JOur Staff

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Camp director Jane Birdsong has taught French to every age level from two to adult in both public school & private sectors. Since 1989, a French lecturer at Davis & Elkins college, Jane also teaches private lessons using her many years experience in the teaching of languages (ESL & FRENCH) as well as theatre and music. She acts and directs at the Old Brick Playhouse in Elkins and is a founding member of the all-women band, “The Elktones”. Jane has always wanted to recreate & improve upon an Indiana French camp experience she had at age 16………enfin – VOILA!

Camp Director Jane Birdsong and daughter Juliana, age 10

Elizabeth Connor

Elizabeth Connor resided & traveled throughout France from 1992-96, creating specialized, individualized programs for French students who were learning English as a second language (ESL). More recently, Elizabeth has taught French for West Virginia University (1996-99) and worked as a childbirth educator for Mon General Hospital in Morgantown. She is happily raising her 5-year old son to be bi-lingual.

Liliane Vilatte Cooper

Liliane Vilatte Cooper was born in Saint Cyprien in the Dordogne Valley of southern France & studied at the University of Paris, The Sorbonne. Moving to America in ’62 with her American husband, Liliane raised two children before returning to university studies. In the early 80’s, she ran her own French restaurant in Weston, “Chez Liliane” and later taught high school Spanish for seven years in Buckhannon. Most recently Liliane has taught French, Spanish & Humanities in South Carolina at the University of Charleston & The Citadel.

Joelle Ruddy

Born to a French mother & American father, Joelle Ruddy has been bi-lingual French-English all her life, often vacationing with grandparents in Cannes. An avid outdoors enthusiast, Joelle has camped & bicycled through Europe & worked as a cycling tour guide in France & Switzerland for Chateaux Bike Tours. She now lives with husband Bob and their many animals in Doddridge County, West Virginia, and teaches gifted students in Randolph County public schools.

Christophe Saulais

Christophe Saulais, a 2001 graduate of Davis & Elkins College with triple language major in education (French/Spanish/English) Christophe Saulais comes from Montpelier, France. After 4 years of college athletics (soccer & tennis), Christophe is overly qualified for our outdoor sports counselor and will supervise in French: archery, soccer, badminton, swimming, petanque, jump-rope, & limbo.

Alain Kieny

Fresh French bread will be delivered by by our good friend, Monsieur Boulanger, Alain Kieny. Alain and wife Mimi run the French bakery in Parsons, known as "La Fontaine." Alain grew up in southwestern France, has made a living as an artist for most of his life......and will contribute his expertise in helping students design their camp t-shirts..