to compete in the disciplines of equitation and jumping which eventually sparked her love for the sport of eventing. Nina further honed these skills as an officer on the University of Georgia’s Intercollegiate Eventing Team during her undergraduate studies in Agriculture Business. Not only did this help her find her place in the competitive world, but it also gave her the opportunity to give back to the same summer camp that shaped her journey when she was young, where she helped lead and mentor young campers. Nina’s most rewarding experience thus far in life has been sharing her passion for riding and watching others develop their skills. Nina’s goal is to be the kind of person who so greatly inspired her growing up, creating an unforgettable experience and memories that will last a long time. Through teaching lessons, educating campers, and creating both a fun and safe environment, she aims to do the same at Camp Mont Shenandoah. At home, Nina has six of her own horses, along with two mini potbellied pigs, one mini cow, and many other animals. Everyday is a surprise for Nina and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Two of her horses, Mac and Brax, are particularly special to her, one she raised and trained, and both have been her competition partners. Nina can’t wait for summer where she gets to meet all the campers and the incredible team at camp. We are excited to have her and know she is going to excel our riding program.

Introducing our Barn Manager, Samantha Woodson! This will be Samantha’s third year at camp teaching lessons and taking care of the horses! Samantha is from Bath County, Virginia. She has a love for both horses and teaching. Samantha’s love for horses started when she was young, where her family owned 7 of their own. She also enjoys teaching because of her band teacher who always pushed her to go a little further and to step out of her comfort zone, and she wants to be that guidance for other children. Besides spending her days with the horse, Samantha’s favorite part about camp is watching the confidence of each rider grow in both skill and knowledge through the summer. Samantha’s goal is to provide a safe but fun environment at the barn, where kids, no matter their background in horses, can get the opportunity to truly love the sport and animal. Samantha is excited for the summer because there are some amazing things planned; we are also excited to have her as a part of our excellent riding program!

Introducing our assistant program director, Parker Hackney! This is Parker’s 11^th summer at camp. She is from Richmond, VA, and currently attends Wake Forest University. Parker is most excited to be back in the river for swimming and canoeing. Her favorite evening activity is dance BINGO! Overall, Parker is most looking forward to returning to camp for all the amazing memories, friendships, and time spent outside!

Introducing our Program Assistant, Hannah Bonbright! This will be Hannah’s ninth summer at camp and her second year on staff. Hannah is from Richmond, Virginia, and a freshman at Princeton. Hannah has described CMS as her summer home, where she’s been coming since she was seven. Last year Hannah was the head of music and directed the musical, she hopes to see everyone back in West Lodge this summer! We are excited to have Hannah for the summer!

Introducing a camp counselor, Lily Caldwell! Lily is from Richmond, Virginia and a current Sophomore at Washington and Lee University. This will be her 3^rd summer as a counselor and her 8^th overall summer at CMS. Lily loves CMS because of the supportive environment it offers girls of all ages and how it allows you to unplug, connect with nature, and form life long friendships built from a shared love of this amazing place! This summer Lily is looking forward to swimming in the river and of course singing in the feedbag! A fun fact about Lily is that she loves to go caving! We are excited to have her with us this summer.

Introducing another camp counselor for the summer, Alexandrea Casey! Alexandra will be returning for her 3^rd summer as a counselor and her 9^th summer overall! Alexandra is from Norfolk, Va and a freshman at the College of William and Mary. Alexandra is excited to scream “I love the river” and to see everyone’s smiling faces. We are excited to have Alexandra back this summer!

Introducing, Anna Ernst, as a summer counselor! Anna is a first year at Rollins College, she will be returning this summer for her 9^th year! Anna is excited to spend time in the beehive where she gets to do one of her favorite hobbies, making new crafts! She is also excited to dance in West Lodge, swim in the Cowpasture, and sing in the Feedbag! Anna cannot wait to see everyone again. We are excited to have Anna with us this summer

Introducing a camp counselor, Holland Galloway! This will Hollands sixth summer at camp and she can’t wait to be a counselor again. She is most excited to be back down on the archery range with everyone. We are thrilled to have Holland with us again this year!

Introducing, Ava Grace (AG) Kennedy, as a camp counselor! This will be Ava’s 4^th summer at camp and she is from Lynchburg, Virginia. Ava will be a sophomore this fall at the College of William and Mary, she plans to major in Biology with a History minor. Ava is excited to return to camp where she is surrounded by positive people in such a perfect place! She is looking forward to swimming in the river, singing in the Feedbag, and dancing in West Lodge! We are excited to have Ava with us this summer!

Introducing, Callie Kennedy, a camp counselor! This will be Callie’s 8^th summer at camp. She is from Richmond, Virginia and will be starting at the University of Virginia in the fall. Callie is looking forward to creating unforgettable memories this summer, whether it’s playing on the LHS field, swimming in the river, or just enjoying a walk with a friend. Callie is counting down the days until camp and she can’t wait for another awesome summer! We are excited to have her with us this summer!

