Meet Our Staff

Peter Christnacht, Executive Director

2025 was Peter’s 21st summer of leadership at Copper Cannon Camp and his 37th in camp administration. He has run programs throughout the country with the common thread being a heartfelt belief in the good camp does for the campers. Peter has seen the impact quality staff can have on youth. He holds a Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University in Curriculum and Instruction and did  his undergraduate work at Gonzaga University.

Married with four children of his own, Peter knows what parents need in order to feel comfortable with a camping program, what children want from camp and how to meld the two together. Through the years, his children have grown up at Copper Cannon and share his passion with Peter’s only daughter running the arts and crafts program for the summer of 2012. His wife, Teresa, is an active volunteer with Copper Cannon having been instrumental in the growth of our Counselor in Training (CIT) leadership program since its inception and taking a lead in the annual auction.

Favorite camp activity: Native American storytelling at campfires

Favorite camp food:  “Dough on a Stick” – fabulous cooking over a fire… burnt on the outside, raw on the inside, but who cares?

Best memory from Copper Cannon: Meeting one of the first campers from 1963, who was so excited to share stories of his time at Copper Cannon Camp.

Biggest Challenge: Finding enough hours in the day to make the program even better.

Vision for the future: To see more former campers returning to Copper Cannon as staff.

Toby Hall, Day Camp Coordinator

2025 was Toby’s fourth summer working on a summer camp. Toby was meant to be with us in 2020 but was unable to due to COVID. Despite this, he remained connected with the camp and finally managed to make it in 2022. During his first two summers, he worked as a camp counselor. But in 2024 he stepped into a year round position on a J-1 Visa and is staying with us until November 2025. He is very excited to see camp throughout the year

Toby graduated twice from the University of Plymouth and holds both a Bachelor’s of Arts and Masters of Arts in Acting. He puts these to use outside of camp by performing in with Theater Up, who he also teaches with. He also shares these skills with the campers

Favorite Camp Activity: Watching skits and singing songs

Favorite Camp Food: Taco Tuesday!

Best Memory from Copper Cannon: The first time looking out towards the mountains, and all the subsequent times with the view changing everyday

Biggest Challenge: Being over 3,000 miles away from home/Spelling Color without a U!

Vision for the Future: Introducing more of the arts to camp

Freddy Torres, Facilities Manager

Freddy has been with Copper Cannon Camp since 2024. His background is with carpentry but his skill set is constantly evolving for the needs of camp. Originally from Arizona, Freddy moved up to New Hampshire for the skiing, of which he volunteers and teaches children how to ski. As well as skiing, Freddy can usually be found coaching youth sports teams like softball. 

Despite being busy keeping the facilities running during the summer, Freddy always makes time for the campers and joins in with activities whenever he can. 

Copper Cannon Camp Board of Directors

The success of Copper Cannon is due in a large part to the wonderful Board of Directors. Through the years, their hard work and dedication has helped Copper Cannon grow and thrive. Find out more about each member below!

Nancy Goebel, President
Member since 2008

Nancy currently shares her time between homes in Pembroke, NH and Franconia, NH. She first fell in love with the North Country in 1985 skiing at Cannon Mountain. That led to her passion for hiking the beautiful forests of the White Mountains. The mountain bike program is in memory of her husband Gary. The thing she loves most about her role with Copper Cannon Camp is bringing New Hampshire children into the beautiful woods she treasures so much. Whether on their feet or on a bike, she believes the woods have a magic that every child needs to experience. In the past she has been actively involved with several charitable associations including the Caregivers in Manchester, NH, Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts, and a Patron of the Balle de Plage in Newport RI. Nancy has a BS in Sports Communications with a minor in Small Business Management from the University of New Hampshire

Amy Ford
Member since 2008

Amy lived for the first 13 years of her life in Franconia, just down the road from Copper Cannon’s founder and her grandfather, Ham Ford. Currently, Amy lives in Waldoboro, Maine and serves as the Director of Faith Formation at St. Mary Church in Bath and St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick. She is the youngest of three, aunt to four nieces and one nephew, and keeper of a sweet cat, Truffle, who came to her from the local animal shelter. One of Amy’s past times is learning about organic gardening. Amy is glad for any chance to help support Copper Cannon Camp and its mission!

Phil Parker, Treasurer
Member since 2013

Phil attended summer camp as a kid for six years and was a counselor for two more years. His camp experience was some of the best memories of his youth. He joined the CCC board in order to give back that experience. Phil has lived in Easton, NH for the past seven years with his wife Isabel and dog Augustine. He works as a Controller at Garnet Hill, a catalog company that sells women’s clothes and home furnishings. Phil received an undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University and an MBA from University of Washington Seattle.

Mark Butterfield
Member since 2021

Upon retirement from a career in banking, Mark joined the CCC Board in December 2020. He had become very familiar and interested in the mission of CCC through his wife’s long time involvement on the CCC Board. His background includes over 25 years of commercial lending and 10 years of economic development experience directed at both small and large businesses in NH, ME, and VT. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics and also received an MBA from Boston College in 1982.  With a long family history of vacationing in NH in his early years, Mark, his wife Toni, and their two daughters, Allie and Hannah, permanently moved to Sugar Hill, NH in 2008.

