Our Leadership Structure
A focused team built to deliver high-quality programs at every location, in every city.
Leadership Team
Branch Area Managers
Instructors
The People Behind Our Programs
From our founder to our operations team, every leader at The Recreation Academy is here to make programs exceptional.
Robert Thornton
Robert Thornton is the founder and visionary leader of The Recreation Academy, dedicated to building strong communities through exceptional youth programs.
With hands-on experience as a camp counselor, outdoor education instructor, team building and leadership specialist, field instructor for at-risk youth, national parks guide, STEM franchise support specialist, and camp director, he brings a well-rounded expertise in creating meaningful, fun, and impactful experiences for kids.
Under his leadership, The Recreation Academy has gone from 1 to now 74+ locations offering unique programs in several cities. Robert is passionate about helping youth thrive and connecting communities through shared growth and learning.
Key Responsibilities
Program curriculum design
Partner acquisition & management
Marketing & Sales Strategies
Staff recruitment strategy development
Quality control, consistency & expansion
Mission-Driven
Every decision is made with the kids' growth in mind.
Curriculum Architect
Designed all 25+ SEL-based programs from scratch.
Growing Fast
Expanded from 1 city to 4 states in just a few years.
David Saunders
David is our Operations Supervisor and a driving force behind The Recreation Academy's continued growth and impact.
He leads staff development, opens new program sites, supports marketing initiatives, and drives enrollment across all locations. With a sharp eye for operational excellence and a proven ability to launch thriving programs, David has helped numerous sites hit the ground running and exceed expectations in their first two years.
Outside of work, David is a proud husband and father of two who enjoys hiking and unplugging with his family any chance he gets. His passion for youth development and community building shines through in everything he does.
Key Responsibilities
Staff onboarding & management
Program & Staff Scheduling
Day-to-day program operations
Partner location communication
Parent Communications & Marketing
Operations Expert
Keeps every program running smoothly across all cities.
Site Launcher
Has helped establish multiple new locations as partners.
People First
Leads with empathy — for staff, partners, & the kids we serve.
Our City Leaders
Area Managers are promoted from within. They lead and mentor instructors at assigned locations, ensuring every program meets our high standards.
St. Louis, MO
2 Area Manager Spots
F
Fabian
Area Manager
D
Dorie
Area Manager
Medford, OR
2 Area Manager Spots
J
Jalen
Area Manager
CS
Coming soon as we expand
Area Manager
Nashville, TN
2 Area Manager Spots
?
Open Position!
Area Manager
CS
Coming soon as we expand
Area Manager
Kansas City, MO
2 Area Manager Spots
CS
Coming soon as we expand
Area Manager
CS
Coming soon as we expand
Area Manager
What Area Managers Do
✓ Supervise instructors on-site
✓ Ensure program quality & consistency
✓ Communicate with partners & leadership
✓ Train & onboard new team members
✓ Handle real-time problem solving
✓ Equipment handout & return logistics
The People In The Field
Our Youth Enrichment Facilitators are the heart of every program. Trained, background-checked, and genuinely passionate about helping kids grow — they show up every session ready to make an impact.
Faces Behind Every Program
From our founder to our operations team, every leader at The Recreation Academy is here to make programs exceptional.
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COACH FABIAN
Coach Fabian combines creativity and STEM passion to inspire kids in fun and unique ways. With four years of experience working with youth, he loves blending art and science—like making custom Pokémon cards—to spark curiosity and build community. Fabian is excited to grow as a leader and help shape new programs that make learning both meaningful and enjoyable. When he’s not coaching, he’s painting acrylic landscapes and cheering on Leones de Ponce.
COACH DORIE
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Coach Dorie loves helping kids stay active, build confidence, and feel included. With 30 years of experience working with children, she creates safe, positive spaces where kids can express themselves, build resilience, and discover what makes them unique. One of her favorite activities to lead is Foam Tip Archery—she’s loved archery since learning it in high school. Outside of camp, Dorie enjoys dancing, roller skating, Zumba, line dancing, and planning creative workshops that bring people together.
COACH ELLIOT
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Coach Elliot is all about energy, fun, and positive impact. Now in his fourth year working with kids, he brings a love for sports—especially soccer and Gaga Ball—and a personal goal of making camp just as meaningful for today’s youth as it was for him growing up. Whether he’s running a game or cheering kids on, Elliot helps make every session more fun. When he’s off the clock, you’ll catch him lifting weights, playing Xbox, or rooting for the Denver Broncos.
COACH AINSLEY
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Coach Ainsley has been working with kids for 7 years and brings a ton of energy and experience to the team. She grew up loving summer camp and now works hard to give kids the same kind of fun, memorable experience. Whether it’s a game of Gaga Ball or 9 Square, she’s all about helping kids build teamwork and communication skills while having a great time. When she’s not leading activities, Ainsley enjoys playing volleyball, doing puzzles, and hanging out with her dog, Jupiter.
COACH TERRANCE
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Coach Terrance brings high energy, steady leadership, and a real passion for helping kids grow through sports and play. He currently serves as a summer day camp director and works with several other local youth enrichment organizations. With The Recreation Academy, he supports our sports clinics, school break camps, and after-school clubs—helping create a fun, structured environment where kids stay active, build confidence, and feel included. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening.
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COACH JALEN
Coach Jalen brings 10 years of experience working with kids and a passion for helping them reach their potential. He loves leading high-energy football activities that build teamwork, confidence, and character. Jalen is excited to learn more about the business and networking side of The Recreation Academy, and when he’s not coaching, you’ll find him playing video games, watching anime, spending time with family, and cheering on the Miami Dolphins.
