Staff

These are just some of our amazing staff...
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.

Founder/Owner/Director Lisa Kasser started Burn Brae Day Camp in 1981 and has been the Owner and Director ever since. She's thrilled to be celebrating the camp's 39th summer. Lisa majored in Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan and has starred in productions in the United States and Canada and appeared in a two person off Broadway play on PBS. In the early ’80s, Lisa was the Associate Producer of Channel 17’s Dancin’ on Air. She has also taught and directed children’s theater. Lisa attended camp throughout her childhood and teenage years and continues to find enjoyment and inspiration in camp life everyday! She has one adult daughter who had attended Burn Brae since the age of two months. Lisa is also the owner of Maggie, a loving Bichon/Poodle, who is the camp mascot!

Assistant Director Mike B. has been at Burn Brae for the past 19 summers. This is his 10th year as our Assistant Director. Prior to that, Mike was our Athletic Director. He has worked at the Upper Moreland Intermediate School as a School Psychologist for 22 years. He earned his PhD in school psychology from Temple University. He has two daughters who both grew up at Burn Brae. His younger daughter, an accomplished guitarist, learned to play here at camp. Mike is an avid coach, sports lover, basketball player, and is looking forward to another fun and exciting summer at camp! 

Camp Advisor Erica E. has her MED in English from Meredith College and a Grad Certificate in Special Education from George Washington University, and a BS in Math & History from Albright College. She is currently an ESL teacher in the Souderton School District. Erica has one child attending Burn Brae!

Camp Nurse Laurel K. is a registered nurse, and has been a nurse on a surgical unit, as well as, a hospital nurse in a cardiovascular recovery unit. She has a BS in Nursing from the York College of PA. Laurel is currently a substitute nurse for the Upper Dublin School District. She has two children who attend Burn Brae.

Office Manager Barbara S. is a retired NYC administrator, staff developer and  teacher. She received her BS from Finch College. Barbara has two Masters Degrees in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College and Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She is active in the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Boosters and Youth Orchestra of Bucks County. After spending many summers at Burn Brae, Barbara's son has become an accomplished musician who will be attending Temple University majoring in Horn Performance. This is Barbara's 11th year! 

Office Assistant/Special Events/Theme Days Tara B. has her Master’s Degree in Special Ed from Arcadia and is certified to teach home economics, consumer science, and cooking. She is a special education teacher at a Bucks County high school. In addition to teaching Pastry Arts here at camp, she also helps organize our summer special events and year-round birthday parties.

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, has worked at Burn Brae for several summers, and is very happy to be back again this year! 

Pre-Major B Lead Counselor (age 5 campers) Laura C. received her Doctorate from Temple University Law School. She is a Daisy Girl Scout Leader, the Cheerleading Commissioner and Coach for Upper Dublin. Her team was in the National Championships two years in a row! She is the mom of 3 Burn Brae campers. This is her 6th summer with us!

Pre-Major C Counselor (age 6 campers) Lisa M. has a B.A. in Psychology from Gwynedd Mercy University, a Masters in Public Health from West Chester University, and a M.Ed in Special Education from Arcadia.  She is a certified special education teacher and works for the School District of Springfield Township. Lisa also tutored children at Sylvan Learning Center and privately as well. This is her 6th summer with us and she loves working with her 6 year olds in Pre- Major C, the “chipmunks”.  Her favorite camp activities include reading and discussing beloved children’s books with campers, making art and bonding during circle time each morning. Lisa is the mom of one Burn Brae camper.

Step-Up Instructor (ages 7-8 campers) Shannon K. graduated from Montgomery County Community College with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and from Arcadia University with a dual degree in general education, Pre K - 4th and Special Education Pre K - 8th. She is the lead Pre K teacher at a Bucks County private school. This is Shannon's 3rd year with us! 

Teen Quest Co-Counselor (ages 13-15 campers)/Head Sports Instructor Scott J. has worked at Burn Brae for the last 6 summers as a head counselor of Teen Quest and 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. This is Meredith’s 2nd summer at Burn Brae, and she is the mom of 2 Burn Brae campers!

Swim Instructor/Lifeguard/Pool Maintenance James M. received his BA in Education from Temple University. He has been a competitive swimmer through high school & early college years. James has been a lead swim instructor, lifeguard and in pool maintenance for the past 5 years!

Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Jake M. attends the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in math. He has worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at a local golf and country club. Jacob was on the Upper Dublin High School varsity swim team and their varsity water polo team. He has also been a lifeguard and lead swim instructor at a Boy Scout of America camp for several summers. Jake is a national merit scholar and an Eagle Scout. This is Jake’s 4th year at Burn Brae!

Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Dean B. (bio coming soon)!

Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Elizabeth C. is a senior in high school & is on their competitive rowing team. She has attended Burn Brae for the past 9 years, and has been a swim instructor/lifeguard for the past 2 years!

Sports Instructor Rob K. (bio coming soon)!

Brass/Woodwinds/Piano/Jazz Band/Voice Instructor 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. This is Karen's 9th summer with us, and she is the mom of a Burn Brae Music Counselor and a Theater Apprentice!

Piano Instructor/Music Specialist in Musical Theater Ellie C. has a BA in Music Education; Voice Major from Temple University. Ellie has been playing piano since the age of 6, has accompanied choirs & performances for several years and is the accompanist for the choirs at a large Center City church. She has also been a performing arts specialist at a local camp since 2016. We are very much looking forward to having Ellie with us this summer!

Painting/Drawing/Fashion Design Instructor Emily E. has a BA in Art Education from Kutztown University. She is an art teacher in the Philadelphia School District. Emily is an accomplished artist. This will be Emily's 9th summer with us, and she is the mom of a Burn Brae camper. 

Dance Instructor Bio Coming Soon! 

Musical Theater Director/Special Effects Makeup Instructor/Pastry Arts Instructor Emily L. has a BA in Secondary English Education at West Chester University. Emily grew up on stage at Burn Brae, as a camper, apprentice, assistant director, and now director, over the past 15 years! She has been trained & educated by many of our illustrious directors: Debbie Thompson (founder/director of “Everybody’s Theater Company” in Upper Dublin), and Maggie Griffin-Smith (actress/singer/dancer/director locally & nationwide), to name just a few!

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 for the past 16 years. This is Eric's 6th summer with us, and 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. This is Anne Margaret's 9th summer with us, and she is the mom of a Burn Brae staff member and 2 former campers!

Science/Nature Instructor Lauren A. received her MA in Environmental Education from Arcadia University, and a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies from East Stroudsburg University. She has been teaching at a Philadelphia public school for the past 11 years as the Department Chair and Head of Science. She also teaches AP Biology, Physical & Environmental Science. Lauren is the Head Varsity Softball Coach and is the proud recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers. This is Lauren’s 2nd year at Burn Brae, and she is the mom of 2 Burn Brae campers!

Step Up Counselor 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 is the father of 3 Burn Brae campers!

Camp Photographer/Social Media Lisa S. has a BFA in Photography and Art Education  from Arcadia University. She has been a small business owner, of Lisa Schaffer Photography, since 2004, and is also a vinyl DJ at a Philadelphia music venue. She photographs events, weddings, corporate and fine art, and has been a day camp photographer for 12 years. This is her 4th year with us, and she is the mom of a Burn Brae camper!