The Most Experienced Staff in the Teen Tour Industry!

We are committed to placing a staff of dedicated, hard-working and motivated individuals on each teen tour and community service program. We prioritize hiring people who are not only experienced and responsible but also passionate about working with young people. We look for individuals with backgrounds in education, youth development, and travel, as well as those who have a genuine enthusiasm for mentoring and guiding teens.

Our staff is selected through a rigorous application process based on the strength of references and personal interviews. This ensures each staff member meets our high standards. Candidates undergo professional criminal background checks. All staff members attend our professional training workshops, where emphasis is placed on the safety and well-being of our teenagers. Our in-depth training sessions, facilitated by our professional staff training experts, focus on team building, safety protocols, and group dynamics. All Rein Teen Tours staff members are certified in CPR and Basic First Aid Training.

Most of our staff members are teachers, school counselors and social workers, and graduate students with extensive experience working with young people. A large portion of our staff is comprised of Rein Teen Tours alumni, who are returning to give today’s teenagers the same great experience they had as campers. Our high rate of returning staff ensures every teen tour has an experienced and dynamic group of leaders. Our leaders exhibit maturity, compassion, and personality to give our travelers’ families the confidence necessary for a successful summer!

At Rein Teen Tours, we are more than just another teen tour company – we are FAMILY.

Norman Rein

Norman created Rein Teen Tours 41 years ago and is still as involved today as he was back when he first started our company. Having led tours for 41 summers, Norman has been able to stay connected to what our teenagers and staff experience on our tours, and he is able to stay relevant with fresh ideas for our trip itineraries and new destinations and activities. Norman is involved in all aspects of Rein Teen Tours and is hands-on with Rein staff training and working directly with our trip leaders.

Karen Rein

For the past 29 years, Rein Teen Tours has been Karen’s passion. Though she is involved in all aspects of Rein Teen Tours, she most enjoys building strong connections with our travelers’ parents during the year and training our counselors and tour leaders in the importance of group dynamics to ensure that all of our campers are comfortable and happy every day during the summer. Karen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University and holds her Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Rich & Patti Applebaum

Rich has been part of the Rein Teen Tours’ family since the company’s inception in 1985. Rich, a company partner, has led many of our tour itineraries and handles the travel arrangements for all of our programs. Rich, and his wife Patti, spend their summers speaking with parents and tour leaders from our summer communication center. As parents of two children who spent several summers participating in Rein programs, Rich and Patti appreciate that parents are reassured in knowing that they can reach a company partner, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the travel season. Rich is a travel fanatic and has visited all 50 United States, and Patti enjoys movies, reading and is a political junkie! Patti and Rich have found it most rewarding to have their own children participate in our tours.

Roz & Jed Buck – Staff Training and Team Building

Roz and Jed are highly regarded trainers and consultants with extensive experience in youth development. Throughout the year, they speak at dozens of conferences and conduct training workshops across the country for large companies, start-ups, not-for-profit organizations, schools, and summer recreation programs. For 13 years, they owned and directed a large private day camp in New Jersey where they trained 400 staff each summer. Roz and Jed have been part of the Rein team since 2017, training both directors and staff on best practices for working with teens. At the start of the summer, they also join some of our tours to kick-off the experience for our teens with fun and meaningful teambuilding activities.

The Rest of the Rein Family

Stew & Lill Rein

Stew, Norman’s brother, taught history and psychology at the high school and middle school level for over 25 years. Stew has been involved with Rein Teen Tours in many capacities for over 30 years, including leading our summer tours.

Brett Rein

Brett, Norman’s son, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Behavior Science from the University of Delaware. Brett earned his Master’s in Education. Each summer, Brett builds his tours into a family, and he gives his campers the same great experience that he had as a former Rein camper.

David Hackmeyer

David works in the Rein office full-time and has been with Rein Teen Tours for over 25 years. David travels both domestically and internationally during the year to manage our existing community service programs and to design new programs with exciting destinations, activities and vendors. David earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and his Master’s Degree in Education. He has a passion for music and enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, surfing, and yoga.

Brian Downs

Brian works in the Rein office year-round and has been on tour for the past 15 summers. During the year Brian organizes our tour itineraries, books all of our activities and handles all the logistics. Brian earned his undergraduate degree from Sacred Heart University, where he played Division I soccer. Brian enjoys playing sports, especially soccer, and his favorite thing to do is spend time with his wife and sons.

