North Star Camp for Boys







Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Philip Rasansky


Philip landing ingredients for his famous bass tempura roll

Philip Rasansky will be returning to North Star for summer number eight. One might say that he shares some of the same interests as his twin brother, Parker. Philip is a sophomore at the Greenhill School, where he is on the basketball and baseball teams.  He is also part of BBYO (the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization”) Young Men’s Service League. 

Philip will be a counselor in training this summer. He is looking forward to instructing ultimate, football and basketball.

More about Philip:

Favorite tv show: Man vs. Wild, Sons of Guns

Best place you've ever traveled to: Aspen, CO

Sports teams that you root for:
Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Texas Longhorns

Favorite camp meal: Friday Night dinners

Favorite spot at camp: BBall court, Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp:
UN Day, Glen's Game

Notable camp memory: Beating Parker when we were both Green-White captains

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
Invisibility or Flying

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Family trip to Israel

Preferred chicken nugget dip: ketchup



Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Parker Rasansky


Parker Rasansky is one of three Rasanskys that will be a CIT this year, including his twin brother, Philip. Its been a while since we’ve had twins on staff. Parker hails from Dallas, TX where he is a sophomore at Greenhill School. Parker is on the school basketball team. They just ended their season with a 17-5 record, including a 25 point victory over their rivals. He’s not gearing up for the baseball season and their team looks to be pretty good.

At North Star Parker will instruct disc golf, softball and basketball.

More About Parker:

Favorite tv show: ESPN

Best place I have ever traveled too: Israel

Sports teams I root for: Dallas cowboys, Dallas mavericks, Texas rangers, UT football and basketball

Favorite meal at camp: UN day dinner

Favorite spot at camp: council ring

Favorite all camp special program: glens game

Notable camp memory: coming back from Canadian

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Invisibility

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:  A computer

Preferred chicken nugget dip: none



Monday, February 27, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Eli Fried


Eli Fried comes to camp from Leawood, Kansas. He’s a sophomore at Blue Valley North High School, in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas. He wants to reaffirm that he doesn’t live on a farm or know Dorothy, At home, he’s active in his  BBYO Youth Group chapter, Nordaunian, and in his FIRST Robotics team, the Metal Mustangs #2410.

A Counselor in Training this summer, this will be his 8th summer at NSC and he’ll be instructing rocketry.

More about Eli Fried:

Favorite tv show: Burn Notice and Arrested Development

Best place you've ever traveled to: Disney World/London/Camp 

Sports team(s) that you root for: KC Chiefs, Sporting KC, Kansas Jayhawks, any team playing Missouri or K-State, Purdue Boilermakers, Blue Valley North Mustangs

Favorite camp meal: Chicken Kiev

Favorite spot at camp: Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Friday Nights/Capture the flag

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Visiting my brother Josh for the first time and then being at camp with Josh and my friend from home; Lawrence Brown

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: The ability to use all super powers

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup 


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Ned Shashoua


Ned Shashoua returns to North Star for summer number seven. Hailing from Boca Raton, FL, Ned is a sophomore at Pine Crest School (no relation to the old Spider Lake resort). Ned was actually born in Dallas, TX, however he’s a fan of Chicago sports teams. As for playing sports, soccer and tennis are Ned’s specialties.

He’s also another one of our CITs who has a brother at camp. We’re looking forward to having Ned back as a tennis and athletics instructor.

More about Ned:

Favorite TV Show: Curb your Enthusiasm

Best place you've ever traveled to: Australia

Sports teams that you root for: Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls

Favorite camp meal: Friday night dinner

Favorite spot at camp: council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glenn's Game

Earliest camp memory:
Our trip on the Mighty Nam my first year in J 3

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Flying

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
X Box 360

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Barbeque sauce

Ned doing his best Steve Irwin impersonation

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Chip Kass



Chip Kass, affectionately referred to as “TinyTiny” by Leb returns to North Star for his eighth summer. He’s from Highland Park, IL, where he is a sophomore at Highland Park High School. He’s involved with the theater and choral programs and is currently performing in the musical, Jekyll & Hyde, with fellow NSC'ers Brett Sametz and Jacob Baim. During first session this summer he is going to be at Stagedoor Manor, an acting camp in New York. 

We're glad to have Chip as one of our great Counselors in Training. At camp, Chip will be instructing sailing, theater games and fishing.

More about Chip

Favorite tv show: Chuck

Best place you've ever traveled to: Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Sports team(s) that you root for: Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks

Favorite camp meal: Chicken Kiev or 4th of July Breakfast

Favorite spot at camp: The end of the ridge, the bottom of the counsel ring, or the senior village campsites

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: The play

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: My first audition for the play when the directors made me feel so welcome and a part of the group

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: As anyone who has had a conversation with me about super-heroes can attest, this conversation would last over a week, but if I had to choose right now, I would pick Wolverine's healing factor because I could never get hurt

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: My PS3

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup (Not Catsup) or BBQ sauce


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Josh Devorkin


Josh Devorkin (L) with Aaron Stone and Sean Alexander
Josh Devorkin spends his off season in tropical Mequon, WI. He is a Sophomore at Homestead High School, where he has been on the varsity swim team. He recently swam conference and qualified for sectionals. He has a great chance to swim at state. He is on a traveling lacrosse team and played a tournament in Maryland. Josh is also involved in BBYO.

