Forrestel's Directors and Staff
our staff make Forrestel an outstanding summer camp

Mary Herbert
Owner & Director

Mary Herbert founded Forrestel in 1980. She is a fifth generation member of the family which built Forrestel Farm into the magnificent working farm and summer camp that it is today.

Our farm was established in 1825, when my grandfather, Eugene Peter Forrestel, purchased it from his brother-in-law. Papa had pigs, Jerseys and Herefords. He sold bulls to President Roosevelt and Belgian horses to President Cleveland. Papa had an unbeatable hitch of Belgian stallions. He taught his daughter, my mother Marjorie, all he could about those horses. At his knee, she learned and became a devoted horsewoman.

She raised foals as a hobby, and in 1992, she produced one of the top five first-year green confirmation hunters in the country. Mom was passionate about horses. She also loved children. Mom and Dad filled us with love for the outdoors and the Farm. Even to this day, her values and spirit are the life-blood of Forrestel.

An Experienced Horsewoman and Dedicated Camp Director

Mary Herbert is an accomplished rider with many successful years competing in shows and events. A graduate of Boston College, Mary oversees every facet of Forrestel, working year-round to assure campers have fun-filled programs with an outstanding staff.

My love affair with horses began at an early age! I received my first horse when I was fourteen. Competing in shows as a young adult gave me the experience to direct the riding lesson program for the nationally recognized Hurdle Hill Farm. At the 1978 opening of the Kentucky Horse Park, I was asked to be a score-board keeper for the World Event.

I started Forrestel in the summer of 1980. Since then, I’ve never looked back! I continued to pursue horsemanship with the masters, apprenticing with Olympian Edith Master and then Sydley Paine. Now, I spend more time teaching than riding, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! What’s better than sharing what you love with people that are dear to you?

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Martha Jansen

Martha helped her sister Mary start the camp and continues to visit Forrestel. Her expert input in the riding program is invaluable.

Martha has been riding and competing most of her life. She was honored to win the adult amateur hunter championship in 1990 in zone 5 (West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan).

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Bill Keppler
Shooting & Hunter Safety

Mary’s brother Bill raises ducks, pheasants, and chuckers for hunting on the Forrestel Farm Hunting Preserve. As a life-long outdoor enthusiast and hunter, Bill leads the Forrestel shooting program. The campers learn safety first while enjoying shooting .22 rifles and 20 gauge shotguns. Bill also teaches tracking and dog handling skills.

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Kathryn Ferry
Riding Co-Director

I’m Kat, and I’ll be returning to Forrestel in 2008 as Riding Co-Director. When I’m not at camp, I live in the north-east of England with my parents, dogs and horses.

I started riding at age 7, and I love teaching children to ride. I was graduated from university in 2006 with a degree in Early Childhood and Curriculum Studies and also have a Diploma in Childcare and Education.

I can’t wait to return to Forrestel to create a fun, enjoyable, and safe place where your children can learn and progress in their own riding.

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Emma Richards
Riding Co-Director

My name is Emma, and I’m returning to Forrestel for my second summer to co-direct the Riding Program. I am a student at the University of Liverpool, but when I’m not at school, I live in Stockton on Tees, close to the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.

I have competed at national level at the Royal International Horse Show and also at the British Show Pony Society national championship, where I won two of my classes. Currently, I am the first team captain of my university equestrian team.

I am passionate about this sport, and I really enjoy helping the campers improve their skills. The best thing about camp is that all of this is done whilst having fun!

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Martha Ladue
Stable Manager

I’m Martha, and I’ve been coming to Forrestel for close to a decade! When I’m away studying for my nursing degree, I miss camp very much. I’ve taught riding here as well as working 4 years as a counselor. Being Stable Manager this year will be a great way to stay close to both the campers and the horses. Can’t wait for the summer!

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Ian Pask
Riding Instructor

I’m Ian Pask, “Jack of all trades.” I live on a farm about 2 minutes from Forrestel, and love coming to work each summer. It’s great fun to teach the campers how to ride and about farm life. They also really enjoy it when I drive them out to the pond on the hay wagon!

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Justin Lloyd
Program Director
Mountain Biking & Rocketry

Hello, I’m Justin. As Program Director, my goal is to make every child’s camp experience as fun and fulfilling as my own was! I attended Forrestel for 10 consecutive summers as a camper and returned for the next 7 as a counselor. Now, I am continually building the camp’s existing activities and introducing new ones.