Howard Gorchov

Howard has worked in the student travel industry for over 25 years after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. During the summers he has worked as a counselor, tour cook and director. During the year he speaks with many families and is our Mini Tours expert. Howard is happy to speak about all aspects of the tours to make prospective participants feel very comfortable. Howard is also a professional photographer and loves taking his two boys and wife on road trips anytime the opportunity arises.

Jeff Gass

Jeff works in the Rein office and speaks to many of our families on the phone each day. Jeff also books all of our programs’ hotels and resorts. Jeff was a middle school math and physical education teacher and has spent the past 40 plus years in the teen tour industry. Jeff plays many sports, including softball, and enjoys going to the theater in New York City.

Liv Bracy

Liv works in the Rein office full-time and is our Director of Personnel. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Human Resource Management from the University of South Carolina, and she recently earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Drexel University. Her passion for travel and community service stems from her three summers as a camper with Rein Teen Tours. As a tour director, she focuses on providing her campers with the same life-changing experience she had.

Kelsey Gilroy

Kelsey works in the Rein office full-time and has her Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University. She has a huge passion for travel and loves road trips. Kelsey plans itineraries throughout the year and goes on tour in the summer, ensuring that each camper has an unforgettable experience. Some of Kelsey’s favorite stops on tour are Whistler, Sedona, and Maui!

Becky Feury

Becky traveled with RTT as a camper and is now working in the Rein office full-time! She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Quinnipiac University as well as her Master’s Degree in General and Special Education from Hunter College. Becky’s favorite thing to do is spend quality time with her husband, son and two fur babies. In her free time, she enjoys camping, painting and reading as well as exploring both the city and nature.

Jackie Parrella

Jackie has worked at Rein Teen Tours for the past 13 summers in our summer communications center. She also spent three summers as a camper with Rein Teen Tours and loves helping to make sure our teenagers have the same amazing experiences that she did. Jackie received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland and recently earned her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. She is currently a high school science teacher. In her free time, Jackie loves to travel and spend time with her dogs.

Will Thompson

Will has been involved in the teen travel industry for over 30 years, running adventure programs throughout Europe and the Caribbean. European travel is Will’s passion, and he spends an extensive amount of time researching and planning every aspect of our European Adventure program. Will has helped build a dynamic team of guides, a collection of the best restaurants/hotels and the most amazing adventure activities throughout Europe.

Tamara Silva

Tamara has worked in the Rein summer office for several summers. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and works in the North Caldwell School District as a school social worker. Tamara has two teenage boys who keep her busy with their hockey and soccer schedules.

Emily Moore

Emily has worked in our office for the past several summers. She grew up going to sleepaway camp and spent summers in college traveling on her own or with friends. Emily received her Bachelor’s from Ramapo College and has her Master’s degree in Special Education and Curriculum & Instruction. She currently teaches high school history and loves spending her summers working with the Rein office family.

Nicole Bergen

Nicole has worked in the Rein summer office for the past several years, and she went on two tours as a counselor prior to that. Nicole received her Master’s degree in Ecology Evolution, and is currently enrolled in the Environmental Management PhD. program at Montclair State. Nicole is a high school science teacher, enjoys spending time with her dogs and riding her motorcycle in her free time.

Mary O’Connor

Mary graduated from William Paterson University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and is currently working on getting her Master’s Degree in Adventure Education. She works as a Physical Education and Health teacher at Bergen Tech High School. She has been with Rein Teen Tours for the past 11 amazing summers, and she works in our summer office. Some of her favorite stops are Whistler, Hawaii, and Lake Tahoe.

Denice Trocolar

Denice has worked in our office for the past few summers. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Spanish from Fairfield University and has her Master’s of Education in School Psychology from Long Island University. She currently works as a School Psychologist in the River Dell Regional School District. She really enjoys spending the summer working with Rein.

Joe Borromeo

Joe received his bachelor’s from Rowan University and received his Master’s in Social Work from Ramapo College. Joe works as a school social worker at North Arlington Public School. He has been working for Rein since 2017. Joe worked on 4 tours and now loves working in the office during the summer.

