Leadership
Founder - Owner
Edward Gersh founded West Hills Day Camp in 1955. Since then, he has been its owner and president. Mr. Gersh received both his B.S. and M.A. from New York University. He has served on numerous boards and committees dealing with the needs of children. He is well recognized for his expertise in a number of areas, particularly those involving education and camping.
Owner - Vice President
Kevin Gersh literally grew up at West Hills Day Camp. In fact, it’s his joyful remembrances of those “special” summer days at camp that compel him to ensure that as many youngsters as possible get a chance to have similar West Hills memories. As founder and president of Gersh Academy, West Hills Montessori School, and Gersh Educational Services, Kevin has dedicated himself to making a difference in the lives of children. Kevin believes that camp, like life, should be an adventure filled with new experiences and lots of fun. In his spare time he loves to participate in extreme sports, trail riding, hiking, and skiing.
Directors
Andrea Parker has, by her own admission, spent almost twenty “joyous” summers on the beautiful grounds of West Hills Day Camp. She has been a group leader, arts & crafts specialist, a division head for both the girls and specialists, an assistant director, and, as of 2010, a director.During the school year, Andrea loves working as a special education teacher in the Harborfields School District. Previously, she was employed by the New York City Board of Education as an educational evaluator and as a resource room teacher. Andrea also has experience in early intervention and preschool evaluations.
Matthew Kinigson graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science. He was a volunteer at Sagamore Hill, National Park and went on to be a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. Matthew later returned to school and earned a Master's Degree in Secondary Education, Social Studies from Long Island University. For the past 15 years, he has been a Secondary Education Social Studies Teacher. Matthew attended Stony Brook University where he earned a Post Master's Degree in School District Administration. He has led several trips for his students to various parts of Europe (including England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Amsterdam, Belgium and Morocco) and numerous trips throughout the United States. Matthew joined West Hills in 2010 and served as the Coordinator of our Teen Travel and Grad Camp Programs.
Lou Boccia Lou Boccia has been part of the West Hills family since 1999. After graduating from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, he moved on to Stony Brook University earning his Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies. During the school year, Lou is a teacher of Adaptive Physical Education and also finds time to coach boys basketball and baseball. Lou has dedicated his professional career to teaching, coaching and mentoring children of all ages. With three children attending West Hills, Lou’s commitment to the development of our staff and to the safety of our campers is unparalleled. Lou plays a vital role in making West Hills your summer home, now and into the future.
