NEW HORIZONS DAY CAMP

Seth Blender

Owner and Director

Seth has been involved in day camps for 20 years. He spent the majority of his camping career at Camp Horizons in Livingston, NJ. During his 10 summers at Camp Horizons, Seth was a Kindergarten and 1st grade counselor and during his last 2 summers was the Director of the Shadow Counselor program at Camp Horizons with direct supervisory responsibility for special needs campers in grades 5 through 9. Currently, Seth is a Special Education Teacher for the Glen Ridge Public Schools and holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction. Seth lives in Cedar Grove, NJ with his wife, and three children.

Chris Purdue

Owner and Director

Chris is a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Collins Elementary School in Livingston, NJ with 12 years of experience teaching at multiple schools within the District. Chris holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Montclair State University as well as one in Educational Leadership. He holds both his Supervisor’s Certificate and Principal’s License. Before New Horizons, Chris directed the sports program at Camp Horizons for 8 summers from 2005 through 2012. Chris currently lives in Kinnelon, NJ with his wife and two sons. 

Megan Purdue

K/1 Director

Michelle has been a part of the New Horizons family for five summers. Prior to New Horizons Day Camp, she served as the Pre-K/K Unit Head for 10 years at Gesher Summer Camp. Michelle holds a Master’s Degree in Education with specialization in N-6. Michelle currently spends her days teaching 2-3 year-olds at Congregation Agudath Israel Early Childhood Center. She has been teaching for over 25 years, and has dedicated her life to working with children. Michelle loves spending her summers at New Horizons Day Camp and helping her K-1 campers learn new skills, develop lasting friendships and make camp memories for life. One of her favorite activities is daily Guest Camp Celebrity Story Time!

Alyssa Rogers

Shadow Program Director Inclusion Specialist

Alyssa has been a part of the Horizons family for seven summers!  She was a shadow counselor for two years, the head counselor of K-1 for two years, and is currently in her third year as the Director of the Shadow Program.  Within the Shadow Program, Alyssa oversees approximately 12 campers with special needs as well as assistant staff members throughout the summer.  Alyssa is a recent graduate of Rowan University where she received her degree in Elementary and Special Education

Mike Wynne

Program Director

Mike Wynne, aka The King of Camp™, is entering his 16th camp summer. After running the Media Programs at Camp Horizons and New Horizons Day Camp, he took over the Unit Head position for 6th-9th grades. In his current role of Program Director, Mike focuses on activities, special events, and ensuring every camper has the best summer experience of their lives. In addition to his duties as Program Director, he also serves as Media Director, Head of Assistant Counselor Development, and Color War High Chancellor. Easily recognizable by his shockingly blue sunglasses, booming voice, and propensity for carrying around a bull-horn, Mike gives 172% every day of the summer to ensure our campers have the best 8 weeks of their lives.

Will Beck

Unit Head 2nd-9th Grade

Will has been a member of the Horizons Family for over a decade. He eats, breathes, and lives for only one purpose; New Horizons Day Camp! Over his career, Will has served as a Shadow Counselor, Assistant Counselor, Grade Head Counselor, and an amazing Green Team Color War Captain. He now oversees our fantastic Grade Group Head Counselors as the Unit Head for Grades 2-9. When camp is not in session, Will attends Montclair State University, majoring in Psychology, and will begin the Dual Teacher Certification Program in 2019.

Jill Paterno

Office Administrator

Jillian has been part of the NHDC family for seven years with a total of 12 years of camp experience under her belt. Jillian has been a high school special education teacher for 11 years and has her master in Child Advocacy and Policy from Montclair State University.Jillian manages her myriad of duties from behind the scenes in the camp office. Jillian works closely with our directors  handling emails, phone calls, scheduling, special event coordination and confirmations, and other daily administrative duties. Before NHDC, Jillian worked as a head counselor in a kindergarten and first grade program, as well as a private shadow for campers with special needs. Jillian lives in Cedar Grove, NJ with her husband, son, and daughter.