EARTH CONNECTION EDUCATORS

Susan Rausch is the Founder and Director of Earth Connections, Inc.  In 1996 Susan was hired by Cayuga Nature Center to develop a camp program for pre-teen youth at the Hammond Hill site. That was the beginning of the Explorer Program, in which children learned basic primitive survival and living skills. In the summer of 1999, Susan developed the Village Camp Program with the goal of providing an anti-biased curriculum and safe space for children of all backgrounds to come and enjoy Hammond Hill while they explored nature through hands on activities.  In addition full or partial scholarships would be offered to all who needed the assistance in order to attend.  In January of 2002, Cayuga Nature Center sold the Camp located on Hammond Hill in Dryden, NY to Susan, thus Earth Connections was created to oversee the continuation of the Explorer and Village Camp Programs.  Susan has been working in Human Services with Children’s Camps, After-School Programs, and as a Youth Advocate for over 25 years.  She resides at the camp with her children and their numerous animal companions.  Susan has a Master Degree from SUNY Cortland in Management of Leisure Services, and has studied with various wilderness schools and educators.

 

Gina Kolb is a Science teacher for 6^th-12^th grade students at the Lehman Alternative School in Ithaca.  Gina teaches subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Health, Animal Science and Physics.  Gina is returning as a guest educator with Earth Connection.  This summer Gina will be introducing scientific techniques and experimental methods to both our Educators and Campers, used to monitor and discover the condition and health of the soil, water, and atmosphere. 

 

Robin Joseph-Hochman
Robin has been working at Camp Earth Connections since it’s beginning in 2002.  Robin positions have included Assistant Director, Lead Educator, and Bus/Transportation Supervisor.  Robin is a 2006 graduate from Hiram College in Ohio with a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in Environmental Law.  She has lived in Ithaca since she was adopted in 1985.   Robin enjoys working with children and has been doing this for many years.  She completed over 300 hours of volunteer work with children during high school, which led to her interest in becoming a camp educator.  She especially loves working with kids who are adopted like herself, and has had the opportunity to do so with Earth Connection’s “Adoption Connection” camps and workshops.  Since college, Robin has worked at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center after school program, as a Teacher's Assistant in the ESL program at the Ithaca High School, and currently works at the Belle Sherman Elementary After School program during the academic school year.

 
Karen Thurnheer has been involved with the Explorer Program and Earth Connections since 1997.  She has served both as the Program Director and Educator at the camp and is currently a guest educator.  Karen is an Outdoor Educator and enthusiast with a strong connection to the earth and the planet.  She has taught outdoor survival skills and basket making for local Nature Centers for a number of years.  Karen realizes that many primitive skills are being lost.  From the desert, the jungle and life on her family’s farm, Karen draws from a wealth of experiences.  She wishes to share her knowledge as her parents, grandparents and others have shared with her.  Karen currently works as an American Sign Language Educational Interpreter in Cortland, NY.

 

Linda Spielman has been involved with the Explorer Program and Earth Connections since 1997.  She has served both as the Program Director and Educator.  Linda’s passion for the outdoors has led her in a lifelong study of natural history.  She holds a Ph.D. degree from Cornell in Mycology and Plant Biology, but environmental education called her away from a research career in 1990.  She has attended survival, nature awareness, and tracking courses with Tom Brown, Jon Young, Paul Rezendes, and Charles Worsham.  She runs a local Tracking Club, and is the Coordinator of Cayuga Keeping Track, a volunteer group dedicated to wildlife monitoring.  Linda has worked at Cayuga Nature Center and with Cornell Outdoor Education, SUNY Cortland Winter Studies, Finger Lakes State Parks, and many other groups in our region.  Her wide-ranging experience includes leading educational programs for all ages, canoeing and backpacking trips for youth, and animal tracking hikes.

 

Angel Megan Rausch Moran has been a camper at Earth Connections since its inception.  She is an avid Mountain Biker and has completed numerous Advanced Explorer Sessions.  Angel is excited to be joining the staff as an Assistant Educator this year.  She is a student at the Lehman Alternative Community School.

 

Kwan Rausch Moran has been a camper at Earth Connections since its inception.  He  enjoys Archery and Mountain Biking and is working towards mastery in these skills.  Kwan is an excellent student. He is graduating from Boynton Middle School this June. Kwan will be joining Earth Connections this year as an Assistant Educator and Administrative Support person assisting with Web Page revisions and Data Entry. 

 Shade Gomez is a certified English teacher at Ithaca High School.  He has a Masters Degree from SUNY Cortland.  He has experience teaching youth at camps, working in the field of “parental crisis management”, and tutorial experience in the “Upward Bound” program. Last summer he participated in a teacher training in “Shakespearean Literature and Acting” with the Folgers Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C..  He would especially like to reach youth of color, and help them have positive outdoor experiences in nature, while using “Communication” as a tool to give youth a “voice” to respond to the environment around them.  Shade enjoys spending time in the woods, reading and gardening.  Shade is an Educator at Earth Connection’s Village Camp.

 

 Marc Bigsby enjoys riding his mountain bike nearly as much as he enjoys working with children.  He has served as both the Trip Leader of Mountain Biking Camp and consultant for the program. Marc has worked with young people as a youth worker, a foster parent, a math teacher, and most recently as a social worker.  Marc presently works at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School as the school social worker.  Marc is a parent and truly enjoys leading and teaching young people. 

 

Anita Devine holds a Bachelors degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Social Work and Social Research.  She worked as an educator on the elementary and secondary level for 5 years.  Her life study has been natural foods, and the relationship between natural foods and harmony within ourselves.  She has taught whole foods cooking for 10 years, and also counsels individuals who wish to bring more health and balance to their diets and lifestyle.  She was raised in Philadelphia, and for the past 5 years she has gradually shifted her life to upstate NY.  Anita is an adoptive and foster parent, as well as parenting two biological children.  Anita is a Guest Educator at Earth Connections focusing on nature crafts and healthy lifestyles.
 

 Jean Rowley is a registered Nurse who worked as a clinic nurse for over 17 years at Ithaca College.  She enjoys hiking, camping and being in the outdoors.  In her past, Jean has been involved with numerous outdoor programs including Outward Bound and has received medical training for wilderness situations.  Jean has served as our on-call nurse for the past few summers and will continue in that role.