Meet Our Camp Staff

Beth Venable is the Executive Director of the Eagle’s Nest Foundation. Though new to the organization, the ENF mission resonates deeply with both her professional goals and personal values. She believes strongly there are no better resources for children than those offering real connection and experiences, the natural world, and a chance to know and be known in community.

Though she did not know to call it experiential education in the early 90’s, being an “arts kid” in an outdoor oriented family had a profoundly positive impact on how Beth would orient herself in adulthood. This began with an undergraduate degree in Theater from Florida State University, and was followed by arts in education programming in the late 90s before expanding with addition of outdoor programming. Wanting to better understand child development and families, Beth found her way back to school to study adventure based psychotherapy at Prescott College where she earned an MS in Counseling with a specialization in couples and families.

Beth, her husband Drake, and their daughter Laurel have a strong sense of place on the trails and rivers of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. As longtime residents of the “golden corner” of SC, they frequently made their way up the winding road to ride in Pisgah and Dupont, to paddle the Tuckaseegee and Nantalala Rivers, and sink deep into the rhythms and culture of local music festivals.

Paige graduated with a B.A. degree in English from Salem College in Winston-Salem. While studying education in college, she applied to work at Eagle’s Nest Camp because she loved her own camp experiences as a child and thought that working at a camp would give her invaluable teaching experience. Her first summer at camp, Paige helped direct the musical and taught soccer. Throughout college, she continued to spend her summers at Eagle’s Nest teaching everything from ceramics to swimming to Explorer’s Club and leading Hante Appalachian Trail treks and bike treks. After graduating, she started working full time with Eagle’s Nest and has now worked here for more than 15 years. During that time, she served as the Hante Director, Head Counselor, Junior Counselor Coordinator and Associate Director. Her husband, Andy, whom she met at Eagle’s Nest, is also an educator.

Cara, a North Carolina transplant from Ohio, now calls Brevard and the Blue Ridge Mountains “home.”  After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 she took the role of Paddling Director for ENC before moving to the development office full-time.

Not only is Cara a skilled paddling instructor, she’s a talented experiential educator and an avid outdoorswoman. She holds a BS in Recreation from Ohio University and has worked in the field of outdoor education since 2003 as a wilderness instructor, outdoor program manager, camp counselor and challenge course facilitator. Cara spends her free time paddling, climbing, and hiking, tending to her impressive garden, and adventuring with her family.

Elizabeth Waite-Kucera (Noni) is the Executive Director of Eagle’s Nest Foundation and serves on The Outdoor Academy Advisory Board. She graduated from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., with a B.A. degree in anthropology. Previously, Noni was Camp Director at Eagle’s Nest Camp from 1993-2003 and Business Manager from 1989-1999 for Eagle’s Nest Foundation. She has also been the Swimming Director, and Paddling Director.  Additionally, Noni developed Eagle’s Nest whitewater canoeing and Hante Bicycling programs.

Noni’s grandfather, Alex Waite, head of psychology at Rollins College, founded Eagle’s Nest Camp in 1945. Helen and Mo Waite, Noni’s parents, served as directors for the Eagle’s Nest Carolinas’ Camp for Diabetic Children. Her mother served as director of Eagle’s Nest Camp and executive director of Eagle’s Nest Foundation for many years. Noni spent her childhood years growing up at camp and is honored to carry on the mission of Eagle’s Nest as Executive Director of the foundation.

After being born and raised in the concrete flatlands of suburban Chicago, Ed was ready for some place different. It began with attending the University of the South, where he studied ecology and fell in love with camping and trail running amongst pristine old-growth deciduous forests. After graduating in 2016, he passed on that love of nature by teaching biology and environmental science at a boarding school in western Maryland. But as his summer trips to Bolivia, Patagonia, Tanzania, Japan, and Alaska compelled him to lead backpacking and canoeing trips at residential camps in Maine, he realized his passion for the outdoors came from experiencing it for oneself. Thus, he moved west to earn a Master degree in outdoor adventure and expedition leadership from Southern Oregon University, where he gained a foundational understanding of experiential education through research, planning, leading, and teaching in the field. In 2022, he found his way back to southern Appalachia, joining the Eagle’s Nest community as the Hante Adventures and Outdoor Program Manager. He is excited to facilitate new experiences for participants so that they can learn and grow from the challenges they encounter.

