Directors
We are Sandy and Randy Abbott, the proud owners of Camp Jeanne d’Arc (aka Camp Mom and Dad). We are counting down the days until we are back at camp with our amazing campers and staff! Otherwise, we stay busy trying to keep-up with our four kids: Anna (21), Luke (18), Caleb (15) and Josh (12). During the off-season, we live in North Carolina, and enjoy traveling around the world to visit our campers. Sandy stays super busy being a homeschool teacher to our boys, as well as working out and volunteering in the community. Randy still has hopes of playing in the NBA : ) He plays a lot of basketball, and volunteer coaches in the community. We love Camp Jeanne d’Arc, and absolutely love what we do!
Head Counselor
My name is Steph (also answer to Beyoncé 😉 ) and I’m from Dublin, Ireland. This summer will be my 7th summer at CJDA. I was a counselor for 5 summers (2011-2015) and Head Counselor last summer (2018). Apart from being surrounded by amazing, supportive, positive friends–my favorite thing about camp are the special events like Wishing night, Christmas in July, and many more. Ohhhh and S’mores! I love S’mores! Another thing I love is Musical Theatre. I am currently working as a Drama and Dance Teacher/Performer in Ireland. I’m looking forward to bringing some Musical Theatre fun to camp this summer. I can’t wait to see you all for another amazing summer!
Head Counselor
Hi! I’m Lauren! I’m always ready for a good grilled cheese sandwich and hanging with my husband and our two pups, Theo and Archie. This is my 14th summer at camp and 4th as a head counselor. Every year at camp, I look forward to canoeing, campfire, and being with friends both old and new. When I’m not at camp, I teach art history, and research while working towards my doctorate. Come find me to talk about canoe techniques, or histories of photographies, or anything at all, really! I’m counting down the days until we’re all at camp together.
Assistant Director
Hi, everyone! My name is Claire Cusack Larson and this summer will be my 16th at camp. I’ve been a camper, counselor, and staff member and you can find me all over camp doing a million different things. You can describe my job in the immortal words of Vanilla Ice – “if you’ve got a problem, yo, I’ll solve it.” My favorite things at camp are having dance parties, getting to know all of you, and stealing cookies from the kitchen (shhh… don’t tell anyone!). Outside of camp, I’m a Digital Strategist with a PR firm and live in Maine with my husband, our 4 sons, and 2 big dopey dogs. Winter is my favorite season so you’ll find us out in the woods or on the beach even when it’s 10 degrees outside!
Horseback Riding Director
Hello, my name is Irina Zakharzhevskaia; I’m from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. I was a camper at CJDA for 4 years, a senior counselor for 1 year, and this will be my 2nd year as a Horseback Riding Director. CJDA is a special place…. you can be yourself, explore yourself, and become a better version of yourself. I love working with kids, and of course horses. It is so great to be part of the world where the relationship between these big, fantastic animals and children nurtures and blossoms. In addition, I enjoy working on different healthy habits, like exercises, food and other issues of lifestyle; and being a health coach. In real life, I work as a lawyer, raise three adorable daughters, who are also excited to come back to CJDA!
Operations Director
Hi everyone! My name is Maria Salas, and I am from Caracas Venezuela. This will be my 15th summer at camp! I was a camper for 8 years, a CIT (Counselor-In-Training) for 2 years, a counselor for 2 more years, and then I had the opportunity to join Sandy and Randy on their Staff as Program Director for 2 years! I am currently in college studying Business Administration and hoping to get my Masters in Business Analytics! Throughout the years, CJDA has given me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a leader. At camp, you have the support of your friends and counselors who will make you realize your potential. CJDA has given me my best friends and my mentors and I am so grateful to call this place my second home. Cannot wait to see everyone at some point this summer! GO LES!
Special Events Coordinator
Hey! My name is Katie and this will be my 13th summer at camp (I’ve only missed one summer since my first year in 2006) so it’s safe to say I love CJDA! Right now I’m studying abroad in Lisbon, Portugal, and back at home I’m a junior at Bates College studying biology with the hopes of becoming a veterinarian! I’m very busy as a pre-vet student, but working harder during the year is totally worth it to have some time at camp!! Since I first got to camp I have absolutely loved CJDA for so many reasons. Aside from the amazing people and experiences, what I love most about camp is that every morning you get to wake up and think “what can we do to have the most fun today?”. I’m so excited to spend the summer with the AMAZING counselors and staff we have this year and to make my 13th summer the best one yet!
