The spirit of YMCA Camp Gorham is defined by the dedicated community of individuals who steward our mission, care for our property and mentor our campers. Our team is anchored year-round by a seasoned leadership and operations staff that manages facility maintenance across our 1,500 private acres, coordinates off-season retreats and prepares every element of our seasonal programming.
Come summer, our community expands with a passionate, mission-driven seasonal team—including cabin counselors, certified waterfront lifeguards, high-adventure specialists, wranglers, health center medical staff and culinary professionals. Drawn from across the country and around the globe, many of our staff were campers here themselves, bringing a deep, generational love for Camp Gorham traditions into every cabin and activity area.
Complementing our staff is an active network of alumni, advisory board members and enthusiastic volunteers. Whether rolling up their sleeves during spring and fall camp work weekends, serving on specialized stewardship and trail-cutting committees or funding camper scholarships, our volunteers and alumni ensure Camp Gorham remains a vibrant, welcoming Adirondack home for generations to come.
Heather started working at Camp Gorham in 2023 but has been in the world of camping since 2004. Heather earned a BS in Art Education from SUNY Buffalo State and a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Heather brings her experience as a librarian to her role as Director of Administration, where she is dedicated to helping families in the enrollment process and sharing information about Camp Gorham. Heather lives at Camp Gorham with her husband Paul, son Arlo, and dog Rooney.
Paul joined the Gorham team in 2023 as the Summer Camp Director, bringing twenty years of experience in outdoor recreation and summer camp. Paul got his start at Y camps as a sailing and rock climbing instructor at Camp Chingachgook on Lake George. Most recently, he led YMCA Camp Child in Elliston, Montana. He believes strongly in the transformative power of the overnight camp experience to help campers become confident in who they are. Paul lives at Camp Gorham with his wife Heather, son Arlo, and dog Rooney.
Ryan Lukaszek joined the Gorham team in May of 2022 bringing 10 years of experience in the maintenance/facilities field. Ryan grew up in the Adirondacks and loves fishing and outdoor activities. Ryan loves camp and making sure everyone is comfortable at Gorham during their stay.
Our seasonal staff are the heartbeat of the Camp Gorham experience, serving as mentors, teachers and champions for every child who sets foot on property. Composed of dedicated college age or bound, outdoor professionals and returning campers from across the nation and around the world, this team brings infectious energy, empathy and unwavering commitment to our camp community. They are far more than cabin counselors—they are the caring leaders who guide campers through homesickness, celebrate personal milestones, lead spirited dining hall cheers and foster an inclusive cabin culture where every child feels valued, capable and seen.
Each summer, our team undergoes intensive pre-camp training and holds safety certifications, ensuring our waterfront, adventure elements, and health operations meet the safety standards of New York State Department of Health and American Camp Association. By modeling the core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and connection, our seasonal staff inspire confidence and create the enduring traditions and memories that campers carry with them for a lifetime.
If you are passionate about mentoring youth, growing as a leader, and spending an unforgettable summer in the heart of the Adirondacks, we would love to have you join our team. You can explore available positions and apply directly online through our website, or reach out to us at campgorham@rochesterymca.org to learn more about upcoming opportunities.
The YMCA Camp Gorham Board of Managers serves as an advisory board composed of passionate alumni, camp families and community champions dedicated to advancing our mission. Acting as vital ambassadors and stewards, board members lend their professional expertise, insight and energy to support camp leadership and champion essential camper scholarship initiatives. Through active involvement in property enhancement projects, volunteer work weekends and community outreach, they help preserve Gorham’s rich heritage while ensuring our 1,500-acre Adirondack home continues to thrive for generations to come.
Board of Managers:
| Name | City |
| Duane Basch | Rochester, NY |
| Dana Consler | Rochester, NY |
| Larry Davis, III | Rochester, NY |
| Andrew Ashworth | Rochester, NY |
| Nathan Basch | Rochester, NY |
| Jody Collins Skinner | Winchester, MA |
| Neil Proudman | Manchester, NH |
| Tom Richenderfer | Rochester, NY |
| Lauren Bonnet | Arlington, VA |
| Heather Scott | Ithaca, NY |
| Sterling Waters | Manlius, NY |
| Aaron Evans | New Hartford, NY |
| Ben Solky | Lexington, MA |
| Heather Hage | New Hartford, NY |
Honorary Camp Gorham Board:
| Name | City |
| Ralph Merzbach | Rochester, NY |
| Bob Metcalf | Hartford, CT |
| Ron Rauscher | Canandaigua, NY |
For more than a century, the YMCA of Greater Rochester has fostered lifelong friendships and personal growth through overnight camping—and for over 60 of those summers, YMCA Camp Gorham has been shaping lives, building confidence, and fostering a love for the outdoors on the quiet shores of Darts Lake. Camp Gorham Alumni are former campers, seasonal staff, camp families, donors, and friends who have all helped write our story and strengthen our mission in the heart of the Adirondacks.
While we do not have a formal alumni association, our alumni community remains deeply connected and vital to the spirit of Gorham. We invite you to reconnect with your camp roots, reminisce with fellow alumni and staff, and help sustain the traditions that made your time beneath the pines so meaningful.
You can stay involved by joining us for seasonal events and volunteer work weekends, lending your time and skills to property projects, or supporting camper scholarships to ensure future generations experience the magic of Camp Gorham. To reconnect, update your contact details, or learn how you can get involved, reach out to us directly at campgorham@rochesterymca.org.
Camp Makers & Trail Cutters are the dedicated hands that help keep Gorham running year-round. This enthusiastic group of alumni, parents, and friends steps up whenever and wherever our full-time team needs extra support. On property, they are instrumental in opening and closing camp each season—clearing winter storm debris, preparing cabins, setting up program areas, and winterizing spaces—as well as maintaining miles of forest trails, splitting firewood, and tackling essential carpentry repairs. Behind the scenes, they lend a hand with large seasonal mailings, administrative prep, and special campus projects. Whether you are skilled with a hammer, great at organizing, or just eager to roll up your sleeves and give back to the place you love, this group welcomes anyone ready to dive in and make a tangible difference. Reach out to us at campgorham@rochesterymca.org to learn more about our upcoming opportunities.