Barbara Spevak, Picnic Director
Barbara has been a part of Tall Pines since its inception in 1996. Barb was originally hired as part of the seasonal summer staff. After five years of only working at Tall Pines Day Camp during the summer she joined us full-time. In addition to her role as the full-time Assistant Director of Tall Pines Day Camp, Barb is in charge of school picnics, family and corporate events, retreats and team building. She manages and hires the staff and creates eagerly anticipated events. During the eight weeks that Tall Pines Day Camp is in session she turns over the events to Jamie Secula, our Assistant Picnic Director.
Barb grew up in Broomall, PA and graduated from Rider University with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. After moving to Cherry Hill with her husband and two children, she began teaching at a preschool in Cherry Hill for ten years. Now she has 2 grandchildren that she looks forward to attending Tall Pines.
Jamie Secula, Assistant Picnic Director
Jamie began at Tall Pines as a camper in 2000 at the age of 10. In 2005, she began working as a Junior Counselor and eventually a Senior Counselor before accepting the Junior Camp Girls Director position in 2016. She is the first camper to have ever been promoted to a Director’s position. In 2018 she joined the full time, year-round staff. During the year Jamie assists with bunk and transportation planning and then heads outside in the summer months to supervise Junior Camp Girls and assist in running picnics and events on the weekends.
Jamie graduated from the University of Maryland in 2012, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. She taught elementary school music for six years before joining Tall Pines full time. She resides in Berlin with her husband and daughter.
Andrew Yankowitz, Owner and Director
Andrew Yankowitz was a camper of Marvin Domsky’s in 1972 at Willow Grove Summer Day Camp in Willow Grove, PA. Years later Andrew began working in the kitchen at Willow Grove at the age of 14 starting in 1980. Domsky mentored him for almost 30 years, which prepared him to become the Director of Tall Pines Day Camp, Picnics and Retreats. Andrew served as an administrator for Willow Grove Summer Day Camp for over 15 years and has been the Director of Tall Pines since it opened in 1996. He is also a camp consultant and award winning author in the planning field. Andrew brings 45 years of camping experience to his position as Director of Tall Pines Day Camp, Picnics and Retreats.
In December of 2009 Andrew received the Howard Patton Award. It is the highest honor given to an American Camp Association, NJ Section individual who epitomizes the spirit of organized camp leadership and whose work has greatly benefitted youth and the camp profession. The award is given in loving memory of Howard Patton. Howard knew every aspect of camping and was the “Guiding Light” in many Camp Directors’ careers.
Andrew received his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master’s Degree in Administration & City Planning from West Chester University. Andrew resides in Cherry Hill with his wife and three children.
