MEET
THE
TEAM
DARBI PHILIBERT
Camp Thrive Director
Darbi brings 31 years of occupational therapy experience and a lifelong commitment to helping children of all abilities participate, belong, and thrive. A Certified Autism Specialist, she previously served as Director of Camp Benny and is the founder of Thrive Therapeutics, where she provides pediatric occupational therapy in children’s homes, schools, and communities.
Darbi is also an experienced educator, author, and speaker who has spent her career helping families and professionals better understand and support children. At Camp Thrive, she brings that experience together with what she loves most—creating a joyful community where every child is known, supported, and celebrated.
THOMAS ROSS BABIN
Camp Thrive Leadership Team
Thomas Ross is a dedicated caregiver and advocate with 16 years of experience volunteering with children with special needs. As the owner of a specialized babysitting service, he provides individualized care tailored to the unique needs of each child and family he serves.
His connection to this work is also personal, shaped by his own family experiences and a longstanding commitment to creating spaces where children feel included and supported. At Camp Thrive, Thomas Ross looks forward to helping campers build meaningful connections, enjoy new experiences, and feel like they truly belong.
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MADDIE MCGRAW
Camp Thrive Leadership Team
Maddie is an educator with eight years of experience across general education, special education, and physical education. Her classroom experience and background in inclusive programming have shaped her belief that every child deserves to be understood, supported, and given meaningful opportunities to participate.
Before Camp Thrive, Maddie spent more than 12 years as a counselor at Krewe de Camp, a one-week camp serving children with developmental delays. She brings her love of summer camp and education together at Camp Thrive, helping create an experience where campers can connect, have fun, and thrive in their own way.
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KAITLYN SANDLIN
Camp Thrive Leadership Team
Kaitlyn is a Louisiana native from Slidell and a first-grade teacher in St. Tammany Parish, where she teaches in an inclusive classroom. Her experience as an educator has strengthened her passion for helping children of all abilities feel known, supported, and celebrated.
As a Camp Thrive Program Coordinator, Kaitlyn brings warmth, creativity, and a love of summer camp to each day. She especially treasures the friendships and memories built among campers, families, and staff and looks forward to helping create a fun and encouraging summer for every camper.
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