Meet Our Staff

A native of Scarborough, Liz has worked at Ketcha Outdoors since the summer of 2000, first as a counselor, then working her way up to Camp Director in the summer of 2004 and then moving in the Director of Operations. She is a member of the American Camping Association and formerly served on the American Camp Association New England Standards Committee and the Emerging Camp Professional Committee. Liz is passionately committed to youth development and public service. She has worked with children in a variety of capacities throughout her career, including as a nanny, a volunteer with the Special Olympics, and as a summer camp counselor.

Liz began her work with nonprofits leading the United Way’s Youth Engaged in Service group and participating in the Day of Caring as a Youth Site Supervisor.  She holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and criminology from the University of Southern Maine in Portland.  Liz continues her  professional development through courses, training, and conferences. She lives in South Portland with her husband and three children, who all love Camp Ketcha summer camp and school vacation camps!

Kara started at Camp Ketcha in 2014 as a senior camp counselor (she was also a camper when she was in elementary school). After graduating from UNH with a degree in music education in 2015 she stayed on with us in the summers as a head counselor and spent 4 years working in the Portland Public Schools as an ed-tech and music teacher. We welcomed her year-round in June 2018 as the Director of Youth Development. In this role, she runs our summer camp, after-school, vacation camp, and adventure challenge programs. When Kara is not at camp she can be found hiking, climbing, or running with her dog, Casco.

Karen has worked in finance for the past 35 years in various positions and concentrations ranging from for-profit manufacturing to non-profit health care, education, and the arts. In addition to finance, Karen has served as Chief Operations Officer in several organizations as well as supported development efforts in several non-profits. Most recently, Karen retired from two organizations, the University of Southern Maine Foundation where she worked for 12 years, and most recently the Maine Historical Society, where she also worked a total of 12 years. Karen desires to continue to support non-profits and therefore has joined Ketcha Outdoors. She hopes her extensive experience will support Ketcha’s leadership and staff in achieving their strategic goals and objectives. Karen has served on several non-profit boards in the past and is currently a board member of the Sugarloaf Mountain Condominium Center Association serving as their Vice President. Karen has one son who graduated from the University of Maine and is employed as an engineer. Karen and her husband Kirk enjoy spending time skiing, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with their son and daughter-in-law.

Raised in South Portland, Kailina comes to Ketcha with over 15 years of experience in childcare and education. She started as a camp counselor and has since received a BA in Early Childhood Education, Outdoor Education, and Inclusive Teaching and an M.Ed in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. Kailina is a Reggio Emilia trained educator and is passionate about providing high-quality learning opportunities for our youngest students. She recognizes the importance of early childhood education to set children up for long-term success both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, Kailina taught preschool, public pre-k, and kindergarten in several schools throughout southern and midcoast Maine.

Before joining Ketcha Outdoors, she worked as a Learning Specialist at Chewonki Elementary & Middle School and as a Communications Specialist for the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Leadership for Change and is on track to complete her Doctorate of Education in 2024. In her spare time, Kailina can be found on hiking trails, making music, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.

Billy Murdock is an accomplished program facilitator with a focus on after school and camp programs. With roots tracing back to Peaks Island, ME, Billy began his journey at Ketcha Outdoors in 2018 as an archery instructor. With a B.S. in Marine Biology from UNCW, he has honed his expertise through roles at institutions such as the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Connecticut’s Diadromous Fisheries Program.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Billy finds joy in activities like distance running, creating art with pastels, seeking out bluegrass concerts, and spending time on Monhegan Island. Throughout the school year, he dedicates himself to leading the After School Explorers programming, managing volunteers, and helping to prepare for summer camp where he oversees all activities and programming.

Kristen spent the start of her adult life in various health-related roles including working in a family practice and the emergency department. She spent a stint of time focused on mental health in both residential and in-patient psychiatric care. For several years, she staffed 911 ambulances as an Advanced EMT in both small, rural towns of Southern Maine and bustling, never-sleeping cities of Central Maine. Prior to starting at Ketcha, Kristen assisted local school nurses in navigating the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristen was hired as Ketcha’s Camp EMT in between the school year season. She immediately was drawn to Ketcha’s mission to keep children connected to the natural beauty that Maine has to offer. She gratefully accepted a full-time position as the After Care Coordinator as well as the Behavior, Health, and Safety Coordinator. As a Ketcha parent herself, she understands the need for safe, quality children’s programming. When she is not at Ketcha or studying to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, Kristen can be found with her family raising their rescue rabbits or hiking the various trails in Southern Maine.

Trisha also leads our Farmer Fridays’ a summer adventure for kids to learn about animals and gardening.

With over three decades of marketing expertise, Liz brings a wealth of experience to her role at Ketcha Outdoors. Her professional journey has been marked by a strong commitment to non-profit work, spanning areas such as child welfare, family health, and career planning.

Originally from South Carolina, Liz received her degree in Broadcast Communications from Western Kentucky University. Liz went on to co-found her marketing agency, Archerdog Creative in 2011. She moved to Maine in 2014, married Chris in 2016, and lives in Portland with their dog Charlie Brown, and their cat Jack Frost.

In her marketing and communications role at Ketcha Outdoors, Liz is dedicated to fostering an environment of open communication, humor, and mutual respect among staff. Her profound empathy for animals has earned her a position on the newly formed Barn Committee, a team striving to enhance agricultural education opportunities for students.

Mary Ellen began working at Camp K in 2006 as the part-time Camp Registrar.  In 2010 she took over as the Facility Rentals Director. She enjoys helping each and every bride & renter make Camp Ketcha a special place for their event. Mary Ellen can often be found washing windows & dusting while answering summer camp questions and calls! Mary Ellen lives in South Portland with her husband.

Caitie, a Massachusetts native recently made her move to Maine this past year to stay with her aunt and two cousins. She has a bachelor’s in Sociology from Samford University in Birmingham Alabama and is in the last year of her accelerated Master of Social Work program from the same institution. In addition to Ketcha, Caitie is completing her clinical internship with Spurwink Services through their Public-School Counseling program where she is placed as a clinician at Gardiner High School. After graduation, Caitie plans to obtain her clinical licensure and continue her education to become a licensed therapist in the school and outpatient services. When she is not at work, Caitie can often be found studying at her favorite coffee shop or on a hiking trail with her friends.