Owners & Leadership Team
Say hello to our Leadership Team! We are made up of people from all walks of life. From Teachers to Psychologists, we have it all! As the Leadership Team of Driftwood Day Camp we strive to make each day better than the one before. With a total dedication to Camp and the amazing things we can accomplish with children, the fun starts here!
Mike “Wags” Wagenberg
Owner/DirectorFormer President of the Long Island Camp and Private School Association (LICAPS), as well as Ron’s son-in-law, Wags has decades of camp experience, beginning as a camp counselor at Miss Sue’s Summer Fun for over thirty years ago. A Graduate of Syracuse University, and a former management consultant for Marriott Resorts, Wags ultimately realized his true passion was CAMP and fulfilled his lifelong dream by becoming an owner/director of Driftwood Day Camp. Wags passion for kids is always evident, making sure that each child’s individual needs are met. Wags is always available to talk to parents, campers and staff to help with whatever they need.
Ron Kuznetz
Owner/ DirectorA past President of the Long Island Camp Association, Ron has been a Camp Director for over 40 years. Ron is a former athlete and marathon runner, and was a participant in NASA’s Teacher in Space program. Guest speaker at various American Camping Association national and local conventions, Ron is well known throughout the camp industry as a program innovator and together with Wags is a creative force behind Driftwood.
Neil Gould
DirectorNeil has been a part of the family since 2006. His passion for camp began at a Premier Sleep-a-way camp in Pennsylvania, where, as Director, his hands-on approach and love for seeing the growth in campers helped form his career within camp. Moving here from England in 2010, Neil was able to dedicate his life to the industry he loves. Now, as a Director at Driftwood, Neil is always available to parents, campers and staff alike, helping to create the special unique environment that is Driftwood.
Sean Rosen
DirectorA gifted athlete and self-proclaimed “lifelong camper”, Sean was a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor at Driftwood from 2002 through 2006. A graduate from Hofstra University with a BBA in Finance, Sean discovered that mentoring and working with kids was his true calling and rejoined the Driftwood Family in 2008. Sean is always available to talk with any parent, camper or staff member. In additional to being at Driftwood year-round, during the winter Sean is the Director and Head Coach of the Syosset Rookie Basketball Program.
Dave
Assistant DirectorDave LeWinter is an Elementary School teacher in Valley Stream and is an Assistant Director at Driftwood. Dave works in many capacities at Driftwood and his greatest pleasure comes from interacting with Campers, Parents and Staff. Proud to call Driftwood his second home for more than 20 years, Dave’s favorite quote is, “there is no other place I would rather be.”
Marc
Assistant DirectorMarc Edelman is another Assistant Director at Driftwood. Marc graduated from Brandeis University Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, and received his Masters in Secondary Education from Hofstra University and his Educational Administration degree from C.W. Post. Marc currently teaches math at Roslyn High School. Marc’s fun, spirited personality brings enthusiasm to camp and helps make Driftwood the warm and comfortable summer home that it is.
Guy
Assistant DirectorGuy Tantillo has been part Driftwood’s family since 2002. A former Group Leader, Teen Travel Coordinator, and now Assistant Director and Master of Ceremonies at all Driftwood shows, Guy takes great pride in bringing joy and achievement to all Driftwood campers. Guy is a sixth grade teacher in Wyandanch. Guy is an avid sports fan who also coaches youth soccer and basketball for the Longwood Youth Sports Association. Guy’s ultimate goal is for every child to feel welcome, safe, and be themselves at Driftwood.
Zach
Program DirectorDriftwood’s Program and Scheduling Director, Zach has spent all of his summers at camp every year since he was five. Despite receiving degrees in Finance and Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University, he found his passion working with children during his days as a camp counselor. Zach currently is a math teacher in Brooklyn. He joined the Driftwood Family in 2011 as a Group Leader and became Program and Scheduling Director in 2015. Zach is committed to making every day incredible for each group at Driftwood.
