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Meet the people that make the Thomas School Day Camp spectacular!

Claudia Stewart | Camp Director


Claudia has a degree in Physical Education, is originally from Argentina, and came here in 1997. Lucky for us, she now calls Thomas School her home. Claudia was so creative and well organized for all her years on the sports staff that she is now our Program Director. She schedules our day to day activities as well as organizing our Special Day schedules.

Caryn Yakacki | Year Round Ride Director


Caryn has been riding since the age of 6 and began teaching with us as an assistant instructor at the age of 14. She is now not only a show team instructor but a senior camp ride director, helping to manage the horses and instructors throughout the year. Her dual passions of music and horses make her a very sensitive and intuitive trainer and teacher. Caryn graduated with her B.M. in Music Education in 2013 and now can be found teaching and riding the horses in between running her music lessons business across Long Island.

Erica Waleski | Jr. Camp Director


Erica has been at TSH for 9 years. She started as a CIT and then as a counselor in Junior Camp. She goes to Chestnut Hill College where she is a biology major and runs cross country and track. She is so grateful to be at camp every year and loves seeing the joy camp brings everyone. Being the third generation in her family to attend Thomas School of Horsemanship, she sees first hand what a positive impact camp and riding can have.

Jeanine Alvarado | Jr. Ride Director


Jeanine has been part of the Thomas School Family for more than 25 years. She first joined the Thomas School Family as a camper, and then as CIT. During the school year, she is a Special Education Teacher for the NYC Board of Education. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Equine Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in English. She then obtained her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has always had a passion and love for horses, and we are so glad to count her as part of our leadership team!






Counselors & Leaders

Our Counselors and Leaders are carefully screened and selected. They must be enthusiastic, responsible and excellent role models. Many staff members are alumni who love what we do for kids.


The cornerstone of our amazing staff is certainly our intensive Staff Training program, organized and facilitated by directors, Janine & Claudia. During this training, our staff-to-be learn many important skills such as conflict mediation and how to foster a supportive environment in their groups. They also learn that it’s okay to come out of their shells, have fun, and be silly, in fact, it is entirely essential to a fun camp atmosphere.

Many of our Counselors and Leaders are camp alumni who understand all the wonderful things our camp has to offer and wish to carry on the tradition they enjoyed as campers by sharing it with a younger generation.

A number of our staff attended Thomas School as kids, and now support the traditions of our day camp by returning with their own children, so that they may enjoy all the gifts of horsemanship and our supportive camp community. Our day camp embodies qualities which transcend generations and lessons which last a lifetime. Our top-quality staff is a reflection of these traits.






Staff Specialists

Our staff Specialists are here to teach, support, and help our campers to discover their inner talent, develop self-confidence, and flourish as unique individuals.


Your child may develop pride in their abilities at the gymnasium with our gymnastics or dance specialists, or at the archery range with our archery instructors. They may discover a new sense of teamwork and sportsmanship on the field with our sports staff. Perhaps your child will realize their love for performance art with our drama specialists, or unleash a previously unknown creative spirit with our encouraging Arts and Crafts staff.

Our specialists are here to give campers an opportunity to try new things, find what they love to do, and point them in the right direction. Developing interests and hobbies early in life creates a strong foundation for a happier childhood, and helps to keep kids out of trouble later in life. It is truly an incredible thing when young children discover a passion they want to pursue.

We are dedicated to the safety of our campers. All of our Ride Instructors are Horsemanship Safety Association Certified, and all Lifeguards must have current Red Cross Certification.






International Staff

Our international staff bring an engaging spirit to the Thomas School Community. These staff members travel from countries all over the world to work here: Australia, New Zealand, England, Argentina, and Ireland, just to name a few.