North Star Camp for Boys







Monday, April 30, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Craig Madigan


We're not sure what team Craig roots for
We'll do our best to spare Craig Madigan comments about Lucky Charms and  leprechauns. He hails from Ireland, where he's very active in sports and coaching. He's attending the Limerick Institute of Technology where he's studying business with sports management. He's worked extensively with youth soccer teams, training and coaching. In my conversation with Craig, I learned that they actually refer to soccer as soccer, not football, the term that most other countries use.

Craig is eager to come to the United States. He'll put his coaching skills to good use. While he will do some soccer instruction, his main activity area will be golf. We're thrilled to have Craig on board for his first summer.

More About Craig:

Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory

Best place you've ever traveled to: Old Trafford, Manchester- Home of the champions

Sports team(s) that you root for: Manchester United

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Through Camp leaders

What did you do last summer: Worked to travel to America

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Worked in a Bookshop and Soccer camps

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had Just week long soccer camps in Ireland

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

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: My football boots

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Plain please


Sunday, April 29, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Fletcher Hillier


Fletcher Hillier will be joining us for his first summer at North Star. Hailing from Whangarei in New Zealand, he's actually got family from all over the globe. His parents have relocated to England and his brother is now living in Chile. He gets to travel quite a bit to see them and following the summer, he'll meet up with family in Machu Picchu. Fletcher grew up in Whangarei and then went to Victoria University in Wellington, NZ. He'll take a break from his job as a police officer to come to camp this summer.

Fletcher is an avid outdoorsman. He's been climbing since he was ten years old and has worked as a climbing instructor in the past. He also enjoys rappelling, hiking and caving. We're glad to have Fletcher join us as a cabin counselor and climbing instructor.

More About Fletcher:

Favorite TV show: Man vs Wild

Best place you've ever traveled to: Railay Bay, Thailand.

Sports team(s) that you root for: All Blacks (rugby)

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learnt about north start through IPE working adventures which was advertising Summer Camp America in my local climbing gym. I applied to have an adventure over summer where I could learn loads and pass on my knowledge those who want it.

What did you do last summer?: Worked most of it, in my current roll as a Police officer in South Auckland, NZ. I did have a great holiday in ozy though, Just 10 days.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Jack of all trades master of none haha, I have been a abseil and cave guide, native plant nursery worker, lawn and turf laying, (golf courses and the like) Bungy trampoline operator, Gymnastics coach, landscaper.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: NIL bar working in nz with school camps.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: not so much a power but I'd be batman in a heart beat. But if i had to have a power it would be wolverines power of regeneration/heal yourself.

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: War dogs. Book

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ


Saturday, April 28, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Ryan Ward


We assume that Ryan is one of the two coaches
Ryan Ward comes to us from Northampton in England, however we’ve been told that Matt Rixon (who also hails from the area) and Ryan do not know each other. Ryan is currently a student at Edge Hill University where he is studying Sport and Exercise Science. 

Ryan also also works at a leisure center where he is a lifeguard. He was a competitive swimmer and used to compete in triathlons. He’s now focusing his energy on squash, badminton and handball.We're glad to have Ryan aboard for his first summer as a cabin counselor and swim instructor.

More about Ryan

Favorite TV show: Has to be the medical and such subtle wit genius of House.

Best place you've ever traveled to: Probably the island of Turk and Caicos when I was younger. Very beautiful and relaxing.

Sports team that you root for: Seeing as i'm not a big participator in team sports I guess it'd have to be team GB as a whole. (We'll assume that he means Great Britain... but I'm sure that Andy will try to convert him to being a Green Bay fan as well)

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I applied through an agency called Camp Leaders from which North Star directors contacted me offering me a position of which I happily accepted.

What did you do last summer: Despite my attempts, I ended up having a standard summer working as a Lifeguard at my local leisure centre.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Working as a paintball marshal was pretty awesome.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Unfortunately none.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: I would love invisibility or flight. As super powers go, I wouldn't be to fussed if I didn't get my first choice.

