Meet our Staff
Charlotte Reinhardt-Hepler
Charlotte has been working with The Connection summer camps since 2018. This summer, she is coordinating Mini Explorers, Creative Kids, and STEM Adventure. She is currently a sophomore in college studying elementary education and psychology. Charlotte is looking forward to another summer at The Connection! Read More …
Kerri McNelis
Kerri is The Connection’s Great Outdoors Coordinator. Kerri has worked for The Connection for the past 4 years and has loved getting to know all the campers. Kerri was a camper herself for 6 years when she was younger and wanted to give other campers the same wonderful experience she had over the years. In addition, Kerri just finished her freshman year at Villanova University where she is studying Biology. She is also EMT certified. She can’t wait for another amazing summer with the campers! Read More …
Veronica Walton
Veronica is so excited to be joining The Connection this summer as the PM Art Coordinator and AM Head Guppies Teacher! Born and raised in Cranford, she is a graduate student at Bank Street College of Education pursuing an MSEd and dual certification in Childhood General Education and Teaching Literacy, and a proud alumna of Bryn Mawr College. Veronica has 10+ years of teaching, tutoring, and childcare experience; has worked with children of all ages and needs; and strives to be a creative, engaging, and socially and emotionally conscious educator. In the fall, she will begin teaching 2nd grade at Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. When she’s not teaching, you can find Veronica cuddling with her cat, curled up with a good book or video game, trying out new makeup, and exploring New York City. Read More …
Jaime Gartenberg
Jaime is a rising Senior at Syracuse University studying Inclusive Elementary and Special Education. She has had experience working at The Connection Summer Camp for one year as well as working in the After school program at The Connection for two years. Jaime will be coordinating Sports and Nature for week one, Fashion for weeks two, four and six, Cooking Around The World for week three, The Great Connection Bake Off for week five and lastly for week seven she will be coordinating Yoga and Art. She enjoys working with kids, helping them grow and building their strengths and can’t wait for Summer Camp to begin! Read More …
Taina Bey
Taina Bey (South Orange, NJ), graduated from Smith College with BA in Dance and a minor in Africana Studies; she studied contemporary and somatic dance in Berlin, Germany and performed in residency with Pilobolus Dance Theater. Taina is a graduate of the Peridance Capezio Intensive Semester program and has collaborated with Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company, Mathew James/ URBAN//TRIBE, Annie Sailer/Annie Sailer Dance Company and Darcy Naganuma/Naganuma Dance. Her choreographic work has been shown through Movement Research and at The Salvatore Capezio Theater, Jennifer Muller/ The Works Studio, The Actors Fund Arts Center and The Sans Limites Dance Festival. Taina is a Dance Instructor, Special Events Coordinator and Theater Camp Coordinator at The Connection. Taina is also a Teaching Artist with NJPAC and the Dance Program Director and a Dance Instructor at Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts. Read More …
Robert Nuccio
Coach Rob Nucci is currently a Health and Physical Education Teacher and has a passion for teaching and learning! He has taught for the past 25 years and has coached a successful wrestling program while leading his team to many championships. He was the 2012 Star Ledger Wrestling State Coach of the Year and was also awarded the 2018 Governor’s Educator of the Year award in his school district. He most recently won the 2022 NJ State Championship for Group 2 and was again awarded the 2022 Shore Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year! Coach Nucci is also a CPR and First Aid/AED instructor. He loves working with children, is passionate about sports and is an excellent motivator! He has 3 girls of his own and looks forward to having a fun and exciting summer at The Connection! Read More …
Kate Kenyon
Kate Kenyon is The Connection’s Dance, Theater, & Specialty Camps Assistant Director in addition to the Dance & Performing Arts Assistant Director. Kate has worked for summer day and sleepaway camps for 10 years in a variety of roles and has such a passion for camp and the impact it has on life. Read More …
Jason Genualdi
Jason has expressed his passion for creativity since he was a child. Having 3 brothers, imagination and adventure was a big part of childhood. He has a background in visual art, design, and fashion merchandising and is always looking for new inspiration. Read More …
Brianna Brown
Brianna Brown graduated from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Illustration in May of 2018. Brianna is currently the art teacher for The Connection AfterSchool Program and also works at Color Me Mine here in Summit. Read More …