CAMP LEADERSHIP IS READY FOR THE SUMMER OF 2023
Ann Marie Gallo
Founder & Camp Director
Ann Marie Gallo, the founder and creator of Summer’s Edge Day Camp, comprises the heart, the brain, and the drive that blooms the Summer’s Edge experience for campers and counselors each summer. With her doctoral degree from Fielding Graduate University, she is a full professor at Salem State University in the Sport & Movement Science Department. She teaches a wide variety of courses in pedagogy and camp administration. Ann Marie also works with Massachusetts’ public school physical education teachers in the area of curriculum instruction and assessment. She coordinates the undergraduate and graduate physical education teacher programs at Salem State. In 2019, MAPHERD bestowed her with the prestigious Joseph McKenney Award. In spring 2015, Ann Marie was honored with the Massachusetts Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance 2015 Presidential Citation Award presented to a professional whose life contributions, devotion, and support have assisted in the advancement of the allied fields and youth of Massachusetts. Ann Marie holds a Master of Education from Cambridge College, a Massachusetts Teaching Certificate, and a B.S. in physical education from UMass Boston. In addition to these degrees, Ann Marie is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, and C.P.R./F.P.R. Instructor. In recognition of her many years working with students, Ann Marie was named Teacher of the Year at Minuteman High School for the 1998 school year. In 1991 and 1996, she was named Minuteman’s Coach of the Year. She also received the Gatorade Coaches Care Award in 1991. Thus, with Summer’s Edge now nestled into Minuteman’s campus, Ann Marie is back home! Through her life’s main goal and venture that is Summer’s Edge, Ann Marie has relished the opportunity to see so many of her campers ‘grow up’ and become staff members. While maintaining the manifold roles that come with her role as owner and camp director, she looks forward to the one day each week that she gets out to the archery range to instruct the campers on this difficult yet rewarding activity: “Archery is different from team sports; it is a sport of precision that takes practice and patience to master.” With the belief that all that we impart at camp is truly essential for life, she thinks that the world needs a ‘Character Counts’ program just like at Summer’s Edge as we progress through the 21st century. Ann Marie is proud to have her nephews, AJ and Michael as campers at Summer’s Edge.
Joe Gallo
Tennis Director
S.E.T.S. Summer’s Edge Tennis School
Joe Gallo is the founder of Summer’s Edge Tennis School. Joe is a U.S.P.T.A. certified Tennis-Teaching professional. Joe is a professor of Athletic Training at Salem State University, where he teaches courses in athletic injury, examination, and rehabilitation. Joe completed his doctorate in sport physical therapy at Rocky Mountain University. He received his B.S. in physical education and athletic training from West Virginia University and possesses a master’s degree in physical therapy from Delaware University. He was honored as the 2015 Little East Conference Tennis Coach of the Year at Salem State University. Joe co-authored the 2014 publication, Practical Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. Joe's two sons, AJ and Michael, are campers at Summer’s Edge.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Supprise
Assistant Director
During the school year, Jacqueline (Jackie) Supprise works as a physical education teacher at John Glenn Middle School, Bedford. When summer arrives, she assumes her role as the central nervous system of Summer’s Edge, where she has been for 30 years. She implants her energy and expertise through the circuitry of the entire camp, directing all aspects of our programming. She earned her master’s degree in education curriculum and instruction with a specialization in technology from Lesley College. Jackie graduated from UMass Boston with a Massachusetts Teaching Certificate and a B.S. in physical education. She has earned her CAGS from Plymouth State University in educational leadership with a concentration in adventure learning. Jackie is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a Water Safety Instructor, a Lifeguard Instructor, and a C.P.R./F.P.R. Instructor. Jackie is also known at Summer’s Edge as the maven of technology; she essentially serves as Ann Marie’s own private “Geek Squad!” She does excellent work leading adventure and cooperative games, including teaching and training the staff on the latest innovations in these fields: “I enjoy seeing a group coming together to solve a problem or complete an initiative without the concern of keeping score and finding enjoyment in being active.” Jackie has traveled to Tikal National Park in Guatemala, where she was enthralled by sunsets from atop a temple, night hiking beneath a full moon, and coexisting with howler monkeys and Oropendolas.
Elizabeth “Beth” Billouin
Aquatics Director
Elizabeth (Beth) Billouin is the Summer’s Edge aquatics director and a leadership team member. Her technical title is Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard, but “Water Wizard” suffices as well. This will be Beth’s 27th year with us! She attained a B.S. in Health Education from UMass Lowell as well as a Massachusetts Teaching Certificate. While at UMass, she received the Dean’s Award for having the highest GPA in her major. Beth completed her master’s degree at Cambridge College in August of 1999. She is a certified instructor of Water Safety, C.P.R., and First Aid. Beth teaches or has taught courses in health education, marine biology, and anatomy and physiology at Bedford High School; she also serves as the varsity swim coach.
John Camp
C.I.T. Director & Newsletter Writer/Editor
John Camp enters his 25th year as a counselor and leadership team member for Summer’s Edge. At camp, Johnny (as he is known at Summer’s Edge!) runs the C.I.T. program and teaches golf. He is a founding faculty member in humanities at New England Innovation Academy--opening its doors in September 2021. He earned his M.A.L.S. from Dartmouth College, with a focus in creative writing and gender studies, and graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in English. His children, Grady, Joss, and Desmond are Summer’s Edge campers. Johnny is the writer of ‘The Camp Chronicles’ in all of the newsletters for Summer’s Edge. Blame him (me) for all the goofy puns.
Michael Carr
Senior Camp & L.I.T. Director
Mike Carr teaches archery, leads off-campus trips, and is a leadership team member. Mike is a physical education teacher in Newton and holds a B.S. from Salem State with a major in sport, fitness, and leisure studies. At Plymouth State University, he earned his master’s degree in physical education with a concentration in adventure education. His favorite memory as a Summer’s Edge counselor was his very first game of krack-a-bout, which he calls “a life-changing experience!” Mike enjoys playing with his young son, Truman. He is an expert at introducing cooperative activities that involve all of the campers’ interactions. In his free time, Mike partakes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he calls “the ultimate truth,” and he has earned the prestigious brown belt.
Allison Watts
Director of Arts and Crafts
Our director of arts and crafts and leadership team member is Allison Watts. If you time-traveled into the past, you would find Allison leading Group 3, being the maven of arts and crafts, or working with senior campers. Allison earned her M.Ed in Moderate Special Education at Simmons College upon completing her undergraduate work at Wheaton College. During the academic year, she is an elementary special education teacher at the Brooks School in Medford. Allison’s children, Jacob and Lilly, are Summer’s Edge campers. She coaches Lilly’s lacrosse team in Lexington, tapping into her experience back in the day as a Wheaton College star! Allison thrives on switching gears from teaching to delving into crafts in the summer, particularly helping campers of all ages get creative with a variety of approaches to her projects.