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: My gameboy colour when I was a kid, without a doubt! Oh if only I could count the hours I spent on that thing.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: I'm weird and don't like ketchup, so i'm going to say cheese. Everything goes with cheese.

Ryan has promised that his chess set will fit in his luggage

Friday, April 27, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Ben Mizel


What better place is there to wrap up a world wide trip  than the Northwoods and Hayward, WI? That is what Ben Mizel recently decided and we're very excited that he did. Ben and his sister, Shira are have been traveling abroad pretty much since the end of last summer. A year ago, Ben graduated from the University of Chicago and Shira graduated from high school and they decided that before Shira went to college, the two of them would spend the year traveling while they still had the opportunity. We're not exactly sure where Ben is at the moment, but he'll end his travels and head back stateside for the summer. 

This will be #12 for Ben at North Star. He's one of our village directors as well as a cabin counselor and archery & golf instructor. The rest of the admin team is thrilled to have him back because, in addition to his great insights and values, he's quite the comedy writer. When its time for a staff skit show, we task him with the job of coming up with a script of some sort, and he never disappoints!

More about Ben

Favorite tv show: The Colbert Report

Best place you've ever traveled to: Bolivia

Sports team(s) that you root for: Arizona Diamondbacks

Favorite camp meal: Corndogs

Favorite spot at camp: Fun Bug chair swing

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Camper-Counselor Day

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Getting a phone call from my big brother, Adam Heldman

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:  Remembering anything I wanted to

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A tabletop hockey game

Preferred chicken nugget dip:  Barbecue sauce

Ben Mizel; head bouncer

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Staff Spotlight: John Sheehan


Tin Man Sheehan
John Sheehan will be returning to North Star for summer #3. We first met John on our yearly trip to the University of Illinois. Again, we'll give the dinner at Papa Del's the assist on landing John. A native of Carol Stream, IL, he'll be graduating from U of I in a few weeks. He's on the look out for a job, possibly working for an NGO. John took a mission trip to Africa a few years ago, spending time in Kenya where he worked in a school, and he's shared his stories and pictures from his amazing trip with us at camp.

A member of our leadership team, John is one of our village directors. He'll return in that role as well as a basketball and waterski instructor. We're thrilled to have John back... and if anyone knows of any jobs for John, let us know... we'll be a real asset as he is at North Star!

More About John

Favorite tv show: How I Met Your Mother

Best place traveled to: Mombasa, Kenya

Sports teams that you root for: Chicago Cubs, Bulls, and Bears. And of course, although unfortunately, the Fighting Illini.

Favorite camp meal: Toasted Grilled Cheese with Hot Sauce!

Favorite spot at camp: Rocking chairs on the health center porch

Favorite program: Glen's Game

Earliest Camp Memory: Bonding with all the international guys on the trip from the airport to camp!

Super power: Be able to stroke the spine of any book and remember all the information in it.

Best Christmas Present: Lego Train as a 21 years old. Just kidding, I was 9, but it would have been just as awesome last Christmas.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Kacy Lebby


Our wilderness trips program will be in great hands this summer with a fantastic trip staff, headed by our Trip Director, Kacy Lebby. She does know quite a bit about North Star having grown up at camp, but she also has spent many years at Camp Thunderbird in MN where she spent her past few years there  on staff as a wilderness trip leader heading up their Pacific Northwest trip. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, she returned to North Star last summer as one of our trip leaders. 

Since the summer ended, Kacy spent a few months leading trips for Outward Bound and is now working at Nature's Classroom, an environmental education in the Northeast. Over the past few months, she's been working hard preparing for the summer and we're thrilled to have Kacy back!

More About Kacy

Favorite tv show: The Bachelor... uh, I mean..... Planet Earth

Best place you've ever traveled to: Istanbul

sports team(s) that you root for: Packers

Favorite camp meal: Cheeseburgers, fries, fruit salad

Favorite spot at camp: Front porch of the office- best place to catch all the action.

