We can't wait to get to know you and your family this summer! At Durham Academy Summer everyone has a place, is welcome and included. We hope you will reach out with any questions and/or attend an Open House and get to know us better.
I'm the director of DA Summer and an assistant JV field hockey coach. I earned a B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in social foundations of education from the University of Virginia. I have 15 years of experience at U.S. and international boarding schools — most recently at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where I served as director of activities, trips and summer programs, history teacher, dorm head and field hockey coach.
I love new technology, yard work, detailing a car and I especially love to cheer on local sports teams.
I graduated from N.C. State University with a B.A. in business administration and a second major in journalism. I attended N.C. School of the Arts for classical ballet with intentions of becoming a professional dancer before I made the decision to join the N.C. State dance team. We won the National Dance Championship all four years of my college schooling.
Prior to my work at DA, I was owner and operator of Mynt Boutique, with locations in Elon and Durham. I continue to consult for small businesses and style clients in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, and love having a part in watching local businesses grow. I live with my husband of 15 years and our four children.
I grew up in the mountains of Tennessee with two younger brothers and attended The University of the South – Sewanee (B.S.). After spending 12 years working with development organizations such as the Peace Corps and the United Nations in California, West Africa, the Solomon Islands, and Turkey, I relocated to North Carolina to pursue a career in education. Since 2004, I have been teaching biology at Durham Academy Upper School, as well as working as the assistant director of DA Summer Programs with a focus on our sports programming. My two sons, Jed and Zeke, as well as my daughter, Stella, have also been a part of Summer Programs with me, serving as campers, camp helpers, and Summer Programs staff over the years.
Summer is a great time at DA — I love the positive energy and enthusiasm that our campers bring to Summer Programs. I am also continually in awe of the level of expertise and professionalism that our lead counselors bring to their individual camps. One of the highlights of camp for me has been running a Dodgeball Camp with my sons. I look forward to being a Big Kid with all of our Summer Programs campers this summer!
I'm from Graham, NC, and I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Athletic Training. While at UNC, I worked with various varsity teams, club sports and two local high schools. I'm excited to be part of DA Summer and help the program continue to be happy and healthy this summer.
I am a 2014 “lifer” graduate of Durham Academy. In 2018, I graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience, Leadership Studies, and Criminal Justice from Elon University. I am currently completing a two-year Masters of Social Work program and Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) research assistantship at North Carolina State University. I have a passion for community involvement, equity, social justice, and child and maternal health. I am a practicing doula and in the long term, I hope to become a perinatal social worker for an O.B. or NICU clinic.
My involvement in DA Summer began when I was an Upper School student. I am excited to return to the team in a more integral role. At DA Summer, I am involved in several camp operations, including strategic planning, program development, financial aid, fundraising, external communications and social media. Additionally, I co-lead the fifth-grade cohort of StrongHer Together girls.
In my (limited) free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants with my husband, volunteering at church, traveling and playing with my two furbabies, Rottweilers Roxie and Rello! If you see me on campus, say hello!
I'm the director of DA Summer and an assistant JV field hockey coach. I earned a B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in social foundations of education from the University of Virginia. I have 15 years of experience at U.S. and international boarding schools — most recently at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where I served as director of activities, trips and summer programs, history teacher, dorm head and field hockey coach.
Contact info: 919-489-3400 ext 6114
Costen Irons
I have been teaching Lower School PE at Durham Academy since 2006. I'm the boys’ JV cross-country, JV basketball, and JV track coach. A 1998 graduate of Durham Academy, I ran eight seasons under legendary coach Dennis Cullen. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I majored in psychology and minored in coaching. While at Carolina, I played on the JV basketball team. From 2004 to 2006, I was a teacher’s aide for Wake County’s Bridges program, a program for students expelled from elementary school.
I work to help students develop a passion for exercise and an understanding for how to live a healthy life. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, contemplating the meaning of life and playing the sports I coach.
I am a junior studying Public Policy, Business Administration, and Statistics as a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. After working at an education-focused nonprofit in Thailand and Quizlet in San Francisco, I'm excited to be a part of the DA Summer team! I enjoy giving campus tours of Carolina, coordinating service events for Alpha Phi Omega, and reading good books.
I am excited to be returning to DA Summer again this year and continuing to build strong relationships with campers and families!
I currently teach first grade in Cary and am passionate about being a lifelong learner. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the UNC-Wilmington. I grew up in Durham and had the privilege of attending camp at and graduating from Durham Academy. I am looking forward to another great year with the DA Summer team!
You can email us or reach us via phone at 919-489-3400, and press option 8.
Important Dates
DA Summer Open Registration for All Families
Dec. 14
DA Summer Open House: Durham Academy Lower School
Feb. 1, 2–4 p.m.
DA Summer Open House: Durham Academy Upper School
April 4, 2–4 p.m.
DA Summer Bubble and Bounce Open House for Summer: Durham Academy Lower School
May 2, 2–4 p.m.
COVID-19 Update
We are looking forward to summer now more than ever, and we are thinking of all of you, and especially our campers. We can’t wait for the uplifting music, bubbles blasting, and joyful campers playing and learning. We are all concentrating on what is most important in life: our hearts and compassion for our community, nation and world.
Registration is still open and more than ever, we are looking forward to welcoming our campers! We will be sure to communicate clearly with you if any changes are made. You may cancel up to two weeks prior to the published camp start date.