Jodi
Nursery Camp/ School DirectorI am currently the Educational Director at Miss Sue’s and in the middle of my 14th year. I have been in the education field for over twenty- five years, including teaching K, 2nd, and 5th grade. I am also the Director for our campers aged 2 and 3, starting at our Miss Sue’s Plainview campus and continuing at Driftwood Day Camp. Overall, I have been a part of the Miss Sue’s/Driftwood Family for 15 years. My favorite story to share is that I met my husband at Driftwood Day camp 11 years ago. My three stepchildren have all gone through the Miss Sue’s/Driftwood regime and now work at Driftwood as counselors. Camp has always been a part of me, and whenever I drive through the gates of Driftwood, I know I’m home. The relationships I have made here at camp will stay with me forever.
Paige
Head Nurse/Medical DirectorPaige McKenna, an empathetic and versatile Registered Nurse, has been an integral part of our team for the past two summers. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019, complemented by a minor in Sociology, and initially practiced as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Transitioning from bedside nursing, Paige has wholeheartedly embraced her newfound passion at Driftwood Day Camp. As she enters her second year as Medical Director in Summer 2024, Paige is committed to fostering a nurturing, holistic, and safe health center environment for all.
Erica
PsychologistDuring the school year I work full time at Miss Sue’s Nursery school as their Psychologist and Behavioral Consultant. I possess a Master’s in Psychology, I am a Registered Behavioral Technician, and pursuing both my BCBA and PDH. In this role I support teachers by providing the tools to ensure that all students have an enriching experience. Additionally, I provide support to all the students, but specifically those who have daily challenges. This ensures that every student gets to experience all that Miss Sue’s has to offer and be able to reach all expected milestones during their journey. Supporting children is my passion as I have grown up with a sibling with autism. Fortunately, my role continues during the summer at Driftwood Day Camp, where I continue to support all students and staff. This will be my 3rd summer at DDC, and I can honestly say it has changed my life forever.
Lauren
Division Leader - 2's & 3'sMy background is anchored in caring and supporting children. I hold master’s degrees in both Special Education and Regular Education from birth to grade 6. My goal is to help children learn how to cope with their emotional skills, teaching them social skills, how to play, take turns, and follow multi- step directions. All necessary and prerequisite skills for school
For the past 6 years I’ve been utilizing my skill set working at Miss Sue’s Nursery School as a 3-year-old Head Teacher. During the summer I am fortunate enough to continue my journey with the Miss Sue’s/Driftwood Family. This summer will be my third year working at Driftwood as a Division Leader for the youngest groups, the Jellies and Nemo’s.
I am a proud mom of three kids, all who went to Miss Sue’s and Driftwood, and they certainly keep me busy. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I also played soccer at the collegiate level, so a Soccer Mom I am. My best memory at camp is building relationships with the children that I work with. I love watching them grow and try new things throughout the summer. It is incredible to see how much they grow from June to the end of August.
Alli
Division Leader - 3'sGrateful, doesn’t express it enough. I have spent the last 10 years as a Special Education teacher at a wonderful private school in NYC. While I enjoy teaching, summers at camp are really what I look forward to each year. I have been part of the Miss Sue’s and Driftwood Family for the last 15 years (not counting the 3 years I was a student and camper at Miss Sue’s!). One of my favorite memories from camp dates to my first summer as a counselor. I walked into Miss Sue’s and realized that one of the teachers from my time as a 3-year-old student still worked there. I have been very fortunate and made great friends at DDC and have bonded with many of our camp families. I always love to feel that camp spirit as soon I walk onto the DDC grounds. When I am not teaching or working at camp, I love to travel, play pickleball and bake delicious treats for my family and friends!
Beverly
Division Leader - Pre-KDuring the year I work at a nursery school, and I get to bring that experience to Driftwood. Years and years of experience. This upcoming summer will happily be my 25th at Driftwood. My two married sons spent many summers enjoying Driftwood, while I happily took care of children. My greatest passion. My happy place. I have many camp memories, but most of all I enjoy making summer friendship lanyard bracelets for the staff. True symbols of the impact we have on each other and the campers in our charge.