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Continuous dodgeball.

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

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: a family trip to Mexico. Ole!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Siracha/ Ranch mixture


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Mandy Stanek


Ask anyone who does staffing for a summer camp and they'll tell you that the waterfront director is amongst the hardest (if not the hardest) jobs to fill. Its a position that takes quite a diverse array of skills. First and foremost, the person has to be well versed in aquatics and is typically a pretty good swim instructor. They also need to know about lots of other waterfront activities like sailing, fishing, skiing and boating. They support and supervise the staff who work in those areas. Oh... and its certainly helpful if they know how to use tools as there is a lot of equipment that needs periodic adjustments and repairs.

The waterfront director requires a special person, and we think that we have the perfect individual for that role... none other than Mandy Stanek. Mandy will be returning for her 11th summer. Originally from Cadott, WI, Mandy started as a maintenance assistant and worked her way up, becoming our waterfront director. In reality, if you counted time spent at camp, Mandy would eclipse most, if not all of us as she actually lived at camp all year long for several years. As a speech therapist, Mandy worked for school districts in Northern Wisconsin, so she lived at camp. Mandy has accepted a job in Markesan, WI school district, where she'll be starting in the fall.

We're thrilled to have Mandy and her dog Melo back at camp this summer!

More About Mandy:

Favorite tv show: Anything on HGTV.

Best place you've ever traveled to: Do I have to pick one?? Australia, New Zealand, Austria, and Germany top the list pretty much in that order.

sports team(s) that you root for The only team to root for: ... The Green Bay Packers:)

Favorite camp meal: tinfoil surprise

Favorite spot at camp:  Swim Point of course:)

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: UN Day/ Pow wow day.

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Kyle Havens telling me it was a long way to the office from 30 Leb's Lane. sometimes it still feels like a long way.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: total control of water. 

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten:
Jumper Cables. (Editors note... this is one example of why Mandy is our waterfront director)

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ

Mandy and Ben Mizel w/ Leb and Sue at their Big Ten

Monday, April 23, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Ben Lamont


Ben Lamont hails from Seaton in South Australia. A graduate of the University of South Australia, he’s returned to university to receive his masters degree in teaching. He has worked as a free lance outdoor activity instructor, taking school groups out camping. He recently completed a rock climbing instructors course and has taken groups on both high and low ropes courses. He’s also coached tennis, his sister’s basketball team and his own under 17 soccer team.

He describes himself as a bloke from the country in South Australia who loves playing all sports and all outdoor activities. Apparently his friends would describe him as  the guy who is always keen to do anything! His career goal of being a physical education teacher will be put to good use at camp, where he’ll be a climbing and pathfinders instructor.

More About Ben

Favorite TV show: Family guy

Best place you've ever traveled to:
Fiji

Sports team(s) that you root for

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply:
Simply through CCUSA and i wanted to come to camp to have a culminating experience after finishing uni and to have an experience that takes me out of my comfort zone. I have also received a lot of positive feedback from previous camp workers!

What did you do last summer:
Well summer here in Australia I had a relatively boring year but managed to spend some time in my home town (Port Lincoln) fishing and golfing, a lot of time at the beach and climbing around Adelaide and working!

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held:
For the past couple of years I have been working part time in a camping store to put myself through uni. Besides that before starting this course I did some work with schools as an outdoor instructor, specifically with rock climbing and bushwalking. Besides that I worked as a courier in Portlincoln before starting uni but boring!

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: 
I've done in terms of uni and work but basically it includes many locations throughout South Australia, mostly bushwalking, but also climbing, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing. I've also done camps in Victoria and Tasmania including white water kayaking.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
Either flying or Unbreakable (invincible kinda) haha can't decide!

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
Probably my old bike but I can't help but think of a cricket set I once got.

Preferred chicken nugget dip
: Definitely tomato sauce!



