Outside With Your Kids Since 1974

Gloucester Adventure Camp

Outside with your kids since 1976...

GMS Adventure Camp fosters a sense of wonder, environmental stewardship, and critical thinking skills. The open spaces of Essex County serve as a living classroom for campers to learn, appreciate and understand the natural resources of the greater Cape Ann area.

Dory Rowing

Camp Staff

Jo-Anne Crawford

Executive Director of GMS
Junior Sea Camp Lead Teacher

Since 1984, Jo-Anne has been teaching or consulting with GMS Adventure Camp. She is responsible for all curriculum and staffing for summer camp programs, and is the lead teacher for Junior Sea Camp. The current Junior Sea Camp was established out of necessity when her son Everest turned 5 and wanted to go to camp. When she is not teaching, Jo-Anne is busy working with her import business, A Global Home, and promoting the goals of seArts (Society for the Encouragement of Arts on Cape Ann) or doing community service with Gloucester Public Schools, SailGloucester, and Boy Scouts.

Jeff Crawford

Adventure Sea Camp Lead Teacher
Lead Lifeguard/ First Aid Supervisor

Surfing and hiking around the world (Australia, Mt. Everest, Southeast Asia, etc.) for the past 30 years has prepared Jeff for his role as our lead Lifeguard and Dory Trainer. Jeff has a love of history, orienteering, and all things nautical that translates into fun and adventure when he is teaching Adventure Sea Camp. His extensive knowledge of solar energy design and carpentry has provided the Ram Island Nature Center a self sustaining system.

Jeff works with all of the kids on methods for lowering their Carbon Footprint, challenging themselves without the element of competition, and being aware of being your best self within a group. When not teaching camp, Jeff is busy with his carpentry and design business.

Amanda Madeira

Junior Sea Camp and Adventure Camp Marine Science Educator
Captain of GMS Tall Ship Schooners

Captain Amanda possesses remarkable skills as an educator which she gained through years of training and professional experience with programs onboard ADVENTURESS, ANNE KRISTINE, BOWDOIN, CORWITH CRAMER, HARVEY GAMAGE, HIGHLANDER SEA, OCEAN STAR, REGINA MARIS, TOLE MOUR, and WHEN & IF.

Her years of study in Science and the Arts, along with her extensive salt marsh knowledge and inquisitive nature continue to provide a constant source of excitement among the children. Amanda works with GMS in the summer months when she is not working in Floating Classrooms aboard schooners.

Herb Stillman

Technical Climbing Expert

The love of rock climbing has stayed with Herb since 1975 when Jim Schoel introduced him to the sport at GHS. Herb is our technical climbing expert for Junior Sea Camp and Adventure Sea Camp. When Herb is not climbing around Cape Ann, he is hiking and climbing throughout the Northeast and afar. Herb spends his spare time climbing in the White Mountains, and he has written a book while working with the Army Corps of Engineers and utilizing his vast knowledge of the geology of the Northeast.

Junior Leaders

Mila Barry is a rising senior at Gloucester High, a nature lover, an avid photographer, and a passionate poet. She’s been a part of the GMS family for almost 7 years and loves nothing more than exploring the wilds of Cape Ann with her friends, colleagues, and campers each summer. When she’s not hiking, climbing, or captaining a dory, she can be found writing for her school newspaper, practicing her mandolin, or dreaming up some new project to squeeze into her already busy schedule. Mila works with both Junior and Senior Sea Camp.

Cara Buchanan is 17 years old and a rising senior in high school. She has been working as a Junior Sea counselor for a year and has many fond memories of attending the camp when she was younger. She enjoys sharing her love for the natural world and her stewardship for the environment with campers.

Calvin Del Vecchio is 16 years old and a rising junior in high school.  He has been working at the camp for two years after attending it most of his life. He is mostly with Senior Sea, but sometimes may switch to Junior Sea. He loves these camps, and wants to share the same experience he had with all the campers.

Alba Jordan is a rising junior in high school and has been working at GMS camp for two years, but has been a camper forever and has loved every minute of it. She has worked with Junior Sea and Rock Camp hiking, jumping, swimming, laughing and inspiring. She enjoys Irish step dancing, swimming, and playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Alba brings a positive attitude and her energetic personality to every GMS camp adventure.

Helen Ives is a rising junior at Brookline High School.  Musical theater, costume design, drawing and painting are some of her favorite activities.  Helen really enjoys working with kids and being a part of GMS camp.

Nathan Ives is going to be a freshman at Brookline High School. He loves playing games, watching birds, photography and swimming! Nathan is looking forward to his first year as a GMS camp staffer!