Planet Rangers’ Story

 

It all began when John & Susan Battye wanted to make afternoons rich and meaningful for their youngest children, Jenny and Emily. They created Planet Rangers’ first adventure which set off from their dining room attended by just six kids. But word spread and more wanted to join the fun. These kids were hungry for what they found at Planet Rangers after school—a safe place to be themselves, a community of engaged peers, healthy role models, and numerous opportunities to explore, learn, and grow. Soon, they wanted even more… which led to the creation of Summer Rangers camps, enabling year round adventures for all.

 

Today, a large dynamic community of families from across the Seacoast use Planet Rangers as healthy complement to school, home, sports, music and clubs. Whatever the season, kids love being part of the story as they learn through adventure, express creativity, explore other cultures and practice life skills and leadership among a mixed-age group of friends. They relish the opportunity to share what they’ve learned with family and friends during each session’s finale event. Many kids stay with our programs for years, growing from camper to CIT to intern while accepting age-appropriate challenges and responsibilities from 2nd to 12th grade and beyond. Planet Rangers, and the friends they make here, are a positive constant throughout their childhood and teenage years.

Year Round Leadership Team

1-JOHN

John Battye

Camp Director

John has a Master’s degree in elementary education and has been a teacher for 23 years. He’s a camp mentor, a parent educator and has way more energy than normal humans. There is nothing he’d love more than to be 9 years old again and he makes it his mission to bring social learning, community building and adventure together to create a program where kids feel safe, known and motivated to get passionate about the things that interest them. John is on the same page with kids and that connection is based on a high level of mutual respect and shared joy. He in fact holds several playground records for paddle ball, real life Temple Run, and four square. John is CPR and first aid certified for children and adults and has four kids of his own.

2-SUSAN

Susan Battye

Camp Director

Susan draws on a variety of experiences in her role as creativity maven with the Planet Rangers and Summer Rangers programs. In addition to a marketing and training director, she’s been the director of a large commercial kitchen, a creative writing teacher, senior staff at a performing arts camp, director of an elementary theater program and the mother of four delightful children. Her degree is in psychology, which turns out to equip her well in the art of fostering happy campers. Susan is passionate about expanding kids’ horizons, whether by introducing dried squid snacks or determining how best to create a minotaur’s maze with cardboard boxes and duct tape. Susan is CPR and first aid certified for children and adults and is Servsafe certified by the National Restaurant Association.

3-GRADY

Grady Savage

Year Round Leader

A Bennington College graduate, Grady studied both theatre and education before jumping into the camp world — and she’s been right at home there ever since! Serving at times as a leadership team member, CIT liaison, and camp director, she brings 15+ years of experience to the Planet Rangers arena. Alongside a love of the arts herself, Grady’s passionate about helping kids build confidence by stepping out of their comfort zones and learning just how much they really are capable of! She’s also a stepmom of an awesome teenager, mom of a rambunctious toddler, and CPR & First Aid Certified.

4-NIKKI

Nikki Savramis

Year Round Leader

Our camp Creative Director is a graphic designer and a big kid at heart who dreams up fantastical ideas to immerse kids in another world! Nikki’s Hartford Art School BFA has led her to many stops along her journey to Planet Rangers—senior art director at Business NH Magazine; sole proprietor of Good Idea Design; substitute art teacher for Dondero Elementary; and years of themed-birthday parties for her son Reno, cap off a constant love of art and kids. And it wouldn’t be a normal day at camp without Nikki in character and sporting a mustache!

Summer Rangers Leadership Team

When she isn’t teaching first graders, Becky loves to act on stage, wear costumes, play with her family, coordinate her earrings with a theme, and read!

An accomplished cook and baker, Clara also loves to ski and hopes to be a doctor someday. She’s a whirlwind during chef weeks and loves to help kids learn to cook.

Alison is an herbalist, ecologist and teacher who loves the amazing world of nature! She so appreciates working with kids as they help her look at life with a sense of wonder.

When she’s not costuming musical theater, Josie is playing and losing at Chinese Checkers. She hopes to be a teacher and can’t wait to help campers embrace their potential!

Mike taught middle and high school for 26 years and currently coaches athletes. He’s a skilled builder full of healthy high energy and kids just love him!

A long-time Planet Ranger, Natalie loves any healthy challenge—from busting a Geo gem robber to helping kids discover their own hidden superpowers.

Hailing from Chicago—Nova loves to sing, dance, and have fun! In fact, look for Nova this summer on the Prescott Park stage. Nova’s on a quest to have the best summer ever!

Phin loves puns, rhymes, and writing this bio. If you want to talk about something really obscure that nobody understands but you, he wants to hear it!

Sammy is a beloved teacher at Little Harbour and has amazing levels of creativity and energy! Team up with her to dance the two-step or use your powers for the greater good!

Sam is a quick-thinking, confident leader who helps anyone learn the ropes at camp. In moments of uncertainty, check in with Sam—he’ll set you on the right path!

Silvia is Queen of the Kitchen and has been for years. She’s lived all over the world, LOVES to teach kids new skills and brings her non-stop positive energy to camp.

Toral is a pediatric dentist by profession and a world traveler with her family. She looks forward to sharing her love of adventure in her first year at Summer Rangers!

The energetic and fun-loving Zeph is super excited to be part of the Summer Rangers team this summer. He actually DID come here to make friends.

An artist at heart, Addy makes her own jewelry, whips up craft projects and likes all kinds of music. A lifeguard skilled at keeping others safe, she loves to swim!

From Camper to Counselor, Ciara is an athletic and energetic person who loves summers at the beach, playing field hockey, and making new friends at Summer Rangers!

Flannery is so excited to be a YLT this summer! They’ve spent time this year making art, watching movies and hanging out with their cat, and can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to!

Hugh can be found walking his dogs, listening to music, writing, or working downtown. He can’t wait to chat with everyone at Summer Rangers and have an awesome summer!

A social butterfly, avid scientist and skilled organizer, Isabella’s got great people skills and is able to talk and relate to anyone, from camper to counselor. Join her for a chat!

Isobel is looking forward to meeting new people of all ages this summer. She loves working on crafts and other creative projects and helping bring kids’ ideas to life!

Since starting in third grade, Kayla’s met loads of great people at Planet Rangers. She REALLY loves the beach and can be found there whether the days are sunny or snowing.

Rising Junior at UMass Amherst for Music Ed, Keira loves music, kids, and the beach. Looking forward to have a Wild time with the campers this summer.

For Maia, Planet Rangers is the place where she gets to step out of her comfort zone and enjoy the great things that follow. Maia dances through her days and loves to laugh.

Max is a three-season runner who also loves to bike. His favorite thing to do is be outside, getting fresh air—and luckily there’s plenty of that at camp this summer!

Shiwani is pretty flexible (literally and figuratively) and likes to play lacrosse. She’s looking forward to being with Summer Rangers friends and can’t wait to greet campers this year!

Sofia thanks her lucky stars for the people she meets year after year at camp. An enthusiastic Wildcat skier, world traveler and handstand pro, Sofia helps kids be their best selves all summer long.

Meet our fearless group of 2024 Summer Interns: (from back row left) Emily, Olivia, Brisbane, Jackson, Jolie, Eva, Beckett, John, Ollie, Reno and Audrey (not pictured). Looking for can-do attitudes and positive energy? You’ll find it with this group!

Join Us!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Make a positive impact on kids — and everyone involved in our exhilaratingly fun camps.

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