Staff

Our staff is one key to the success of our program. Your camper will be guided and cared for at camp by enthusiastic, experienced, and mature staff who are committed to camper safety and well being.

Camp Directors

Jerry Seidman has directed camps for more than 30 years and has been DDC’s only Director. Jerry’s extensive experience and tireless enthusiasm for the camp has helped shape the program and keeps it running smoothly year after year.

His resume includes over 30 years teaching (mostly in MCPS); athletic director (Eastern Middle School); coached football, wrestling and girls softball in MCPS for 25 years; performs with community theaters (Potomac Theatre Company - Fiddler on the Roof, Man of La Mancha).

Linda Wheeler joined the DDC family more than ten years ago as a Nature Specialist and has been our Assistant Director for the last several years.

Linda is a former first grade teacher (23 years) and currently substitutes at Damascus HS and Walter Johnson HS.

Program Specialists

Teachers and professionals in their field during the school year, our activity Specialists plan and present each day's programming, assuring quality instruction and individual attention in all activities.

Counselors

College level students and often past-DDC campers, our Counselors are selected for enthusiasm, maturity, responsibility, leadership, rapport with kids, appreciation of outdoors, previous camp experience, and commitment to each child's safety, well-being and enjoyment. Counselors are responsible for their groups throughout the camp day.

Assistant Counselors

Mature and responsible high school juniors/seniors, and often past-DDC campers, our Assistant Counselors work hand-in-hand with the Counselors to ensure that each camp group is well supervised.

Gophers

Responsible high school freshmen/sophomores, and very often past-DDC campers, Gophers keep the camp facilities in great shape, make sure that equipment is available and cared for, occasionally help with camp groups, and definitely are essential to our program's smooth operation! Gophers are directly responsible to the Camp Directors.

CITs

Our CIT program is an important bridge between being a DDC camper and joining the DDC staff, and ensures there are plenty of helping hands and supervision in place at activites throughout the camp day. CITs learn to be sensitive and responsible members of our camp staff, and are included in all staff meetings and activities.

Applicants to the CIT program should be at least 13 years old. Registration must be for at least a 2-week period. Openings are limited. A separate CIT application is available for download and online registration.