Julia Temple, Director
Julia Temple grew up among the hills of forests of western Maryland, just an hour north of BCWS. She and her siblings roamed freely: exploring, pretending, and learning about the natural world through experience and play. Moving to Nebraska as a teenager and attending college in Indiana introduced her to new ecosystems, helping her to see the beauty in pocket prairies and vast agricultural fields.
Julia dabbled in the sciences before settling into the math department at Taylor University (Upland, IN). After earning her degree in math education, she moved to Connecticut to teach environmental education for several years. During this time she held leadership positions at several summer camps throughout the Philadelphia area and completed an internship at Koinonia Farm in Americus, GA.
After reading Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, Julia returned to school, certain that she wanted to make a career of environmental education; she earned her masters degree in environmental science in 2014. Julia has taught math and science in both private and public schools, mentored high school interns through the Nature Conservancy, and continues to do conservation and citizen science work through the Virginia Master Naturalist program.
Julia and her husband, Greg, have made their home in Winchester, VA since 2020 and she joined BCWS in 2022. If there’s not work to be done at the Cove, Julia is likely writing a letter, cooking lentils, walking to the library, or creating something from her vast collection of fabric and yarn.
Again a huge thank you and debt of gratitude to Annie, Jennifer ‘10, and David, who continue to ensure BCWS programming is going strong! Their counsel, overall know-how and know-wheres, and a good handoff of curriculum and program wisdom will be vitally helpful to Julia. They each will be extremely important resources and supports in this transition, and we thank them for that!
Caretaker and Senior Staff Member
David Sicree has been the caretaker of the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies for over 20 years. He has a deep knowledge of the facilities, logistics, and program.
Seasonal Staff
The camp is staffed by high school, college, and graduate students and teachers, who were once BCWS campers and are knowledgeable in specific areas of the natural world.
- Our staff bring their education, experience, energy, creativity and sense of humor to each moment. Most are certified in CPR and either Basic or Wilderness First Aid.
- 2-3 staff supervise each dorm (depending on age and number of campers). Workshop and hikes include about 8 campers and 2 staff members. Backpacking trips include about 7 campers and at least 3 staff.
