David and Shelley Tager, Owners/Directors

David and Shelley Tager have owned Indian Head Camp since 1989.

Prior to assuming ownership of the Camp, David worked with children for more than 20 years as a special education teacher, a director of special service programs and as an elementary school principal. He has also taught in a teachers’ training program at the graduate level at Adelphi University. David is a leader in the Camping Profession, having served on the board of directors of several professional organizations including the New York Section of the American Camp Association. David has also served as the president of the board of directors of a not-for-profit camp for economically disadvantaged youngsters and presently serves as an active member of that board.

David is a graduate of Hofstra University where he received a BS degree in Teaching of Speech and Hearing Handicapped; an MS Degree in Special Education and a PD in Education Administration

Shelley was an elementary school classroom teacher for many years, actively developing dynamic programs and exciting curriculum. Since leaving teaching, Shelley has also taken on leadership roles in the Camping Community. She is the former Education Coordinator and Board member of the New York Section of the American Camp Association, an officer in the Wayne County Camp Director’s Association and also serves on the Board of Directors of a not-for-profit camp for economically disadvantaged children. Shelley is a graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook where she received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Special Education.

Shelley and David have devoted their lives to working with children and have become second parents to their campers each summer.

Email Dave: dave@indianhead.com

Email Shelley: shelley@indianhead.com

Joel and Lauren Rutkowski, Owners/Directors

Joel and Lauren Rutkowski have 20 years of camp experience between them and their relationship with Indian Head began in 1995 and 2001, respectively. Joel and Lauren met and fell in love at camp and are devoted parents to their beautiful son Oakley. Joel and Lauren feel blessed to be closely linked to David and Shelley at both a personal and professional level. In 2008, the natural progression for David and Shelley and for the continual growth of Indian Head, involved Joel and Lauren assuming directorship and part ownership of camp.

Joel has assumed many roles at Indian Head including, Accountant, Basketball Specialist, Group Leader, Counselor In Training Program Director, Head Counselor and Associate Director. Indeed, Joel is amongst the few people in this day and age who can claim to have worked for the same organization his whole professional life. Joel is largely responsible for the development of Indian Head's programs over the last ten years, and his vision and energy for the continued evolution of the summer camp experience has brought Indian Head to new levels. Joel has developed strong relationships with Indian Head families, and has become synonymous of Indian Head Camp.

Lauren began her Indian Head career as a Tennis Specialist in the summer of 2001, amidst studying for her undergraduate at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. In 2002 Lauren was awarded a Carnegie Trust Scholarship, through which she began her specialist interest in Child Development. Since then Lauren has achieved a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with her specialist area in Child and Family, as well as a PhD in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Lauren is a Chancellors Fund, Carnegie Trust and ESRC scholar and is devoted to enhancing childhood development. Similarly to Joel, Lauren has developed close relationships with Indian Head families, with a particular connection to families of our female campers as Lauren continues to spend her summers as Head Counselor on Girls Lake Camp.

Joel and Lauren are devoted to Indian Head Camp, to David and Shelley, and to the traditions that make Indian Head Camp so special.

Email Joel: joel@indianhead.com

Email Lauren: lauren@indianhead.com

Jody Brahms, Associate Director

Jody grew up in Syosset, New York. During the years she attended Syosset High School, she played varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse. In addition to being actively involved in athletics, Jody also showed great interest and talent in the area of Art.

She went on to attend Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, Graduating in 1998 with a degree in Studio Art. While at Bowdoin, she played Division III soccer and lacrosse. Jody earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary education at New York University in 2001. After completing the Master’s Degree program, Jody began her teaching career in Queens, New York where she taught math to 7th and 8th graders.

Jody has a long-standing camp career at Indian Head. She attended camp for seven summers as a camper and then, in 1995 joined the Indian Head Staff as a lacrosse specialist. In subsequent summers Jody was a soccer specialist, Group Leader and Tribe West Trip Leader.

Prior to assuming the position of Head Counselor for intermediate age girls, Jody was the Head Counselor for the Girl’s in our Hill Camp teenage program. Currently, as a full time, year-round member of the Indian Head leadership team, Jody brings to her position a wealth of talent, experience and enthusiasm.

Jody is responsible for our incredible Smoke Signals newsletter, which our families receive throughout the year. Jody holds a special place in the hearts of a generation of Indian Head Campers.

Email Jody: jody@indianhead.com

Mark Tjaden, Staffing Coordinator
& Outdoor Adventure Director

Mark grew up in Chicago, IL and subsequently completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois. Later, Mark completed a Masters of Science Degree at the University of Colorado and went on to teach science, at the high school level, in Colorado Springs.

Mark joined the Indian Head outdoor adventure staff in 1998 and went on to become the Outdoor Adventure Program Director. Mark brings a great deal of expertise related to outdoor adventure program development and staff training. He is a certified American Red Cross First Aid, Life Guard and CPR Trainer.

Mark is responsible for bringing outstanding and terrific staff members to camp as he serves as our Staffing Director. Mark also participates and manages a number of our pre and post-season groups. Campers and staff know and love Mark for his incredible sense of humor, antics at the flagpole and for being the impetus behind the IHC Survivor experience.

Email Mark: mark@indianhead.com

Scott 'Scooter' Schwartz, Boys Head Counselor & Staff Recruiter

Affectionately known as "Scooter" at camp, Scott began his Indian Head career in 1993. Scooter attended camp for five summers as a camper and then, in 2000, joined the Indian Head Staff as a Cabin Specialist. Since then Scooter has assumed the roles of Hockey Specialist, Tour Director and Group Leader. However, it is Scooter's attention to detail, and his natural ability to connect with kids, that saw him assume his role as the Boys Head Counselor of our younger campers. Scooter plays a central role as a member of Indian Head's full time, year-round leadership team. He brings experience, knowledge and energy to everything that he does.

Scott grew up in Plainview, New York and attended the University at Buffalo, graduating in 2005 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Buffalo, he played Division III ice hockey and lacrosse, and coached ice hockey at the youth level. Realizing his true passion for working with children, Scott went on to earn his Master's Degree in Childhood Education from Adelphi University in 2009. After completing his Master's Degree, Scott began his teaching career on Long Island, where he taught in 1st and 5th grade classrooms. Scooter is responsible for hiring top-notch staff, both domestic and international, in his role as a Staff Recruiter. Scooter also plays a major role in developing and providing outstanding on-going staff training and support. Campers and staff know that they can always count on Scooter for a hilarious random fact of the day!

Email Scott: scott@indianhead.com

Mike ‘Foodee’ Gaynord, Food Service/Purchasing Director

Mike hails from Mars, PA. Although it sounds ‘far out’ it is a suburb of the Pittsburgh, PA area. Mike graduated from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. After graduating from college, he was employed at Bloomsburg University as one of their Food Service Managers.

In 1993 Mike took over the Indian Head Food Service operation where he developed one of the finest food service teams in the camping industry. Mike also serves as a resource/consultant to other resident camp food service directors and has given numerous presentations at conferences sponsored by the American Camp Association. Mike is of tremendous value to our full time operation and is available throughout the year to discuss any food related concerns.

Emal Mike: mikefood@indianhead.com