Rebecca Tzortzinis

Rebecca is an elementary school teacher in Wayne Township public schools. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Binghamton University and a Master’s Degree from Walden University. She has worked for Rein Teen Tours on tour and as part of the summer office staff for many amazing years!

Renee Heine

Renee has been a fourth grade teacher in the Wayne Public Schools system for 25+ years. She has spent several summers working in the Rein office. When she is not working, Renee spends quality time with her husband and teenage boys. Renee enjoys reading, Pilates, baking, watching baseball, and vacationing to different places.

Summer Tour Directors

Dan DeCanio

Dan has his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and is currently a sixth grade social studies teacher. Dan has worked for Rein Teen Tours for the past 18 summers because he enjoys the connections he makes with his campers. Dan has visited 48 of the 50 United States.

Ryan Snyder

Ryan has worked with Rein Teen Tours since the summer of 2008. He started off as a cook and then began leading tours a couple of years later. During the school year, Ryan is the principal of a school outside of Philadelphia, PA. His favorite place to visit with Rein Teen Tours is Disneyland in California!

Ellen Bernhard

Ellen is a college professor who earned her PhD in Media and Communication Studies from Drexel University. She has spent 14 summers working for Rein and is a two-time former camper (Norman was her director!). Her favorite places to visit while on tour are Sedona for the Pink Jeep Tours, San Francisco for the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, and Zion for the scenery!

Rachel Weissman

Rachel, Norman Rein’s niece, earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling and works as a student advocate in New York City. Rachel joined the Rein staff 16 years ago and works on our tours and community service programs.

Robbie Goldstein

Robbie lives in New York City, works as an English Language Arts Special Education Teacher during the school months, and coaches both varsity basketball and baseball. He has been with ATW/Rein for over 15 years. He is also an author, working diligently to get published.

Amanda Shaw

Amanda, a middle school math teacher in New York, earned a Dual Master’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, as well as holds a certification in Adolescent English for grades 7-12. Amanda’s memorable experiences going on three teen tours as a teenager led to her passion for working on teen tours as an adult. She has worked for Rein Teen Tours for the past 9 summers and looks forward to forming bonds with her kids and staff. Her favorite tour stops include Wyoming, California and Seattle.

Sara Kern

Sara earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Goucher College and is earning her Master’s in Special Education. She currently teaches third grade in Baltimore, MD. This will be Sara’s 10th summer with Rein. Sara loves that each day on tour is new and exciting. Some of her favorite places on tour are Bryce & Zion National Parks, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole.

Jen Ritz

Jen attended Iona College, where she was a member of the Division I basketball team. She currently works as a Physical Education teacher in Westchester County, New York. Jen joined our staff in 2017 and loves our Southwestern tours. Her favorite activities are surfing in San Diego and hiking in Bryce Canyon. She believes no adventure is complete without taking a handstand photo.

Adam Conrad

Adam has degrees in Early Childhood Education and Sports Management. He is a second grade teacher and high school basketball coach in Ohio. Adam’s favorite activities include snorkeling in Hawaii and waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica and he can’t wait for new adventures in his 9th year with Rein.

Jay Feingold

Jay has directed over 15 tours across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He is a non-practicing lawyer who does stand-up in his spare time. His favorite places to visit on tour are Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, and Lombard Street in San Francisco.

Nicole Malament

Nicole earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work and currently counsels first-generation high school and college students in Washington, D.C. She has worked for Rein since 2018 and loves seeing campers build lifelong friendships on tour. Nicole’s favorite place to visit on tour is Iceland.

Andrew Rosenberg

Andrew is a Guidance Counselor on Long Island with a Bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac University and a Master’s in School Counseling from LIU Post. He spent two summers as a Rein camper and looks forward to his summers now as a director watching his campers build lifelong friendships on tour. Some of his favorite places to visit on tour are Whistler and Hawaii.

Frank Cancro

Frank has been teaching middle school students in Westchester, NY for over 30 years. In addition, he has over 20 years of experience in teen travel/summer camps. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees both in the education field from SUNY New Paltz. Frank also has a professional diploma in Administration and Supervision. His favorite places to visit are the national parks, especially Yosemite and Yellowstone.

