Leadership Team

Jan Peneston: Executive Director

Jan Peneston is the Executive Director Camp Talooli.  Formerly, Jan Peneston was the full-time Camp Director at Camp Talooli for over 20 years.  In 2019, Jan was recognized by the American Camp Association (ACA) as the National Honor Award Recipient for her many years of service to Camp Talooli, camping in Upstate NY, as well as to the national organization of ACA. This will be Jan's 36th year working at Camp Talooli!

Kelly Peneston: Camp Director

Kelly Peneston is the Camp Director at Camp Talooli.  She is also on the Local Council of Leaders of the Upstate NY section of the American Camp Association. Kelly is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges and has a Master's Degree in Education from UMass Amherst. Kelly was trained as a School Psychologist.

Pam Southworth: Administrative Assistant/Bookeeper

Pam grew up at Camp Talooli as a camper, CIT, and Camp Fire club member. She previously worked as both a camp counselor and Waterfront Director, and was also a member of our volunteer Board of Directors. For the past several years, Pam has worked in our camp office. Her three children also work at/attend Camp Talooli throughout the summer.

Jeff Peneston:  Director of Educational Programs

Jeff Peneston is the Program Director at Camp Talooli and has held this position and many others at Camp Talooli for over 30 years.  Jeff has been an invaluable resource at Camp Talooli and is well known by campers and staff for his vast knowledge and ability to hold large crowds captive. In 2011 Jeff was named the New York State Teacher of the Year and in 2009 he spent a few months on board the Swedish Icebreaker Oden, helping to do research during the ship's voyage through Antarctica. Jeff recently retired from teaching Earth Science for the Liverpool School District and has started working for Camp Talooli in the "off-season" to develop year-round programming. 

Crystal Peneston: Pre-K Director

In her role as an Assistant Camp Director, Crystal supervises our program and counseling staff and provides administrative assistance in the office. As a certified WSI, she also assists with lifeguarding and swim lessons. Previously, Crystal worked as a the Nature Director, as well as a Day and Resident Camp Counselor. She was also a camper and CIT at Talooli for many summers.  Crystal graduated from SUNY Brockport with degrees in Inclusive Childhood Education, Psychology and Creative Writing. She also has a Master's Degree in Curriculum from SUNY Oswego. Crystal currently works as a Special Education teacher.

Matthew Peneston:  Program Director

Matthew Peneston is the Program Director at Camp Talooli.  In his role at Camp, Matthew helps to design and oversee our weekly themes and campwide activities. He also provides evening first aid support. Matthew has been on staff for more than 15 years and has also grown up at Camp Talooli in various positions such as Waterfront Director, lifeguard and day camp counselor.  Matthew is a certified EMT and teaching assistant.

Alanson Loomis: Nature Director

Alanson began attending Camp Talooli as a day camper when he was in elementary school and then proceeded to graduate from our counselor-in-training program. After working as both a day and overnight camp counselor for several summers, Alanson stepped into the role of Nature Director in 2020. Alanson has a passion for teaching kids about camp's various ecosystems and getting them to experience the natural environment. Alanson is an Economics major at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Declan Connery: CIT Director

 Declan grew up at Camp as a passionate camper that always looked forward to becoming part of our staff. He worked as a day/overnight counselor for several summers as well as a lifeguard. Declan became our CIT Director in 2022 and is passionate about teaching and leading our next generation of Camp leaders. Declan builds excellent relationships with our teens by leading with both humor and respect. Declan is a student at the Univeristy of Ottawa.

Ella Smith: Art Director

Ella was a long-time camper and CIT before joining our staff as a day and overnight camp counselor. Ella has always been a talented and natural artist, whcih facilitated her transition to being our Art Director in 2021. Ella is passionate about sharing her love of art with campers and discovering new mediums to work worth  to create a range of craft activities. Ella is a Studio Art major at SUNY Oswego.

Aiden Southworth: Boating Director

Aiden has been coming to Camp since he was a young child. Aiden attended day camp, ovenright camp, and graduated from our CIT program. After several summers of working as a day camp counselor and lifeguard, Aiden took on the role of being our Boating Director in 2022. Aiden loves helping kids get outside of their comfort zones in the boating area and seeing how quickly their skills can develop in one week's time. Aiden is studying at SUNY ESF.

Robert Bateman: Challenge Course Director

 Robert grew up attending Camp Talooli with his 2 older sisters and cousins. When it was his turn to join our staff in 2020 he was an enthusiastic and passionate counselor who loved working with our older campers. Last summer Robert leveled up and took on the role of Challenge Course Director. Robert works hard to ensure that when groups come to his activity there are opportunities for both personal growth and group growth in the form of teamwork and communication. Robert is a student at Virginia Tech.

Adrian Bombard: CIT Director

Adrian began attending Camp Talooli's overnight as a youth along with their younger siblings. Adrian showed early on that they were a strong leader and role model for youth through quiet confidence and empathy. After several summers as both a day and overnight counselor, Adrian began working with our CITs in 2022. Adrian attends Syracuse University as a Psychology major.