Brian DeGroat
Executive Director
Trained as a history teacher, Brian was first lured to the Adirondacks in ’08. His initial three-month contract turned into over two decades committed to Pok-O and its broader community. Having received much from Pok-O, Brian strives to create positive opportunities for all members of the camp family. He has also served on the board of directors for the Lakeside School in Essex, the New York State Outdoor Education Association, and currently serves on the New Jersey School of Conservation Board. Passions also include trail running, choral singing, and anything involving a frisbee. You can most often find Brian in the PQ Office, literally and figuratively wearing the many hats necessary to oversee the controlled chaos of Pok-O-MacCready Camps! If you have a questions – ask Brian. Everyone does! When not on camp, you can most often find Brian at The Deer’s Head enjoying a delicious meal near his home in Elizabethtown, NY.
Jen Fierman
Summer Camp Director
Jen first attended Pok-O in 1985 as a camper in the Lodge. After many years as a camper, Jen continued as a counselor and outdoor education instructor. Her desire to share Pok-O with her children and her love of the Adirondacks led her to return to camp in 2018 as the Assistant Director, Director of MacCready and then Summer Camp Director. At camp Jen enjoys teaching Fiber Arts class, joining in on day hikes with with campers, and striving to make the Pok-O experience the best it can be for the whole community. When not at Pok-O, Jen has worked as a teacher in middle and high schools and as a coordinator supporting foreign service families overseas. She has taught English at a community college in Virginia and is often found at the ice rink, shuttling, chaperoning and cheering on her boys. Jen enjoys a strong cup of coffee, has been known to go off the blob on a hot day, and all of camp knows her amazing handwriting should be named the the J. Fierman font.
Dena Greenman
Operations and Alumni Relations Director
Since Dena’s first summer at camp in 1987, she has enjoyed many roles at Pok-O. Currently, Dena helps take care of the logistics of camp life for campers, staff and families, and supports alumni in staying connected to camp and each other. An ADK ten-peaker herself, Dena is the proud parent of two Adirondack 46ers. She has most loved sharing camp with her children and feels lucky to be on staff with them both. She lives in Vermont where she has been an educator, coach, and small business owner, and is happiest when spending time outdoors with her family and friends, in all seasons. At camp, you will most often find Dena in the office and Farmhouse, catching the sunset at the swim docks, or wandering camp calling for her black lab, Olive. Recently, Dena has become a bit famous for her “Dena-vations,” improvements to staff and camper living areas.
Chris Reinckens
Facilities Director
Chris grew up at Pok-O-MacCready Camps as both camper and counselor. He brings over 15 years of carpentry experience from Cloudsplitter Construction to his role as the Facilities Director, keeping cabins and buildings in great shape for campers and staff.
Chris is happiest working with his hands, solving problems, and making sure camp is ready for whatever the day brings. Outside of camp, Chris enjoys spending time with his partner Karin, their son Theodore, and their dog Daisy.
Christa Moore
Health Director
A school nurse hailing from the great state of New Jersey, Christa provides guidance for our camp health team and works day and night to keep our campers and staff safe and healthy all summer long. She feels incredibly lucky to be on staff with her three children, who have all been long-time campers themselves, since 2008. Not only is Christa our fearless nurse leader, but she has also been known to partake in numerous camp activities and traditions, including the counselor ride at the horse show, the best Sunday Funday skits, paddling a canoe, and swinging off the rope swing. One of her often heard quotes is, “If you run, I run.” She is known for her overflowing charcuterie & cheese boards, her enthusiasm for all things Pok-O, and her ability to truly take care of the entire Pok-O community. You will find Christa at the health offices and Robinson Hall, but also visiting her Farmhouse friends, and cooling off in the lake on a hot afternoon.
Jeremy Campbell
Director, Camp Pok-O-Moonshine
Jeremey first came to camp in 2011 and highlights from his four camper summers include being a winning Sun Assistant Archon, and hiking Super Marcy with his entire ADV section. Born and raised in the great state of NJ, Jeremy now calls the North Country home for all four seasons. 10 summers on staff, and a career in school counseling, make Jeremy a compassionate, energetic and experienced camp leader. Jeremy loves “how camp challenges us to grow and encourages us to be the best versions of ourselves,” as well as, “seeing campers grow over the summer and between summers.” In his rare moments of free time, Jeremy gets out into the mountains, enjoys perusing good farmer’s markets, can bake a mean lemon square, and has never found a rollercoaster he will not ride. He is most often running all over camp with his clipboard in hand, but you can sometimes pin him down at the Joffice, or find him in his favorite spot on camp, Pio Porch.
Bessie Fealy
Director, Camp MacCready
Currently a school counselor, Bessie lives with her family in Virginia. Bessie returned to Camp in 2024 after a long break – she had been a MacCready camper and counselor in the 2000s and has always loved all things Pok-O. Bessie leads Camp MacCready with joy and enthusiasm. She is especially thrilled that her two boys have found their own Pok-O spirit and are making their own memories at camp. Bessie is world-famous for her camp (and elsewhere) theatrical productions, most recent of which was “High School Musical, Junior,” which won her standing ovations and endless rounds of slow claps in a packed Robinson Hall. Her future memoir will be titled, “Girl with the High Ponytail.” If you can catch Bessie zipping around camp, ask her what her daily step-count is up to – no doubt it’s over 20,000!
Amy Capalbo
Director, Camp MacCready
A twenty year art educator from Buffalo, NY, Amy and her three children joined the camp family in the summer of 2024. From “Pottery Amy” to Camp MacCready leadership, Amy jumped into camp, and the depths of Long Pond, with determination, humor and an open mind. Amy brings her own calm confidence to all she does – encouraging children up Sugarloaf, supporting campers making tie-dye tees, driving a camp van through a thunderstorm, or hosting a birthday party in section. Her signature large hoop earrings are much like Amy herself – they just make you feel happy!