03/23/2026
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Meet the leaders behind ACADEMY: Our 2026 Directors!
Parents and campers, as we gear up for our favorite time of year, we are thrilled to introduce the incredible team leading our community this summer. From classroom educators to longtime alumni, our directors bring a wealth of passion, experience, and a deep commitment to making this the best week of your child's year.
Dan Akita
Dan has been a cornerstone of our program since 2021. When he isn’t leading the charge on campus, he is a dedicated teacher at McLoughlin Middle School and serves on the board of a local Charter School. Dan’s career is rooted in a love for working with middle schoolers, and he views ACADEMY as a vital space where students can truly express themselves among like-minded peers. His best advice for campers is to embrace the "good tired" that comes with a full week of engagement, as the push to experience everything camp has to offer is exactly what builds friendships that last a lifetime.
Erica Knotts
Erica’s journey with ACADEMY spans nearly 15 years, moving from camper to Senior Counselor, Head Resident, and now Director of our brand-new Session 3 designed specifically for high schoolers. During the academic year, she serves as a Communication Instructor and the Student Ombuds at Southern Oregon University, where she specializes in conflict management and leadership communication. Erica is particularly excited about this year’s theme of "finding our place in the bigger puzzle," as she loves watching nervous newcomers transform into confident, social leaders. She encourages all campers to "be a sponge" and soak up every opportunity, reminding them that stepping outside their comfort zone is often where they find their truest selves.
Margaret Gleason
Margaret is stepping into her second year with ACADEMY, making the exciting jump from instructor to Co-Director. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Teaching for Drama at SOU and is hopeful to transition into a full-time theater teacher role this fall. Her background in the arts brings a creative, inclusive energy to Sessions 1 and 2, and she is eager to get to know every single camper across both sessions. Margaret believes that the things that make us the most nervous are often the experiences that help us grow the most. She encourages new campers to try everything at least once to discover hidden passions, and she is incredibly grateful to the returning campers who have welcomed her so warmly into this special community.
