FALL 2019
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PBC RECOGNIZED FOR PROGRAM EXCELLENCE!
e are thrilled to announce that the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) is one of only a few highly select organizations to have received dual accreditation from both the Association of Experiential Education and the American Camp Association! Our staff is deeply committed to learning and implementing best practices in every area of our operation. The Center has been accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) for decades, with reaccreditation visits every three to five years. The process is quite rigorous and encompasses a voluntary peer-review process of PBC’s operations and procedures. Over 275 standards may apply. The process educates our staff about the comprehensive administration of key aspects of camp operation, program quality, and the health and safety of participants and staff.
Students from Trenton Central High School West work together on the challenge course this spring.
After receiving volumes of documentation on PBC’s processes, procedures, training schedules, and liability and risk management procedures, three visitors spent three days at the Center interviewing and observing staff in action, reviewing waterfront and kitchen operations, Two years ago, PBC staff decided to and assessing our facilities. They providwork toward Association of Experi- ed verbal and written feedback that reential Education (AEE) accredita- sulted in the revision of some of our protion. Since 1994, the AEE has developed cesses and procedures. A few weeks ago, some of the most comprehensive stan- we got the news that PBC was accreditdards for experiential adventure programs ed. WE COULDN’T BE PROUDER! as the field was rapidly expanding and the need for standards of program quality, Accreditation is a formal way of exempliprofessional behavior, and appropriate risk fying program excellence, and anecdotal management became imperative. evidence is another way to realize and celebrate program quality. To this point, Attaining AEE Accreditation is ev- one Summer Bridge Leader-in-Training idence of PBC’s commitment to student wrote: “The three weeks I quality and safety, belief in pro- spent at PBC have molded me as a fessional standards, and alloca- person and changed my life for the tion of resources toward contin- better. I met amazing people . . . who ual improvement in the field of taught me important life lessons.The staff experiential education. It’s a strong taught me how to manage money and indicator that PBC meets or exceeds in- handle my credit score, confidence and dustry standards for program excellence. self-love, and how to be my own person.”
A coordinator from a partner school shared the following: “Our school did an overnight leadership retreat last spring it was our first time there and I cannot stress enough what an amazing experience this was for our students. Many have done nothing like it in their lives - from being outdoors, to campfires, to staying in a cabin; many even saw a deer for the FIRST time if you can believe it. It was hugely impactful on our students.” Our high-quality programs make a significant impact on the young people we serve. All PBC programs are provided for free or at a reduced cost for young people from low-income communities. This is only possible because of you! Thank you for your past support, and please join us in supporting the next generation of PBC! With gratitude, Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D. Board Chair
Pam Gregory President & CEO
Mark DeBiasse Joins PBC as Director of Programs
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ark DeBiasse joined PBC in July as Director of Programs at the Blairstown Campus. His career as a history teacher and later as a school administrator spanned more than three decades before his departure from his role as the Supervisor of Humanities for the Madison Public School District in June.
University in International Affairs, he held his first nonprofit role at the Arms Control Association, where he recalled that he “loved that there was a shared mission – everyone felt that there was important work to do, and had real passion for the issues.” Mark also shared that one of the reasons he came to PBC was “a desire to return to a place where a shared mission His inclination to pursue a career in and values, and a willingness to go above education developed before he had finished and beyond are central. I feel like I’ve his own; seeing his international affairs finally come full circle in that way here.” professor at Bucknell revel in interacting with students not only inspired Mark to After graduation, he put his passion for study the subject matter more deeply, but working with students into practice, effectively shaped his choice to become first as a classroom teacher and later, a professional educator. Mark said, “You as a District Supervisor for K-8th grade would go to [Professor Peteric’s] office Humanities. He also furthered his own after class, and there would always be at education, earning his doctoral degree and least a half dozen students lined up to speak teaching as an adjunct professor at Drew with him. His passion was contagious.” and Fairleigh Dickenson Universities.
curriculum and instruction, while his work as an administrator helping train teachers has helped him best prepare PBC staff for their roles working with young people. Though he has only been in his role a few short months, he already feels a strong affinity for the Summer Bridge program and for PBC as an organization, and looks forward to “building on the strong success of both elements.”
After choosing to continue with graduate Mark feels his classroom roles informed studies at The George Washington his approach to PBC’s Summer Bridge
Mark DeBiasse (center) participating in an activity during summer staff training.
