Meet Our Team
Founding Director
James Frank
Founder of Lure of the Wild and father of two adventurous boys, James Frank is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast approaching his third decade of professional experience developing award-winning nature education programs. He’s found lifelong delight in sharing profound experiences in the natural world with everyone and anyone he meets. Camp parents have described him as akin to “Mr. Ray,” the teacher in Finding Nemo…
The Catonsville Team
Madeline Bartley
Madeline, a lover of nature, art, and animals, joined Lure of the Wild after meeting Ranger James at a Wilderness First Aid training in 2021. Known for her compassionate leadership, she is pursuing a degree in environmental science while teaching science to middle schoolers with social-emotional disorders. Affectionately nicknamed “Laser Eyes” for her keen insight into children’s emotions, she brings warmth and understanding to every interaction.
Julia Silver
Julia, a Catonsville native and UMBC student, discovered her love for the outdoors exploring Patapsco State Park as a kid. Formerly a Counselor-in-Training and volunteer at CCBC's Camp Heritage, Julia's years of experience at Lure of the Wild have helped her become a stellar counselor who's as skilled with children as she is observant, resourceful, and communicative. Julia enjoys trail running, playing guitar, and babysitting. She aspires to become a Wildlife Ecologist specializing in Ornithology.
Ainishay Saung
Aninshay is a rising junior at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Catonsville. Mature, witty, and fun to be around, he quickly connects with both campers and staff. Aninshay brings a steady sense of encouragement and positivity to the group, helping campers feel comfortable, confident, and ready to explore new challenges and experiences outdoors.
Aninshay is a rising junior at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Catonsville. Mature, witty, and fun to be around, he quickly connects with both campers and staff. Aninshay brings a steady sense of encouragement and positivity to the group, helping campers feel comfortable, confident, and ready to explore new challenges and experiences outdoors.
Alice Lin
Alice is a student at Loyola University Maryland studying psychology and speech-language-hearing sciences. She first began working with children at a Montessori school and has since worked as a tutor, mentor, babysitter, and vacation care staff member. Alice enjoys photography, arts and crafts, journaling, and kayaking, and is looking forward to discovering new corners of Patapsco alongside campers!
Counselor Cookie
Returning for her second summer at Lure of the Wild, Counselor Cookie loves splashing in streams, chewing sticks and rocks, and spending time with campers in the woods. Cookie’s most important role is helping children feel safe, calm, and supported when they’re having a tough day. With her gentle personality and playful energy, she’s a favorite companion for many campers!
Imani Middleton
Imani is a student at Coppin State University studying with aspirations of supporting children and families through psychology and advocacy work. She previously worked with children as a junior counselor in a robotics program, where she enjoyed helping kids build creativity and problem-solving skills. Imani enjoys nature walks, poetry, and mystery novels, and can’t wait to see the creativity, curiosity, and personalities campers bring to the woods this summer!
Jaden Rucker
Jaden is studying early childhood education at Frostburg State University and plans to become a teacher. She has worked with children through daycare programs, lifeguarding, and school-related experiences. Growing up camping and exploring outdoors with her family helped inspire her love of nature. Jaden enjoys hiking, art, music, and traveling, and looks forward to a summer filled with exploration, creativity, and muddy shoes!
Lily Grover
Lily is a psychology student at West Virginia University studying child development and family studies. She previously volunteered as a junior counselor and worked as an assistant counselor at a summer camp. A longtime Girl Scout, Lily developed a strong love for the outdoors early on. She enjoys hiking, traveling, concerts, and beach days, and loves the calm and connection that come from spending time outdoors.
Mary Potter
Mary is a special education teacher with more than fifteen years of experience working with children and families in both elementary and behavioral education settings. She loves hiking, camping, biking, and spending time outdoors with friends, and feels most at home exploring the woods and trails with others.
Mia Costello
A lifeguard with a passion for working with children, Mia studies English, sociology, and Spanish at Mount Holyoke College. She has volunteered at the Catonsville library helping children strengthen their reading skills. Growing up in Catonsville, Mia spent much of her childhood exploring nearby woods and parks. She enjoys reading, photography, baking, and collecting wineberries along the Trolley Trail, and is excited to experience Patapsco from a new perspective this summer!
The Roland Park Team
Anna Wassel
Anna is an environmental educator and naturalist with more than ten years of experience working with children through camps, outdoor education, and outreach programs. She studied environmental science before earning a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology studying the pawpaw tree (it makes the largest edible fruit native to North America!). Anna enjoys crocheting, board games, swimming in rivers, and identifying native plants. She loves helping others feel more connected to the natural world and is excited to be bringing the Lure of the Wild experience to Roland Park this summer!
Allana "Llana" Weikel
Now in her third season at Lure of the Wild, Llana is a visual arts student at Carver Center for Arts and Technology. She has several years of babysitting experience, and developed her love for the outdoors while spending time at her family’s cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Llana has been recognized for her nature photography, and also enjoys multimedia art, music, and kayaking. She is excited to share her appreciation for creativity and nature with campers.
Izzy Rendor
Izzy is a student at UMBC studying clinical psychology and media and communication studies. Her interest in developmental psychology and understanding how children learn inspired her to work with kids through Lure of the Wild. Izzy enjoys crafts, music, badminton, video editing, and spending time outdoors. She is especially excited to learn from the campers’ unique perspectives and interests.
Matthew Kornberg
Matthew is a rising high school junior at Gilman School with several years of experience working as a junior counselor at a local preschool summer camp and as a babysitter. Inspired by his mother’s work as a preschool teacher, he discovered early on how rewarding it can be to help children explore and learn. Matthew enjoys birdwatching, exotic animals, houseplants, and spending time in the woods, and loves helping kids discover new things about the natural world. When not at Lure of the Wild this summer, he'll be interning at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
Our Support Crew
Bethany Fry
Bethany Fry, a Nurse Practitioner at a local pediatric practice, is passionate about outdoor play and its benefits for child development. Originally from Western New York, she has lived in the area for 17 years. Bethany balances her time between work, her love for plants, and raising her three spirited children, who are also Lure of the Wild campers. She’s currently working on transforming her Catonsville yard with native plants.
Elise Smithmyer
A Catonsville-based mom and private practice psychotherapist, Elise is deeply passionate about mental health. Her commitment extends beyond her work to her broader community, with a particular focus on reducing the negative effects of screen time and social media on children, adolescents, and adults alike. When she's not working, you will find her spending time with her family, tending to her chickens, gardening, and playing bluegrass music!
