Year-Round Office Staff

  • Jim Mendell—Founder, Co-Director:  Fully to blame for at least half of the 30,000 photos put into the computer in 2007, Jim usually is attached to a camara. Jim is interested in everybody and everything and would love to hear all of your ideas.
  • Peg Kamens—Founder, Co-Director: Peg is one of the original founders of Common Ground, and is now co-director. Her interests in nature, gardening and architecture dovetail well with her responsibilities as site development coordinator. This past year, Peg developed an interest in recycled doors and windows, and would be most happy to discuss these with you (even if you are running in the opposite direction). In general, she functions as part trouble-shooter, part trouble-maker, and can be found squirreled away in her office at camp. She is also the mother of the three Mendell children.
  • Elin Melchior—Operations Coordinator: Elin Melchior started working at CGC in 2005.  She is very proud of starting Camp Kaleidoscope and the Chinese Culture Weekend before her job was changed to Operations Coordinator – where she now focuses on finances and databases.  Elin has lived in France, Germany, England, Niger and Japan and loves to talk about travel, books and knitting.  She is very happy to be back in Bristol where she grew up, living with her mom and her two kids, Takumi & Cassie, who can be found at most camps stalking the teen-agers and finessing their way into your laps or onto your shoulders.
  • Carole Blane—Program Coordinator: Carole Blane has been coming to Camp for 9 years. She is the mother of 3 daughters, the wife of Steve and owner of 1 dog, a turtle and a hamster. In her former life she produced TV commercials and an independent film. She loves to work with people and organize things; hence the job as Program Coordinator. When she’s not doing CGC work she homeschools Eve, cares for Megan and Rebecca, volunteers for La Leche League and Attachment Parenting International. She is also a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She loves college basketball, reading, and hiking and Camp Common Ground.
  • Susanna Kellogg—Co-Communications Coordinator: Susanna joined the CGC staff in January 2009. Susanna grew up in Vermont (actually a stone's throw from the CGC campus), but has recently returned to the area after attending Beloit College in Wisconsin and living in Mongolia, Scotland, and Alaska. At CGC, Susanna supports Carole, Elin, Jim, and Peg where ever needed, publishes the newsletter, coordinates rentals, and much more. When not working hard she enjoys skiing at Common Ground, spending time with her partner, Stuart, and the Burlington nightlife. 
  • Kiesha Desautels - Co-Communications Coordinator: Kiesha is the newest addition here at CGC and will be working closely with Carole, Susanna, and Elin to learn the ropes. She lives a sling shot away in Hinesburg, VT with her fiancé Dave and her step-son, Donovan. When she is not at CGC, she enjoys hiking with her dog, snuggling with her kittens, and chasing after her chickens. Not only does she hope to bring to CGC her chicken raising expertise, but also her organizational skills and hard-work ethic.
  • Pat Hendee, Jr.—Property Manager: Pat grew up just down the road from our site.  He knows every inch of our 700 acres and can fix anything from the roof to underneath the ground.