• Outstanding individuals who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.

    Burn Brae Day Camp’s highly qualified staff members are experts at dealing with children as well as being experts in their own field. Our certified teachers are educational professionals, highly trained artists, and performers who nurture and develop our campers’ creative gifts. Our mature staff cares about each individual child as is evident in the camper/staff relationships that form each summer.

    Pre-Major A Lead Counselor (ages 3-4 campers) Jess M. received her Masters in Education from Gwynedd Mercy University, and teaches English, Reading, and Creative Writing at a Main Line high school. She is the mom of 2 Burn Brae campers.

    Sports Instructor Scott J. is a sports counselor. Scott has both a BA in Radio-TV-Film, and his Master’s in Elementary Education from Temple University. During the year, Scott is a middle school history and English teacher. From 2002-2005 he did live on-air traffic reports for KYW-AM radio. He is the dad of 2 Burn Brae campers.

    Pool Director Meredith B. received her BA from Rider University, and was the Aquatics Director at a local camp for 5 summers. She was also a swim counselor and instructor for many years. She is the mom of 2 Burn Brae campers!

    Tracy R is a Head Step-Up Counselor supervising the campers who are going into second grade. During the school year she is a Middle School counselor at AIM Academy in Conshohocken with students who have diagnosed language based learning disorders. She has two sons who attend Burn Brae! Tracy says “we are grateful for camp life together with swimming, art, gaga, yoga, nature and time with friends at our happy place.”

    Ryir N is our dance instructor and has been studying performance art since the tender age of three years old. Ryir has studied classical ballet, modern dance and jazz technique with companies such as Providence Creek Ballet, Koresh Dance, Symmetry Wellness Dance, Philadelphia Dance Theater and Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center/DanceFusion. He has worked with Delaware Theatre Company, Quintessence Theater, Walnut Street Theatre and many more dance and theater companies throughout the East Coast. He is also a classically trained musician, with a concentration on vocal performance. During the year, Ryir works as a Community Engagement Director at Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia while teaching private dance lessons.

    Julia F is our musical theater director, choreographer, and Pre-Major theater specialist. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in early childhood and elementary education with a double minor in special education and early childhood development. She is currently teaching PreK Counts for the Pennsbury School District during the school year. During her time at Penn State, Julia ran an inclusive theater organization for individuals with and without disabilities ages 3-10 years old called HarMINIs. She has been in productions since she was six years old and was a part of the Bucks County Playhouse professional youth company. This will be her fourth summer at Burn Brae and it is her absolute favorite place to be.

    Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Elizabeth C. attends Trinity College in Ireland and is on their competitive rowing team. She has a great deal of experience in teaching swim and lifeguarding at Burn Brae.

    Brass/Woodwinds/Piano/Jazz Band/Voice Instructor & Teen Quest Head Counselor Karen M. received her Master’s in Education from Wilkes University. She is certified to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade and teaches general music and band in the Central Bucks School District. In addition, Karen is CPR, AED, and First Aid certified. She is also on the faculty of Chestnut Hill College of Music and Technology. She has taught instrumental lessons, directed bands, musicals, and choirs in several schools as well as being the music director in many churches, and conducting adult choirs. She is the mom of a Burn Brae Music Counselor and a Theater/Dance Apprentice!

    Guitar/Drums/Rock Band Instructor Patrick M. attends Berklee College of Music and was the Drum Major of his high school. He is a member of a rising local rock band and is an experienced performer and music teacher.He is a former Burn Brae camper who majored in music at camp.

    Painting/Drawing/Fashion Design Instructor Emily E. has a Masters and BA in Art Education from Kutztown University. She has been an art teacher in the Philadelphia School District and is going to pursue a doctoral degree. Emily is an accomplished artist. She is the mom of a Burn Brae camper.

    Movie Production, TV/Video, Improv Theater Instructor Eric V.W. has a BFA from University of the Arts. He is a drama and comedy improv teacher and performer. He has performed at Theater Ariel, Comedy Sportz, Historic Philadelphia Storyteller, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, Wilma Theatre, 1812 Productions, Act II Playhouse, various TV commercials, and radio voice overs. He is the Business Manager and a performer of Fred's Magic World, a well known comedy magic show. He is the dad of a Burn Brae camper.

    Archery Instructor/Outdoor Camping Skills Instructor Anne Margaret O. received her BFA in Dance from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She also received training in many forms of dance, both nationally and internationally. Anne Margaret is an associate professor at Temple University where she teaches an arts curriculum. She is on the faculty of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Anne Margaret has been a professional actress, dancer, choreographer, and musician for over three decades. She is a Teaching Artist of Flamenco at Ole Tapas Restaurant and can be seen performing locally with Latin Fiesta. Anne Margaret has also been an archery instructor for the past several years. She is the mom of a Burn Brae staff member and 2 former campers!

    Nature Instructor Sam P. has a BA in Arts from Arcadia University. Sam’s main hobby is nature & bird watching. He is a member of the Delaware Valley Ornithology Club and Tacony Watershed. He was part of a nature program in Sri Lanka, as well as Costa Rica, Ecuador, and South Mexico. Sam won a scholarship to West Virginia’s Wesleyan, where he studied film production & wrote film reviews. Sam says, “I feel that there could be nothing more rewarding than tending to the creative wonderment of the next generation and giving them a fulfilling and fun summer experience!” Sam works at the Philadelphia Zoo in their research department and is the father of 3 Burn Brae campers!

