Meet the Staff

The Camp Mi-Te-Na experience is based on friendship

The number one priority of all Camp Mi-Te-Na counselors and staff is to give your child a summer of fun they’ll never forget, in a safe and supportive environment where they can grow and explore at their own pace. Every counselor and staff member at Camp Mi-Te-Na puts your child’s safety first, to ensure that your child will get the most out of their camp experience.

Thomas L. Archer
Executive Director of Camping Services Branch
Email: tarcher@yogm.org

Tom grew up in Manchester NH where he regularly attended programming at the Manchester YMCA as well as Camp Mi-Te-Na for boys. During high school he worked at camp during the summer and the YMCA during the off season and was a member of the Leader Corps. Upon graduation in 1978 from Plymouth State University with a BS in Physical Education and Athletic Training, he was hired as the Assistant Camp Director at Camp Mi-te-na and Associate PE Director at the YMCA of Downtown Manchester. 

Tom has worked for the YMCA for over 40 years holding various positions from Assistant PE Director, Aquatics Director, Resident Camp Director, Director of the Camping Services Branch and is currently VP of the Camping Services Branch with direct responsibilities for Camp Mi-Te-Na for boys, Camp Foss for girls and day camp programming at the YMCA of Strafford County.

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Jamie Kimball
Camp Registrar/Marketing Coordinator
Email: jkimball@yogm.org

Jamie is a graduate from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. She has been employed at the YMCA for four years where she has been the day camp registrar assistant, assisted in membership, the business office, and interned in the marketing department. She volunteered in various capacities for many years, prior to her employment with the Y.

As a Foss camper she was able to learn many important lessons and have many character building experiences. She intends to take her memories and experiences and combine them with her knowledge of the inner and outer workings of camp to share them with campers and parents so that they too can reap the benefits of attending Y overnight camp.

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Rick Ross
Director of Camp Mi-Te-Na
Email: rross@yogm.org

As a kid, Rick spent 7 great summers at Camp Mi-Te-Na as a camper. He went on to earn a BS in Psychology and Recreation from North Georgia Military College in the beautiful mountains of Dahlonega, Georgia. During the summers Rick returned to Camp Mi-Te-Na where he completed the Counselor In Training program and went on to hold several positions including Senior Counselor, Village Head, and Trips Director. He went on to spend four years in the military jumping out of airplanes as a US Army Ranger. In 1986 Rick completed in military service and joined the YMCA team full time as Youth Director and Assistant Director of Camp Mi-Te-Na. In 1997 Rick became the Director of Camp Mi-Te-Na. “I enjoyed my time as a Mi-Te-Na  camper so much, and it’s exciting for me to be able to give that same quality experience to campers today.”

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Eric Werner
Assistant Director

Eric has been a proud member of the Mi-Te-Na family and served as the Assistant Director for the past 12 years. Before receiving his Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Physics and Master's Degree in Elementary education from the University of NH, Eric served in the US Navy. During the off-season, Eric is a Middle School teacher in Derry, NH where he also coaches their soccer team. Eric also helps out in the community, volunteering his time with a ski club and a local youth group. Eric enjoys spending his spare time cheering for his favorite sports teams which include the Revolution and UNH teams.

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Matt Hanson
Program Director

This will mark Matt's 18th summer at Camp Mi-Te-Na. Matt began as a camper and has held various leadership roles at camp such as village head and waterfront director. This summer will be his 7th summer as camps program director. During the off-season, Matt serves as the Teen Services Director for the YMCA of Greater Manchester. He also volunteers his time to serve as a standards visitor for the American Camp Association. Matt holds a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Business from Springfield College where they believe in the same development of spirit, mind and body that the YMCA believes.

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Jeff Laferriere
Staff Development Director

Jeff has been going to camp for 20 summers as both a camper and staff member. Throughout the years he has worked in all activity areas in camp and served as both the village head and the counselor in training director. Jeff has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in secondary education from Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree from George Washington University in Educational Leadership. While not at Mi-Te-Na, Jeff teaches High School mathematics and CPR/First Aid for the YMCA. He is also a standards visitor for the American Camp Association. In his spare time Jeff enjoys attending sporting events and spending time with his two nephews.

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Marsha Peterson
Registered Nurse

Marsha graduated from the University of Hartford with a BA Degree, and from Rivier College with her nursing degree. She has been spending summers at Camp Mi-Te-Na since 1996, when her son began attending camp with us, and in 2001 Marsha officially joined the Mi-Te-Na family as a staff member. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, along with reading, cooking and knitting.

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Gretchen Klene
Waterfront Director

Gretchen has spent 18 years at Camps Mi-Te-Na and Foss. Gretchen began her camping career at our sister Camp Foss where she went on to become a village head and program director before coming to Mi-Te-Na as the waterfront director. While growing up, Gretchen swam competitively for the YMCA, high school and college teams. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education from Saint Michael’s College. During the school year she works as  a High School Biology teacher and as a swim team coach. Gretchen also finds time to volunteer for a week at Takumta Camp which is Vermont’s camp for children that have had cancer.

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Rob Gagne
Counselor in Training Director

This year marks Rob's 15th year working at Mi-Te-Na. In the off-season he teaches at Bakersville Elementary School. He has volunteered his time for over 9 years in the Big Brother Program and serves as an advisor for the YMCA of Greater Manchester's Leaders Club. Rob attended Notre Dame where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Education with a minor in Social Studies. While not at camp he enjoys playing various sports and cheering for the Red Sox and Patriots.

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Jimmy Wickham
Leaders in Training Director/Hobbies Director

Jim has been involved at Camp Mi-Te-Na as both a camper and a staff member for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from the University of New Hampshire. Jim spends his winter working as a music teacher for Bow Elementary and as a Teen Mentor at the YMCA of Greater Manchester. He also serves as an advisor for a Leadership Club and as a Destination Imagination Coach. In his spare time, Jim enjoys playing soccer, baseball and attending sporting events.

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Ronny Rose
Trip/Adventure Camp Director

Ronny has been spending his summers on Halfmoon Lake as both a camper and a staff member for 12 years. In the offseason, he has worked the past five years at the YMCA of Greater Manchester in various roles such as afterschool site director, lifeguard and swim instructor. Ronny is currently working towards his degree to pursue a career in Education. In his spare time he enjoys participating in Medieval Reenactment.

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Craig Mace
Sportsfield Director

Craig mace first worked at Mi-Te-Na over 10 years ago; however, this will be his first summer back since 2006. During his absence from camp, Craig has travelled the world working with various youth groups and camps. Some of his jobs included a dogsled tour guide in the Canadian Rockies, a counselor for People to People in New Zealand and Italy, and he was an Outdoor Educator in Australia. When not working Craig enjoys golfing, travelling, and the outdoors.

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Mitch Moody
Village Head

It has been 11 years since Mitch first walked into Camp Mi-Te-Na and he has been spending every summer at camp ever since. He is currently working towards his Business Education Degree from Westfield State University. Mitch's hobbies include both watching and playing almost all sports. Occasionally he also enjoys playing the guitar.

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Tom Hart
Village Head

Tom's Mi-Te-Na career includes time as both a camper and counselor over the last several years. He is currently studying at R.I.T to attain his Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences. While studying, Tom also finds time to work for the R.I.T National Institute for the Deaf as a note taker.

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Jake Marcus
Village Head

This will mark Jakes 7th year at camp. Jake is currently attending Rivier College working towards his Bachelors Degree. During the offseason, Jake works at the YMCA of Greater Manchester as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He also volunteers his time to serve as a wrestling coach.