I am passionate about sports, music and kids. Off season, I play in two bands and coach alpine ski racing with the Bristol Ski and Snowboard Association. I’m the head J-I/II coach for children ages 15-19.

Going away to summer camp is such an important adventure for a child! At Forrestel, campers are immersed in exploration and new activities and, at the same time, are developing their self esteem and making life-long friendships.

All our staff are experts in their fields, from archery to shooting to woodworking. With miles of horse riding and mountain biking trails, spring fed ponds, and adventure games in the woods, Forrestel has opportunities galore for fun and adventure.

The best part of my job is seeing new faces, both campers and counselors. I hope to see your family this summer!

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John Norris
Head Counselor
Paddling & Ultimate Frisbee

Hi, I’m John, and this will be my 12th consecutive summer at camp. I’m having just as much fun as Head Counselor as I did when I was a camper!

When I’m not at Forrestel, I’m a Film Studies student at Connecticut College. I also play on our school’s year-round Ultimate Frisbee team.

My goal as Head Counselor is that every camper has a summer to remember. When I see campers forging friendships, I know some of them may very well last into adulthood, as mine have. I encourage the counselors to get to know the campers. Children may not know what the summer holds for them, but the Forrestel staff is striving to make camp creative, crazy, and cool!

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Chris Horgan
Tennis

Hey, I’m Chris Horgan. I’ve been around Forrestel forever! Tennis is my game, when I’m not teaching English Literature. (I can recite Wordsworth during a long volley, but the campers discourage me.) I’ve coached for over 20 years and I’m a USPTR certified instructor, USTA National Clinician, and was USTA’s Eastern District Coach of the Year. My satisfaction comes from seeing a child’s progress and enjoyment of the sport in just two short weeks!

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Dennis Button
Archery, Fishing &
Wildlife Photography

Hi, my name’s Dennis. If I could fish for a living, I would. I can almost do that at Forrestel, and I love being around the kids and showing them the beauty of the ponds and lakes here. As well as fishing, I run the archery program. I’m really looking forward to being back at Forrestel this summer.

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Wayne Kyle
Woodworking

I’m Wayne, and I lead the Woodworking program here at Forrestel. My wife is the head cook at camp, so tell me your favorites and I’ll pass them along! You can usually find me in my woodshop, where I fix antiques for locals and come up with projects for my Boy Scout troop. I’ve been around the Farm most of my life, and it was a given that I teach my craft to the campers. Every year we create beautiful items and the campers are bursting with pride. I hope you think they’re as beautiful as we do.

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Di Di Martin
Drawing

Hi there, I’m Di Di Martin. My passions are split between riding horses and drawing them! I make my living as a professional artist, but when I’m not in my studio, I’m in the barn. I love teaching children to draw, from a basic pencil drawing to a detailed watercolor. Forrestel campers always see a marked improvement in their drawing skills, and many continue to send me their sketches after they’ve left camp!

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Charlotte Olena
Riding Counselor

I'm Charlotte Olena and I am a riding counselor. I have been going to Forrestel since I was eleven, and cannot imagine a summer without it. I went through both the Counselor-in-Training and Junior Counselor programs. I have been riding horses since I was eight years old, and love everything having to do with horses and ponies! I love Forrestel because it is so much fun for everyone. In addition to all the great programs and sports that Forrestel offers, everyone becomes really great friends at camp too!

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Viv Rostant
Riding Counselor

Hi, I'm Viv and I'm returning to Forrestel for my second summer as a riding counselor. I will also be in charge of the stable management programme this year.

I started riding when I was four, and have ridden up to Regional level in both dressage and show-jumping back home. For the past two years I have been captain of my University's equestrian team which qualified for National Championships in 2007. I have always adored horses, ponies and anything to do with them!

What I love about Forrestel is that it's always so much fun! It offers a unique experience for both campers and counselors. The children can learn and progress in their riding through specifically adapted programs and lessons, all the while enjoying themselves. I'm really looking forward to teaching this summer!

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Ben Vernille
Riflery Instructor

Ben is a life member of the NRA, an NRA Certified Instructor, and a graduate of the Front Sight Training Institute. He is a New York State Hunter Safety Instructor, owns the Firearm Safety Academy, and competes in many rifle and pistol matches throughout the year. And, of course, he takes time out of his busy schedule to teach riflery at Forrestel during the summer.

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