About Us

Brainy Camps began 25 years ago with a vision, an amazing group of parents and volunteers, and a committed team of professionals and medical providers. As its founder, it has been a privilege to grow Brainy Camps to address the unmet community health needs and support the many children and families we serve locally and across the nation. Twenty years ago, the vision became a campaign entitled, "Imagine a Campsite," where children could grow, connect, and become advocates and leaders. The following year a partnership with Children's National was established. Seven moves later, Children's National has purchased a property only miles from where we began. As Brainy Camps of Children's National, we begin a new and exciting era of growth.

It has been my joy to be part of the Brainy Camps team since 2007.  Like all our staff, I started as a volunteer, offering my expertise as the camp psychologist where and when it was needed.  It was an extraordinary experience that first summer, seeing change happen in front of my eyes.  I  watched shy, withdrawn and lonely kids become animated and excited, I saw them making friends and testing their boundaries, I witnessed them reaching out and helping one another, and I was hooked. 

Since 2010, I have served as the organization's assistant director, raising funds through grant writing and spearheading fundraisers, representing BCA at various healthcare events, and spreading the word whenever and wherever possible.  Over the years, I also have had the privilege of being the contact person for families and volunteers interested in getting involved.  I love talking about Brainy Camps and all it has to offer so, if you have any questions, please contact me at skmehlman@gmail.com.   
 

My camp experience started in a tent with my Brainy Camps parents and a dog. It has been amazing to be a part of camp for the past 25 years and see the growth and development of our community and support. During the camp season, I have many roles including Program Director, Medical Staff and Prank approver! Throughout the year, in addition to my camp responsibilities, I am the program coordinator for the Ketogenic Diet Team at Children’s National. When I am not at camp or Children’s you can find me playing soccer, attending school at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (soon to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner) and finding new adventures with friends. I can’t wait for more summers to come!

I had worked and attended day camps all my life, so when I learned of the opportunity to work at an overnight camp, I was a little skeptical.  However, once I experienced camp for the first week, I was in for the long haul. It is wonderful to be able to spend my summer with these kids because of the overall good spirit of everyone involved. After my first full summer Brainy Camps I was convinced to stay with them full time. Now I spend all year helping to make each session even better than the one before. My official title is BCA's  Administrator. I head the enrollment process of both old and new families, participate in the pre-camp interviews of new and returning CITs, coordinate the newsletter, act as camp photographer, and a multitude of other administrative functions. I perform all these functions while also attending Bowie State University in the pursuit of my Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing and Minor in English Literature. 

If you have any questions about enrollment, would like to include something in the BCA Newsletter, or have a fundraising idea please contact me: njosey@childrensnational.com or 202-476-4889

Kathleen Carter is a social worker at Brainy Camps of Children's National Medical Center working with and supporting children experiencing chronic health conditions. Kathleen's clinical focus is on Child, Adolescent and Family Health with an emphasis on health and well-being for children experiencing chronic health conditions during childhood and through the lifespan.

Before joining the Brainy Camps staff, Kathleen was the Parenting Program Director at the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center in Gaithersburg, MD where she developed and ran a parenting program that provided independent living skills education including nutrition, budgeting and healthy relationships. She also worked closely other agencies in the Washington metropolitan area to develop programs that met the health and well-being needs of their clientele.

Kathleen's early career began in the food business after graduating from the professional culinary arts program at L'Academia 're Cuisine in Bethesda, MD. During her work in the restaurant and catering business Kathleen recognized the role nutrition plays in physical, mental and emotional health. 

Hello! It has been so rewarding to be involved with Brainy Camps for the last nine years. I have been fortunate to watch campers grow, and to witness just how transformative the camp experience is to their lives. Over the summer, I help with day-to-day operations, including overseeing the counselor staff and preparing for activities (I'm renowned for my performance of Down by the Bay). During the school year, I assist with community outreach and am currently working to improve and expand our online presence. When not engrossed in camp happenings, I am a PhD student, planning for the summer to come. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at kaplan_m@gwu.edu - I would love to hear from you!

I joined the Brainy Camps team in the summer of 2009 as a high school junior looking for additional community service hours. Then just three camps (Connect, Great Rock, and New Friends), it was a life changing experience leading to countless memories and lifelong friendships. Ten full summers later I’m still here and have had the privilege of assisting Sandy, Susan, Alyssa, and the rest of the Brainy Camps Family in growing the camps to what they are today. And you can bet I’ll keep coming back! Since joining the team, I’ve attended college, lived overseas in North Africa, worked at CBS News, and now as photographer on the news helicopter.