
Leadership Team
Meet the Highland Camps leadership team! Dave, Kevin, Sam and Ben work year-round to bring your camper the best possible experience at Summer Ride and Ayr Academy.

Dave Smutok
VPHometown: NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Fancy Feast
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Trying to keep up with th...Read More

Dave Smutok
Hometown: NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Fancy Feast
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Trying to keep up with three young boys is both an ultimate joy and a challenge I look forward to every day. I’ve become quite the referee, haha. Spending time with them and watching them figure out life are my favorite things to do!
What you're most excited about this summer: All the staff and campers getting together to create lifelong memories.

Kevin Owens
Riding Program ManagerHometown: Bedford, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Jack Rabbit Run - Maiden Voyage
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain bikin...Read More

Kevin Owens
Hometown: Bedford, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Jack Rabbit Run - Maiden Voyage
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Freeride Skiing and Ski Coaching
What you're most excited about this summer: Seeing campers and staff make new friends, have new experiences and have fun!

Ben Tufford
Coach Training ManagerHometown: Franklin, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: ODB/ODC, Lower Threshold
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Wee...Read More

Ben Tufford
Hometown: Franklin, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: ODB/ODC, Lower Threshold
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Weekend escapes to fun places
What you're most excited about this summer: Watching young riders make huge progress on their bikes and connecting with new friends.

Sam Bellemore
Camps Program ManagerHometown: New Boston, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat Scratch Fever
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
...Read More

Sam Bellemore
Hometown: New Boston, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat Scratch Fever
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're most excited about this summer: Seeing everyone enjoy their time together at Highland
Support Team
Meet the Highland Camps Support Staff! This group does it all, from keeping campers healthy, to sharing stories about camp.

Kaleigh Baker
CoordinatorHometown: Concord, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat's Paw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Camping, skiing, go...Read More

Kaleigh Baker
Hometown: Concord, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat's Paw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Camping, skiing, going to the gym and visiting waterfalls
What you're most excited about this summer: to see the riders make new friends and memories

Grace Trefry
Daytime Support StaffHometown: Beverly, MA
Favorite Trail: Freedom Trail
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Read, teach my students and go to coffee sh...Read More

Grace Trefry
Hometown: Beverly, MA
Favorite Trail: Freedom Trail
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Read, teach my students and go to coffee shops with my friends
What you're most excited about this summer: To improve my mountain biking skills while being able to continue working with kids throughout the summer!

Nate McClelland
Camp MarketingHometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Home Bike Park: Ray's Indoor Bike Park
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hi...Read More

Nate McClelland
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Home Bike Park: Ray's Indoor Bike Park
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hiking
What you're most excited about this summer: Capturing sick photos and videos of our campers!
Ayr Academy Coaches
Get to know some of our Ayr Academy coaches! Ayr Academy is a weeklong summer camp for riders ages 11 to 16. Lead Coaches are assigned their own riding group every week. Our Senior Coaches and Guest Pros will float from group to group throughout the session!

Kaidan Ingersoll
guest coachHometown: Scarborough ME
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: I like to work ou...Read More

Kaidan Ingersoll
Hometown: Scarborough ME
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: I like to work out when I am not on the bike
What you're most excited about this summer: I'm excited to ride some laps with everyone this summer!

David Lieb
Guest CoachHometown: Ida, Michigan
Home Bike Park: I just drive the 13 hours to Highland and call it home
Favorite Trail: Secret trails in Sedona, AZ
Fa...Read More

David Lieb
Hometown: Ida, Michigan
Home Bike Park: I just drive the 13 hours to Highland and call it home
Favorite Trail: Secret trails in Sedona, AZ
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Shoot photos, ride pitbikes, feed my ducks
What you're most excited about this summer: Bike park riding, of course!

Jordy Scott
Ayr Academy Lead Coach (Session 3)Hometown: St. George, Utah
Home Bike Park: Rampage Site
Favorite Trail: Power Hour
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hanging o...Read More

Jordy Scott
Hometown: St. George, Utah
Home Bike Park: Rampage Site
Favorite Trail: Power Hour
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hanging out with my cat
What you're most excited about this summer: Traveling, riding, racing and hanging out with great people non-stop!!

Seth Stevens
guest coachHometown: Danbury
Home Bike Park: Windrock
Favorite Trail: Horseface
Favorite thing to do that's not MTB: Videography
What you're most exc...Read More

Seth Stevens
Hometown: Danbury
Home Bike Park: Windrock
Favorite Trail: Horseface
Favorite thing to do that's not MTB: Videography
What you're most excited about this summer: I'm super excited to travel in my van and explore more riding spots this summer!

