Dr. Jon O'Brian, Camp Director
Jon O’Brian grew up in Jamestown, New York, where the YMCA played a central role in his childhood, learning to swim there as a toddler, attending Saturday morning programs through childhood, and participating in the “Indian” Guides program with his father.
At age seven, he first attended YMCA Camp Onyahsa, a place that became especially meaningful as his family faced increasing challenges. Scholarships allowed Jon, along with his sister and brother, to continue attending Camp, directed by Spiro Bello.
At sixteen, Jon joined the Onyahsa staff, beginning as a dishwasher before serving in roles such as Junior Counselor, lifeguard, Senior Counselor, Assistant Waterfront Director, and Assistant Camp Director. Beyond Onyahsa, he worked across multiple YMCA departments, including the Youth Department, Fitness, and Aquatics, where he became a certified Water Safety Instructor.
In 1987, he was appointed Camp Director. At that time, Onyahsa faced declining enrollment and deteriorating facilities. With the support of staff, volunteers, donors, and foundations, Jon led a revitalization of the program, facility, and reputation. A 1998 capital campaign raised over $2 million, launching crucial site improvements and enabling year-round programming.
Alongside his leadership at Camp, Jon pursued higher education, earning his degree summa cum laude from SUNY Fredonia, studying at the Sorbonne, completing his Master’s, and completing his doctoral work at the University at Buffalo. He also traveled extensively before joining Jamestown Community College as a tenured History Professor, where he continues to teach today.
Jon and his wife Rachel were married at Camp Onyahsa in 2014. They now live at camp year-round with their daughter, Jacqueline. Rachel has become involved in Camp operations, from programming to groundskeeping. Together, they continue to welcome campers, families, and visitors to the shores of Chautauqua Lake, and hope you will join them at Onyahsa.
Leaders
Eva Jackson- Administrative and Group Services Director
Eva Jackson grew up in South Florida and started attending YMCA Camp Onyahsa at age thirteen. She joined the Onyahsa staff as a junior counselor in 2015, growing into roles as a lifeguard, swim instructor, Swimming Director, and eventually, Waterfront Director from 2018-2021.
After graduating from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Environmental Science in 2021, Eva took some time away from Onyahsa to pursue higher education. She spent several years in the Tetons and in the Appalachian foothills teaching classes in backpacking, canoeing, and wilderness survival while earning her Master's in Outdoor Recreation and Education from Ohio University.
In 2025, Eva returned to Onyahsa in a full-time capacity to fill the (new) role of Administrative and Group Services Director. In addition to handling summer administrative needs, she coordinates school group programs, monthly camps, private rentals, and organization partnerships throughout the year.
Brody Spencer- Program Director
From Toronto, Ontario, Brody began attending YMCA Camp Onyahsa on scholarship in 2009 and became a staff member in 2016. Since then, Brody has graduated from Fanshawe College in Foundations of Policing on a Pre-Law track. He now works for the Ontario government as a Millwright in the 3rd largest Nuclear power plant in the Western Hemisphere, specializing in Nuclear deluge systems, reactor maintenance, and new tooling and machine implementation.
Brody is currently the program director and oversees the day-to-day resident camp operations, and has for the last 3 years. His favorite things about camp are the Waterfront and Wednesday night campfires!
Nora Collins- Waterfront Director
Nora is from Buffalo, NY, where she attended high school at the Buffalo Seminary (Class of 2022). She is currently a third-year college student in Social Policy and Sociology at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. She's been coming to camp for 10 years now, but her first time was as a monthly camper in the Fall of 2015. One of her favorite things about Camp has always been the beautiful woods and Waterfront; living and working in nature! This past summer was her third year as the Waterfront Director. Some of her hobbies include playing squash, swimming, and doing art!
Ana Roman- Day Camp Director
Ana grew up in Buffalo, NY and Lakewood, NY. She currently studies Early Childhood/Childhood Education at SUNY Geneseo with a concentration in Human Development. Ana has been coming to Onyahsa for over a decade, first attending monthly camps and day camps 13 years ago.
Growing up at camp, Ana's favorite activities to participate in were athletics, but as a Director her favorite part of the week is Monday evening Skit Nights!
Roger Casanovas- Teen Camp Manager
Roger currently studies Sports Science at CEES College in Barcelona, Spain. Back home in Spain, he works as a soccer referee. His hobbies include playing sports, going hiking, and traveling around the world to learn new languages and cultures.
This will be Roger's third year at Onyahsa. His favorite thing about camp is watching campers growing up and coming back every year, especially those who come back as staff.
Camp Staff
Our Camp Onyahsa staff consists of experienced teachers, college students, high school students, and many former Onyahsa campers. These highly committed and competent adults are carefully screened, chosen, and trained by the YMCA.
In addition to hosting international campers, staff members from China, Canada, South Africa, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkmenistan, France, Ireland, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and the Czech Republic have brought greater cultural diversity and international understanding to Onyahsa over the past few seasons.
To Apply or Volunteer:
Summer 2026 Staff Positions and Applications will be posted here in January of 2026. For inquiries, please reach out to the Camp Administration Office by calling 716-664-2802 ×238 or emailing office@onyahsa.org.
Camp Advisory Committee
The Camp Advisory Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers who set policy, raise funds, and oversee operations and development. The additional roles of the Camp Committee include assisting with Camp Onyahsa site projects, special planning, and other endeavors.
Contact the camp office at 716-664-2802 ×238 to join this committee.