  • John Tartaglia, a Theater major at Burn Brae for many years, was the star of playhouse Disney's Johnny and the Sprites on Saturday and Sunday mornings! He starred as Lumière on Broadway's Beauty and the Beast and was nominated for the Tony award for his starring role in Avenue Q on Broadway. He also starred in Shrek the Musical on Broadway. At sixteen he was the youngest puppeteer ever to work on Sesame Street! John is a host on the Broadway Channel on Sirius radio.

    Seth Green attended Burn Brae as a Theater Major. He has acted professionally in film and television since the age of 7. He is the voice of Chris in the Family Guy. He was also on the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Austin Powers, Radio Days and Can't Buy Me Love. He was awarded Best TV Actor by Entertainment Weekly Magazine and E! Seth continues to entertain us in movies, plays and television.

    Matthew Mezzacappa started his theater career here at camp. At the advice of the camp's theater director he auditioned for the role of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden and landed the part at age 11! He has since performed in many plays and is an accomplished writer, director, composer, and producer.

    Sarah Chang started her violin career as a Pre-Major at Burn Brae where she was first taught to play violin and developed a love for it. At age eight she was playing with the New York Philharmonic! Today, Sarah, now in her 30’s, is recognized world over as one of classical music’s most captivating and gifted artists. Sarah has performed with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the world!

    Lee Lessack was a Theater Major at Burn Brae and then became our Theater apprentice. Today, Lee’s baritone vocals and sophisticated style have made him a shining star of the international cabaret scene. Billboard magazine calls his singing, “Cabaret romanticism of a high order.” Lee has toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe to sold-out performances and has released four albums. One of his many albums feature duets with such notables as Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern and Ann Hampton Callaway. He is also a world renowned music producer and owns a record label

    Landis Smith taught magic and puppetry here at Burn Brae. Landis was the founder and featured performer of a world-famous puppetry and magic company called Enchantment Theater Company and has created, produced and performed in productions in the US and Far East. Landis has appeared with the Boston Pops on their annual holiday PBS special, which has aired nationally.

    Josh Silverman was a Theater Major at Burn Brae and is currently an actor and writer in New York City. He has appeared on Saturday Night Live, and is known for his roles in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Difficult People, and Actor Seeks Role. He continues to work in film, TV, and stage.

    Gabe Nathan was a Theater Major and later, a Theater apprentice at Burn Brae. He also minored in Creative Writing. Gabe wrote a book that was published and later sold in Borders and Barnes and Noble where he was featured at a book signing event in Philadelphia.

    Kristen Welker attended Burn Brae as a theater major and is now a national news correspondent. She was named NBC White House correspondent in 2011 and traveled with the President and his wife when they had overseas meetings and dinners with the leaders of foreign countries. She was also a commentator at the Winter Olympics in Russia. Kristen is a graduate of Harvard University. She was the moderator of a televised presidential debate. Kristen is currently the moderator on "Meet the Press" every Sunday.

    Robyn Savitsky was a Violin Major at Burn Brae. She was awarded a full scholarship for violin performance at one of the leading music colleges in the U.S. Robyn has since graduated and is now performing and touring with a major orchestra.

    R.D. Robb was a Theater Major at Burn Brae. He is now an actor and producer, and known for A Christmas Story, Matilda, Eight Days A Week, One Point O, and The Brady Bunch Movie.

    Jeremy Dorfman was a Theater Major at Burn Brae. He is now a producer, and is known for his work on The Making of a Tomb Raider, To Tell The Truth, Lip Sync Battle, and The Goldbergs.

    Lee Slobotkin was a Theater Major at Burn Brae, and is known for his work in the television series City Boyz. He has also appeared in Wicked, 25th Annual Spelling Bee, and Life Could Be A Dream.

    Elliah Heifetz was a Theater Major and Apprentice at Burn Brae. He is now a folk singer and composer, and is known for E.P. “You Shall Be a Blessing,” and won the FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award for Best Music and Lyrics for the musical Dust Can’t Kill Me.

    Juan Castellanos is a former camper and he is currently a featured dancer and member of the Alabama Ballet Company. He was trained in Dublin, Ireland, Metropolitan Ballet Academy in Jenkintown, San Francisco Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Charlotte Ballet and more. Juan danced with the Moscow Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and at Lincoln Center in New York City, to name a few.

  • Burn Brae Day Camp is a picturesque gem nestled in the quiet alcove of Dresher. It sits on a beautiful, spacious property that is well shaded and boasts walking trails and numerous buildings for the convenience of its users all year round. There's plenty of space on rainy days and most buildings are air-conditioned to provide comfort on the hottest days.

    Our Facilities Include:

    • In-ground swimming pool

    • Nurse and medical room

    • Covered lunch pavilion

    • Barn Theater

    • Covered outside stage

    • Art and ceramics studio complete with kiln and potters’ wheels

    • Music studios for strings, guitar, drums, brass/woodwinds, jazz band, rock band, and piano (electric keyboards)

    • Mirrored dance studios

    • Movie, TV, and photography studio (iPads, large screen for editing, computers)

    • Metal Arts Studio

    • Archery range

    • Tennis, Basketball, and Ga-Ga courts

    • Volleyball/Newcomb area

    • Sports field

    • Obstacle course

    • Pre-Major Center (ages 3-6) with air-conditioned activity rooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, and fenced in outdoor play area

    • Playground (a large play castle and swings)

    • One story heated/air-conditioned house with full kitchen and indoor classrooms/meeting rooms and bathrooms

    • Bathrooms/locker rooms

    Our facility is ideal for hosting your child's Birthday party, Reunion, Picnics, Corporate or Special Events!