MEET THE DIRECTORS
LISA and GEOFF NEWMAN
Owners / Directors
As the owners and directors of Forest and Indian Acres, Lisa and Geoff Newman’s leadership is symbolic of what the camp experience can truly bring. Growing up as campers themselves, their passion for summer camp led them to join the IA/FA family in 1998. Every summer, you can find Lisa on the tennis courts playing and teaching the kids, teaching spin classes in the Forest Acres gym, or doing special evening activities with campers. Geoff is always present on both camps encouraging healthy competition officiating intercamp tournaments, going with the campers on golfing trips and of course managing the daily operations of camp.
For Lisa and Geoff, camp is a family affair. Their three daughters, Melissa, Paige and Nicole, all traveled the cabin line as campers, and then returned as counselors and unit leaders.
During the winter months, along with visiting campers around the world, Lisa and Geoff are very involved in their community. Lisa is actively involved in continuously raising funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation(JDRF) and devoting her free time to working at Jewish Association for Residential Care(JARC).
MOE BURNESS
Assistant Director - Indian Acres
Moe is a veteran of Indian Acres. He began as a second generation camper in 1967 and has contributed to camp as a counselor, Unit Leader, Athletic Director, Program Director and Head Counselor. He is a graduate of Boston College where he created and became the first mascot (The Eagle) at the college. He currently resides in South Windsor, CT. Moe’s enthusiasm for camp life is contagious. The energy he puts into the leadership of camp is evident by his presence at both camps, whether it be teaching, coaching or playing with both campers and staff. His years at camp instilled a deep love and respect for camp and its traditions. It is his profound joy, to pay it forward to campers and counselors for generations to come.
MARY BETH BERT WILG
Head Counselor - Forest Acres
Mary Beth (Bert) Wiig has been the head counselor at Forest Acres for over 30 years. Bert holds a Masters degree in Counseling and in 2019 Bert was named the Minnesota Secondary School Counselor of the Year. In addition, Bert also coaches high school softball and has twice been named Minnesota Softball Coach of the Year. Bert met her husband Mike at camp and both of their children have been campers at F.A. and I.A. Bert loves coming to camp each summer, spending time with the campers and keeping the F.A. traditions alive.