Camp Leadership Four Generations of Ownership

Will spent his first summer at Birchmont as a 5 year-old in 1989. His proudest camper achievement was finally winning Color War after 9 consecutive losses, with the lone victory coming as Captain of the mighty Clown team of 1999. He then joined the Birchmont staff working his way through the ranks where he served in the roles of Maintenance, General Counselor, Head Counselor, and Group Leader of the Pioneer and Upper Senior Boys. Will attended Dartmouth College where he earned a degree in English and won two Ivy League Rugby Championships. After graduating in 2006, he moved to California to pursue a career in commercial real estate where he specialized in the acquisition and management of multifamily apartments and hotels. By the end of his tenure there, he directed over 900 employees and was responsible for a portfolio of over 26,000 apartments and hotel rooms, but his most important accomplishment by far was meeting his wonderful wife, Kristie!

After getting married in 2013, Will rejoined the Pierce family camp business and spent the next 12 years as Camp Director of Pierce Country Day Camp, America’s first and finest summer day camp. Will also volunteers his time as a leader in the camp industry in the following roles: current Board Member of the American Camp Association, current Board Member of the American Camp Foundation, Vice President of the New York State Camp Director’s Association, past-President of Long Island Camps and Private Schools, and current member of the New Hampshire Camp Director’s Association.

Will is the proud Dad of Brooke (11) and Ben (8), and loves sharing the Birchmont experience with them! During the off-season, he enjoys coaching his children in basketball and flag football, playing family tennis and golf matches, and hiking and skiing with family and friends.

Unlike Will who grew up immersed in the traditions of camping in the Northeast, Kristie grew up in Northern California where no such thing really existed. Instead, she spent her summers honing her skills as a standout tennis player and swimmer at her local neighborhood club. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Kristie also chose to pursue a career in commercial real estate, specializing in project management, administration, and design.

She first discovered Camp Birchmont in 2009 while visiting Will’s family over the 4th of July—and it was love at first sight (how could it not be – Birchmont is gorgeous and full of happiness!). She couldn’t believe a place like this existed, where kids spent their summers surrounded by nature, joy, and lifelong friendships. From that moment on, Kristie knew that camp would one day be a big part of her story, too.

Kristie began her career in camping over a decade ago at Pierce Country Day Camp. She worked year-round in camp administration and played a key leadership role overseeing parent communications, marketing, social media, and the photography team. She also led the launch of the Parent Association at Pierce Country Day School, creating meaningful year-round events that bring families and the community together.

Kristie is the proud mom of Brooke (11) and Ben (8), and loves being involved in their school life during the off-season—serving as a grade representative and contributing to various committees throughout the year. Her passion for building strong connections with families, along with her creative energy and natural warmth, shines through in everything she does.