David Clyburn
Ayr Academy Senior CoachHometown: Birmingham, AL
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Anything flowy
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Guitar, gym...Read More

David Clyburn
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Anything flowy
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Guitar, gymnastics and reading
What you're most excited about this summer: Getting stoked!

Caroline Edwards
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Boone, NC
Home Bike Park: Beech Mountain & Wind Rock
Favorite Trail: Fort Hill at Thunder Mountain
Favorite thing to do that's ...Read More

Caroline Edwards
Hometown: Boone, NC
Home Bike Park: Beech Mountain & Wind Rock
Favorite Trail: Fort Hill at Thunder Mountain
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing & hanging out with my dog
What you're most excited about this summer: Hitting big jumps!

Josh Leonhardt
AYR ACADEMY LEAD COACHHometown: Nottingham, England
Home Bike Park: Bike Park Wales
Favorite Trail: Secret Steep at LePlenney, Morzine
Favorite thing to do that's ...Read More

Josh Leonhardt
Hometown: Nottingham, England
Home Bike Park: Bike Park Wales
Favorite Trail: Secret Steep at LePlenney, Morzine
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Scuba Diving
What you're most excited about this summer: Going fast between trees and watching riders progress their bike skills!

Nicolas Lauzon
AYR ACADEMY LEAD COACHHometown: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Home Bike Park: Empire47
Favorite Trail: King Kong, Sentirs Du Moulin
Favorite thing to do that's not m...Read More

Nicolas Lauzon
Hometown: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Home Bike Park: Empire47
Favorite Trail: King Kong, Sentirs Du Moulin
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Snowboarding on a powder day
What you're most excited about this summer: Sharing my passion for biking, and being on my bike all the time

Andrew Driscoll
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Bow, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Golf
What you're most...Read More

Andrew Driscoll
Hometown: Bow, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Golf
What you're most excited about this summer: I'm excited to share my love for the sport with the next generation of riders!

Camden Starrick
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHome Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: HTC / Meadow's End
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're most excited ...Read More

Camden Starrick
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: HTC / Meadow's End
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're most excited about this summer: HTC night sessions with everyone

Arlin Goss
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Henniker, NH
Home Bike Park: Keystone and Trestle in the past, now Highland
Favorite Trail: Hellion
Favorite thing to do that's not...Read More

Arlin Goss
Hometown: Henniker, NH
Home Bike Park: Keystone and Trestle in the past, now Highland
Favorite Trail: Hellion
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Snowboarding
What you're most excited about this summer: Trail rides with my son

Eli Gadbois
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Bow, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're mo...Read More

Eli Gadbois
Hometown: Bow, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're most excited about this summer: This will be my second summer of coaching with Highland so I;m super excited to spend a bunch of time on the bike and spread the passion for mountain biking with all the campers!

Burke Warren
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Northampton, MA
Home Bike Park: Thunder Mountain Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Freeride at Burke Mountain
Favorite thing to do that's n...Read More

Burke Warren
Hometown: Northampton, MA
Home Bike Park: Thunder Mountain Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Freeride at Burke Mountain
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing and Backcountry touring, tinkering with cars
What you're most excited about this summer: Meeting new riders and helping them reach their goals while having fun in the process!

Bode Tracy
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown: Newburyport, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Go out on the la...Read More

Bode Tracy
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Go out on the lake with friends
What you're most excited about this summer: Coaching some great kids!!

Max Abrams
Ayr Academy Lead CoachHometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you are most excited for this summer:...Read More

Max Abrams
Hometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
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What you are most excited for this summer:

Chris Boling
AYR ACADEMY LEAD COACHHometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you are most excited for this summer:...Read More

Chris Boling
Hometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you are most excited for this summer:
Summer Ride Coaches
Get to know some of our Summer Ride coaches! Summer Ride is a three-day summer camp program for riders ages 8 to 13. All riding groups will have their very own Lead Coach, and our Senior Coaches will float between groups throughout the session.

Justin Lagassey
Summer Ride Senior CoachHometown: Plymouth, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Upper J-bar -> Wayne's World -> Black Forest
Favorite thing to do that'...Read More

Justin Lagassey
Hometown: Plymouth, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Upper J-bar -> Wayne's World -> Black Forest
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Carving wooden climbing holds
What you're most excited about this summer: I am stoked to reconnect with my Highland family. As a member of the Rad Dad Club I'd like to spend as much of the summer as possible in the pump track and dirt jumping with my son. My next big adventure goal is to ride an e-bike into the stratosphere in a day - although there's some work to do on that project.