Molly Herrmann joined the Eagle’s Nest staff in May of 2014 as the Camp and Hante Registrar and Winston-Salem Office Manager.  Previous to joining the Eagle’s Nest, Molly was a PhD candidate at the University of Buffalo in the History Department studying slavery in Charleston, SC.  Molly brings to the Eagle’s Nest her passion for experiential education and a love of outdoor activities.  In her spare time, Molly can be found hiking, camping, or playing with her two dogs.

Lia graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in Computer Science. She has been a part of the Eagle’s Nest community since 2010, beginning as a camper. Since then, Lia has served as a Junior Counselor, an intern in the garden and kitchen, and a camp counselor for several years. Lia has also been a member of the Peer Leadership Team, functioning as the Assistant Program Manager and the Outdoor Logistics Coordinator. Working at Eagle’s Nest has given Lia a passion for helping children connect to the natural world and discover their own passions. Lia is excited to join the full-time Camp staff and create magic for children of all ages.

Alex is originally from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand and immigrated to the United States at a young age. He had been a photographer in western North Carolina for about five years before joining Eagle’s Nest Foundation in 2022. Alex is fluent in Thai, plays the piano, and spends lots of time with his friends. He spends his free time playing board games with his wife, learning new recipes, and lazing around his dog and cat.  Alex works closely with The Outdoor Academy, Eagle’s Nest Camp, and Hante Adventures; photographing the authentic experiences of the day to day life of these programs.

Isa is a Camp, Outdoor Academy, and Hante alum from Asheville, NC. She has previously worked in the camp kitchen and will now be heading up our kitchen full time as our Whole Foods Program Manager. As someone who grew up attending Eagle’s Nest programming and living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, she was super excited to be able to join the full time team. She has worked in kitchens previously and is excited to work with Eagle’s Nest and bring whole foods and local vendors into our menus. Outside of Eagle’s Nest you can find Isa hanging out with her cat, hiking, playing with computers, and eating lots of good food!

Tessa is coming back to be a counselor for their second summer! Tessa is from Chapel Hill, NC. They are excited for so many things! “I am excited for another magical Eagles Nest summer full of square dances, rainstorms, creek hikes, capture the flag, mountains, friends, and lots of music. My favorite part of last summer was finding ways to create that camp magic for other people. I am so excited to be a part of the creative and compassionate community building that happens every year at camp. Seeing both campers and staff building this community together year after year, session after session, is inspiring every time. There is almost too much to be excited about, I can’t write it all!” Tessa will be teaching a mix of outdoor adventure and art classes. In their free time, Tessa enjoys running in the woods with their dog, spending time in a creek, and reading.

Veda is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time! She is from Iowa City, IA, and attends UW-Madison. She is excited to learn about all the activities at Eagle’s Nest and get to know all the smiling faces of every camper this summer! In her free time, Veda enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, doing yoga, and playing with her dogs.

Vanessa is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time all the way from Mexico. She is excited to share her culture, traditions, and skills with campers and fellow counselors, while also learning from theirs. “I look forward to creating meaningful connections, exploring the outdoors, and contributing to an environment where creativity, teamwork, and personal growth thrive.” She will be teaching art, dance, and explorers classes. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys going for walks, learning new languages, and playing games.

Vallery will be coming to camp for her first summer! She is from Eagle Pass, TX, and attends Texas State University. Vallery is excited to make life-long memories with campers and staff. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and taking long walks with her pup.

Marisa is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time! She is from Columbus, OH, and attends Oberlin College. She is looking forward to joining the Eagle’s Nest community and enjoying the North Carolina summer. In her free time, Marisa enjoys cooking with friends, singing karaoke, dancing, and rolling around on muddy river banks.

Margo is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time! They are from Ithica, NY, and attended Oberlin College. Margo is excited to “be back in the eastern US to explore the woods, make fairy houses, and build community with awesome people.” They will be teaching lots of classes exploring the ecology around camp.  In their free time, Margo enjoys running through trails, making collages, doing puzzles, listening to music, and frolicking with friends.

