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

View allAllAquatics SpecialistArt SpecialistCounselorDirectorsDrama SpecialistHigh Ropes InstructorLow Ropes InstructorNature SpecialistProgram AssistantRopes Assistant
ANDREW YANAN

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.

AUSTIN BENDER

B.S in Education from East Stroudsburg University and a teacher at the Lehigh Valley Academy. This is his first year!

AVA BAKER

Associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College. Currently pursuing a B.S. at Alvernia University in Elementary Education. She is CPR and Lifeguard certified!

BRYAN McGOWAN

Counselor

B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in History from West Chester University. M.A. in Education from Cabrini College. Teaches 10th grade Government and Law at Garnet Valley HS.

CAMERON FLEISCHMAN

Counselor

B.S. in Health and Physical Education at West Chester University. He is a substitute teacher in Pottsgrove.

CARYN BUCKWALTER

Completing her B.S. at West Chester University. This is her first year!

CASEY MURRAY

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.

DANIEL MALLITZ

Counselor

Completing his B.S. in Education at Arcadia University. This is his first year!

DYNASTY ROQUE

B.A. in Theatre/Arts Administration and pursuing a M.A. in Secondary Education from Albright College. Education Instructional I Teaching Certification and is a substitute for ESS, K-12 grades.

EMMA TAYLOR

B.A. in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College. Completing an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. This her first year!

ETHAN ROBERTS

Counselor

Completing a B.S. in Finance from Penn State University. He is CPR certified and this is his first year!

HAILEY GRANT

B.S. in Secondary Education from Millersville University. Completing an M.A. program in Library and Information Sciences. She will be teaching English at Garnet Valley Middle School.

HAILEY YACAVINO

Counselor

B.S. 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! She teaches in the Upper Darby School District.

HANNAH ALDERFER

Counselor

B.S. in Secondary Education, English and English as a Second Language at Susquehanna University. Teaches English at Council Rock North HS.

JENNIFER BULGER

Counselor

B.S. in Mathematics, Secondary Education from James Madison University and Delaware Valley University. Certifications in Secondary Mathematics. Teaches 8th grade math at Great Valley M.S.

JONAH KUHN

Completing a B.S. in Finance and Data Analytics from Liberty University. This is his first year!

JOSH TORRENS

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.

JOSH WATKIN

Completing his B.S. in Physics at Albright College. This is his first year!

KAREN DOYLE

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 in Special Education, Elementary Education, Lifeguarding, and CPR and works for the MCIU.

KATHY GREGORY

High Ropes Instructor

B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Delaware and a M.A. from West Chester University. Recently retired from the Boyertown Middle School West. She is a college Field Hockey and Lacrosse official.

LAUREN BELLINGHIERI

B.S. in Dance Management with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. Completing an M.A. in Business Administration at Penn State University. She is a former camper and CIT!

LeANN MILES

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 Methacton School District.

LILLY STANERUCK

Counselor

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

LOGAN GREGORY

Counselor

B.S. in Plant Science from University of Delaware and is pursuing employment in the field.

MADELINE DRODZ

Nature Specialist

B.S. in Biology from George Mason University and completing her M.A. in School Counseling from Chestnut Hill College. She has a certification in Crisis Counseling.

MARY JO D’ORTONE

Director

B.A. in English and a B.A. in Communications from Villanova University. Performed with the Philadelphia Opera Company, New York Metropolitan Opera Company, and as a soloist for the Ballet des Jeunes and Kloss Ballet Companies. Heads HDC’s Rustic Affair and Rustic Adventure Programs when camp is not in session.

MATTHEW BELLINGHIERI

Counselor

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

NICK SUDELL

B.S. in Secondary Social Studies Education from Penn State University. Teaches at Christo Rey HS in Philadelphia.

OLIVIA RUTH

Counselor

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

PAYTON FRITZ

B.S. in Psychology with a double major in English and minor in Studio Art from Ursinus College. Completing an M.A. program in Forensic Science from Arizona State University.

ROBERT RONDINARO

Counselor

B.S. in Political Science and a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Buffalo. Teaching certification from Millersville University. Teaches US History and World Cultures at William Penn High School.

ROLAND D’ORTONE

Director

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.

ROMAN KUHN

Counselor

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

RORY NILSEN

Counselor

B.S. in Elementary Education, with certification in pre-K – 4th grades, from Kutztown University. Substitute teacher in Lower Merion SD.

SARAH RODZEWICH

Counselor

B.A. from LaSalle University and completing her Masters in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Instructional 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.

SEAN CAHIR

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.

SHJON CRAMER

B.S. in Education and ELA from Bloomsburg University. He is currently a substitute teacher at Spring-Ford School District. This is his first year!

SOPHIA LEBER

Aquatics Specialist

B.S. in Biology from Manhattan College and pursuing her M.A. in Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics from Drexel University.

THOMAS REBAR

Counselor

B.A. in Journalism from Elizabethtown College. Certifications include Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Enrolled in Millersville Teaching Certification. He is a para-professional for K/1st grade in the Norristown School District.