Introducing camp counselor, Gayle Lancaster! Gayle is from Baltimore, Maryland and a student at the Bryn Mawr School. This will be Gayles 4^th summer at CMS and her first year on staff. Gayle loves to bake, travel, and cheer for the Orioles. This summer, Gayle is most excited to swim in the river and shoot in the archery range. We are thrilled to have Gayle with us this summer!

Introducing Peyton Mauck, as a camp counselor! This will be Peytons 3^rd year on staff at camp but her 7^th summer overall. Peyton is a senior at St. Catherine School. She can’t wait to return to camp this summer to jump in the river, play deck tennis, and be with new and old friends. As a camper, Peyton always love how special camp was and she hopes to share that experience with new and returning campers. We are excited to have Peyton!

Introducing, Cate Morrel, as a camp counselor! This will be Cates 8^th summer at camp! She lives in Washington DC and will be a rising senior in high school at Georgetown Visitation. Cate describes camp as her happy place because of the incredible people I get to make so many special memories with! Cate is counting down the days until she can jump in the river, sing, and dance with everyone for the best summer! We are thrilled to have Cate with us this summer!

Introducing a camp counselor for the summer, Parker Neilson. Parker is returning to camp for her 8^th summer! Parker is from Concord, Massachusetts and a current senior at St. Paul’s School. Parker loves camp because of the close friendships and time outside. Parker is most looking forward to swimming in the river and being with my best friends! Parker’s favorite evening activity is capture the flag. We are thrilled to have Parker with us this summer!

Introducing, Vera Pennington, a camp counselor this summer! Vera is from Lynchburg, Virginia and a current sophomore at Virginia Episcopal School. This summer will be Vera’s 8^th at camp. Vera is excited to be back at CMS jumping in the river and singing in the feedbag. Vera’s favorite part of camp is being able to see friends from all over, who return each summer! A fun fact about Vera is that she has 4 cousins and sisters who will all be at camp with her this summer! We are excited to have Vera back!

Introducing one of our camp counselors, Mason Reed! Mason lives in Richmond, Virginia, and she is a senior at St. Catherine’s School. This will be Mason’s 8^th summer at camp, but her first summer on staff. Mason’s first cabin was Wee Women in 2016, and she was a JC in 2023. Mason loves swimming and canoeing in the river, playing touch the fence during tennis, and of course singing in the Feedbag. Mason is excited to be back this summer and we are excited to have her!

Introducing a camp counselor, Vaughan Sanderson! This will be Vaughan’s 12^th year at camp! She is from Richmond, Virginia and a senior at the Elon University. Vaughan is most excited to go crazy with everybody at the practice dance this summer! Vaughan is also looking forward to being back on Vesper Hill and at the Waterfront! We are excited to have Vaughan with us this summer!

Introducing camp counselor, Henley Shumadine! This will Henley’s 9^th summer cat camp. She is from Richmond, Virginia, and attended the University of South Carolina for her freshman year of college. Spending time in nature is incredibly important to Henley and she can’t think of a better place to do so than at camp. Camp to Henley is a place where girls strive to better themselves through their devotion to fostering new skills, and more importantly, to sisterhood. We are thrilled to have Henley with us at camp this summer!

Introducing, Sophia Thomas, as a camp counselor! Sophia is from Arlington, Virginia and a current freshman at Wake Forest University! This will be Sophia’s 2^nd year as a counselor and her 8^th overall. Sophia can’t wait to be back at CMS this summer and swim in the river, spend time up at the barn, and have a blast in the feedbag. Sophia describes camp and as such a special place to her and she is counting down the days until we’re all back together! We are excited to have Sophia with us this summer!

Introducing, Marla Van Deusen, as a camp counselor! Marla is from Richmond, Virginia and a current first year at Wellesley College in Boston. This will be Marla’s 7^th summer at camp and her 2^nd summer as a counselor. Marla is excited to be crafting in the Beehive, swimming in the river, and working up at the barn this summer! Mostly though, Marla can’t wait to be with the wonderful camp community again! We are thrilled to have Marla this summer!

Introducing one of our counselors, Anna Waterworth! This will be Anna’s 9^th summer at camp! She is from Lynchburg, VA will be attending Wofford College in the fall. Anna is sexcited to be back swimming in the Cowpasture river, singing in the feedbag, and playing capture the flag! Camp is a special place to Anna because of the lifelong friendships that she has made. Anna cannot wait to be back at her favorite place this summer, and we are excited to have her!