PBC Elects Three New Trustees to Board of Directors
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ill Miller is the Dean of Students for the Upper School at Moorestown Friends School. He spent much of his adult life teaching and coaching in public schools, including a decade leading college access and equity programs to guide low-income, first-generation students toward four-year college entry. He has over 15 years of experience in K-12 schools and university settings. Miller received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and School Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a Master of Arts in Higher and PostSecondary Education Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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line Silva is the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits division, of Northfield Bank. Born in Brazil, she spent her formative years in New York City, and became the first in her family to graduate from college. She has over 15 years of experience in human resources and payroll management with a variety of retail and financial institutions. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Hospitality Management from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
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erek Simpkins served as a financial services professional in brokerage, banking, and currency markets for more than 30 years. His previous involvement with PBC includes several years serving as a committee member for the Links to Youth golf outing fundraiser. In 2018 and 2019, he also served as cochair of that fundraising committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Spanish from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.
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Out of the City, Into the Wilderness Editor’s Note: This piece is a blog post from Harlem Academy about their recent visit to PBC, originally published online on October 16, 2019. All text and images are property of Harlem Academy and are reprinted here with permission; emphasis added. Whether rappelling down a dam, making their way through a ropes course high above the ground, or navigating a hike in the woods, Harlem Academy middle school students were up for every challenge during their three-day, overnight trip to the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) in New Jersey earlier this month. Each October, our students travel with teachers and parent chaperones to PBC for team-building exercises, physical challenges, and outdoor educational activities A Harlem Academy student gives the PBC bouldering wall a try. in acres of wilderness. “The trip is a great opportunity to see the school pillars of them as they navigate other new tion and communication for success, and environments at secondary school,” our students worked together to make Ms. Davis explains. it happen. “At one point, we had to walk across a line of blocks while also holding During the course of their stay at PBC, a block and not dropping it,” recalls eighth students participate in adventure-based grader Lisa Lushtak. “At first it seemed learning – fun yet challenging activities easy, but as soon as we started we realthat enable them to work together as ized that it required more attention to a team, lead and motivate others, push detail than we thought. People went too beyond their comfort zones, bond with fast or accidently dropped the block. We classmates, and cheer each other on. “De- had to think and work as a team in order spite being afraid or unsure, each student to finish.” showed great determination as they rock climbed, completed obstacle courses, zip- Jah’si agrees as he thinks back on lined, and walked through the woods with other activities that also required only the stars lighting their path,” says Ms. teamwork: “Most of the time, workDavis. ing as a team is great because you can lean on others. But it can also be Eighth grader Jah’si Eyre was tentative difficult because everybody has difabout the high ropes course, but he went ferent ideas. Listening to each other Seventh graders navigating a team challenge; for it anyway. “Heights make me nervous, and making sure everyone is heard is don’t touch the spider web! so climbing up was scary. After I complet- how we became a successful team.” initiative, integrity, compassion, and deter- ed the course I felt proud. I thought, ‘Yeah! Just as important as team building and mination in action,” says Assistant Head of I did that!’” confidence boosting, the PBC trips give School LaShonda Davis. “Some students never thought they could kids a chance to get out of the city, Students are gaining exposure to a new, climb so high or work so hard to reach stay overnight in rustic cabins, and challenging environment. Because they their targets,” says Ms. Davis, who relished simply have fun in the wilderness. “I participate for three years in a row, by the look of pride and amazement on stu- really enjoyed PBC because it was a time eighth grade they feel at home at PBC. dents’ faces as they accomplished goal af- for us to let loose and bond,” says Lisa. “I got to stargaze at night, and I saw so many “The experience builds confidence ter goal. more stars in the sky compared to when and fosters a growth mindset in our Many of the activities required cooperaI’m home in the city. It was beautiful.” students, which they’ll carry with 3
Artwork, Reflections, and Connections: Princeton Thoughts on PBC and Starting College By GJR, ’23 Community Action Writing Group, September 2019 Turning up the drive, the slight pivots, gear shifts, sudden and frightening stops: at once all became familiar. Despite the pictures I’d seen on phone screens, and those I had kept in my memory, I wasn’t sure if I’d recognize Princeton-Blairstown. When I did, the relief was instant. All the newness of college, my first two nights in that room with its beautiful bay windows looking out upon unfamiliar trees, could be forgotten, if only for five days. I was nervous and overwhelmed about making friends on campus, but at PBC, I could overlook my fears and take refuge in my past. You see, I’d been here before, when my high school took us for our freshman bonding trip. In returning here, I could remember my high school friends, knowing that these four years would be shorter than those, and if those were all right, these could be too.
