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Full-Time, Year-Round Staff

Umut Dursun, MA

Executive Director & Camp Director

Umut Dursun became part of the Harbor Camps family in 2014 as a bunk counselor and has since spent countless hours playing soccer, swimming in the lake, and singing songs in the dining hall.

Umut is a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, award-winning saxophonist, and 2011 Teach For America Miami-Dade Alumni. He most recently served as the Co-Director of YES Institute, a non-profit rooted in suicide prevention and education on gender and orientation. Prior to his tenure at YES he worked on staff at Teach For America where he served on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council, led Pride Affinity Resource Group initiatives, and served on the Board of the TFA Military Veteran’s Council.

Umut is thrilled to become Harbor Camps’ second executive director/camp director since its inception in 2009. He also serves on the Board of Directors for NH Camps. You can reach Umut at umut@harborcamps.org.

Ruth Lindner

Director of Development & Family Outreach

Ruth joined Harbor Camps in 2010 as a volunteer bunk counselor and fell in love with the camp culture and community. In 2019, she joined the team full time as the Director of Development, overseeing and coordinating camp’s scholarship program and all fundraising efforts. Most recently, she has taken on a role in family outreach, including communicating with families leading up to and during camp. In the off season, she lives in Boston with her partner and enjoys volunteering and crafting. You can reach Ruth at ruth@harborcamps.org.

Lee Geisthardt

Director of Staffing

Lee is excited to be joining the Harbor Camps team in 2024! Lee started their camp career at a Girl Scout camp in Michigan where they worked for five years serving in roles including overnight camp counselor, barn director, and year-round assistant camp director. They believe that camp is a truly magical place and experience and can’t wait to help create and share that magic with the staff and campers at Harbor Camps! During the off-season, Lee can usually be found in Michigan hanging out with their dog, Zoey. You can reach Lee at lee@harborcamps.org.

Steve Jaeger

Head of Facilities

Steve has been with Harbor Camps since 2014. Steve has been a camp ranger for over 15 years, six of which were on our current property with the previous owners. He has worked for the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Steve is an avid fisherman and enjoys all outdoor activities. He and his wife Lisa live at camp year-round, where he manages all 116 acres and our ongoing projects on the property. He has three grown children, Josh, Aly, and Brandon, and several grandchildren. Steve feels strongly that camp is something all children deserve to experience.

Nick Teich, PhD, LCSW

Founder, Director Emeritus, & Internal Consultant

Nick founded Harbor Camps (formerly “Camp Aranu’tiq”) in 2009, the world’s first summer camp for trans & non-binary youth. Nick spent 13 years as the CEO and camp director, during which time Harbor served thousands of kids at its home in New Hampshire and beyond. Nick is now a part-time internal consultant and business manager for Harbor Camps, and has his own consulting business where he coaches camp directors and camps all over North America. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Camp Association – New England and runs ACA’s “Business of Camp” and “Mental, Emotional and Social Health Systems” groups for camp directors. He holds a masters degree in social work from Boston College and a PhD in social policy from Brandeis University.

You can reach Nick at nick@harborcamps.org.


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Summer Leadership Team: “L-Team”

Our leadership team members:

Madilyn Campbell

With Harbor Camps since 2011 | Boston area, MA

Rebecca Kling

With Harbor Camps since 2012 | Chicago, IL

Daran Shipman, LMFT

With Harbor Camps since 2018 | Syracuse, NY

Mateo Tebar

With Harbor Camps since 2019 | New York City

Ashlee Edwards

With Harbor Camps since 2017 | Greeley, CO

Melissa MacNish, LMHC

With Harbor Camps since 2009 | Boston, MA


Advisory Board

Our advisory board members:

Jodie Patterson

Morgan Darby

Julie Lipson

"Charlie is so much more confident and self-assured after camp this year, we are so grateful for all you do, and for your making this incredibly special space for these kids." R.R., Camp Parent

Get ready for one amazing summer!