Dr. Deb Bialeschki 
After twenty years as a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, lifelong camper Deb Bialeschki, Ph.D., joined the ACA national staff as a senior researcher. She has been an active member of ACA for over twenty-eight years and served on the National Board of Directors, chaired the Standards Commission, and served in various research roles.

Dr. Paul Furukawa                                               

Volunteer (through spring 2010) 
Paul Furukawa, Ph.D., served as special needs camp counselor and assistant camp director while in college. He conducted research and monitored family program evaluation on military topics for over nine years. He is now Executive Director of Camp CAMP, a special needs summer program near San Antonio, Texas. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Camp Association's Texoma Section.

Dr. Barry Garst 
Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., is the Director of Research Application on ACA's national staff. Before joining ACA, Barry was an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in 4-H youth development at Virginia Tech. Barry has worked in residential camp settings in administrative and programmatic positions, and is currently active in the ACA Virginias Section as a Standards Visitor and Instructor. Barry's research interests include the multiple meanings of nature-based experiences and the youth development outcomes of the camp experience.

Dr. Karla Henderson                                 Volunteer (through spring 2008)                          Karla Henderson, Ph.D., is professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University. She is currently serving on the ACA Board of Directors. As a member of ACA for almost thirty years, she has served on numerous section committees as well as on the ACA Publications and Education Committees.

Dr. Jeff Jacobs                                           Volunteer (through spring 2010; second term)          Jeff Jacobs, Ph.D., is as an assistant professor at Cal Poly State University. His research and teaching focus has been outdoor and camp leadership, adventure travel, and sense of community. Jeff has served as a summer camp director for the past thirteen summers, continues to lead adventure trips, and is often the biggest kid at camp.

Dr. Jon Malinowski                                    Volunteer (through spring 2009; second term)         Jon Malinowski, Ph.D., is associate professor of geography at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. A camp consultant, photographer, and staff trainer, he is co-author (with Chris Thurber) of The Summer Camp Handbook and has conducted research on children's environmental preferences in camp settings.

Dr. Christopher Thurber
Volunteer (through spring 2008)                  Christopher Thurber, Ph.D., is the school psychologist at Phillips Exeter Academy, a coeducational boarding school in New Hampshire. Last summer was his twenty fifth at the camp where he grew up and now serves as waterfront director. Chris is a camp consultant whose research interests include homesickness and children's adjustment to separation.