For a third year running, the Blairstown Campus was filled with the energetic presence of 80 Princeton first-year students and 18 student leaders during Labor Day weekend, all participating in the Pace Center’s Community Action orientation week. In small groups of 10 students and two leaders, the groups focused on either youth empowerment or arts in service.
This year’s group was welcomed to campus with a short history of PBC and an introduction to the social change agents affiliated with the program throughout the years. Afterward, students broke into working groups and learned about their service projects for the week. On campus, the students found inspiration along with countless opportunities to solve complex problems as a team. Each day, in addition The University’s website articulates the to their project work and activities, they goals of the orientation are to help stu- shared meals together, and also reflected dents “form strong bonds among first-years on their experiences. across residential colleges and with their student trip leaders across class years.” During their stay, the Youth Empowerment The week is also designed to encourage groups learned about youth development, students to “engage Princeton’s values - es- and helped facilitate a visiting middle school pecially service to others and intellectual group. The Arts in Service groups created reflection - outside the classroom.” PBC’s a mural, nature-inspired two-dimensional experiential learning model and tailored art, social media and blog posts, or engaged program provide an ideal environment for in other forms of creative writing. students to bond in a deep and meaningful manner over five short days, ahead of their We are pleased to share a few examples of transition into full-time academic rigor. their work here.
My first steps towards Egner recalled a conversation I’d had with my ninthgrade dean; looking towards the fields, I could almost see my high school advisory group sitting in a circle, playing football blindfolded. Then too, I had been in search of new friends, new passions, new habits, but I’d been much less anxious about those things; I knew plenty of people already. But these four years would be different. High school was the inevitable, the template, but college would be neither of these things. Only in this realization can I cease to see myself as going through the motions, passive and complacent. This time it would be up to me to start conversations, find common interest, trust myself and new faces. Perhaps if I forgot about the past, I’d have the key: the ease to form friendships, and the confidence to be the adult I had been only for legal purposes. So instead of walking alone in the group, thinking as I usually would in the absence of close friends, I smiled at the person next to me. I try to remember names and ask my peers about themselves. And PBC is even better this time around. 4
First-year Princeton University students debate strategy and tactics during their raft-building challenge.
n’s Community Action Learning in Service at PBC PBC Round 2 By Regan McCall, ’22, Community Action Leader - Writing Group, September 2019
Above: Georgia Nabor’s reflection piece and Artist Statement about the Night Solo Walk exercise held during Orientation Week. Below: The newest addition to Hunt Lodge, a “Sustainability Journey” mural conceptualized, designed, and installed during Community Action’s visit to PBC.
One year ago, I was an incoming freshman at Princeton, and the thing I was most nervous about was the Community Action trip. I wasn’t particularly thrilled about spending five days with 11 strangers, but I held two main comforts: 1) I was heading to the Princeton-Blairstown Center, so I wouldn’t have to endure a long bus ride, and 2) I was going on a CA trip, so at least I got to be inside, not in the woods like the Outdoor Action groups. So, imagine my surprise when I found out I would be taking an hour-and-a-half bus ride to a campground in the woods. I was definitely out of my element. Throughout the week though, I adapted and realized how much fun it could be to go to camp as a college student. Being a part of PBC Theater was an amazing experience for me. I was able to truly understand a better way to connect service and the arts while making some of my closest friends. Throughout the year I found myself thinking about CA and PBC far more than I expected, so when the CA Leader applications came out, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to come back to help next year’s incoming freshmen have just as great a time. Coming back a full year later, I was shocked at how much I remembered. As I showed other CA leaders around, almost every building we passed brought back a different game. Now that I am back as a leader, I’ve had an amazing time watching my group learn more about the camp, service, and each other.
Cabin 5, as rendered in oil pastels, by a Community Action student during Orientation Week.
Even if I am no longer a part of PBC Theater, I am so grateful to be able to return. This experience has shown me that PBC is integral to the person I am today. Bonds made and lessons learned on these grounds have helped me immensely, and for that I will forever be grateful to PBC.