Friday, April 20, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Adomas Rauckis



In early February, Andy and I headed on our annual trip to the Detroit area. Along with a camper fair in the suburbs, we also make a few campus visits for staff hiring. The circuit usually includes Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. We do our best to spread the word and while on the trip, we got an application from Adomas Rauckis, a student at Eastern Michigan. I sent him an email to see if he could stop by during my visit to campus, but unfortunately he had work until 1pm, and I was leaving town at noon. I figured that extending my stay wouldn't be a problem, but Adomas has class right after work, so he wasn't able to meet until 5pm. I'm definitely glad that I decided to stick around... not only was I able to head back to Ann Arbor and visit the Maize and Blue Deli, but I got to meet Adomas, who we're thrilled will be joining us for his first summer.

Adomas hails from Imlay City, MI and is currently a sophomore at EMU. He's studying International Affairs and hopes one day to head to Washington D.C. to work in politics. Throughout high school Adomas was involved in Michigan Boys State and Boys Nation. He has lots of camp experience and has been a counselor the past two summers.

Adomas  is an avid bow hunter and fisherman, so we'll make sure to put him to work on archery and fishing.

More About Adomas:

Favorite TV show: Burn Notice

Best place you've ever traveled to: San Antonio, TX

Sports team(s) that you root for: Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Michigan Wolverines and Texas Longhorns

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star through my fraternity's Facebook page where we post things that may interest brothers. I looked over the website and decided that working at North Star seemed like an experience I couldn't pass up.

What did you do last summer: Worked in a pickle factory (no joke)

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I have baled more hay than I care to think about

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I am an alumnus of Michigan Boys State and Boys Nation. I have been a counselor at Michigan Boys State for the past two summers.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Super Speed!

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Nintendo 64

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey Mustard


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Ryan Nemethy


We're not really sure whats going on here
Andy and I joke about making our yearly trip to Champaign, IL as being a good excuse to go to Papa Del's pizza for dinner. Whenever we head down there, we take current NSC staff (as well as Andy's sister, Jami) out for their famous deep dish. Pizza aside, we've got a great tradition of staff recruiting at U of I. We've been heading there each spring for the last four or five years and each year we manage to walk away with at least one solid new counselor. Last year Jeremy Palgen came aboard and the year before him, John Sheehan did. Both will be back in 2012 and will be joined by U of I sophomore Ryan Nemethy.

Ryan is a native of Lisle, IL and is a phsychology major. After graduating he's planning on earning his Ph.D in counseling psychology. Ryan is currently the President of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at the U of I. He's also one of many of our staff members that has spent time in Africa. He traveled there last summer. Ryan will be instructing fitness training, climbing as well as a few of our athletic activities.

More About Ryan

 Favorite TV show: How I met your Mother

Best place you've ever traveled to:
Tanzania (East coast of Africa)

Sports team(s) that you root for:
Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blawkhawks

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply:
I received an e-mail from Andy and went in and met him and Dan and how can you turn those two down? I mean really.

What did you do last summer?:
I traveled to Africa last summer which was absolutely insane. Beautiful place and people.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held?:
I worked at Target.. got a pretty sweet discount there. I've teach an introduction class at the University of Illinois which is a ton of fun and been great getting to meet new people as they enter into their college careers.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?:
I have no previous camp experience except for baseball, football camp which weren't over night camps and they were much shorter.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
Huge fan of captain america. I want to be him.

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:
I got a fruit juicer for Christmas. It's awesome.

Preferred chicken nugget dip:
Ketchup but I'm slowly becoming a bbq sauce man.


Ryan handling poultry

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Matt Rixon


One of the great things about camp is that we have fun with various random things. We find lots of ways to entertain ourselves and create running jokes. We already know that we're going to have quite a bit of fun with two of our British counselors, Matt Nixon and Matt Rixon. Yes... we have two first year counselors named Matt Nixon and Matt Rixon. They are actually both from the same placement agency and our rep there promised to see if he could find a third counselor named Matt Dixon.


