Ron Franco, Co-Director, Blairstown Campus - Director of Programs & Planning
908-362-6765 ext. 4
rfranco@princetonblairstown.org
Ron joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2016 as an Experiential Education Facilitator. He was promoted to a Program Manager in 2018, and in 2020 was promoted to the Senior Program Manager position. He was promoted to the role of Co-Director of the Blairstown Campus in 2024. A graduate of SUNY Binghamton, Ron holds a BA in English and Creative Writing. Ron recently completed the Victoria Non-Profit Emerging Leaders Program, a one-year initiative through the Rutgers University Institute of Ethical Leadership. He is a certified ACCT Level II practitioner and Wilderness First Responder.
Maren Morsch, Co-Director, Blairstown Campus - Director of Operations & Logistics
908-362-6765 ext. 6 mmorsch@princetonblairstown.org
Maren joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2019 as the Communications and Special Events Manager and transitioned to the role of Assistant Director in 2022. She was promoted to the role of Co-Director of the Blairstown Campus in 2024. Her experience working with young people in the outdoors began during her five years with the National Park Service, followed by five years with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. She holds a BA from The College of New Jersey in Communications and Environmental Studies and received her MPA from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service in 2019. Maren completed a course in Risk Management for Outdoor Programs from Viristar. She is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard, Wilderness First Responder, and an ACCT Level I (Low Ropes) practitioner. She is also certified to teach Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
Pat Karl, Operations Manager
908-362-6765 ext. 1
pkarl@princetonblairstown.org
Pat joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2006 and was promoted to Operations Manager in 2015. Pat is often the first person people connect with when making their arrangements to visit Blairstown. Pat previously held an array of progressively responsible administrative positions at General Chemical Industrial Products, AT&T Bell Laboratories, and Prudential Insurance Company.
Raekwon Burton, Program Manager
rburton@princetonblairstown.org
Rae joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2024 as a Program Manager. He first came to the Center as a participant while he was a high school student and returned to serve as a Summer Bridge Facilitator in 2017, and has served as an adjunct facilitator since then. He previously served as a Trauma Response & Emergency Preparedness Volunteer Coordinator and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Engagement Equity Specialist. He graduated with honors from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with a BA in Psychology with a Clinical Concentration and a minor in Sociology, and holds a Master of Social Work degree with a Clinical Concentration in Child Well-being & Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds certifications in Stress Management & Psychological First Aid. He is a trained Mindfulness Instructor and Conflict Management Mediator.
Malik Church, Senior Facilitator mchurch@princetonblairstown.org
Malik joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2021 as an Experiential Education Facilitator, moving into a Senior Facilitator role in March of 2023. Prior to that he worked as an ESOL teacher at the National Academy Foundation middle school in Baltimore, Maryland where he taught refugee students and those new to the USA. Malik holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Shintaro Akatsu School of Design at the University of Bridgeport. He is a certified ACCT Level II practitioner and Wilderness First Responder.
Isabelle Hanley, Program Manager
ihanley@princetonblairstown.org
Isabelle joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2024 as a Program Manager. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a BS in Public Health Sciences with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and a minor in Environmental Sciences, and also spent a year at the University of Montana where she focused on Wilderness Studies. She previously worked as a Garden Educator for Acentria Care Alliance and also served as a Career Ambassador and Director of Social Media at the UMass Office of Career Planning School of Public Health and Health Sciences. She has led Wilderness expeditions in Montana, conducted clinical research, served as a Peer Educator at UMass, and worked at and supervised teams at Wards Berry Farm in Massachusetts. Isabelle is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
James Frye, Senior Facilitator
jfrye@princetonblairstown.org
James joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2022 as an Experiential Education Facilitator, moving into a Senior Facilitator role in March of 2023. He previously worked as an environmental education instructor for the Pocono Environmental Education Center. James holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries from Pennsylvania State University where he completed research work in the Applied Population Ecology Lab and Air Quality and Arboretum. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and ACCT Level I practitioner.
Justin Tenley, Interim Program Manager
jtenley@princetonblairstown.org
Justin joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2023 as an Experiential Education Facilitator. A graduate of Millersville University, Justin holds a BA in English as well as a Secondary Education Certificate. Justin has extensive teaching and youth development experience, most recently as an ESL teacher in South Korea. Prior to that Justin worked at Bethany Children’s Home and Philhaven, providing trauma-informed care for marginalized youth. Justin is an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves to kayak, hike, backpack, forage for wild edibles, and paddleboard. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, American Red Cross Lifeguard, and an ACCT Level I practitioner.
