Mike Callahan, Director of Camp Uncommon

Mike is in charge of every aspect of Camp Uncommon. He manages all staff, campers, and family relations. Mike is a proud husband and father as well as a musician, champion of lawn games, and holder of the highest batting average in the history of Camp Uncommon’s Tennis Baseball League. He earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Social Work from NYU. Mike’s camp career started as a camper at Camp Kingsley Pines, continued as a camp counselor at the Montclair YMCA Day Camp, and later as Assistant Director of Camp Sunshine at the Westfield YMCA. Next, he helped to found the Better Days Foundation to serve families who lost a parent or loved one on 9/11/01. He also served as the Assistant Director of Camp Better Days for 10 years. In 2013, Mike joined Uncommon Schools as a school Social Worker at North Star Academy’s West Side Park Campus. In 2016, Mike co-founded Camp Uncommon. He is currently a member of the American Camp Association of NY/NJ Tri-State Conference Committee.

Josh Phillips, CEO of Change Summer and Founder of Camp Uncommon

Josh attended Camp Naticook in New Hampshire as a child and worked as the Head Boys Counselor at Camp Laurel in Maine for several summers. He founded Camp Uncommon in 2016 and Change Summer in 2018. Formerly, he served as Uncommon’s Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director of Rochester and Troy schools, and Chief of Innovation and School Operations. He was previously the Co-Director of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Boston. In 2007, Roxbury Prep’s 8th graders had the highest math MCAS scores in the entire state of Massachusetts. Prior to leadership at Roxbury Prep, Josh served as the Enrichment Coordinator and sixth grade World History teacher. He was also a history teacher-intern at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science while earning an EdM in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. Josh received his B.A. in political science from Colgate University and his M.A. in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a Pahara Aspen Fellow and currently serves on the Boards of Trustees of the American Camp Association of NY/NJ and Rochester Prep Charter School.

Daana Nelson, Assistant Director

Daana fell in love with camp while serving as the Founding Assistant Director for Camp Beyond. She is a proud mom of Cameron and a Mississippi native with an extensive background in K–12 and higher education and mental healthcare. She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Spelman College and a Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy from The University of Southern Mississippi. Daana is intensely passionate about advocating for equal access of opportunities in underserved communities; strengthening families; and practicing mentorship, holistic development, and community service. In addition to being an avid sports fan, Daana enjoys reading, learning new skills, meditating, going on adventures, and being at CAMP!

Ebony Joseph, Assistant Director

Ebony is the Assistant Director of Camp Uncommon. Ebony is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and just obtained her Masters Degree in Special Education form William Patterson. She worked as a program director for Kids First summer camp while in school creating an activity curriculum for the summer. She began working at Uncommon Schools in 2014 as a founding 4th grade teacher at West Side Park Elementary school and is in her fourth year of teaching. Ebony believes that all children deserve a memorable summer and Camp Uncommon provides just that. She began at Camp Uncommon in its first year as a group counselor as well as an activity counselor teaching art and she is excited to continue to be a part of the family.

Joshua Redd, Head of Culture and SEL

Joshua has his B.A. in Africana Studies from Bates College. Joshua is now pursuing his Masters in Teaching Degree with Certification from Relay Graduate School of Education. He is an alum of Uncommon Schools Brownsville Collegiate Middle School and Uncommon Collegiate Charter High School. He started his camp journey attending Salvation Army: Bedford Temple Corps in Brooklyn, NY. After that, he became a day and summer counselor for 4 years at the same camp. After high school, Joshua went to Bates College and became a Bates Civic Action Team member, America Reads and America Counts mentor, Community Outreach fellow, and Bonner Leader. Throughout all of these positions, Joshua spent most of his time in student teaching roles and peer mentorship roles. Joshua was one of the first cohorts of Junior Counselors at Camp Uncommon in 2016. He loved his role as a Junior Counselor and was even more excited to begin his role as a Group Counselor the following year and his succession to the role of Senior Team Fellow this year. Now, Joshua has returned to Uncommon Schools, joining the ranks of amazing teachers and leadership at North Star Academy: West Side Park campus as a first-year teacher.

Kameron Jeffrey, Head Counselor

Kam is a young man born and raised in NYC, and if the city doesn’t sleep neither does he. By day, he currently serves his community balancing construction work and being one of the city’s finest supermarket chefs. By night, he can be found scanning the financial sector for investment opportunities. He started working at Camp Uncommon in 2019 after graduating from Uncommon Schools and before going to attend the University at Buffalo. Over the last five years he has fallen in love with every part of Camp Uncommon’s mission. As a leading group counselor for three years, he created meaningful relationships with team members, campers, and families. He was the first face families saw when sending their kids to camp and the last face they saw when their precious campers returned from their adventures. Last year he wanted to find more ways to impact camp and took a step up to the leadership team. As one of the directors of operations, he made sure all activities, supplies, and events ran as smooth as possible. He is super excited for the opportunity to grow and further assist team members and families this year in his new role as Head Counselor.

Brittney Moore, Head Counselor

Brittney Moore has a passion for education and youth development. A proud alumna of Texas Lutheran University, she holds a B.A. in Economics and is on track to complete her M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration in spring 2024. In her professional career, Brittney spent five years as a third grade teacher at Troy Prep Elementary School, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a love for learning. Transitioning to KIPP Tech Valley Primary School, she dedicated four years as an instructional coach and Principal in Residence, leveraging her expertise to enhance teaching practices.

Brittney's journey in shaping young minds began at Camp Uncommon, where she served as a founding member and group counselor for two enriching summers. Progressing in her role, she eventually took the position of Head of Junior Counselors and contributed significantly as part of the senior leadership team.

Her joy in working with children extends beyond the academic year, as evidenced by her excitement in seeing young personalities flourish at Camp Uncommon. She values the opportunity to nurture talents that may not always find expression in traditional school settings. Eager to learn and grow alongside campers, Brittney looks forward to another fulfilling summer of making a positive impact.

Amanda Sharp, Family Liaison

Amanda is a former teacher from both Uncommon Schools (North Star Academy) and KIPP Newark. She graduated from Stevenson University in Stevenson, MD with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Business Communications. Amanda has always had a passion for working with children and joined Teach for America after graduation. She started working at NSA Westside Park Middle School as a Special Education teacher and Special Education coordinator while getting her teaching certification from RELAY Graduate School of Education in Newark. She then worked for KIPP Rise Academy as an ELA Learning Specialist. After having her first child she decided to move closer to home and raise her family. Amanda now has two daughters, 7 and 4, and is so excited to be working for Camp Uncommon. She loves working with families and is so looking forward to meeting all of the campers!