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Where Are They Now? Badari Ambatti
n the last issue of the Outlook newsletter, we shared updates about two former Blairstown staff, Sascha Brown and Ray Ferrer. This time we talk with Badari Ambatti, who has made a career in outdoor experiential education in part due to experiences working at PBC.
took students from Trenton and Newark on excursions to the well-known “Rick’s Rocks,” and even lead a PBC biking expedition in South Dakota. This culminating “amazing journey” helped students and staff alike develop strong relationships with each other, and PBC.
Badari worked for PBC in the late 1990s and early 2000s, first as an outdoor experiential education facilitator, and later returning to serve as a Program Coordinator and Summer High Quest Program Manager.
“Students participating in these experiences got a solid foundation in developmental Badari and his family traveling in 2019. and outdoor skills, and it made me believe that outdoor education can really change Today, he is the Sales Director for Adventure and Team Building Programs for lives,” Badari said. NYC Outward Bound, where he works with groups to create outdoor experiential opportunities for young people in the five boroughs. Each year, NYC Outward Bound brings more than 100 students to Blairstown to use the adventure courses, cabins, and other amenities. Often, Badari comes along as one of the adult leaders for that trip. In this way, he maintains his connection to PBC because, as he says, “it is a special place.” His connection with the organization is such that in 2014, he coorBadari (left) and his family canoe down the Delaware River on a PBC outing in 2014. dinated a family expedition to Blairstown He came to PBC as a summer facilitator af- He developed close relationships with so his extended family and in-laws would ter participating in the National Outdoor many PBC staff, citing Hendricks Davis and have an opportunity to share their own Leadership School (NOLS). Thanks to that Donna Price among his mentors. He was Blairstown experience. experience, Badari was well prepared for also asked to play a key role in the wedding his role at PBC, and found the experience of Melissa Lockman and Mark Wiranowski “I came to PBC to make a difference and so rewarding that he returned the follow- on PBC grounds, when he prepared Indian PBC gave me the tools to do that. This is still my mission today. Places like PBC help ing year to be a year-round facilitator. food for their 200 guests. keep our society together.” Badari later served as a Program Coordi- While Badari had many amazing experinator and summer manager of the High ences during his time at PBC, the most If you would like to share your story and posQuest Program, working with Executive memorable and significant for him remains sibly be featured in a future issue, please conDirector Hendricks Davis delivering pro- the birth of his daughter during his time tact Meredith Murray at 609-216-7025 or at mmurray@princetonblairstown.org. grams in schools and on campus. Badari there in 2002.
View From the Field
Board Chair Sarah Tantillo captured a calm moment next to Bass Lake during the 2019 Woodcutters Weekend voluinteer event, held on November 2. 6
Fifth Annual Soirée Under the Stars honors Patricia Cornet
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ctober 11 was a memorable day - it marked our fifth annual Soirée Under the Stars fundraiser! Co-chaired by Minda Alena and Pam Walker, the event brought together supporters and friends at the Springdale Golf Club to celebrate the work of PBC, and to honor the 2019 Frank Broderick Award recipient, Patricia Cornet, co-founder of Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP), and Group Lead, Community Partnerships, Strategic Collaborations, US Medical for BristolMyers Squibb.
In her speech, Idaliza recounted numerous anecdotes and memories that illustrated several common threads that ran throughout her many visits to PBC, including sharing with attendees that she started her first visit to campus full of fear. “When I first went to PBC, I was scared of everything. I was nervous about sleeping in a cabin, [afraid of] heights, and I was an awful swimmer,” she shared. “Now, I have a blast sleeping in a cabin...I was the first
President & CEO Pam Gregory shared, “Frank Broderick advocated for integration of the Princeton Summer Camp [PBC’s predecessor organization] and Princeton University during his time as a Student speaker Idaliza Perez (left) and 2019 student there in the 1940s. We are deFrank Broderick Award honoree Pat Cornet. lighted to honor Pat Cornet with this award in Mr. Broderick’s name for her The event was attended by more than 130 work to improve access for women of people and raised over $75,000 to support PBC’s award-winning Summer Bridge color in the pharmaceutical field.” Program, an academic enrichment and leadership program offered free of charge to students from Trenton, Newark, and Camden.
Left to Right: Dawn Garvey, Anna Moser, and Jackie Pistner.
Attendees heard firsthand about the impact of the program from Trenton Summer Bridge participant and high school sophomore Idaliza Perez, who shared her experiences from her past five summers living and learning on the Blairstown Campus.