Josie is a long time Eagle’s Nest participant. She has been a camper and Junior Counselor and attended the Outdoor Academy. This will be Josie’s first year on staff! She is from Winston-Salem, NC, and attends Sewanee. Josie is excited to get to know the campers and other counselors this summer. In her free time, Josie enjoys being outside, journaling, and spending time with her friends.

Johnny is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time! They are from Hillsborough, CA, and attend Oberlin College. “I am most excited to spend time playing in the sun, running through the forest, and dipping in the lake!” In their free time, Johnny enjoys listening to music, going for runs, playing guitar, and playing games with friends.

Esteban is coming back to the Nest for his second summer! He is from Bogota, Colombia. Esteban is excited to teach campers new skills and enjoy all the evening activities. He will be teaching lots of theatre and art classes, as well as wanting to teach campers salsa dancing. In his free time, Esteban enjoys going to the theatre, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Ellen is coming to camp for the first time! She is from Cary, NC, and will be working in the Health Hu,t helping to keep our campers and staff healthy and safe. She is looking forward to getting to know the campers and staff and becoming a part of the Eagle’s Nest community. In her free time, Ellen enjoys theater, reading, taking walks with her dog, and traveling to new places with family.

Chris will be working in the Health Hut during Session 2, and is looking forward to helping everyone stay healthy and have fun this summer! In his free time, he enjoys watching his kids play sports.

Bailey is coming to Eagle’s Nest for the first time! She is from Charlottesville, VA, and attends Radford University. Bailey is excited for lots of things this summer. “I am extremely excited to meet all the wonderful faces that come into camp! I am thrilled to be able to teach courses, help students learn and grow more throughout their summer time, provide once in a lifetime experiences and have fun together!” They will be teaching a variety of arts classes this summer. In their free time, Bailey loves to read, write letters, and be around people.

Lucy is coming back to camp for her second year on staff! A long-time Eagle’s Nester, Lucy grew up going to camp, was a JC, and participated in Hante. She is originally from Pisgah Forest, NC, and attends Wesleyan University. Lucy is excited for so much this summer! “I am really looking forward to being back in the Nest community. I am excited to get back into the woods and lead some rock climbing and backcountry trips. I have missed all the joyful energy of summer and can’t wait to be back teaching, leading trips, and creating some amazing outdoor experiences. Also excited to have some time for creativity and the lunch time sing band.” As Rock Climbing Head she will be teaching a lot of climbing and running more off-campus climbing trips this summer. In her free time, Lucy enjoys rock climbing with friends, running,  water coloring, ceramics, and playing guitar.

Merritt is coming back to camp for his second year on staff! Long-time camper Merritt is from Chicago, IL, and attends Emerson College. He is excited to be back and create more camp magic this summer! “I can’t wait to foster a love for the outdoors, make up goofy dances and songs, and play guitar in the lunchtime sing band.” Merritt will be teaching lots of campcraft skills as well as guitar. He is also one of our JC Coordinators, helping to inspire leadership and awareness in our JCs! In his free time, Merritt enjoys taking photos, dancing in the kitchen, practicing guitar, making short films, and sailing.

Clara is returning to the Nest for her second summer! She is from Summerville, SC, and attends Converse College. Clara is excited to come back to the Eagle’s Nest community and meet new people. She will be teaching lots of music and art classes. In her free time, Clara enjoys playing guitar and flute, crocheting, going on walks, and playing with her cat Cheese.

Angie is coming back to camp for her third summer! She is from Bogata, Colombia. Angie is excited to have new experiences. “I am excited about having new experiences, discovering myself in challenging situations, meeting new people and old friends, sharing my knowledge in areas that I enjoy and helping others, but also learning new skills and aptitudes from the entire ENC community to improve my growth. I can’t wait to have fun with the kids and counselors.” She will be teaching acting, improv, and arts and crafts classes. In her free time, Angie enjoys reading books, watching movies, exercising, being with family and friends, listening to music, dancing, and learning new things.