Jacob Padula
SUMMER RIDE COACH & COUNSELORHometown: Pembroke, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland + Thunder
Favorite Trail: Easy Rider / Lower NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mounta...Read More

Jacob Padula
Hometown: Pembroke, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland + Thunder
Favorite Trail: Easy Rider / Lower NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hang out with my friends and meet new people!
What you're most excited about this summer: Riding my bike every day!

Aidan Mansmann
SUMMER RIDE COACH & COUNSELORHometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you're most excited about this summer:...Read More

Aidan Mansmann
Hometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you're most excited about this summer:

Matt Dermody
Summer Ride Lead CoachHometown: Hopkinton, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat's Paw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What yo...Read More

Matt Dermody
Hometown: Hopkinton, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Cat's Paw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Skiing
What you're most excited about this summer: Getting better at mountain biking and helping campers do the same!

Charlie Lehner
Summer Ride Lead CoachHometown: NYC, NY
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Hellion or Full NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Climbing...Read More

Charlie Lehner
Hometown: NYC, NY
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Hellion or Full NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Climbing
What you're most excited about this summer: I am very excited to ride bikes with the campers and other coaches this summer

Emmett Daley
Summer Ride Lead CoachHometown: Bedford, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bonesaw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Backcountry Split-boa...Read More

Emmett Daley
Hometown: Bedford, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bonesaw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Backcountry Split-boarding!
Most excited for this summer: Getting the chance to ride with great people and be on the east coast for the summer!
Counselors
Meet the Counselors! This team works with our Overnight Campers to provide a safe environment to unwind, rest up and have fun between days on the hill.

Kellam Gowda
Head CounselorHometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you are most excited for this summer:...Read More

Kellam Gowda
Hometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you are most excited for this summer:

Jacob Padula
SUMMER RIDE COACH & COUNSELORHometown: Pembroke, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland + Thunder
Favorite Trail: Easy Rider / Lower NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mounta...Read More

Jacob Padula
Hometown: Pembroke, MA
Home Bike Park: Highland + Thunder
Favorite Trail: Easy Rider / Lower NE Style
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Hang out with my friends and meet new people!
What you're most excited about this summer: Riding my bike every day!

Ben Sant-Johnson
AYR ACADEMY COUNSELORHometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Power Hour
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Snowboarding and ...Read More

Ben Sant-Johnson
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Power Hour
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Snowboarding and filming
What you're most excited about this summer: The HTC foam pit

Kyle Austin
Ayr Academy CounselorHometown: Peterborough, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Play my guitar ...Read More

Kyle Austin
Hometown: Peterborough, NH
Home Bike Park: Highland
Favorite Trail: Bone Saw
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Play my guitar or go swimming!
What you're most excited about this summer: Mountain biking at Highland

Ben Stunell
Ayr Academy CounselorHometown: Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom
Home Bike Park: Woburn Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Transfer Line
Favorite thing to do that's not mou...Read More

Ben Stunell
Hometown: Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom
Home Bike Park: Woburn Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Transfer Line
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Refereeing, gaming, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends!
What you're most excited about this summer: Everything from new trails and friends to travelling, making memories and best of all, riding my bike!

Aidan Mansmann
SUMMER RIDE COACH & COUNSELORHometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you're most excited about this summer:...Read More

Aidan Mansmann
Hometown:
Home Bike Park:
Favorite Trail:
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking:
What you're most excited about this summer:

Alex Ballot
Ayr Academy CounselorHometown: Barrington, IL
Home Bike Park: Andres Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Fancy Feast
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Explor...Read More

Alex Ballot
Hometown: Barrington, IL
Home Bike Park: Andres Bike Park
Favorite Trail: Fancy Feast
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Exploring new places and having a blast with friends and family
What you're most excited about this summer: I'm really stoked on seeing huge progression with all of the campers at Highland and getting to ride some sweet gravity trails!

Ben Thompson
AYR ACADEMY COUNSELORHometown: Augusta, GA
Home Bike Park: Jarrod's Place
Favorite Trail: Lower Backwoods
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Backpac...Read More

Ben Thompson
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Home Bike Park: Jarrod's Place
Favorite Trail: Lower Backwoods
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Backpacking
What you're most excited about this summer: Meeting new people and riding a new bike park

Max Bradder
AYR ACADEMY COUNSELORHometown: Retford, UK
Home Bike Park: Bike Park Wales
Favorite Trail: Enter The Dragon
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Boxin...Read More

Max Bradder
Hometown: Retford, UK
Home Bike Park: Bike Park Wales
Favorite Trail: Enter The Dragon
Favorite thing to do that's not mountain biking: Boxing
What you're most excited about this summer: To meet lots of great people