Meet Our Leadership Team
Noah Cooper — Owner/Director
Noah Cooper has been the owner and director of Ivy League Day Camp since 2000. Under his stewardship, Ivy League has continued to be the premier day camp on Long Island. Noah was born to own a camp. From the age of three, he spent all of his summers as a camper and grew up next door to one of the most respected camp families in New York, the Stein’s. Early on, Morry Stein and Ben Appelbaum (former owner of Ivy League), legendary leaders in the camping field, recognized Noah’s passion for camping and helped shape his camping philosophy. This gave Noah a rare opportunity to learn the business of camping first hand. After completing Skidmore College and earning an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Noah worked briefly in the clean energy industry, but realized his love was for camping.
Noah is deeply involved in all aspects of Ivy League. He is a past board member of American Camp Association - New York Chapter, a community of camp professionals which sets the industry standards and monitors key aspects of camp quality. Noah’s goal is to provide a camping experience for each child similar to what it was for him —- a home away from home. Noah and his wife Margaret reside on the Ivy League campus with their two children, Gavin and Cora.
Margaret Velez-Cooper — Owner/Director
In 2005, Margaret Velez-Cooper joined Noah as his wife and partner. She brings to camping a strong passion for the arts and fitness. As a former professional dancer, Margaret has over 15 years of experience in the fitness and performing arts industry. Margaret has also taught dance and dance history at Towson and Columbia Universities and received a Signature Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners for American Express Entrepreneur of the Year. Margaret is also owner of Volar Pilates, and her clients have included well-known celebrities such as Mr. & Mrs. Michael Douglass, Renee Fleming, Cher, Arthur Mitchell (director of Dance Theater of Harlem), Frank Langella, and many more.
Because of Margaret, the creative and performing arts programs at Ivy League have been greatly enhanced. As a strong believer in the educational value of camp, Margaret has worked assiduously to establish the Ivy League Foundation, which will support scholarships and camp programs for area youth. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Camp Association.
Linda Kaplan — Director
Linda Kaplan brings over 45 years of camping and education experience to Ivy League. Linda received her Bachelor’s Degree from Queens College School of Education. She received her Master’s Degree from SUNY at Stony Brook, where she studied pre-instrumental music under a grant from the Ford Foundation. Linda also received a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration from Long Island University CW Post. Linda holds certifications in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, School Administration and Supervision, and School District Administration.
Linda started at Ivy League as a nursery school teacher in 1969 and soon after joined camp in 1981, first teaching music and then as the director of Performing and Creative Arts. As a mother of 5 and grandmother of 10 and counting, Linda wears the Ivy League Brand with great pride. When not at Ivy League, Linda spends her time as an EMT, a volunteer Fire Fighter for Stony Brook and as a CPR instructor for both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. As principal of the school and director of our camp, for Linda, there is no off-season. Over the years she has collected countless memories and made great friendships at Ivy League.
Nancy Mare — Director
Nancy Mare joined the Ivy League team in the summer of 1989. She began her career here as Club Coordinator and has since held positions as head of the CIT’s, Division Leader, and Assistant Director. Nancy has an undergraduate degree in Communication from Marist College, a Masters in Elementary Education from St. John’s and a Masters in School Administration from the College of New Rochelle. Nancy juggles her time between teaching, her responsibilities as one of Ivy League’s Directors, head of our ever popular Explore program, Girl Scout Troop Leader and Ivy League School mom for her three daughters Erica, Ashley and Jessica. Nancy is known for her creativity in designing new challenges for the Explore program and bringing a wealth of amazing energy, enthusiasm and fun to all our Special Events.
Meredith Stern — Teen Travel/Mini Day/Staffing
Meredith Stern considers Ivy League her home away from home. She spent the summers of 1979 through 1997 at Ivy League as a camper, counselor and Division Leader. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University. In 2009, Meredith returned to Ivy League after an impressive career in Health Care Administration in New York City. Now working at Ivy League year round, she brings her love of camp into everything she does. Meredith has experienced every aspect of Ivy League being a student, camper, counselor, Division Leader and now as mother of her two boys, Justin and Evan.
