Run for SCOPE

👟 Dan Amoruso
Dan is thrilled to participate in his first full marathon in support of SCOPE! Dan resides in New Jersey native where he lives with his wife, Dawn, and two sons Blake and Ryan. As cardiologist and father of two active boys, Dan values an active lifestyle and has been a dedicated runner for years. His love for running, often shared on local trails with his dog Frankie, has prepared him for many previous half marathons.  

Although he was never a camper himself, he married into a camp family and is now the son-in-law of the directors of Camp Taconic. This has come with perks, including the opportunity to spend many summer days at Taconic. His time spent at the camp has allowed him to witness firsthand the transformative impact of summer camp on young people, fostering confidence, independence, and personal growth. It was through this camp connection that Dan was introduced to SCOPE, an organization that means so much to Dan, his family, and the campers that it supports.  Completing the NYC Marathon would not only be an enormous personal achievement, but the money raised would go towards providing life-changing summer camp experiences to children from under-resourced communities. 

👟 Massimo Austin
Massimo “Massi” Austin is thrilled to be running the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon as part of Team SCOPE! A proud member of the Camp IHC family and co-founder of Allaway Events, Massi is passionate about creating meaningful experiences—whether through camp, events, or now, pounding the pavement for a cause he believes in.

Massi’s main goal? To cross the finish line—and maybe beat fellow runner Joel. But more importantly, he’s excited to help raise funds for SCOPE to give more kids the life-changing experience of summer camp.

While training has been a little trickier these days thanks to the arrival of his 7-month-old son, Hendrix, Massi is more motivated than ever. He’s running for opportunity, for community, and for a future that looks a little brighter—just like the one SCOPE helps create for so many deserving children.

👟 Phillip Buerk
Phillip Buerk came across summer sleep away camps in college where he worked at Camp Taconic in Hinsdale, MA for four summers making lifelong friends and memories. Phillip met his wife, Erin, of over 20 years at Taconic and even adopted a Camp dog. Besides the friends and relationships made at Taconic, the joy of watching kids grow, learn and the freedom of finding out the type of person they are is what led to his love of Camp. Phillip and Erin are the proud parents of two teenagers, Milo and Delia. 

Their belief in the value of camp led them to send their own daughter to Taconic over 600 miles away from home at the age of ten, confident it would offer a secure and enjoyable learning environment for her to forge her own lasting friendships and memories. 

An avid runner, Phillip has completed many half marathons and will be participating in his fourth full marathon. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/phillip-buerk-1

👟 Brooke Gould
Brooke Gould is co-owner of Independent Lake Camp. She spends her summers there with her husband, Jeff Gould, her daughter, Gloria, part of the summer her son, JJ, and there are of course her 2 dogs. Brooke loves to run and cycle and has always been someone that likes to move. If she’s not moving or injured things feel like a never-ending rainy day! But let’s not confuse this with a fast runner. Lol. The older and wiser Brooke gets, her and her ego realize we have all had different journeys and challenges physically and pace means nothing. The fact that members of Team SCOPE have agreed to this physical and fundraising challenge says already that they are champions of this NYC course and she CANNOT WAIT for MEDAL MONDAY!!  

At Independent Lake Brooke works hard to recruit, market and get ready for the season. She works on beautifying the grounds and planning structures and design (interior and exterior). Brooke also works as a camper advocate for home sick kids! she doesn’t have a specific title, but she does a little of everything at camp!  

Brooke never had the opportunity to go to summer camp as a child, so SCOPE’s cause resonates deeply within her.  

Brooke is thrilled and happy to be raising funds for this amazing cause. 

She has a love for running and it has always been a bucket list item for her to complete a marathon. Brooke isn’t sure if she ever thought it was possible but hell or high water, she’ll complete one with Team SCOPE this fall. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/brooke-allison-gould-1

👟 Mike Obermeyer
Mike is originally from Upstate New York and spent over 20 summers in the Adirondacks at YMCA Camp Chingachgook — serving in every role from camper to Camp Director. Camp shaped so much of who he is. It taught Mike how to lead, how to listen, how to build community, and how to show up for others. It’s where he met his wife, made lifelong friends, found incredible mentors, and discovered a sense of purpose that still guides him today. 

Now living in NYC, Mike works with Camp Leaders, partnering with camps across the country to support the incredible work they do and help bring in international staff who make a huge impact each summer. Even though he’s no longer at camp every day, he’s grateful to stay closely connected to the camping world through Camp Leaders, the SCOPE Associate Board, and his ongoing involvement with the YMCA and ACA. 

That’s a big part of why Mike is running the 2025 NYC Marathon for SCOPE. 

During his time at Chingachgook — a longtime SCOPE partner camp — he had the chance to meet many of the campers supported by this program. Mike watched them grow more confident, independent, and resilient in just a few short weeks. They brought so much energy and perspective to their community, and it was clear how much the experience meant to them in return. 

Running has always been something Mike loves and this will be marathon #15 for him — but running this one, through the city he now calls home, for a cause he cares deeply about, makes it feel different. 

Every dollar raised helps send more kids to camp — kids who deserve the chance to grow, connect, be challenged, and discover what they’re capable of in a place that sees them for who they are. 

Thanks so much for the support — it truly means a lot. Let’s do this.

👟 Joel Rutkowski
Joel Rutkowski is husband to Lauren and father of four (Oakley, Mac, Xander & Austen – yes, he needs a hobby), which is his most important work.  When Joel is not wearing that family hat, he creates a living as a co-owner of Camp IHC, Camp No Counselors, and Allaway.   

This is Joel’s third NYC Marathon…THANK YOU SCOPE…The previous two have been incredible experiences. Joel’s goal: simply to cross the finish line. His training is whatever keeps him healthy, which will include a combination of Trail, Road, & Treadmill Running, cycling and, of course, Golf Cart Driving this summer… he’s not sure that counts!  

The first marathon Joel did not train for; the second he was more prepared and this time he wants to give the race the respect it deserves, train properly and hit his target.