Director: Shepherd Baum
Shep grew up in Manhattan and was diagnosed at a very young age with severe dyslexia. After many years (and tutors), he grew to embrace his disability and use it as a strength. Shep graduated from the University of Maryland and entered the world of finance. He then bought, ran, and sold small businesses- but never felt fully satisfied. It wasn’t until Shep’s second child was born that he figured out his life calling. His daughter Lila was diagnosed with a P-ten mutation. In addition to severe learning disabilities, and growth challenges, Lila has an abnormally high chance of getting cancer. That’s when everything changed. Shep decided to give up everything to enrich the lives of children with special needs and their families. Shep’s wife, Amanda, has been teaching special education for over a decade, and is now at the Winston Transitions program in Midtown Manhattan. Their two children are Chase (10 years) and Lila (8 years). Shep now has three passions, in no particular order: his biological family, his Summit Camp Family, and The New York Giants.
Assistant Director: Leah Love, MS
Leah Love joined Summit in 2013, after years of working in Philadelphia and the surrounding area providing a variety of services for youth with autism spectrum issues and their families. Leah has a Master’s Degree of Counseling Psychology and has experience providing group therapy, social skills training, and behavioral treatment for youth with a wide range of abilities and diagnoses in school, home, and community settings. Leah also formerly served as counselor, site director, and camp director for Philadelphia County’s summer therapeutic program, a day program servicing youth with autism diagnoses throughout the city.
Growing up in central New Jersey, Leah spent her summers at girl scout Camp Hoover, an experience providing lifelong friendships and memories. Now living in central New Jersey once again, Leah enjoys activities with her daughter, Rezza.
Laura Ryan, Weekenders NY and NJ
Laura began working with Summit Camp in 2016 after graduating from South East Technology University in Ireland with a bachelors in Social Care. She has spent her career working with children and adults with disabilities in residential and day service programs in Ireland, focusing on empowering young people with their independence skills. Laura returned to Summit every summer where she worked as a Unit Leader and in 2023, she was fortunate to take over the Centre program and the Independence house. She is now managing Summit’s Weekender program and is super excited to reconnect with her campers during the off season. When not working, Laura enjoys reading and spending time with her wonderful Newfoundland, Nutini.