Russ Gaitskill
Member since 2021

Russ was President and CEO of Garnet Hill, Inc. from 2001 until retiring in 2014. Prior to joining Garnet Hill, Russ spent five years as President of Gaitskill and Associates, Inc which provided strategic planning services to a wide range of direct marketers and manufacturers. Russ has helped senior management positions with Federated Department Stores, Lands End and the J. Peterman Company. He has an extensive background in merchandising, marketing, strategic planning and operations for both retail and direct marketing companies. Russ is past President of the New England Mail Order Association (NEMOA) and recipient of NEMOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He served as Vice-Chair of the Grafton Regional Development Council and is Past President of Littleton Rotary Charitable Foundation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Littleton Coin Company and Gardener’s Supply Company. He and his wife, Linda, divide their time between Sugar Hill, NH and Isle of Palms, SC.

Joe Guinta
Member since 2016

Born in Boston and raised in Dedham, Joe graduated from the same high school as board member Nancy Goebel, only ten years apart. He is the past president of the New Hampshire State Elks Association and been the chairman of the NH State Elks Drug Awareness Program for the last 15 years. Joe retired from the Department of Transportation and enjoys working on the 200 acre family tree farm. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and has owned his 1968 Corvette for the last 45 years. Joe’s involvement in Copper Cannon began in 1997 and has been a board member since 2017.

Kevin Rasch
Member since 2018

Kevin J. Rasch is the Vice President of Government Affairs and Programs with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Mr. Rasch received a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Economic Analysis from Trinity College and then went on to earn his law degree from the College of William and Mary and a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In his career, Mr. Rasch served for two years as the General Counsel to the Governor of the State of Connecticut. As General Counsel to the Governor, Mr. Rasch advised on all legal issues concerning the Governor and the Executive Office.

Mike Bruno
Member since 2020

Mike is a native of the Lakes Region of the Granite State. After a 24-year career in the US Army, Mike retired to his new hometown of Bethlehem. Mike has served his community as a Library Trustee, member of the Planning Board, and the Bethlehem Fire Dept. Mike currently is a teacher at White Mountains Regional High School. He holds a BS in Business Administration and a MS Education degree from Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, ME. He was also awarded the degree of Education Specialist (Ed.S) from Liberty University. Mike is the author of the book “Cruising New Hampshire History”. Mike’s first experience as Copper Cannon Camp was in 2009 and has been a supporter since.

Nancy Moyer Dingman                                                                                                                                                                        Member since 2021

Nancy lives in Cambridge Massachusetts.  She is an architect and loved designing  the new dining hall at Copper Cannon! Her family moved to Franconia when she was in second grade, and she and her siblings have kept the family home. Her father was a good friend of Ham Ford and was involved in the camp from its earliest days.  Her mother was on the board for a number of years as was her brother Ben (whose proudest achievement was enticing Pete Christnacht to lead the camp).  Nancy is excited to carry on the Moyer enthusiasm for Copper Cannon. She received a BS from Wellesley College and a Master’s in Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

Bradley Lewis                                                                                                                                                                                          Member Since 2025

Haling from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Brad studied history at Lafayette College (A.B.) and University of Minnesota (M.A.), before embarking on a career in secondary school teaching and, subsequently, philanthropic fundraising.  Brad attended three different camps, completed a wilderness expedition with the National Outdoor Leadership School as a teenager, and has spent a lot of time slogging through mud and rocks, schlepping backpacks, and trapped in tiny tents on rainy days, so he has a fully internalized and visceral understanding of the transformative power of immersive camp and outdoor experiences.  Brad and his wife, Kristen, split their time between Belmont, MA and Franconia, NH, where he spends as much time as possible enjoying the North Country’s natural beauty.  He could not be happier than to have the opportunity to serve on Copper Cannon Camp’s board, helping to provide New Hampshire’s children the opportunity to have their own transformative growth and learning experiences.

Katie Fagen                                                                                                                                                                                            Member Since 2025

Over the past few years, I have been a proud volunteer for several impactful organizations. I served as an academic mentor at Squash Busters in Boston, assisting students in writing and completing their college applications. Building trust with each advisee, fostering friendships, and witnessing their achievements greatly gratified me. Additionally, I had the honor of serving on the Board of Overseers at the New England Aquarium, where I co-chaired their annual Gala and introduced our many friends to the Aquarium’s world-class marine conservation and education efforts. More recently, my husband and I have become enthusiastic supporters of the Ammonoosuc Land Trust, hosting informal gatherings to let our hiking friends know that the trails they so happily walk, hike, and ride on around Franconia most likely are available because of the hard work of the Ammonoosuc Land Trust.
I first learned about Copper Cannon’s incredible mission several years ago as a guest of Jane and Ned Brewer at the annual auction. Hearing stories from recent campers about their anticipation for summer camp was truly moving. I would be thrilled to join the Board of this “one of a kind” camp. I love spreading the word about organizations that I admire, and I certainly admire this one. I look forward to contributing my time and energy to furthering the great work of Copper Cannon Camp

If  you are interested in joining the board or a Copper Cannon committee, give us a call at 603-823-8107.

Copper Cannon Camp Summer Staff

Every year, Copper Cannon hires between 15-20 staff to be a part of our wonderful camp experience. Staff come from all over the state, country and world in order to give the campers (and the other staff) an experience spanning many cultures. Over the years, our camp has had counselors and staff from around the world, including Australia, Poland, Mexico, Finland, Sweden, South Africa and Britain. All Copper Cannon summer staff go through an extensive interviewing and screening process before being selected to join camp. After arriving, all staff go through a 10-day staff training to ensure they are the best possible counselors to show your children a fun and safe time. Find out which of our amazing summer 2025 staff you are most like here. If you are interested in becoming a Copper Cannon staff member, check out the Staff page for more info.