Josh will be one of our Counselors in Training and at camp he’s looking forward to instructing a variety of athletic projects as well as canoeing and mountain biking.

More about Josh:

Favorite tv show: The amazing race

Best place you've ever traveled to: Aruba

Sports team that you root for:
PACKERS GO PACK GO!!!

Favorite camp meal:
Pizza, grilled cheese with tomato soup, pasta with dirt and worms

Favorite spot at camp: Swim point and the Council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: pow wow day, and Friday night services

Earliest camp memory: 
the first Friday night services having the  amazing sunset in the background and looking around and seeing how  many friends I had made the first week I had been at North Star.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To transport places so that I can experience the world

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
A trip to the Bahamas

Preferred chicken nugget dip:
BBQ sauce

Devo and sister


North Star in Atlanta



Each February we head over to the ACA National Conference. It gives us the opportunity to learn from great speakers, collaborate with others from all over the camp industry and get great ideas for the coming summer. One of the great Keynote Speakers was Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods". Richard is a great advocate of getting people into nature, particularly as we become more attached to technology. Check out his blog for some of his writings.

This year's conference brought us to Atlanta, which isn't exactly San Diego (our 2011 conference site), but its a great city. We also come down to the conference to catch up with camp friends. Little did we know that we'd be seeing some North Star friends and also have a great small world story to pass along.

Andy and I got to the hotel, headed up to our hotel room and were entertained by the Cheerleader Conference that was taking place at our hotel. As we headed back down to meet up with Leb and Sue, we noticed that there was a group of teenage males streaming out of a room, with BBYO badges. I look over at Andy and say "we could run into..." and I didn't even finish my sentence before Andy points and says "him?".

Walking towards us was Jordan Schack, and he was soon followed by his brother Jonathan Schack (counselors from 2011 and former campers). They were there for the BBYO conference and were, needless to say, pretty entertained to see us. Jordan and Jonathan are enjoying their senior years of high school in St. Louis. Jordan is getting ready to head off to University of Pennsylvania in the fall while Jonathan is still in the college search process.

The conference ends tomorrow and we'll be sure to pass along some details and highlights, but nothing as entertaining as running into the Schacks!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Scott Plonsker



Scott Plonsker returns from Deerfield, IL where he is a junior at Deerfield High School. He is active in competitive karate, and his competition season just started and lasts until the summer He is training for the US open which is in April in Vegas. Scotty has also been playing indoor soccer.
 
Scott is also organizing a self defense class for charity through the Key Club, a charity group that he’s involved in at school. Proceeds those proceeds will go towards longevity and you can find more info at: http://on.fb.me/x7s6bm.

More about Scott Jason Cornelius Batman Plonsker III

Favorite tv show: 24

Best place you've ever traveled to: South Africa (I stood on the same bungee jumping bridge where the cord snapped on that woman recently. My cousin actually did it)

Sports team(s) that you root for:
MICHIGAN/Bulls

Favorite camp meal:
that delicious lemon pie from the Canadian

Favorite spot at camp: Right in front of the office air conditioner...and the council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp:
Glen's game (as a camper and a counselor)

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory
: First blobbing experience

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
To be able to sweat Gatorade

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
I replaced my childhood bed this year for one that fits. My feet were poking through the back...

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup with a few drops of honey 


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Mark Yellon



In his spare time, Mark has been known to walk on water
Mark Yellon hails from Chicago, IL where he is a junior at the Latin School. He has been playing indoor soccer for his school and basketball for his  Jewish youth group. He is quite proud of the fact that his team team beat Danny Verb's team. He has been doing community service and fundraisers for a local soup kitchen 2 Lil Fishes. In March, he  will be doing a one week indoor racing project with my school. 

At camp, Mark instructs a variety of projects, including climbing and sailing.

More about Mark: 

Favorite tv show: Sportscenter, Modern Family, Daily Show

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel in 8th grade.  What a cool place!

Sports team(s) that you root for: Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks

Favorite camp meal: It's a tossup between picnics with grilled chicken and marthas bread, and the great tacos at camp

Favorite spot at camp: Council Ring is the best, but the blob/ waterfront area is also a great place to chill out and get a tan.

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Espionage or UN Day

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Walking off of the bus my first year and instantly loving North Star!

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Ability to fly/ breathe fire

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: When I was 8 I got to go for a 
tour of Wrigley Field, met the whole team for autographs and got to play catch on the field

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey Mustard



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Jake Spungen


Jake Spungen hails from Lake Forest, IL, where he is a junior at Stevenson High School. There he is involved with the school’s radio station and the community service club. He is also on the basketball team. We’re glad to have Jake back as a basketball, softball and disc golf instructor.