Carrington Woodard, another camp counselor for the summer! This will be Carrington’s 9^th summer at camp, she is from Richmond, Virginia, and a junior at Collegiate. Carrington is excited to be back this summer to make memories with the amazing campers and staff. She says she has been away from the river and all the beautiful nature that surrounds us at CMS for too long. Carrington describes camp as a welcoming and comforting place, and she knows this summer with be the best one yet! We are thrilled to have Carrington with us this summer!

Introducing Lucy Wooton, as a camp counselor! This will be Lucy’s 7^th summer at camp, she is currently a senior at St. Catherine’s school in Richmond, Virginia. Lucy has plans to attend the University of Virginia come fall. Lucy is excited to be returning to camp this summer because of what it has taught her over the years and the best friends it has given her. Lucy is also looking forward to singing in the feedbag, swimming in the river, and being with all the amazing campers and counselors. We are excited to have Lucy with us this summer!

Introducing Tia Campbell, part of the Healthcare team this summer! This is Tia’s third summer this go round at camp. Back in the early 2000’s Tia was a camp nurse for several years. To Tia, camp provides a great setting for self-reflection and all sorts of very fun activities!

Tia is a retired registered nurse with 25+ years in the student/school health arena. Tia worked as a building level school nurse, a school nurse administrator, and the state school nurse consultant for the VA Department of Education. School nursing proved Tia with wonderful experience for camp nursing!

Tia has been married for 43 years and have 2 grown boys. Tia has 2 daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren. Tia’s grandchildren are keeping her busy and young! They are 8 (Allison), 6 (Rowan), 3 (Parker), and 19 months (Adelyn).

In addition to keeping up with the grandkids, Tia likes to camp and travel with her husband. This past summer they spent a month in Australia. While there, we climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge! Tia is looking forward to seeing everyone this summer and we are looking forward to having her!

Tia Campbell, RN, MNS, NCSN-E, FNASN

Introducing, Nina Dennis, a member of our healthcare team! Nina has been a nurse for over 10 years, specializing in critical care and currently working towards her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Virginia. Nina’s focus is in Acute Care Adult-Gerontology, and she is passionate about caring for patients with complex medical needs. Nina started her nursing career at UVA Health in the MICU and SICU before transitioning to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, where she worked in the ICU/CCU since 2016.

Camp has always held a special place in her heart. Nina’s daughter Layla has been attending CMS since 9 years old and is hoping to be a counselor next year. Whether it’s building lifelong friendship, creating lasting memories, or enjoying the great outdoors, Nina loves the positive impact camp has on kids and staff alike.

When Nina is not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, gardening, cooking, and connecting with friends. Nina is excited to be a part of this amazing community and look forward to a great camp season. We are excited to have Nina on the team!

Introducing Peyton, one of our Healthcare providers! Peyton grew up in Richmond, Virginia and spent 15 summers at CMS as a camper, JC, CIT, Counselor, and Health Care Manager. This will be her 5^th summer spending a week in the Pillbox. Peyton graduated from Washington and Lee University and Georgetown University School of Medicine and then completed her residency in Family Medicine in Lynchburg, Virginia. Peyton now lives in Lynchburg with her husband, two sons, both of whom attend Camp Maxwelton, dog, and bearded dragon. Peyton owns and operates the Blue Ridge Aesthetics Center, which she opened right after her residency. Peyton has maintained board certification through the American Board of Family Medicine since 2016. In Peyton’s free time she enjoys reading, taking daily walks, watching her sons’ marching band and indoor drumline competitions, volunteering with various local nonprofits, going on adventures with my family and friends, and researching colleges with my oldest son. We are thrilled to have Peyton with us for a week in the summer!

Introducing, Anne Monroe, a member of our Healthcare team! After Anne completed her training and board certification in Internal Medicine at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Anne completed a General Medicine Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. Anne and her family has been in Baltimore ever since. Anne is on the faculty at the George Washington University School of Public Health, and her clinical practice is at the Washington DC Virginia Medical Center. Anne attended CMS for 10 summers and was a counselor at the inaugural Roots and Shoots. Anne’s daughter is a current CMS camper, her son is a current Maxwelton camper, and her husband is a CMS family camp alum! Anne is happy to be apart of the CMS Healthcare team and we are excited to have her!

Introducing, Lauren Webb, part of our Healthcare team! Lauren is a CMS alumna with 7 years of experience at camp, as a camper, JC, and counselor. This summer, Lauren is excited to return as one of the camp doctors!

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Lauren went on to complete medical school at the University of South Caroline. Then, Lauren came back to Virginia for her emergency medicine residency at VCU. Now, Lauren works as an emergency physician in the greater Richmond area. Outside of work, Lauren is the mom of two young daughters, who will hopefully be future campers, a big fan of college football, and enjoy listening to podcasts.

Lauren says CMS has had such a profound impact on her life, introducer her to some of her best friends, and she is truly honored to give back to the community. We have excited to have Lauren with us!