Meet our Staff
Blue Compass camps are designed to provide a small, intimate and supportive environment, one that allows staff to maintain the highest quality programs while giving teens the opportunity to excel and to celebrate their accomplishments. Many have degrees in fields pertaining to either education, special education, psychology, or counseling and have a passion for working with this population of kids. Here are a handful of them…
Pete Weiss, MA, LMHC
Executive Director
Peter has worked with kids with Autism, Asperger’s, and ADHD for over 15 years in clinical and wilderness settings. Peter has a Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Leadership and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Blue Compass grew out of Peter’s passion for providing therapeutic opportunities for kids with ASD and ADHD, and has complimented his work as a clinician. He is a licensed therapist and has a full-time private practice in Seattle (www.seattlechildtherapy.com) working exclusively with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety disorders. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and eating cereal.
Greg Brisendine, MA
Director of ABIS (A Bunch of Important Stuff)
Greg worked for years with various populations of children and teenagers including those with ADHD and Asperger’s, including six years directing a specialized camp similar to Blue Compass. Since completing his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology, he has also taught mental health counseling students how to utilize wilderness settings in therapeutic work. Greg believes passionately in the power of adventure experiences in teaching self confidence and successful group interactions. A believer in variety, Greg is also a writer, a cook, a runner and a Management Consultant.
Devon Little
Logistics
Devon received her degree in Sociology and Peace & Conflict Studies from Colorado College in 2005. Believing that social change is interrelated with personal growth and creativity, she began working as an advocate for youth empowerment. Over the last seven years, she has managed and facilitated youth empowerment programs in schools, community centers, and non-profits. She has also offered training and experiential learning programs to adults and education professionals. When not working, Devon can be found dancing, playing outside and watching documentaries.
Jordan Maki
Senior Staff
Jordan recently completed her Bachelors in Neuroscience at New York University, with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She has worked with kids and teens with autism in summer camp and afterschool settings and loves the fun and challenges such work involves. Jordan is currently looking for a good PhD program in a warm climate with a strong faculty interest in autism research (so if you know one, tell her about it). Meanwhile, she’s exploring far off parts of the world, climbing, running, and trying to deal with the fact that her sister with Asperger’s is 16 and might try to kiss a boy.
Eric Soran, M.Ed.
The Lemonade Company Director
Eric had a hard time choosing between being a therapist or a teacher, and ended up with a dual-degree in English and Psychology from the University of Washington in 2003. After teaching English in Japan, Eric returned home and received an Early Childhood Special Education degree in 2009 from University of Washington. While attending graduate school Eric worked at the EEU for 3 years, getting in depth teacher training and experience working with young children with autism spectrum disorders. For the past two years, Eric has been working as a Special Education Preschool teacher in a integrated preschool class in the Highline school district. Eric also facilitates a weekly social skills group for teens with Autism, Asperger’s, and ADHD, and has directed the Lemonade Company in the past two summers. Eric enjoys cooking, eating and board games.
Holly Briscoe, M.Ed.
Administration
Holly graduated from the University of Washington with a Master’s in Special Education after previously working with children and teens with special needs for many years. Holly’s specialty is autism spectrum disorders, but she enjoys working with all types of teenagers and younger children. Holly is one of our program consultants and also provides administrative support. In her free time she enjoys raising her family, gardening, and spending time adventuring in the outdoors.
Mark Lisowski
Sea Kayaking Staff
Mark graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Biochemistry and Biology. Throughout college he researched diabetes and the genetic basis of learning disorders. He has also volunteered at elementary schools and hospitals, often working with children with autism or ADHD. He is currently applying to medical school, and within the field of medicine he plans to focus on underserved and special needs populations. Mark loves kayaking, and lives for long trips on rivers or the ocean. When he’s not kayaking, he also enjoys climbing, surfing, and backpacking.
Bernie Waterhouse
High Ropes Course Director
For over 20 years Bernie was a junior high math teacher in Michigan, Guam, Long Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Montana & Washington state. One summer toward the end of his teaching career, Bernie was working with a group of kids with emotional and behavior disorders at a specialty camp and took them to a high ropes course. He witnessed significant changes in the kid’s behavior and self-efficacy, and he was sold on the positive impact an experience like a high ropes course could have on kids. From 1986 to the present he has been the owner, program director, and lead facilitator of Waterhouse Center, an outdoor, experiential learning center (a.k.a. ropes challenge course) in Snohomish, Washington.
Captain Todd Shuster
Captain of Gato Verde
Captain Todd Shuster has been involved in sailing education for over 20 years. Todd is a US Coast Guard licensed Captain, a US SAILING instructor and instructor trainer. He has taught wilderness sailing courses in Baja, Mexico for The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and has run several sailing programs for universities, yacht clubs, and summer camps. Other major experience includes work in the sport and commercial fishing fleets of Alaska and six years live-aboard cruising. His undergraduate work focused on outdoor experiential education and adventure therapy. He has extensive first-aid training including current Wilderness First Responder and AHA Heart Saver certifications.