More about Jake "Spud" Spungen

Favorite tv show: sportscenter impractical jokers, and criminal minds

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel

Sports team(s) that you root for: Blackhawks bears bulls cubs

Favorite camp meal: got to love the hamburger and fries along with the bug juice

Favorite spot at camp: i love sitting at the council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: UN/pow wow day

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: to fly

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: a patrick kane jersey. the hawks are my favorite!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: without a doubt, barbeque



Camper Spud (2nd from left), Pow Wow Day Captain

Happy Valentine's Day - The February Siren is Online



We love our North Star Family! We can't tell you guys enough how much we appreciate you being part of the North Star family, and Valentine's Day is just another great occasion to tell you how much we love you.

As of today, February 14th, camp is only 125 days away and we can feel the excitement building. If you check out the February Siren, you will see why. In it you can see many of the campers and staff that will be at camp for the Summer of 2012, and read about the traveling around the country that we have been doing to make sure that we have the world's greatest campers and staff.


If you love what you see at North Star, and haven't yet signed up for this summer, you can Register Online. And as always, we hope that you'll Spread the Word about North Star to those that you love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Michael Lee


 Michael Lee hails from Riverwoods, IL. He is a junior at Deerfield High School and this will be his 8th summer at North Star and his 2nd on staff. He’ll only be at camp for the first 4 weeks as he is doing a program on International Diplomacy at American University towards the 2nd half of the summer.

He recently participated at the Model United Nations conference lead by the University of Chicago. He placed as the Outstanding Delegation in the Economic and Financial Committee. He's also on the DHS Student Congress Congressional Debate team, is running indoor track and preparing for the outdoor track season. At camp  he instruct tennis, disc golf and other athletics.

More about Michael:

Favorite tv show: Criminal Minds

Best place you've ever traveled to: Rome, Italy

Sports teams that you root for: Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls

Favorite camp meal: Thanksgiving! (Turkey and Mashed Potatoes)

Favorite spot at camp: Manor cabin in the villa

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glenns Game

Notable camp memory:
Pow Wow Day captain 2004

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
super speed

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
Extendable back scratcher

Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey

Doing his rendition of The Bangles hit "Walk like an Egyptian"

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Nick Kasle


Nick Kasle hails from River Hills, WI where he is a senior at Nicolet High School. Nick returns for summer number seven and brings his great sense of humor. Nick is on his school’s tennis team and at camp he can be found in a multitude of areas, on the waterfront at waterskiing, in the arts and crafts. 

Nick also enjoys Larping (or Live Action Role Playing). As a matter of fact, Nick has his own larping sword (totally safe) that he occasionally will bring out for some entertainment. He has been attempting to form a larping squad at his high school, and we have faith that Nick will be successful! We're thrilled to have him back at camp this summer!

More about Nick Kasle:

Favorite tv show:  Avatar the last air bender
Best place you've ever traveled to: the Galapagos Islands
Sports teams that you root for: Packers, Brewers

Favorite camp meal: Grill cheeze!
Favorite spot at camp: Smudge's grave in the council ring.
Favorite all-camp program:  Camper counselor day
Earliest camp memory: walking off the bus my first year and meeting Ben Mizel, thinking he was a real nice guy with baller status.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be: To have one wish that will automatically come true, then wish for a 1000000000 wishes.

Best Hanukkah gift you ever received:  Game cube when it was cool
Preferred chicken nugget dip: whatever suits my mood.

Nick Kasle and his aforementioned larping sword

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Danny Verb


Danny Verb returns for summer number eight. Hailing from Riverwoods, IL, Danny is a junior at Deerfield High School. He’s getting ready for the volleyball season, which begins in the spring. At camp, Danny can be found on the climbing project as well as on soccer, ultimate and volleyball.

More about Danny:

Favorite tv show: Friends

Best place you've ever traveled to: Italy

Sports team(s) that you root for: Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Duluth Huskies

Favorite camp meal: Friday night dinner

Favorite spot at camp: Fun Bug area

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Capture the flag

Earliest camp memory: Being able to get a top bunk my first year at camp in J2

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Teleportation

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Playstation 3

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Buffalo Sauce


Danny (R) with his younger brother Kyle (C) & John Lee.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Jacob Lehr


Jacob showing great form!
While certain other NSC Omaha residents occupy the Nebraska spotlight, Jacob Lehr shows his Husker pride in a more subtle way. Jacob may not be quite as outspoken or up front in his love for the team that plays in Lincoln, NE as schoolmate and fellow counselor Oliver Rockman is, but that doesn't make him any less of a fan.

Jacob returns for summer #8 at North Star. He's currently a senior at Westside High School in Omaha. There he’s a four year member of the school’s tennis team. We’ll put those skills to good use at North Star where he’ll instruct tennis as well as disc golf and golf.

His dad was a camper at North Star, too, making Jacob one of our second generation guys. We're thrilled to have him back.

More about Jacob:

Favorite tv show: Man vs. Wild

Best place you've ever traveled to: Orlando

Sports team(s) that you root for:
Nebraska

Favorite camp meal:
Bear in a hole

Favorite spot at camp: Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: All camp capture the flag

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Jeremy Schmetterer's Quetico experience

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Flight

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
A new bike

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Definitely BBQ.


No one calls balls and strikes like Jacob!