For today, we'll talk about Matt Rixon, who hails from Northampton, in the middle of England. He’s an experienced watersports and sea cadets instructor. He’s currently working at Northampton Water Sports Center teaching sailing and windsurfing to both children and adults. He runs activities and summer camps and drives safety boats for club races. He had the opportunity to go on a ten day sea cadet exchange program to India and he’s also worked on a tall ship. Matt will be instructing sailing and windsurfing at camp.

More about Matt

Favorite TV show: scrubs.

Best place you've ever traveled to: Mumbai, India. 

Sports team(s) that you root for: The northampton football club (cobblers)

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply:  I applied for camp leaders who put me in contact with north star which looks like an amazing camp. (we liked that answer!)

What did you do last summer: I taught sailing, windsurfing and other outdoor sports.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I was a steward at bestivial (music festival on the isle of wight)

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went away with the sea cadets and have helped run camps at my local sailing club.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: My super power would be flight. 

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: a playstion one feeling really old when I put that.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Dylan Fogarty


There is a lot of pressure that arises when a former staff member refers one of their friends to work at camp. You're worried that if your friend doesn't do a great job, there goes your reputation (so much for that job reference!!!). On the other hand, if your friend doesn't have a good summer, you may never live down "the summer that you had be go work at that crazy camp in Wisconsin". So there is a lot of pressure on 2011 counselor Scott Diebel, who told us back in the fall that his friend Dylan Fogarty would make a good counselor.

 Dylan is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.  He is currently working on majoring in Sport Management.  To put it simply, his life revolves around sports.  Whether he is playing, watching, discussing, or thinking about them, he love every aspect of sports.  Dylan's best friend is Scott Diebel, and Dylan claims that they are very similar.  Like Scott, Dylan loves being outdoors in the summer.  Hailing from Arlington Heights, IL, Dylan has two younger sisters. At camp he'll be a tennis instructor.

More about Dylan:

Favorite TV show: Family Guy

Best place you've ever traveled to:  Montana and Wyoming.

Sports Teams that I root for:
  Chicago Bulls, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply:
  My best friend Scott Diebel worked at the camp last summer.  He said that he had a blast and recommended that I apply as well.

What did you do last summer:
  I worked for Motorola on an assembly line building radios.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held:  Currently I am a student manager for the University of Minnesota Women's Basketball Team.  I travel with, practice with, essentially do everything for the team. 

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: 
I used to go to a lot of basketball and tennis camps when I was younger.  The last camp experience was a 5 day camp at the University of Illinois Tennis Camp.  It was the best week of my summer.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:  Definitely the ability to become invisible. There is no question.

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: My Nintendo 64 when I was in elementary school.  It was classic.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Tough call, but probably ranch.


2012 New Camper Open House Pizza Party


New Camper Open House Pizza Party
Saturday, May 12, 2012
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Barnaby's Pizza
960 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, IL

Join us on Saturday, May 12 at Barnaby's Pizza in Northbrook for an opportunity to meet some of our junior staff, ask your burning questions and introduce your son to some of the other first time campers. Dan Lichtenstein and I will be at Barnaby's with some fine North Star staff members who will look to get your son psyched for his first summer at North Star

This is our third year doing such an event and our goal is to help each of our first-time campers to feel comfortable and get even more excited for camp. It is our hope that this allows each of our first-time campers to meet some staff and other first-time campers so that they can see some familiar faces when they arrive at the bus.

Please RSVP to Andy@NorthStarCamp.com or at 847-943-9559, and feel free to contact me if you have any other questions as well. We hope you'll stop in and have some pizza!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Jacob Cullen


Apparently he knows how to use a hammer
Add Jacob Cullen to the crew of counselors that we have from Winona State University (MN). He's a senior at Winona  majoring in recreation tourism with an emphasis on nature tourism, and a minor in adventure tourism. He chose recreation and tourism  because he wanted to teach people but he knows that he couldn't do it in the traditional classroom setting. He's not a fan of sitting inside for long periods of time, so this major sounded and is perfect him.