Theresa Dunne — Operations
Theresa has been working at Ivy League School since 1997 and joined the camp leadership team working behind the scenes in 2006. Theresa holds dual degrees in both education and recreation. During the school year, Theresa is a well-loved teacher here at Ivy League School. Theresa is the glue that holds the team together making sure that each and every event runs smoothly. When not at Ivy League, although we swears she sleeps here, Theresa enjoys spending time with her three daughters, Megan, Shannon and Caitlin.
Rebecca Woltmann — Camp Office
Running our office year round, Rebecca Woltmann, grew up as an Ivy League camper, student and staff member. She joined our leadership team in 2007, closely following her mother’s footsteps. Rebecca has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Applied Psychology from New York University and a Masters Degree from Adelphi University in Psychology. Rebecca manages the office year round and is in charge of camper registration, the camp portal, and everything else that comes her way.
Edna Lang — Transportation
Long before GPS was invented, Ivy League was fortunate to have Edna Lang. Since 1984 she has been experiencing the ever expanding growth of Long Island’s neighborhoods and highways. Edna knows every dead end and one way street in the area. She can give you directions for getting from here to there in the shortest time, and as an afterthought, offer four alternate scenic routes. All of Edna’s grandchildren and now great grandchildren have been campers at Ivy League and according to Edna they all say that their summers here were the best times of their lives. She is responsible for our drivers and the buses and prides herself on keeping campers safe, comfortable and happy on their way to and from Ivy League.
George Marino — Athletics
George Marino grew up in the Ivy League system. He began spending his summers here in 1978 as a counselor and joined the leadership team in 1994. George earned a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from St Joseph’s College and a Masters in K-12 Reading from Long Island University. George winters at Eastport Elementary school where he teaches Math, but it is said that green and white runs through his bloodstream year round. He is passionate about camping and uses his creative energy and expertise to invent new programs and activities that interest our campers. George embodies the spirit and tradition of Ivy League which he is passing on to his twin daughters Hannah and Emma.
Mary Kate Ritchie — Aquatics
Mary Kate Ritchie joined the Leadership Team in the summer of 2008. While in high school and college, she worked in several camp swim programs as a lifeguard, instructor and supervisor. Mary Kate has a Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art from SUNY Potsdam and a Masters of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY Plattsburgh. Mary Kate works year round at Ivy League, teaching in the elementary school during the off-season. What Mary Kate loves best about her role as Aquatics Director at Ivy League is “seeing the excitement on campers’ faces as they improve and gain confidence as swimmers.”
Gina Sklar — Arts
Gina Sklar has had a long career as a teacher, mother and grandmother. Her three sons, Benjamin, Andrew and David, all attended Ivy League Day Camp. Gina started at Ivy League in 2004 and has a degree in teaching from Adelphi University. When camp is not in session, Gina teaches in Ivy League’s preschool and after care program. She is known for such feats as turning refrigerator boxes into castles and shoeboxes into Zoos. What Gina appreciates most about the Ivy League atmosphere is the creative freedom it affords every camper and the many opportunities she has to tap into their talents and imaginations.
Diane Anderson — Mini Day
Diane Anderson joined the Ivy League family in 2000. She began as our Woodworking specialist and quickly joined our leadership team as a Division Leader. Diane received her Education Degree from Buffalo State University. During the winter months, Diane teaches in Ivy League’s three-year-old program. Her own children, Anthony and Nichole, grew up at camp. She credits Ivy League with introducing her children to a myriad of sports and other activities in which they now excel. Diane brings a special warmth and intelligence to her work with young children.
Stephanie Greene — Younger Girls
Stephanie Green has been working at Ivy League since 2003. Before joining the leadership team, Stephanie was our Early Childhood Art Studio specialist. Stephanie holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the College of Staten Island. She works at Ivy League year round, teaching Ivy League’s Pre-K students. Over the years, Stephanie and her children, Jonny, Mike and Lizzy, have collected countless memories and made great friends at camp. As Stephanie sees it, “camp reinforces family and community values for children. It’s a very supportive environment to be in.”
Jackie Harris — Younger Boys
Jackie Harris joined the Ivy League family in 2007 as a Division Leader and teacher. With her degree in Elementary Education from Dowling College, Jackie teaches during the school year at Ivy League Elementary School. Along with her two daughters, Rae Anne and Angelina, Jackie has built strong long-lasting relationships with the campers and counselors that last all year. Jackie says that each summer is a priceless experience for her children.
