The summer planning is going strong over at Farrington these days! We are just about to host our first visiting group and kick off the busy days ahead. Joining us in summer program leadership this summer are Kiz Ortiz-Vanger, as our new Explore Coordinator, and long-time staff member Anthony Mazzarella as our Lead Counselor. Kiz will be leading curriculum creation and implementation for our Explore programs with groups that visit 3 or more times over the course of the summer. Anthony will be taking the lead in training and supporting our Junior Counselors throughout the summer.

Kiz grew up in the concrete jungle of New York City with a big heart for all animals. In attending High School for Environmental Studies, this love grew to include the greater environment. She continued to pursue this as a career by majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Wildlife Biology at the University of Vermont. She is currently studying to receive her Master's in Environmental Education at Antioch University. And is really excited to be able to combine all three of her passions - animals, environment and urban this summer at Farrington.

Anthony has worked at Farrington for about 10 years now and every summer he’s excited to work with his coworkers and work with the youth. He also works in Cambridge in an afterschool program called King Open extended day where he’s worked with the 5th graders there for about 6 years. Anthony started as a volunteer in 8th grade at Farrington after his friend and former long time staff member, Andy, introduced him to the program. He has always had a passion to work with kids and loves helping the children understand the natural world at Farrington. He wants the children to know that the natural world can help them and that it’s healthy to be outside in nature.

Please join us in welcoming them into their roles this summer at Farrington. They will be critical in providing positive, nature-based experiences throughout the summer, which will include over 30 days of programs, 3 Explore partners, 8 overnight programs, and around 25 total program partners to serve over 1,000 children in those fleeting weeks of summer.

New Summer Staff Have Arrived!