Scott Aronowitz
Interim Executive Director
He/His
Scott has been an educator in the Vermont and New Hampshire area for more than twenty years. Along with having taught in nearby public schools, he was also a teacher at Kindle Farm Children’s Services and Community House, schools that specialize in meeting the needs of at-risk youth. He has been an outdoor education naturalist, a challenge course facilitator, a Peace Corps youth development worker and subsequent trainer for new volunteers.
Lilit Chilingaryan
Operations Director
She/Her
Lilit has planned, implemented, and evaluated a diverse range of youth-serving non-profit programs over the past decade. Prior to coming to BGCB, she served as the Program Director for Beyond Akeela, a summer camp program for youth with learning differences. Lilit most recently served as the BGCB Outdoor Education Program Director for fall 2023, prior to accepting the role of Operations Director. She holds a Masters in Economics and previously established her own freelance photography and graphic design business. Lilit is originally from Armenia. She enjoys outdoor adventures, cooking and solving puzzles (especially Sudoku).
Shaliq Harvey
Kids Club Director
He/His
Shaliq is a wildlife technician from western New York. Having studied Wildlife Science, Environmental Science, and Fish & Wildlife Technology, his main focus has always been birds! Shaliq joined the Kids Club program staff with a mission to share knowledge on the natural world in natural spaces with the youth. He moved to Brattleboro with his partner who attends NECCA’s ProTrack, their cat, and two awesome roommates. Previously, Shaliq was an educator and program coordinator at the Seneca Park Zoo in his hometown. When he’s not in a marsh or forest birdwatching, you might find Shaliq making art, watching anime, listening to records, or training Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Be prepared for random animal facts, movie quotes, and the occasional pop culture tangent!
Josh Aho
Kids Club Outdoor Program Staff
He/His
Josh is part of the Program Staff for the Kids Club at Retreat Farms. He is a studio musician by day and childcare expert at all other business hours. One can typically find Josh at the local coffee shop, thrift shopping, or gaming on his PC. He is a Cancer, loves cats, and has over 6 years of experience in the field.
Audrey Batchelder
Kids Club Outdoor Program Staff
She/They
Audrey is from Brattleboro, and as a farmer, gardener, visual artist, and musician, she pulls much of her inspiration from the connection she has to the natural world and the landscape of Southern Vermont. She started and ran her own farm in Guilford before running a gardening/landscaping business in and around Windham County. Much of her free time is spent walking in the woods, playing music, writing, or reading by the woodstove in winter or the river in the summertime.
John Short
Program Staff
He/His
John has joined our team as Program Staff and Tech extraordinaire at Flat Street. John is a Club alumni. He is also a computer repairman and owns a local fix it computer business, Short Computer Repair. He plans on using this skill to help our members learn all things tech and repair and build their own computer during our programming season. In addition to his business and the time he spends here on Flat Street, he enjoys watching hockey, playing classic and new video games (he’s even built his own arcade box!), playing guitar and writing songs for his band, fixing engines of all kinds, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Ben Stockman
Program Staff
He/Him
Ben has been a theatre director and teaching artist for nearly two decades. He loves the performing arts, pop culture, games of all kinds, and collaborating on creative projects with friends. His educational experience ranges from preschoolers to undergraduates and everything in between, and he is super excited to be back in his hometown engaging young adults and fostering their curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy. Ben holds degrees from Lesley College (B.S., English) and Ohio University (M.F.A., Directing).
Lydia Datsko
Program Staff
She/Her
Lydia has a passion for being a role model to youth, and guiding them to explore nature and healthy lifestyles. Lydia has graduated from New England College, achieving B.S. in Health Science and B.A. in Kinesiology. She enjoys hiking, ice cream, sticker making, road trips, spending time with her dog, Atlas, and her husband.