Dr. Jay Woodward - Camp Director
Dr. Jay Woodward is excited to put on a “dino”-mite 2012 summer adventure that all attendees are sure to “dig!”   Jay serves as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology teaching undergraduate courses in Educational Psychology, Adolescent Development, and Creativity and a graduate class in Educational Research & Measurement.  Dr. Woodward has received numerous awards and recognitions for his efforts at Texas A&M University, including several teaching awards and the prestigious Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for "Extension, Outreach, Continuing Education, and Professional Development" for his work with the Youth Adventure Program.

Jay holds a B.A. in Psychology, a M.S. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on educating gifted and talented students, and received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 2004 in the area of Intelligence, Creativity, and Giftedness.

Bordering on fossil status himself, carbon dating research shows that Jay has been stomping around Texas A&M (both as a staff member and a student) for the past eighteen years!   In his spare time, Jay enjoys traveling, following A&M athletics, playing with his beagles, trying to hit a golf ball, attending live entertainment (from the stage to the silver screen), watching all reality television, reading a good book, singing tenor in church choir, and (most importantly) taking care of his precious and precocious preschooler, who just celebrated her third birthday last December.

Brett Taylor- Camp Manager

After a brief retirement from the program, Brett Taylor will be back as Camp Manager for the July sessions of the 2012 Youth Adventure Program. This will be Brett’s twelfth (and final) summer in the “Home of the 12th Man” after serving as a counselor in 2001 and the camp manager since 2002. Brett holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas and has been teaching elementary students for 19 years in the Plano Independent School District. The past ten years he has served as the lead teacher at the district's outdoor learning center, taking students on nature hikes and exploring Texas’ native fauna and flora. Brett’s interests include baking cakes and chocolate desserts, enjoying a variety of music and movies, attending Dallas Stars hockey games as a fan and season ticket holder, reading books, and running 5Ks.

 

 

Laura Stafford - Dorm Parent

Laura Stafford will return as Dorm Parent for her eighth consecutive year after serving in this capacity for YAP 2004 - 2010. This is "Mom's" ninth full year with the camp after participating as a counselor for all four weeks of the 2003 session. She holds a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M and a M.S. in Educational Psychology. She has taught 2nd grade at Mary Branch Elementary in Bryan for fourteen years (lead teacher for past nine) and holds her certification in gifted and talented education.

From one classroom to another, Laura enjoys teaching the youth Sunday school class at West Oaks Baptist Church. In addition to all of these activities, she is married to Mike Stafford and has a 26-year old son, James, who graduated from SHSU in Huntsville. She also has a lovely princess puppy named Heifer and a new member of the family named Lil Bit.

TBD – Recreation Director