Our Leadership

About Our Camp

Barry Wasserman, Ph.D., and Ruth Ann Weiss, M.A., Owners/Directors

Barry has been a Camp Director for 30 years. Prior to creating Eagle’s Landing, Barry was the Director of both Eagle River Day Camp in Monroe for 8 years and Lake-Vu Day Camp in East Brunswick for 14 years. Barry served on the Board of Advisors for Camp America, a division of the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). He has also previously served as President, Vice President and Treasurer of the NJ Association of Private Camps, and as a Board Member of the American Camp Association.

Ruth Ann has been a Camp Director for over 20 years. Prior to Eagle’s Landing, Ruth Ann was the Director of Eagle River Day Camp in Monroe for 8 years and the Head Counselor of Lake-Vu Day Camp for 4 years. Ruth Ann grew up in camp and spent many years working in non-profit facilities. She has served as an administrator at camps in both New Jersey and Delaware. Ruth Ann received her certification as a Pre-School teacher and as a Kindergarten teacher. She also supervised an after-school program working with children in grades K-8. Click here to meet Ruth Ann!

Hanna Wasserman – Assistant Director

Hanna is a lifelong camper. After 12 years as a camper and 12 years as camp staff, she pursued her passion and worked locally at State Theatre New Jersey for 5 years. Camp called her back and she is excited to return as Assistant Director! Hanna graduated from Boston University with degrees in Communications and Theater Management. Her primary focus at camp is on IT, facilties, and operations. She loves going outside with the campers and staff, but her favorite jobs by far are at the pools and up on the ropes course.

Carlen Smith – Program Coordinator

Carlen is excited to be a part of our leadership team for another summer. You can always see Carlen smile as she walks around camp every day. She loves to watch the campers learn new skills as they participate in the variety of activies around camp. During the school year, Carlen teaches anatomy and AP Science classes at East Brunswick High School. Carlen comes to camp with her son. Click here to meet Carlen!

Justin Hirsch – Leadership Coordinator

Justin was previously the Division Leader for 3rd and 4th grade boys, but now he has stepped into a new position as our Leadership Coordinator. His job will be partially outside working with new main staff, helping to train staff before and throughout the summer, and helping to integrate the inclusion program. Justin will also be working inside the camp office helping with our elective program and  creating new hot day and rainy day schedules. Justin was teaching Special Education English at Newark High School and now he is the Technology Coordinator for the High School. He lives locally with his wife and two sons, who are current ELDC campers. Click here to meet Justin!

Sara Strum – Division Leader

Sara is very excited to be back as the Boys Kiddie Kingdom Division Leader! Sara has been with our camp family for over 25 years. She has 4 children and works at a local preschool as a teacher. She is known for her calm demeanor and her problem solving skills.

Lori Ann Dobrzynski – Division Leader

Lori Ann is extremely excited to be returning as the Kiddie Kingdom Girl’s Division Leader! Currently, she is a School Library Media Specialist for the Sayreville School District with 10 years of experience working as a Media Specialist in the public school system. Previously, she was a Children’s Librarian for the New York Public Library and the owner and director of Little People’s Day School. She is excited to be back at camp with her daughter, who is also an Eagle’s Landing staff member. She is looking forward to a terrific summer!

Shari Rykus – Division Leader

Shari cannot wait to be returning as the 1st and 2nd Grade Boys Division Leader this summer! During the school year, she works on the Child Study Team in the Carteret Public Schools as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT-C) identifying students with special needs, placing students in appropriate settings, and helping teachers make appropriate modifications for their students! She has two amazing girls, one who is a staff member and one who is a camper. She is super excited for this Summer!

Becca Schnier – Division Leader

Becca is always smiling and laughing! During the year she teaches 1st grade at Barclay Brook Elementary School in Monroe Township. She enjoys teaching because she feels that she is able to relate to every student on their individual level. Now that she is certified, her first stop was to come back to camp so she can be with children all year round. Becca returns to working with the 1st and 2nd grade girls, and is excited for her 8th summer! Click here to meet Becca!

Mike Burnett – Divison Leader

Mike is a father of 4 girls, 3 of whom will be Eagles Landing campers, and he is so excited to be returning as the 3rd and 4th grade boys Division Leader! He has been a teacher at Quarry Hill Elementary School in Yardley, PA for the past 2 years after spending 20 years prior in the much less fun world of corporate, where painting his hair orange or wearing a tutu would have been frowned upon. Mike and his family live in Yardley, PA, where they bleed Eagles green, as mandated by the state.

Christina Patella – Divison Leader

Christina spent her summers growing up at Eagle’s Landing. After over 20 years as both a camper and a staff member, she has found her home with our 3rd and 4th grade girls. Christina is incredibly organized and very supportive – a great combination for middle school campers. During the off season, she teaches Math in Summit High School. Click here to meet Christina!

Todd Gural – Divison Leader

Todd is returning to camp for another fun-filled summer. Eagle’s Landing is excited to have Todd back supervising the 5th and 6th grade boys for his 14th summer. Todd teaches middle school in Metuchen during the school year. He is easy going and adaptable to all personalities. Joining him at camp this summer are his two daughters. Click here to meet Todd!

Jamie Adler – Divison Leader

Jamie is excited to be returning to camp as the Division Leader for the 5th and 6th grade girls. During the year, she is an 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Timberlane Middle School in Pennington, where she been for the past 20 years. Jamie is the proud mother of 2 boys, one of whom also spends the summer at camp. She is an active volunteer in youth organizations that her kids are involved in and a lifelong “camp person”.

Dan Schmeidler – Divison Leader

Dan is returning to his camp family for his 14th summer. Dan is known for his mellow demeanor and likes being outside. Dan is excited to be back with the Upper Camp boys of 7th and 8th grade. During the school year Dan teaches a 5th grade inclusion class in Clark. Dan’s has a daughter who is an ELDC camper. Click here to meet Dan!

Jeanine Calandruccio – Divison Leader

Jeanine is very excited to be returning as the Division Leader for 7th and 8th grade girls! She has worked as a teacher in the South Brunswick School District for the past 23 years. She is a general education teacher and has worked with both regular and special ed students. Jeanine has taught 4th and 5th grade and now teaches 3rd. She is the proud mom of 4 children, 2 of whom also call Eagle’s Landing their summer home.

Shannon Gaspari – Divison Leader

Shannon is thrilled to experience camp life and is looking forward to her first summer at Eagle’s Landing as a Division Leader. She has worked as a special education teacher for the past 13 years and is excited to lead the LIT/CIT program. Shannon enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with her family. She is also excited for her 2 sons to see all that ELDC has to offer.