Hannah Bass

Hannah has her Master’s in Educational Leadership from William Paterson University as well as a Master’s in Special Education from Kean University. She is currently working as an eighth grade special education math teacher in New Jersey. Hannah has worked for Rein for three summers on Project Costa Rica and Western Skies. Some of her favorite memories include seeing the La Fortuna Volcano, Bryce Canyon, and surfing in San Diego.

Julie Harrison

Julie earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Drexel University. She has been a part of the Rein family since 2007 working on Project Hawaii, Project Costa Rica, Project Ecuador and the Galapagos, and most recently directing Project California. Her favorite place to visit on tour is Disneyland!

Olivia Guzman

Olivia is currently a 5th grade special education teacher in Manhattan and recently graduated from NYU. She went on Western Adventure as a teenager, and this will be her sixth summer working for Rein. Olivia’s favorite thing about tour is how close everyone gets, and she loves when the tour begins to feel like a family.

Victoria Maccarone

Victoria received her MSEd from St. John’s University and is currently a teacher, head of the 8th grade ELA department, and head director of the Steinway Theater Company at a middle school in Astoria, NY. Victoria started working at Rein in 2017. She loves making memories that will last a lifetime on her tours.

Samantha Dayter

Samantha is a Pediatric Mental Health Nurse. She enjoys staying active and participating in various sports. During her college career, she played basketball and lacrosse at SUNY Canton. Samantha cherishes traveling and exploring new places while creating meaningful connections with others.

Andrew Cancro

Andrew graduated from SUNY Corland with a degree in Physical Education. He is currently the Athletic Director at a Prek-8th grade independent school in Millbrook, NY. Some of his favorite places to visit include Bryce Canyon, Seattle, Waikiki, and Las Vegas.

Frank Alessandrino

Frank earned his Master’s in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz. He recently retired from a fulfilling career as a Tech Ed and Special Education teacher. He has over 30 years of experience working on teen tours. Frank has visited all 50 states, and his favorite state is Utah.

Megan McAuley

Megan was born and raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey and attended The College of New Jersey. She is currently a fourth-grade teacher. Her two passions in life are teaching and traveling. Megan is a very family-oriented person and enjoys making everyone around her feel welcomed. One of her favorite travel experiences was teaching English to children in Italy.

Dave Kandel

Dave has been part of the Rein Teen Tours family for over 20 years. Having worked in the office as well as on tour, he’s led hundreds of teens on adventures in the Western US, through the Canadian Rockies and along the California coast. A University of Maryland graduate, Dave lives in Springfield, NJ with his wife and two daughters. His favorite stops are all the National Parks, Sedona, Lake Tahoe, Lake Louise, Whistler, LA, and everywhere in between!

Joley Adler

Joley currently lives in New York City and works as a school counselor on the Upper East Side. She graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, then went on to earn her master’s in School Counseling from Hunter College. Joley’s favorite stops from this past summer were Banff, Jackson Hole, and Lake Tahoe. In her free time, she loves to travel and take photos.

Tali Feldman

Tali was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and now lives in Washington, DC. She currently works as a Speech Language Pathologist in an elementary school. Tali has a passion for travel and loves wandering around a new city or neighborhood taking pictures of the scenery and culture. Her favorite thing about traveling with Rein Teen Tours is how quickly the whole group bonds and begins to feel like a family while experiencing new places and sights for the first time all together.

Emily Buitekant

Emily has been working with Rein Teen Tours since summer 2021. She attended Penn State University for her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, then completed her Master’s degree in Special Education at Teachers College of Columbia University. During the school year, Emily is a 4th grade teacher in Westchester County, NY and coaches for her local swim team. Some of Emily’s favorite tour stops include Sedona, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, and Whistler. She loves making memories that will last a lifetime on her tours.

Maria Capetta

Maria graduated from Monmouth University with Bachelors in Elementary Education and History. She is currently an elementary ESL teacher in New Jersey. Some of her favorite memories include studying abroad in Australia and England. She has a passion for travel and looks forward to experiencing new places.

Caroline Reilly

Caroline is a middle school English teacher in New York City. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Masters in Secondary Education and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and English. Her favorite places to visit on tour are Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Florence, Disneyland and Yellowstone National Park. Caroline has a passion for exploring new places, trying new things and creating amazing experiences and deep bonds for teens.