​

Instructors: 

​

Dennis Briggs
Dennis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and spent much of his career managing the competitive marksmanship program for the Vermont Army National Guard where he helped individuals and teams gain national recognition. He began hunting at age 11 and has traveled and hunted throughout the United States and Canada. Dennis spent five years as a licensed big game guide in Wyoming where he aided many hunters in locating pronghorn antelope, coyote, and mule deer. As a certified hunter education instructor, Dennis has trained over 800 youth and adults in safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices.

​

Mike Menosky

From a very young age Mike has enjoyed the outdoors, from fishing as a child to ongoing cultivation of his skills as a hunter. "I have always found myself to appreciate the wilderness. I feel that teaching the youth who are interested in hunting and fishing not only preserves the beauty of Vermont, but conserves the delicate ecosystem. Hunting and fishing is a very important and valued tradition in Vermont. I have taught my son the importance of these concepts and I want to instill these ideals to our future generations."

​

Tim Hawley
Tim is a certified hunter education instructor and an instructor for the Vermont Let’s Go Fishing program. He teaches bow hunting and is a black powder enthusiast.

​

Paul Conover

​

Lee Sienkiewycz

​

Julie Runez
Julie is a National Archery in the Schools Program instructor. She teaches campers individually and as a group. Julie carries on the family tradition of hunting, fishing and wilderness adventures; her father was Machia Wilderness Camp's founder Larry Machia. 

​

​

More Camp Roles: 

​

Bonnie Machia: Camp Director

Bonnie holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Music Education and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Development. She is a licensed teacher in K–12 music and elementary education. In 2015 Bonnie became a certified Master Gardener and developed the children's gardening program at Wheeler Park in South Burlington.

 

Bonnie taught in Chittenden County schools for 28 years, worked with the Rural Education Center, and with Champlain College students in career planning. She put these skills and experiences together to launch the Machia Wilderness Camp in July 2004 in honor of her late husband Larry.

 

Garth Peterson: Safety Officer

​

Fred Sanford: Camp Cook

Fred not only makes sure the kids don't go hungry; he lavishes attention on the campers, makes them laugh and makes sure they all help with preparation and clean-up. Great life lessons from a great friend of Machia Camp.

​

Candy Conover: Camp Cook

Candy joined Fred to feed hungry campers in 2018. She brings a lot of laughter and energy with her!

​