About Us

Directors

Carl Acosta

Carl and Maddie Acosta came to Southwoods with the goal of taking camp to the next level. With 11 years of experience in camping, they knew a gem when they saw one, and Southwoods was the perfect landscape to foster their vision of giving children the tools to be resilient, independent, but above all, happy people.

Carl’s work with children started on the soccer field as a coach and instructor. After playing at Cal Berkeley where he held the title of the school’s highest-scorer, Carl went on to lead soccer camps in the Virgin Islands and coach in Marblehead, MA. Utilizing his Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnomusicology, he taught piano and guitar lessons, enjoying sharing not only his passion for athletics but music as well.

Maddie Acosta

Maddie began as an Equestrian Department Head at Waziyatah in 2013, which evolved into an eleven-year career in multiple leadership positions- from Athletics Director, to Head of Outdoor Programming, and every position in between. Maddie currently holds the distinction of Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and Certified Trip Leader Instructor.

The Acostas aim to create an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and successes are meaningfully acknowledged. When children feel the support of their community, they can find the confidence they need to face fears and challenge themselves. It isn’t about achievement, but rather giving campers the chance to feel seen, and celebrated, for who they want to be.

The Acostas love living in beautiful Bridgton, Maine, and enjoy backcountry trekking, rock climbing, fishing, live music, and going on snowshoe hikes with their dog, Ghost.

Office Manager

Marita Blake

Marita found camp after graduating from CU Boulder with an operations and marketing degree and immediately loved working to make lifelong memories with the kids, getting to know staff members and spending the summer outdoors. She spent last summer as the Leader-in-Training director and Media Manager and uses the tools from this and her time as a counselor to give parents that “fly-on-the-wall-feeling” from their own living rooms. Marita lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and enjoys cooking, hanging out with her pet lizard Walter (spot him over the summer at the coveted “America’s Next Top Lizard” elective), bouldering, and reading. Marita’s kindness and camp spirit welcomes every family, nervous camper and staff member that calls, emails, or comes onto camp.

Operations Manager

Benji Gonzales

Benji’s love of camp started as a Trip Leader. Giving children their first formative outdoor experiences and having a hand in growing their passion for the outdoors set him on a path of professional guiding, focusing on youth-centered experiences. As a registered Maine Guide and NY State Guide, Benji came to Southwoods as the Trek director, organizing and leading trips including hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and camping. In the off-season, Benji hires our amazing Southwoods staff, coordinates the management of our facilities, and plans the next season of amazing adventures for our CSW campers. Benji is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Geology. He and his dog, Elsa, live in Bridgton, ME where they enjoy hiking, fishing, cooking, and crochet.