David & Allison, Owners/Directors
We take pride in our hands-on approach to camping. Our personal leadership and spirit is reflected in Camp Starlight's rich traditions, extraordinary staff, and quality program. We focus on the individual camper, striving to make each child and parent feel that they are an important part of the Starlight family. As parents ourselves, we understand the significance of a warm and safe camp community where young people can have fun, make friends, develop skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Meet David
David, a native of Newton, Massachusetts grew up as a camper in Maine, where he spent 12 summers as a camper, counselor, Hockey Specialist, and Division Head. He graduated from New York University and, prior to entering the camping industry, worked in the entertainment industry as a casting director, talent manager, and independent film producer. His lifelong dream to be a director of a summer camp became a reality in 1999 when he purchased Camp Starlight. He currently resides in Florida with his wife Allison and his two children Hayley and Griffin.
Meet Allison
Allison, originally from Old Westbury, N.Y., focuses on camp operations and administration as well as staff and camper relations. She graduated from N.Y.U. and then earned a law degree from Cardozo School of Law. She spent her legal career as an associate at a prestigious national law firm and served as in-house counsel at a major auction house. She later became V.P., Head of Human Resources for that same company, where she was responsible for hiring, training, and development of the North and South American staff. However, she sees her role as the mother of two children, Hayley and Griffin, as the most valuable experience she brings to Camp Starlight.
Hayley & Robbie, Directors
It has always been a dream of Hayley and Robbie to find someone who shares the same passion and joy for life as each other. When Hayley and Robbie met in Australia while recruiting camp counselors it was clear they also shared a deep love for summer camp. They have each experienced the incredible gift of camp as both campers and counselors. They know what it is like to be a camper, a counselor, a senior staff member, and what it takes to run a camp behind the scenes.
Hayley and Robbie realize it is important that every camper and counselor makes special friendships, camp memories, and of course has fun! They focus on creating individual relationships with every camper and staff member each summer and throughout the entire year bringing the energy, spirit, and personality to Camp Starlight!
Meet Hayley
Hayley grew up at Camp Starlight, spending her summers as a camper, Counselor Assistant, Bunk Specialist, and Assistant Division Leader for the Lower Inter Girls and Senior Girls. Hayley was also a Sing Leader for the Blue Wave and General for the Epic Whites! Hayley received her MBA and Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Miami. She loves everything camp! Whether she’s on stage hosting the Friday Night Show or spending time talking to campers, you can easily see Hayley’s passion for camp and making sure our campers have the best summer. During winter months, Hayley is in charge of hiring staff and keeping our Starlight Family connected throughout the year.
Meet Robbie
Robbie grew up at Timber Lake Camp and served as Associate Director and Boys Head Counselor for twelve years. Prior to this he was a camper, counselor, Division Leader, and Program Director at his long-time summer home. In 2021, Robbie joined the Starlight Family as Associate Director. Robbie is originally from Montville, New Jersey, graduated from Indiana University, and lives in New York City. He is most known for his spirit, energy, sports announcing, square dance calls, basketball trick shots, love for Hoosier basketball, outstanding care for campers, staff and parents, and passion for summer camp.
Summer Leadership Team
Our Summer leadership team is comprised of experienced, fun, creative, energetic, and caring professionals, many of whom work with children year-round and return to Starlight each summer. Mostly educators and coaches who are also parents, our Head Counselors, Division Leaders, Program Heads and Administrators have decades of experience. Most importantly, they love working with our campers, whose fun and safety are never anything less than their top priorities.
The Best Counselors Ever
We strive to hire the best staff in camping. Successful prospective staff members are upper level college and graduate students who have experience working with children and valuable skills to share. Our staff to camper ratio is better than 3:1 with a large percentage of our counselors returning year after year. Many of our staff members have also grown up at Camp Starlight and understand our philosophy and traditions. Each candidate is personally interviewed by our Directors then selected on the basis of personality, teaching abilities, enthusiasm, patience, and love of children. All hired staff members attend an intense, comprehensive, and fun week of training prior to camp and are not only well prepared but eagerly awaiting the arrival of our campers.