Our Camp Staff

About our Camp Staff

River Riders’ Outdoor Adventure Camps are run by our experienced and dedicated staff.

 

Our camp staff are trained to teach and manage all the adventure activities we offer, and meet the certification standards of the West Virginia Division of National Resources and Department of Labor.

 

Our staff is also trained in Professional Rescuer CPR and first aid.

Operators

Matt, Laura, Alexis, Zach, & Sierra Knott

Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
Position: Owners & President
Hobbies/Interests: Whitewater, the outdoors, & camping.
What I like about working in this industry: Started as a raft guide as a teenager & we love being able to share our knowledge & experience of the area with you.

Camp COunselors

Intro to just a few of our long time staff members:

Kelsi Stopyra

  • Hometown: Frederick, MD
  • Position: Outdoor Adventure Camp Director
  • Time with River Riders: 5 years
  • Hobbies/Interests: Rafting, Skiing, Snowboarding, Running, Soccer, Volleyball
  • What I like about working in the industry: I love that everyday at work can present different opportunities. Working at river riders means spending the whole day outside and meeting people from all walks of life. When I get home from a long day and feel exhausted, I’m grateful for having a job that makes it so easy to do it all over again the next day.

Cody Rush

  • Age: 24
  • Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
  • OAC Counselor year # 3
  • What do you want to be when you grow up: Math Teacher
  • What made you want to be a camp counselor: Learning Experience with Kids
  • What is your favorite summer camp experience: Fresh Water after a hot summer day
  • What inspires you: Little things in life, make it simple.
  • Coolest place you’ve traveled to and why: Nashville, TN.
  • You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? FEED IT AND LOVE IT.
  • What is your favorite activity at River Riders: Ziplining

Dennis Zidarov

  • Age: 19
  • Hometown: Harpers Ferry WV
  • OAC Counselor year # 3
  • What do you want to be when you grow up: Chemical Engineer
  • What made you want to be a camp counselor: a fun experience!
  • What is your favorite summer camp experience: This is my first time ever dealing with a summer camp program!
  • What inspires you: Being Financially Stable
  • Coolest place you’ve traveled to and why: Messiah Italy, the great foor and nice quiet atmosphere.
  • You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? Ride it around
  • What is your favorite activity at River Riders: White Water Rafting.

Mary Beth Struve

  • Age: 18
  • Hometown: Charles Town, WVOAC Counselor year # 2
  • What do you want to be when you grow up: A Nurse
  • What made you want to be a camp counselor: I used to do the Adventure Camp when I was younger.
  • What is your favorite summer camp experience: Meeting new friends
  • What inspires you: Family
  • Coolest place you’ve traveled to and why: Costa Rica, the culture and experience was amazing.
  • You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? Ride it, offer paid tours to people.
  • What is your favorite activity at River Riders: Zipling

In Memorium

Stacie Farmer

Hometown:Whidbey Island, WA
Position:Camp Director, River Guide
About: Stacie was a wonderful, valued friend and Camp Director at River Riders whose life was cut short in a bicycle traffic accident in 2010.  She is fondly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.
What I like about working in this industry: Sharing my love of the outdoors with others

ACA Accredited Since 2002!