Clockwise from top left: PBC President and CEO, Pam Gregory; Florence Broadway; John Broadway; and Ev Pinneo. John was a camper when Ev was student director of the Princeton Summer Camp.
person in my group to volunteer to do the high ropes, and I was finally able to pass the swim test...thanks to all of you, I was able to have these amazing experiences which I wouldn’t have had without your support.”
2020 Links to Youth Golf Outing - Save the Date!
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he 2020 Links to Youth Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, May 8th at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg, NJ. This fun day of golf and camaraderie will culminate in an awards banquet dinner, to which non-golfing guests are also invited. The evening will include a silent auction and short program featuring a PBC student speaker. Mark your calendars! All proceeds benefit the free, award-winning Summer Bridge Program. Left: PBC Trustee Shawn Maxam takes a swing at Hole 13 at the 2019 Links to Youth Golf Outing. Right: Peter and Anne O’Neill (left) with Ginger and Kevin Tylus, enjoying time on the green with friends.
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Princeton-Blairstown Center 13 Roszel Road, Suite C204A Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 921-0070 www.princetonblairstown.org
Princeton Office President & CEO Pam Gregory Director of Finance & Administration Nicole Nilsson Director of Development & Communications Meredith Murray Communications & Special Events Manager Maren Morsch, MPA Accounting Assistant Gina Grieco (part-time) Administrative Assistant Fran Hezrony (part-time)
Blairstown Campus Director of Programs Mark DeBiasse, D. Litt Assistant Director Adam Faller
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D. ’87 Vice Chair Christopher Van Buren, CFA ’84 Secretary Rev. Alison Boden, Ph.D. Treasurer Bruce Petersen ’79 Trustees Minda A. Alena Christina Bailey Russell DaSilva, Esq. ’76 Susan G. Danielson, Psy.D. Praveena Joseph-de Saram *10 Claudia Franco Kelly, MBA Meryl Kessler, Esq. ’84 Courtney Lang, MBA Yvette Saeko Lanneaux, Esq. ’88 Shawn Maxam, MSW Will Miller Andrew F. Morris, MBA Christopher S. Moser Suman Rao Donald R. Seitz, MBA ’79 Aline Silva Derek Simpkins Warren M. Stock, MBA William Wild ’13 Advisory Council Gabbie Acott ’21 Mark L. Antin, Esq. Jonathan Baer
Jon Dec ’13 Jason K. Griffiths ’97 Sari Chang Guthrie, RA ’84 Rochelle R. Hendricks Kevin C. Hudson ’97 James B. Huffman, P.E. ’77 Al Kaemmerlen, MBA ’62 Grace Logan, ’21 Lauren Meehan ’08 Chris Murphy ’20 Richard Ober, Esq. ’65 Jason Pedraza ’11 George Cooper Rudolph III, ’63 Sally Jane Ruybalid, ’21 Pamela L. Simpkins, MBA Daniel Tjondro ’20 Pam Walker Honorary Trustees Joseph L. Bolster, Jr. ’52 Eric Craig Janet Smith Dickerson, M.Ed. Joan N. Doig Jane Fremon ’75 Rev. David H. McAlpin, Jr. ’50 Everard K. Pinneo ’48 Dr. Robert J. Rivers, Jr. ’53 Winthrop A. Short ’41 Peter T. Smith President & CEO Pam Gregory
Operations Manager Pat Karl Program Managers Ron Franco Hannah Idler Facilities Director Jody Zengulis Facilities Assistants Jacob Bruch John Haney Biviana Fontalvo (on-call) Food Services Manager Robert Buarotti Food Services Staff Diane Nicastro, Lead Cook Justin Olimpaito, Lead Cook
IS THE PRINCETON-BLAIRSTOWN CENTER INCLUDED IN YOUR WILL?
The greatest assurance that the valuable work of the Princeton-Blairstown Center will continue for another century is through a bequest from you. Please consider the Princeton-Blairstown Center as you provide security to those you love and honor and include us in that special group. Through a bequest, you will join the 1908 Legacy Society which honors the visionaries who have left an unsurpassed legacy like Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cornwall, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Egner, Mrs. Mary “Randy” Hobler, and Mr. and Mrs. John Sherrerd. Their gifts have helped to ensure that deserving youth can experience the transformative power of our Blairstown Campus. Please call Meredith Murray at 609.216.7025, or email her at mmurray@ princetonblairstown.org for more information.