ONAWAY STAFF AND TRUSTEES
Meet Our Director
Barrie Pendergast is the Director of Camp Onaway. She found a home away from home as an Onaway camper during the summer of 1982 and returned for many summers as both a camper and counselor.
A graduate of Bates College and University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Barrie holds a B.A. and M.A. of Art History. Her time as an Onaway counselor paved the way for a career education, both in teaching and administration. For seventeen years, Barrie worked at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA where she started as a teacher of mathematics and art history. Barrie also served as class dean and dean of students, and in her last three years, she served as upper school academic dean and associate head of upper school.
Her love of Onaway and belief in the mission of the camp guide her in her role as Director. She is the proud mother of Abby, an Onaway camper, aide, and counselor, and William. When not at camp, she lives in Wyomissing, PA with her son, and goldendoodles, Georgie and Max!
Email Barrie at bpendergast@camponaway.org.
Camp Onaway Staff
The Director and the camp are supported by Beth Beckman, Office Manager; Meredith Funston, Director of Advancement; and Dave Finnell, Property Manager.
Beth Beckman, Onaway Office Manager
Beth’s voice is probably the first you will hear when contacting Camp Onaway. Although her voice is small she’s in charge of big tasks at Onaway. She wears many hats, from camper registration, counselor human resources, bookkeeping, publications, and website upkeep.
Her home base is in Pennsylvania with her growing family, where she manages the Onaway office year-round, but you can also find Beth at camp many weeks of the summer, supporting the camp office and enjoying the girls. Her passion for health and wellness is rooted in her degree in kinesiology from Penn State University. She continues to practice wellness in her everyday life through exercise, healthy eating habits, and coaching gymnastics.
Email Beth at bbeckman@camponaway.org.
Meredith Funston, Onaway Director of Advancement
Meredith is responsible for alumnae relations, communications, fundraising, and events. Her degree in theatre and costume design and prior work in human resources and executive recruiting have all come in handy in her Onaway roles.
Meredith’s camp history includes many happy years as a camper, aide, counselor, trustee, and parent of Onaway alumna Catherine Ostholthoff and Pasquaney alum Tyler Ostholthoff. She also had the privilege of running the Mary Lamb at Camp Pasquaney for 13 summers, providing ice cream and snacks to Onaway and Pasquaney friends of all ages, before relocating to spend her summers at Camp Onaway.
Email Meredith at mfunston@camponaway.org.
Dave Finnell, Onaway Property Manager
Mr. Dave joined the Onaway staff as Property Manager in 2023. Hailing from Atlanta, he began his career as an electrician and then a carpenter. He was a self-employed builder in the Newfound area for fifteen years before joining the Onaway team.
When he is not busy caring for Onaway’s infrastructure, 90 buildings, and fleets of boats and vehicles, Mr. Dave enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, ice fishing, and snowboarding.
Email Dave at mrdave@camponaway.org.
Please click here for additional Onaway contact information.
Camp Onaway Counselors
“Someday I’ll be old enough to be a counselor too.” This refrain can be heard as the camp sings Manana, a favorite camp song. Close to 100% of our counselors are former campers, OWLES or aides from Onaway, adding strength and stability to the Camp. They have completed at least one year of college and received special training through various certification programs. Counselors are chosen for their mastery in certain areas and for their loyalty and belief in upholding the camp ideals.
Board of Trustees
Camp Onaway is run by a dedicated group of volunteer trustees who share a love for the camp and all that it stands for. Please let the Onaway office know if you would like contact information.
A quick snapshot of Onaway’s current board includes the following:
- 13 of today’s 20 trustees are alumnae
- 8 are past parents and 4 are current parents
- 3 are following in the footsteps of parents who were also Onaway Trustees
- Our 6 additional special trustees fall into at least one or more of these categories