Cooper Metzger, Senior Facilitator
cmetzger@princetonblairstown.org
Cooper joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2022 as a member of the summer staff. He returned in early 2023 to complete an internship and became an Experiential Education Facilitator, moving into a Senior Facilitator role in March of 2024. He holds a degree in Adventure Education from Plymouth State University. He first came to the Center as a participant with his High School, Westfield High. An avid climber and outdoorsman, Cooper has worked as a Zipline Tour Guide at Catamount Ski Area and with youth at Camp Speers. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and ACCT Level II practitioner as well as a Leave No Trace Trainer.
Alicia Navarrete, Senior Facilitator
anavarrete@princetonblairstown.org
Alicia joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2019 as an Experiential Education Facilitator, returning in 2021 and 2022, and moving into a Senior Facilitator role in 2023. She spent the last eight summers teaching Marine Science at the Acadia Institute of Oceanography. She has extensive teaching experience in non-traditional settings including the Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center, Little Tree Education, and Kinderker Bilingual Preschool. Alicia holds a BS in Elementary Education & Teaching from SUNY Oswego. She is a certified ACCT Level II practitioner and Wilderness First Responder.
Parth Joshi, Experiential Education Facilitator
pjoshi@princetonblairstown.org
Parth joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2024 as an Experiential Education Facilitator. His deep love for philosophy, STEM, and outdoor adventures led him to explore a new path at PBC. He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University and has previously worked at The Center School as a robotics instructor and mentor, where he coached students with special needs in their work fabricating a task-performing robot for the MAR F.I.R.S.T. robotics competition. An avid climber and outdoorsman, Parth has extensive experience participating in recreational outdoor activities, including camping, rock climbing, and backpacking, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder, American Red Cross Lifeguard, and an ACCT Level I practitioner.
Polina Litvinova, Experiential Education Facilitator
plitvinova@princetonblairstown.org
Polina joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2023 as the Assistant Summer Bridge Coordinator, returning in 2024 for another summer and the fall season. She is a Ukrainian citizen who graduated from the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” in Ukrainian law. Prior to attending the university Polina helped to organize an expedition to EU countries for over 40 youth leaders. She has been a camper at several different camps in Ukraine including as a two-time delegate for the Peace Corps Camp Model United Nations. Polina is certified in American Red Cross First Aid & CPR.
Spencer MacLean, Experiential Education Facilitator
smaclean@princetonblairstown.org
Spencer joined Princeton Blairstown Center in 2024 as an Experiential Education Facilitator. A graduate of Montana State, Spencer holds a BA in Sociology where he focused on negotiation of identity and trauma within social structures. He spent the past five years serving in various roles at Stone Canyon Outdoor EdVentures in Larkspur, Colorado, most recently as Leadership Development Specialist and Lead Instructor for their outdoor education program. Spencer is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is an ACCT Level II practitioner.
Amit Panariya, Experiential Education Facilitator
apanariya@princetonblairstown.org
Amit joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2024 as an Experiential Education Facilitator. He is a seasoned outdoor and nature educator who previously worked in Ecuador as a Natural Sciences professor and Coordinator of Practical Experiences. In addition, he has traveled extensively and is an established wildlife and nature photographer. Amit holds a MS in Applied Medical Sciences from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai University and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Jody Zengulis, Vice President of Facilities
908-362-6765 ext. 5
jzengulis@princetonblairstown.org
Jody joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 1997. He and his team oversee and maintain all Blairstown facilities, grounds, equipment, and vehicles. Jody has a wealth of skills and advanced training in emergency action plans, dam safety & maintenance, lake management, OSHA compliance, hazardous communication, asbestos, lead & mold management, ladder safety & fall protection, respirator protection, and electrical safety. He is also a certified, licensed pesticide operator.
Jacob Bruch, Facilities Manager
jbruch@princetonblairstown.org
Jake joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2019, and was promoted to Facilities Manager in 2023. He graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a BS in science. He previously worked in healthcare, construction, and as a painter. Jake is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Kristopher Duckworth, Facilities Assistant
kduckworth@princetonblairstown.org
Kris joined the Princeton-Blairstown Center in 2024 as a Facilities Assistant. He previously worked at North Warren Stampcrete and for the Town of Phillipsburg. His skills include masonry, equipment repair, electrical, drywall installation, and roofing.