Lucille Capobianco — Middle Girls
Lucille Capobianco started at Ivy League Day Camp in 2004 and still remembers the day that Linda Kaplan handed her an Ivy League hat and said, “welcome to the Ivy League Family.” From that moment on, she has thought of Ivy League as her extended family. Lucille has a Bachelors degree in Economics from Hunter College and a Masters in Elementary Education from C.W. Post. A mother of two teenage daughters, Megan and Meredith, Lucille teaches in Ivy League’s Elementary School. She aims to bring a sense of humor and self worth and awareness to all the campers she comes in contact with, just as her daughters experienced as campers at Ivy League.
Alex Estremo — Middle Boys
Alex Estremo has been spending his summers at Ivy League since 1991. Before becoming a Division Leader in 2001, Alex worked on our Mini-Day campus and served as the JV Sports specialist for 4 years. Alex has a Bachelors in Science in Physical Education from York College and a Masters of Liberal Studies from Stony Brook University. During the off-season, he teaches physical education at M.S. 35 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he also coaches basketball. Alex says “working at Ivy League has never felt like a job because the work is so personally rewarding. Each summer brings a new set of memories to cherish.”
Sabrina Glancz — Older Girls
The newest addition to our leadership team, Sabrina Glancz, joined the Ivy League family as a teacher in our Elementary School in 2009 and Division Leader in 2010. Sabrina has her degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Childhood Education, with a concentration in Mathematics. An avid camper herself, Sabrina spent many childhood summers at Cheerleading Camp. She is excited about her new Ivy League family and is looking forward to all of the great memories that lie ahead.
Dave Payne — Older Boys
Before joining Ivy League’s leadership team in 2008, Dave worked as an Adventure and Ropes specialist for children with special needs and then at a resident camp in the Catskills. A music teacher during the school year, Dave has a Bachelor in Education from SUNY Fredonia and can often be heard learning a new tune on a myriad of instruments. An avid bassoon player, Dave can also be found during the school year at Ivy League, teaching some of our extracurricular instrumental lessons. His love of music and camp make him a great asset to our team.
Arty Miller — Teen Travel
Arty Miller started at Ivy League as a camper in the 90’s and returned in 2004 as a counselor. Arty earned his undergrad at SUNY Cortland, and his Masters in Education at Long Island University. As a sixth grade teacher of Social Studies and English & Language Arts at Smithtown’s Great Hollow Middle School, Arty is very familiar with the age group he shepherds. Arty loves fatherhood and is very involved with raising his two young boys Jacob and Isaac, our next generation of Ivy League campers. Arty believes that the fun, friendships and lasting memories are what make the travel experience so worthwhile.
Matt Smith — Teen Travel
A new addition to our leadership team, Matt Smith, is no stranger to Ivy League. As a teenager, Matt attended Ivy League as a Grad and Post Grad camper. He has now returned to help give our campers the same amazing memories, friendships and experiences he still cherishes. Matt received his undergraduate degree in Physical Education at SUNY Cortland. During the school year, Matt teaches Physical Education and coaches soccer, lacrosse and wrestling at Bayport-Blue Point School District.
Bruce Lepanto — Teen Travel
Bruce started traveling with Ivy League in 1998. He received his Bachelors Degree in History with an emphasis in Secondary Education from Saint Joseph’s College, and earned his Masters Degree focusing on Professional Development in Education from Stony Brook University. During the school year, Bruce teaches high school Social Studies. Bruce operates on the premise that each and every camper is different and that his job is to make sure that each and every child has the time of his/her life. Bruce leads each travel group with great enthusiasm!
Robyn Taragan — Club/Electives, CIT, Lessons and Special Events Coordinator
Robyn Taragan started at Ivy League in 1998 as a younger girl’s counselor. Once Robyn’s campers were ready to graduate to our travel program, Robyn graduated into a position in the leadership team as a Division Leader. Robyn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and a Masters in Childhood Education from New York University. During the off-season, Robyn puts her talents to work teaching Kindergarten at P.S. 261 in Brooklyn. Robyn has seen many of her campers build friendships that have lasted a lifetime; many who have turned into confident leaders.