Before Winona State, he attended Iowa Central Community College where he was a 2 sport-athlete in track and field and cross country. Jacob comes from a very large family. He has 5 brothers and 2 sisters ranging from the oldest being 28 and youngest turning 9 in October. He's part Pacific Islander, on his father's side. He absolutely loves being outdoors whether it's just going for a walk or participating in a various array of outdoor activities and sports. Jacob was volunteering at the School of Recreation's summer job fair at Winona and I made sure that he had his friend stopped by the North Star booth before they headed off to class. I'm not sure where his friend ended up working for the summer but we'll make sure that Jacob ended at the right place! He'll be instructing climbing and canoeing at camp this summer.

More about Jacob

Favorite TV show: Lie to Me, River Monsters, and Scrubs

Best place you've ever traveled to: The best place I have ever traveled would definitely be the main island of Hawaii

Sports teams that you root for: The Wisconsin Badgers, UNC Tar Heels, Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, the Packers, and any team playing the Miami Heat

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Summer job fair at Winona State, I thought it would be a good experience and always wanted to go to summer camp as a child, but never got the chance so I decided to try as a counselor.

What did you do last summer: Worked at a printing company here in Winona, swam in a mine pit almost every day and disc golfed almost every day

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: The most menial job I have ever had would be working at the printing company that I work out now. The most random noteworthy/random job would be when I sold books door to door out in New York in 2 summers ago

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I have never had any summer camp experiences

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

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: When my cousins from New Mexico and Hawaii came to visit for a couple weeks

Preferred chicken nugget dip: I don't eat chicken nuggets very often, but when I do I don't them in any sauce I eat them plain

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Drew Vandegrift


Andy and I were at Michigan State University for our staff hiring, which is pretty cool because their career center is actually in their football stadium. We were hoping that we'd bump into MSU QB Kirk Cousins in hopes that he could convince him to be a counselor and football instructor. We didn't see Cousins or any of his teammates, but Drew Vandegrift did stop by, and we're glad that he did. A sophomore, Drew is studying Fisheries and Wildlife and has aspirations of becoming a Wildlife Biologist. He's a big outdoorsman and doesn't like sitting around for very long. He participated in lots of sports and ultimately focused on soccer. He's also an avid long boarder

Drew and his friend Dan (who also will be joining us) are both big mountain bikers and told us how they liked repairing bikes tinkering with bike parts. Andy and I figured that in addition to maintaining our working bikes that Drew and Dan might be able to resurrect some of our previously declared inoperable ones. Drew will instruct biking and pathfinders but we also are looking forward to him being a big help on climbing. 

More about Drew

Favorite TV show: Frozen Planet

Best place you've ever traveled to: Aruba

Sports team(s) that you root for: Arsenal

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Through Outdoors club here at MSU. Well, I love the outdoors and North Star seems darn outdoorsy.

What did you do last summer: Camped on the Au Sable River, Longboarded 120 miles

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Mowing, Serving at Applebees

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Attended Spring Hill for a few years

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To be able to "jump" (like in Jumper the movie)

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: My lovely Longboard

Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey mustard


Friday, April 13, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Nick Meyer


Nick Meyer was one of three new counselors that I met at Winona State University's Recreation Job Fair. When he came up to the North Star booth he was decked out in green and white Michigan State gear. He had quite a bit of explaining to do when he told me that he is actually from Hamburg, Germany. Nick has been living in  Michigan & Minnesota the past two years. He's a student at Winona State, majoring in Recreation & Tourism. He describes himself as pretty sportsy (if that’s even a word) and loves being physically active.

Being a recreation and tourism student made North Star a great fit or Nick. At camp, he'll be a climbing and soccer instructor. I actually had a hard time detecting Nick's German accent... but we'll let our campers judge.

More about Nick:

Favorite TV show: ESPN’s College Gameday (I don’t really watch tv shows)

Best place you've ever traveled to: Urupukapuka Island in New Zealand

Sports team(s) that you root for: Michigan State & Germany

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Summer Job Fair at my school. I applied because I think it is going to be a great opportunity to apply skills I have learned and spend the summer in a useful position, instead of wasting it on the beach.