Brittany
Division Leader - Pre-KTeaching 1st Grade Special Education for the NYC Department of Education is incredibly rewarding. But I am beyond lucky to be spending my 14th summer at Driftwood this year. Driftwood is my happy place, and I couldn’t imagine spending my summer anywhere else! I truly mean it when I say I live 10 for 2! In my spare time I enjoy playing pickleball, the new craze. I also love to explore, and eat, all around New York City!
Each summer I get the opportunity to watch our campers learn, grow, and develop into confident children who feel as though they can conquer anything! The partnership between the staff, campers, and parents is truly unbelievable!
Alexis
Division Leader - Kindergarten GirlsI have been a part of the Driftwood family for over 12 years. Having spent my first 4 summers as a Group Leader and the past 8 summers as a Division Leader, I am always excited to make the most of each camp day, alongside my Guppy Girls!
During the school year, I am lucky to continue to come to the grounds of Driftwood each day and work as a Head Teacher at Miss Sue’s Nursery School. As a licensed Speech Pathologist, I get to use my love and knowledge of communication skills in the classroom.
I have been married for 20 years and am the proud mom to 2 former Driftwood campers. Having shared the Driftwood experience with my children and having watched them turn from campers to counselors has been my greatest joy.
Driftwood is my happy place, and I am grateful to be able to spend my days at this happy place all year round!
Melanie
Division Leader - Kindergarten BoysDuring the school year, I am a Speech and Language Pathologist at an elementary school in Great Neck. With my summers off, I started working at Driftwood as a Guppy Boys group leader in 2015, when my son started camp. My daughter joined me at camp four years later and it was so fun to share in the Driftwood magic as a family! While my son and daughter now spend their summers at sleep-away camp, I can’t imagine spending mine anywhere but Driftwood! From Group Leader to Division Leader, I have always worked in the Guppy Boys Division and love being part of such an amazing team!
Andrea
Division Leader - 1st Grade GirlsAlexa
Division Leader - 1st & 2nd Grade GirlsI am an elementary school teacher who currently teaches second grade in the Hauppauge School District. I have years of experience teaching all elementary grades as well. I spent my entire childhood attending camp and spent 11 summers as a camper and counselor at sleepaway camp. I joined the Driftwood family in 2011 and this will be my fourteenth summer at Driftwood. Before becoming a Division Leader for first and second grade girls, I was also a counselor and group leader at Driftwood, so I can understand everyone’s role in camp and help them to be successful. Driftwood is my favorite place to be because of the relationships I create with my fellow staff members and campers. Driftwood is my second home and my second family, and I couldn’t imagine life without it!
Zim
Division Leader - 1st Grade Boys“Once a camper, always a camper”. I grew up in day camp and sleepaway camp and I never left. Camp is a magical place where lifelong friends become family and moments become forever memories. For the last 22 years, I’ve been an elementary school teacher in Queens. I love teaching and seeing kids grow, thrive, and succeed. My wife and I have two incredibly funny and happy daughters who love spending their summers at Driftwood. This will be my 6th summer at Driftwood, and it truly is a forever family. Some of my fondest memories at Driftwood include spending my summers with the Morays to give them the summer of their lives and getting a chance to be a part of the best summer family with my counselors, group leaders, and fellow head staff members. I love grabbing a microphone and a huge audience to lead camp cheers, creating unique division events, and experiencing all the magic we provide every single day.
Amy
Division Leader - 2nd Grade GirlsJon
Division Leader - 2nd Grade BoysThis will be my 10th summer at Driftwood Day Camp. It is not a coincidence that this is my 9th year as a teacher. After just one summer at Driftwood Day Camp, I knew it was my passion to spend my career positively impacting the lives of children. Driftwood can change your life and I am living proof of this. I see it happen for children EVERY SINGLE SUMMER. It is one of the many reasons I love being a part of the Driftwood family. Currently, I am a 4th grade Reading and Writing teacher in Jamaica, Queens. Teaching is not my only passion. I love sports, music, movies, Broadway Shows, video games, and Marvel/DC. I am always ready to talk Knicks, Jets, and Mets (in that order). I am a Maryland Terp for life. My family and friends mean everything to me, and Driftwood is filled with many of my closest friends and my camp family.
Nicole
Division Leader - 3rd Grade GirlsA true camper at heart! I have been working as a middle school Special Education teacher for the past 14 years and have spent my summers at Driftwood since I was 3 years old. My roots run deep at Driftwood, as this season will be my 32nd year at my favorite place in the world. When I am not at camp I enjoy traveling with my family, playing pickleball, and spending time outdoors. My fondest memories of camp are the ones that I am making now with my son who will be Guppy Boy! Our camp spirit is off the charts and truly has been the highlight of my camp years. I look forward to creating many more memories together!
Goodman
Division Leader - 3rd Grade BoysCarolyn
Division Leader - 4th & 5th Grade GirlsNoah
Division Leader - 4th & 5th Grade BoysI have been an elementary school teacher for over 22 years in both the private school setting in Manhattan, as well as the public-school setting on Long Island. Additionally, have operated and managed recreational and academic after school programs in both settings. Outside of work and camp, I am a father of two girls, both who are Driftwood alumni and are now well into their sleepaway camp years. The summer of 2024 will be my 15th at Driftwood, with each one being better and more memorable than the one before. In my spare time, I enjoy running, spending time at the beach, watching professional sports, and being my children’s Uber driver. Being a part of the Driftwood community is very important to me, and I look forward to many more summers to come.
Justin
Pre-teen Travel DirectorI am currently a middle school Social Studies teacher in the North Shore School District and actively coach soccer and lacrosse at the high school level. I am lucky enough to be at Driftwood and part of the amazing Preteen Program every summer since 2014. This experience provides me with the opportunity to work with great people and positively impact the lives of all your children.
My fondest memories of camp are rainy days on camp and all the overnight trips with the Preteen Family!
Arty
Teen Travel DirectorDuring the school year I am a high school special education teacher. I have been teaching for 27 years. Additionally, I have also been a High School Lacrosse coach for 23 years. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to lead the Teen Travel Program. I am married for 29 years and have two children who grew up at Driftwood. I had the pleasure to have both of my daughters in the travel program. I have been the Teen Travel Director for 17 years at Driftwood Day Camp and a total of 27 years in camping. The best part of being in the Travel Program is to get to spend time with the campers at various places in the country. One of my fondest memories I have at Driftwood was the opportunity to work with my daughter who was a nurse for the Travel Program. A true family, Driftwood is!
Matt
Transportation DirectorI hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and Education, as well as a master’s degree in General and Special Education. Prior to joining Driftwood in the summer of 2020, I worked at Miss Sue’s Summer Fun, involved in all facets of the operation since the mid-90s. In the summer of 2021, I became the Director of Transportation for Driftwood, though did transportation routing for both Miss Sue’s and Driftwood for years. My wife Beth and I have two children, Zoey and Evan, who grew up attending Driftwood. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as making new friends while playing pickleball. I also enjoy finding new restaurants with gluten free menus and love live music. During the school year, you can find me getting bus routes ready for the upcoming summer, which begins shortly after the previous summer ends, as well as working at Miss Sue’s Nursery School, where I have worked both in and out of the classroom since 2007. My fondest memories of camp were attending Driftwood back in the 80s as a camper and it’s been incredible to witness all the changes the camp has undergone since then. Driftwood has remained a WONDERFUL place for children to thrive and for staff to have positive impacts on the campers and each other.
Melissa
Office ManagerPresently, I work year-round at Driftwood and have for the past eleven years.
Prior to joining Driftwood, I was in the Fashion Industry where I was able to build friendships and relationships and work collegially with my co-workers. I am thankful to have built those relationships here at Driftwood, with not only my colleagues, but many families over the years. I take great pride in providing our Driftwood families, a customer experience that leaves them knowing their children are in good hands. I am a resident of Plainview, and I am the proud mom to two girls who both work at Driftwood and are part of the Driftwood Family. I am blessed to have two families and have made long lasting friendships and memories to last a lifetime at Driftwood.
Beth
Aquatics DirectorCortney
Aquatics DirectorI am one of the Aquatics Directors at Driftwood Day Camp. I’ve been working with the Driftwood/Miss Sues’ family for 17 years and look forward to teaching your kids to swim each summer (starting at age 2!). I am a Certified Lifeguard Instructor and possess a WSI Certificate. Swimming is my passion, and I am grateful to be able to provide this lifelong skill to your children. During the school year, I am a NYC Public School Special Educator. Working with children is incredibly rewarding passion, and it’s such a pleasure watching your campers get more comfortable in the pool and grow with confidence. Fortunately, I have many amazing memories at camp, but Color War is my favorite week. I’m especially excited to welcome my daughter to camp for her first time this summer. I love that the legacy will continue at this incredible place, Driftwood.
Raquel
Aquatics Program DirectorI am a middle school ENL Teacher. I will be starting my 12th year at Driftwood Day Camp with the Aquatics programs. I am grateful that I was able to be an integral part in developing the safe and successful swim program we offer. I am fortunate that I can incorporate my desire to help children and my passion for swimming. One of my fondest camp memories is being able to share my love for camp with the campers and staff and help mold our future leaders!
Bobby
Athletics DirectorDuring the school year I am a Physical Education teacher in Forest Hills, at JHS 157. I have taught physical education in NYC for 20 years and have a master’s degree in Adaptive PE. Currently I am coaching all middle school sports for boys and girls in Fall, Winter & Spring seasons. I am a Camp Wah Nee alumni and spent the last 10 summers working at Driftwood, now as an Athletic Director. In my spare time I enjoy going to concerts like Pearl Jam and enjoy, The Ultimate Warrior and playing cornhole. I have had the great pleasure of watching my children enjoy camp and now my daughter is working at camp.
Chad
Athletics DirectorI have been a middle school and high school Social Studies teacher for the past 29 years. During that time, I have served as a Softball, Volleyball and Soccer coach. For the past 16 years I have spent my summers as a member of the Driftwood family. My wife and I are proud parents of two children who have spent many amazing summers at Driftwood, first as campers and now as staff members. I am very thankful for the great relationships that I have developed during my time at Driftwood. I love watching the excitement on the kids’ faces as they learn a new skill and succeed as a member of a team. Looking forward to another incredible summer.
Ryan
Athletics DirectorAlejandro
Circus DirectorMy background is in Physical Therapy and Fitness Instruction which really lends itself to my role at Driftwood. I am so excited that this will be my 6th summer working at Driftwood and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my summers. I am from Mexico City, and I have spent the last 10 years traveling between Cancun, Mexico City, and New York working as a Flying Trapeze and Circus Instructor. My favorite part of this experience is teaching others and performing in Circus Shows. My true passion. My favorite memories at Driftwood include the team I work with at the Circus. I always have the privilege of working with people from different countries and I enjoy learning new cultures every summer. I also love seeing the kids I teach develop their Circus skills and grow in their confidence with their Flying Trapeze abilities as well as increasing their confidence overall, as the years go on.
Melissa
Allergy SpecialistI started working at Driftwood in 2013.This will be my 11th summer at camp. I have been a Group Leader and presently my role is as an Allergy Specialist. I taught in NYC for 10 years and I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach. I have four kids that all went to Miss Sue’s and Driftwood for day camp. My oldest is now a counselor at Driftwood too! I have made so many great friends at camp and always enjoy spending my summers at Driftwood. I am grateful that I have had an opportunity to be part of the family and watch my own children grow up in such a wonderful and nurturing place.