My name is Peter Strecansky, and I am elated to join the full-time team at Shibley! This is a dream come true for me. Shibley is practically in my blood.
My uncle, Jeff, was a Shibley camper in the 1970s and later served as a tennis instructor. My mom, Phyllis, was a Shibley group leader for almost two decades, and my aunt, Gina, served as a Shibley lifeguard and swim head for almost three decades. I began as a Shibley camper in 1990 in Junior Boys 2B. I still remember the location of my exact cubby in our current Lego Room. My younger sister Michelle (2022 Head Nurse) and I eagerly waited for each summer at camp.
During my college years, I worked summers at the Shibley Theater. I also worked in the Shibley office during pre-camp in May and June. I am a proud graduate of Hofstra University Honors College and earned degrees in English and Secondary Education as well as the distinction of Magna Cum Laude.
While at Hofstra I participated in an internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL as part of the Disney College Program and I returned to Disney World full-time after graduation. I worked in Park Operations, as a Character Performer, Parade Performer, and Puppeteer. I received invaluable customer service training during my time at Disney World, which I continue to use to this very day.
In 2009, I was offered the chance to travel the world with a touring production of Disney Live!, where I performed in cities across the US and fifteen countries in Central and South America. We performed in both Spanish and Portuguese. I also worked at Disney Cruise Lines as a performer aboard the Disney Wonder.
Shibley came calling again in 2013 — as I told you, it’s in my blood. I spent two years working as Assistant to the Camp Director and as Director of Special Events but two years later I left again to pursue a position at Delta Air Lines as a member of In-Flight.
In 2022 I was invited back to be co-director of Sleepaway Week. With some time banked up at Delta I was able to commit to the entire Summer and served as Shibley’s Creative Arts Supervisor. I oversaw the areas of Drama, Dance, Art, Nature/Science, and Cooking. I played an active role in planning, coordinating and executing special events. The biggest thrill for me this summer, however, was seeing camp through the fresh eyes of my nieces, Lily, Sadie, and Maddy.
Our annual Spring Festival will be on Saturday, May 14. Families with ENROLLED campers are invited to camp to participate in a variety of camp activities, meet leadership staff, reconnect with old camp friends and make new ones.