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COACH ETHAN
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Coach Ethan has been working with kids since high school and brings 7 years of teaching experience. He loves helping youth grow while having fun through Ga Ga and basketball, focusing on teamwork, respect, and honesty. During the school year, Ethan coaches Esports, enjoying the unique challenges video games offer kids. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, sports, and sending Tik Toks to his wife.
COACH KIZZY
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Kizzy brings 27 years of passion and experience to youth enrichment, starting her journey as a high school volunteer reader who discovered her calling to positively impact children's futures. A proud Green Bay Packers fan, she specializes in leading dancing and arts & crafts activities that help kids have fun while trying new things. Kizzy's genuine curiosity about each child she meets drives her to learn something new from every interaction, making her sessions both meaningful and memorable for everyone involved.
COACH MORGAN
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Morgan is back for another summer with us! Bringing 4 years of experience from babysitting and YMCA camps. She loves sharing her passion for dance, 9-square, and Ga Ga ball, helping kids learn new skills and teamwork. Morgan is excited to meet the cadets, learn from their fresh perspectives, and discover new games while growing her own skills in engaging and inspiring youth.
COACH DESHAWN
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Coach Deshawn is all about building confidence, creating memories, and bringing the fun. With 10 years of experience working with kids, he's passionate about helping young people grow and believe in themselves—just like his mentors once did for him. Whether he's leading kickball, organizing relay races, or getting everyone laughing together, Deshawn makes sure every kid feels valued and capable of big things. When he's off the clock, you'll find him at the bowling alley, camping outdoors, or cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
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COACH KERRIANN
Kerriann brings 2 years of experience working with kids and a genuine passion for making a difference. A Cardinals fan at heart, she's drawn to youth work because she remembers looking up to adults who believed in her—and now she wants to be that role model. Whether leading video game activities or theatre-based programs, Kerriann creates spaces where kids feel seen and heard. She's excited to deepen her connections with campers and help set them up for success.
COACH HENRY
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Henry brings 5 years of experience working with kids and a true passion for teaching. As a black belt in karate and an instructor for half a decade, he’s always eager to share his love of movement and discipline—both on the mat and in the gym. When he’s not leading a high-energy game of dodgeball (his favorite!), you’ll find him biking, gaming, or enjoying a well-earned snack. Henry is excited to join The Recreation Academy team, connect with campers, and level up his own dodgeball skills while helping kids build confidence and have fun.
COACH ALESHA
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Coach Alesha served as one of our Area Managers before pursuing her degree in clinical psychology with a focus on youth development. During her time with The Recreation Academy, she developed a specialized program for children with type 1 diabetes, creating workshops and fostering an atmosphere of normalization among participants. Her dedication to helping kids feel confident and included made a lasting impact on our programs and the families we serve.
COACH CALEB
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Coach Caleb brings energy and teamwork to every activity he leads. With six years of experience working with kids, Caleb loves guiding team games like basketball and kickball to help kids learn communication, problem-solving, and respect. He’s passionate about creating a fun, safe environment where every child feels heard and valued. Outside of camp, Caleb enjoys playing pickleball, jamming on guitar and drums, and rooting for the Toronto Raptors.
COACH CHEYENNE
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BIO COMING SOON!
We Hire People Who Care
Every instructor on our team passes a thorough background check, holds a current CPR/First Aid certification, and brings at least one year of real experience working with children.
But beyond the credentials, we hire people who genuinely love working with kids. People who bring energy, patience, and a growth mindset to every single session.
After joining, every facilitator completes our training program — including comprehensive video, interactive online modules, and observation sessions with senior staff before leading on their own.
What Every Instructor Brings
✓ Background check — cleared before day one
✓ CPR/First Aid certified (in-person program)
✓ 1+ year experience working with children
✓ A detailed facilitation plan for each session
✓ Mandated reporter training completed
✓ Has completed our full training program
These aren't just feel-good moments — they're building blocks that compound over time, creating momentum that carries into school, friendships, and beyond.
Competitive Pay
School Year Instructors earn $20/hr and Summer Instructors earn $17.50/hr — making us one of the most competitive pay providers for enrichment instructors across multiple cities in the country.
Our Core Values
These aren't just words on a wall. They're the principles that guide how we hire, how we train, and how we show up for kids and partners every single day.
Kids First, Always
Every decision we make — from hiring to curriculum design — starts with one question: is this good for the kids? Safety, growth, and fun are never negotiable.
Growth Mindset
We teach it to kids and we live it ourselves. Every mistake is a lesson. Every challenge is an opportunity. We're always looking for ways to improve.
Integrity in Everything
We do what we say we'll do. Partners trust us because we show up prepared, communicate proactively, and hold ourselves to a high standard every single session.
Raise the Bar
Good enough isn't good enough. We push each other to deliver programs that are better today than they were yesterday — and better tomorrow than they are today.
Teamwork Over Ego
We win together. Our instructors support each other, our area managers develop their teams, and our leadership invests in the people who make the programs great.
Reflect & Improve
After every program, we debrief. What worked? What didn't? How do we get better? The same process we use to develop kids, we use to develop ourselves.
Want to Join the Team?
We're always looking for energetic, passionate people who love working with kids. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
✓ $17.50 – $20 / hr
✓ Flexible scheduling — you choose your shifts
✓ Real training and career growth
✓ Hiring in multiple cities
Bring Us to Your Facility
Schools, parks, and community centers partner with us to bring high-quality youth enrichment programs to their communities.
✓ We provide all staff, equipment & marketing
✓ Zero upfront costs
✓ Revenue sharing for your organization
✓ SEL-based programs families love