What did you do last summer: I worked fulltime at a Senior Center in Michigan.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I once posed for a family calendar for a friend of mine, as a made-up distant cousin, because they needed a 12th person.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to summer camp 3 times as a camper in Spain.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Jump really high, so I could dunk a basketball

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce! I love that stuff!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: RANCH, can’t beat ranch!


Friday, April 6, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Lewis Mulvee



We're happy to have yet another returner back in Lewis Mulvee.  Hailing from Edinburgh in Scotland, Lewis has studied information systems in University. An instructor of cadets in Officer Training Corps, he instructs both sports and shooting. He also teaches basic marching to the cadets... something that we’ll have to make good use of at camp. 

This will be Lewis' second summer at North Star. Last year we shipped him off to Canada with our Pine Manor campers, so he'll get to see some of those guys on staff with him in 2012. At camp Lewis will be instructing archery and riflery as well as fitness training. 

More About Lewis:
 
Favorite tv show: The Big Bang Theory

Best place you've ever traveled to
: America

sports team(s) that you root for:
Scotland Rugby Team

Favorite spot at camp
: Manor camp fire area

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp
: Rainy days activity

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory
: Lifeguard training with Leighton and Mo

If you had a super hero power, what would it be
: The ability to travel through wormholes

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten
: My kilt

Preferred chicken nugget dip:
BBQ 


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Mitch McGregor


We're very excited to have Mitch McGregor back at camp for his second summer. A native of central Illinois, Mitch received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University. At the moment he is finishing up his masters degree in architecture from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. He decided that he'd return for another summer while he looks for an architecture job.

At camp Mitch instructs model rocketry and digital photography. We know that he is looking forward to his fan club that includes a few campers who enjoy making scrap rockets and making good use of the hot glue gun. Mitch always has a smile on his face regardless of the situation and his fun, positive attitude will be a great addition to camp this summer!

More about Mitch:

Favorite tv show: NCIS 

Best place you've ever traveled to: Montreal, and throughout Quebec

Sports team(s) that you root for: SIU (even if they are horrible)

Favorite camp meal: Tin foil surprise, and bear in the hole (if someone else makes it)

Favorite spot at camp: Path to swim point

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Predator vs. Prey

Earliest camp memory: A 8hr car ride with a complete stranger, Scott Diebel, and then walking into the camp office not knowing what to expect and meeting Andy and Sue. 

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten:  When I was 9 years old I walked out the front door and there was a horse tied to the porch, by far best Christmas present.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Teleportation would definitely come in handy

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ

Mitch along with Jeremy Palgen (L) and Scott Diebel (C)

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Staff Spotlight: Scott Goldberg


Scott Goldberg; cake fan
We're happy to have Scott Goldberg back. He's a busy guy as a sophomore at Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT.  Apart from studying, he spends the majority of his time singing in the Dissipated Eight a cappella group, sailing competitive regattas as a part of the Sailing Club, and, believe it or not, learning how to log roll!

Scott will be returning for his 11th summer. A native of Omaha, NE, he's a second generation North Star man and a younger brother who is currently a camper. At camp, Scott can be found instructing windsurfing as well as climbing and sailing. Scott is also a member of our leadership team as one of our village directors. 

More about Scott:

Favorite TV show: Arrested Development

Best place you've ever traveled to: Bermuda

Sports team you root for: GO BIG RED!  HUSKER POWER!

Favorite camp meal: Saturday night barbecue chicken on the grill

Favorite spot at camp: The Council Ring

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

Earliest/notable camp memory: Running for my U.N. Day team as Junior

Super hero power: The power to control time or the power to fly

Best Hanukkah present: I don't remember... Hanukkah was never really about the presents.  I still enjoy brunch at Gaga and Papa's; the blintz casserole is amazing.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey