Over 60 years & Counting!

Hideaway Day Camp was founded in 1961 by Charles and LaVera Leonard. They ran the program for over 20 years, growing enrollment from a total of 6 children in their very first year to over 200 a season.

Today, Hideaway is owned by Roland and Mary Jo D’Ortone, who also serve as directors. The camp has continued to grow under their leadership, now enrolling approximately 500 campers a season. The D’Ortones have lived on the 70-acre property for almost 30 years and have raised their three daughters at Hideaway. For them, “the true camp experience” is not just a slogan, but serves as Hideaway’s core belief that children need social interaction with peers and interaction with nature now more than ever. Understanding the importance of an educated and experienced staff, as well as personal communication with their camp families, Roland and Mary Jo have created a safe and fun environment for their campers and look forward to each new season!

Hideaway Staff 2025

Meet The Staff

Drama Specialist

B.A. in Musical Theatre from DeSales University. During the year, she is a Professional Apprentice and Education Assistant at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia.

High Ropes Instructor

B.S. in Health Science from West Chester University. Certifications include Health Education, Teaching Certification, High Ropes Instruction, First Aid and CPR. He is currently the Assistant Athletic Director and Health and Physical Educator at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy.

Counselor

B.S. in English Education and M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of CT. Certifications include English and Social Studies. Currently teaches English at Radnor High School.

Art Specialist

B.S. in Art Education, Alternative Settings from Kutztown University. Currently in a M.A. program in Arts Administration.

B.S. in Health Education and B.S. in Physical Education from East Stroudsburg University. He teaches 11th and 12th grade Physical Education at the Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School.

B.S. in History and a Masters in Multicultural Education from Eastern College, Principal’s and Administration Certification from George Washington University. He teaches 11th grade US History at the Upper Darby High School. Previously coached soccer, basketball and track and field at Radnor Middle School.

Counselor

B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in History from West Chester University. Currently enrolled in a Masters of Education program at Cabrini College. He teaches 10th grade Government and Law at Garnet Valley High School.

Completing a B.S. in Health and Physical Education at West Chester University. He is former camper and CIT and is currently student teaching in the area.

Aquatics Specialist

B.S. in Marketing from Penn State University. Certification in Physical Education from Eastern University. Worked at the French International School of Philadelphia as a Phys-Ed Teacher for 14 years.

B.S. in Business Administration from Alvernia University. Masters in Teaching and Learning from Cabrini College. Certifications include Level II Teaching Certification. Teaches Business Education at Conestoga High School.

Low Ropes Instructor

B.S. In Health and Physical Education from West Chester University with certifications in K-12, CPR, First Aid, Cardiac and Concussion Wise. He teaches 8th and 9th grades in the Reading School District and coaches Boys’ Lacrosse and Girls’ Soccer in Exeter Township.

Counselor

B.S. in Business Management and Human Resources from West Chester University.

B.M. in Music Education with a concentration in classical trumpet from Temple University. She was a member of the Temple Diamond Marching Band and plays in community jazz bands over the summer! Teaches Music Education at the Upper Darby School District.

B.S. in Secondary Education, English and English as a Second Language at Susquehanna University.

B.S. in Mathematics, Secondary Education and a minor in Music (Vocal) from James Madison University. Certifications in Mathematics, grades 9-12. She teaches Algebra at the Great Valley Middle School.

Counselor

B.S. and M.A. in Sports Management and International Sports Management from Lock Haven University. Planning a career in youth athletics and pursuing his PhD.

Counselor

B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Millersville University. She is a building sub in the Central Bucks School District and loves community theatre!

Aquatics Instructor

B.S. in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Oklahoma, where she was a D1 Track and Field Athlete. Certifications include Special Education, Elementary Education, Lifeguarding, and CPR.

High Ropes Instructor

B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Delaware and a M.A. from West Chester University. She is a Physical Education teacher in the Boyertown Middle School West. She is also the assistant Field Hockey Coach at the high school and a college Field Hockey and Lacrosse official.

B.S. in Kinesiology from West Chester University and Masters of Education and Educational Leadership from Alvernia. She is a teacher with the CCCA during the year.

Program Assistant

B.A. in Education from Eastern University, with certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education. She is a bus driver for the Methacton School District.

Pursuing a B.S. in Secondary Education with an Endorsement in Biology at Monmouth University

Nature Specialist

B.S. in Biology from George Mason University and M.A. in School Counseling from Chestnut Hill College. She has certifications in Crisis Counseling and is pursuing a teaching certification.

B.A. in English and a B.A. in Communications from Villanova University. Performed with the Philadelphia Opera Company and the New York Metropolitan Opera Company and as a soloist for the Ballet des Jeunes and Kloss Ballet Companies. Director of ‘A Rustic Affair’ and ‘A Rustic Adventure,’ team building and formal events at Hideaway.

Pursuing a degree in Kinesiology from Penn State University. He is a former camper and CIT!

B.S. in History from Coastal Carolina University and completing his Registered Behavior Technician certification. Currently an instructional aide with the Coatesville School District.

Counselor

B.S. in Music Education from Eastern University. Certifications include K-12 Music Education. She will be teaching Music to K-5 at Grasse Elementary in the Penn Ridge District.

B.S. in Accounting from LaSalle University and pursing his MBA also at LaSalle Recently took a mission trip to Belize where he served those communities, working with children in local schools and extra-curricular activities.

B.S. in Education from West Chester University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from St. Joseph’s University, including certificates of Principalship 
and Supervisory of Curriculum and Instruction. He taught at the UDHS for 31 years and now heads the Rustic Affair and Rustic Adventure programs at HDC.

Counselor

Completing his B.S. in Kinesiology from Penn State University.

Counselor

B.S. in Elementary Education, with certification in pre-K – 4th grades, from Kutztown University.

B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from East Stroudsburg University and a M.A. in Education with a Reading Specialist Certificate from Cabrini University. Certified to teach the Wilson Reading Program. Currently a Reading Specialist at the Chester County Intermediate Unit. She is a former camper!

B.A. from LaSalle University. M.A. in Instructional Learning Technology. Certifications Include middle levels 4-8 and Pre-K-4th grades. She currently teaches 5th grade at Oak Park Elementary School in the North Penn School District.

B.S. in Mathematics from Duquesne University and a M.A. in Education from Saint Joseph’s University. Certifications include Grades 7-12 Mathematics. He teaches Pre-Calculus, Calculus and Statistics at Archbishop Carroll High School.

Aquatics Specialist

Completing her B.S. in Biology from Manhattan College, where she is on the swim team. Certifications include Lifeguarding, AED and CPR. She teaches swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School.

Counselor

Completing a B.S. in Finance at Colby College, where he also on the lacrosse team. Certified in CPR and NREMT.

Counselor

B.A. in English from Elizabethtown College. Certifications include Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He is a para-professional for Kindergarten and 1st grade at Whitehall Elementary School.

B.S. in Communications and Broadcasting at the University of Alabama. He is interning for the Philadelphia Phillies.