Key Staff

What Makes a Falcon Staff Member

In everyone’s life, there are inspiring people and great moments that they will remember forever. Our staff plays a vital role here at Falcon Camp. They model the core values that we strive to teach to every camper. Our Falcon counselors (between the ages 18 – 25) are carefully selected and trained in first aid, CPR, child abuse prevention and much more. Many of our staff are “home grown,” having been Falcon campers and completing our Staff Development Program, which trains teens (ages 16 & 17) to support the counselors, campers and activities. Our caring staff is passionate, well-trained, knowledgeable and ready to share a fun-filled summer with their campers. They are experts in their activity area(s), and know how to build communities within their cabins and units. We require all counselors to participate in a one-week Staff Training prior to camp beginning, with Leadership Staff coming a week before that for additional instruction. Our staff are the foundation of our close-knit camp community, and we ensure that they are prepared to help your camper have the best summer they can.

Administrators

Dave Devey: Camp Director

Dave started as a camper at Falcon in 1964 and stayed through as a counselor, program director, and associate director by the early 80’s. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and working in the “real world” for several years, Dave returned to Falcon to become the director/owner in 1984. He is a long time board member of the American Camp Association Ohio Council of Leaders and is an ACA visitor to accredit camps. In between maintaining camp facilities and promoting Falcon in the off-season, Dave spends much of his time educating parents on the value of a camping experience, doing PR work for the ACA to help families choose the right camp, the importance of the ACA camp accreditation program, and also mentoring younger camp directors in several states. As the Public Policy chair on the ACA Ohio Council of Leaders, Dave is very involved with the Ohio state legislature on many issues involving youth, camping and education. He is also on the steering committee for the Northeast Ohio No Child Left Inside coalition. Dave is happily married to Emily and is very proud of the excellent reputation Falcon has established over the years.

Nici Mahen: Assistant Director

Nici began her Falcon career in 1985 and can’t wait to celebrate her 33rd summer! As she progressed through the ranks of camper and staff, she earned her Elementary Education degree with a minor in Childhood Development from Westminster College. Nici then spent five years as an award-winning third grade teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Jay, two daughters, Sophia and Izzie, and son, Henry. Nici spends much of the off season hiring staff as well as coordinating new program ideas for activity areas, staff training and  the Falcon leadership program. She is a certified CPR/ First Aid and Babysitting Instructor through the American Red Cross. She also volunteers with the Girl Scouts and Destination Imagination.  Nici hopes to combine all of her experiences as a camper, counselor, teacher, and mother to implement quality programs which help campers and staff work together in a safe, happy, and healthy environment.

Tali Cornblath: Assistant Director

Tali started as a camper at Falcon in 2000. While holding a variety of staff roles, she earned a BA, double majoring in Child Development and Drama from Tufts University. After spending a few years working full time for camp, Tali decided to give “the real world” a look. She spent a year as the youth director for a synagogue, and another three years working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, before deciding camp was the right place. During the off-season, Tali maintains Falcon’s online presence, travels to camp fairs, meets with prospective families, prepares the summer programs, and collaborates on training plans. Tali lives in Cleveland with her husband, Paul, although they are preparing to move to Columbus as she enters grad school in the fall.

Lynne Rodrigues: Health Director

Lynne (RN, BSN, CSN) started as camper at one of Falcon’s sister camps Firebird in 1976, since Falcon was a boys’ camp at the time. Her family, however, would pitch a tent on Falcon property at least twice a month and camp out to have fun family time together. Camp has always been important to Nurse Lynne. All of her four children have spent time each summer learning and growing at Falcon. Nurse Lynne graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing in May of 1990, and has spent her nursing career caring for children. She worked for 25 years in the ICU’s of major pediatric hospitals in Washington DC and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the last four years she has worked as a Certified School Nurse with the Seneca Valley School District in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Lynne started working as a nurse at Falcon in the summer of 2012. She is a new board member of the Association of Camp Nursing and has been active with that organization since 2012 as well. Keeping the entire camp population healthy and out having fun is a priority for Lynne all year long!