Meet Our Camp Director: Ryan DeSmit
Ryan DeSmit
Hi, my name is Ryan DeSmit and 2023 will be my 13th year working for ESF at Gilman School. Along with my current title of “Fun-cle Ryan” to my niece and nephew I am proud and excited to add the title of Talent Acquisition Manager and ESF Site Director at Gilman School. As a teenager, I spent much time competing in athletics, volunteering, and logging moments with friends and family. I have an incredible and active family. Both of my parents are teachers at Gilman School. I have 4 siblings (3 brothers, and 1 sister) my older brother and I attended Friends School of Baltimore, my two younger brothers attended Gilman School, and my sister just recently graduated from McDonogh School. We are an active family and are involved in athletics that include tennis, squash, golf, track and field, marathons, hiking, basketball, plus soccer and lacrosse at club and collegiate levels. A personal athletic highlight was coaching a Pipeline soccer team to a #1 national ranking, 4 consecutive MD State Championships, and a USYS National Championship Final. I had the privilege of coaching the 2019, 2020, and 2021 Gatorade Soccer Players of the Year for the State of Maryland.
My association with ESF began in 2010 as a Sports Camp Coach. From there, my positions with ESF evolved from Coach to Sports Camp Instructional Specialist, SportsLab Director, Arsenal Football Development Soccer Camps Site Director, to ESF Gilman Site Director. Throughout the summers, I have become more involved and connected to all of ESF’s camp programs at Gilman which include Day Camp, Mini Camp, Senior Camp, SportLab and Major/Tech Camps. I continue to enjoy providing support and leadership to team members and campers. I am passionate about the standards, curriculum, programming, and opportunities that ESF provide to our community, and love being a part of “It” every year
What do you love about working at ESF?
The energy and excitement that the kids, families, and the passionate people I work with bring. As well as, the progression and growth I am able to witness and be apart of (activity to activity)-(day to day)- (week to week) and (year to year).
What is your favorite camp tradition?
The Weekly Award Ceremonies and Assemblies. It is fantastic to see how each Camp group reflects and celebrates the highlights of the week. I love seeing how people acknowledge amazing group and individual camp moments.
What is an ESF fun fact about you?
I am a notoriously fantastic “High-fiver” and “Thumbs-Upper” and I have worked at Gilman ESF camp longer than Mini and Day Camp campers have been alive
What is the most unique/interesting job you have had outside of ESF?
Nationally Ranked Soccer Coach.
What is your favorite quote?
“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”-Corrie Ten Boom
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
My Mom’s chocolate chip cookies.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Time and Space Manipulation, so I could prolong or revisit amazing moments and opportunities.